image: Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia

It’s an issue for flagellants and its starting to feel like penance: What to do about Port Dover’s Silver Lake and Misner Dam. Reading the latest round of intercommunication between Mayor Travale and MPP Barrett we found ourselves rubbing our temples. For years now, this hot potato of an issue has sold newspapers, confused the public, misinformed the public and perhaps more troubling, revealed that no elected official seems willing or capable of contextualizing what this all about. It’s about the need to do the right thing and *gasp, issue in change.  Before we get to that, here’s what we can share with you:

MPP Barrett’s Column *sent to media at 4:26pm on the Friday before the long weekend

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Look at all options, imagine the possibilities

“This circular discussion cannot continue.” – Ron Keating

By MPP Toby Barrett
We on this part of Lake Erie are blessed with significant wetlands including the
marshes of Long Point and the Lower Grand, even upper Silver Lake in Port Dover.
Over the years, they have been altered by man-made structures -Dunnville Dam, Long
Point causeway, as well as Ivey’s and Misner’s Dams in Dover.

Over the past three years, Silver Lake has been a bone of contention as the county
continues to deliberate.

But there is hope. After hitting bottom, often new paths and new opportunities
present themselves.

With a bit of luck, continued hard work and working together, goals can be achieved.
Management is required – planning, organization, leadership, oversight and control -
in the case of Silver Lake, cost control and flood control.

When you have a mission – in this case a mission “To restore and enhance Silver Lake
and its environs for the benefit of Norfolk County” – when you know where you want
to go, you often get there.

It will take time, and there will be other setbacks, but eventually you will make it.

Delhi’s Quance Dam on Big Creek is an example of success. We had it rebuilt. The
Delhi District Anglers Association was a funding partner in the project, with
significant funding from the former Township of Delhi, Long Point Region
Conservation Authority, and the Ministry of Natural Resources. Funding also involved
the Community Wildlife Involvement Program and TD Friends of the Environment, as
well as the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission for an inflatable lamprey eel barrier
downstream.

Quance Dam saw a number of organizations working together. Again, we saw success
through co-operation, coordination and negotiation. Quance holds back the water -
augmenting a beautiful park right in the town of Delhi.

From what I’m told, the crucial factor for who pays for dam upgrades is ownership.
Dams on Grand River have largely been bankrolled through the Grand River
Conservation Authority. Provincial funding provides assistance through the Water and
Erosion Control Infrastructure Fund – an MNR fund, and sometimes the municipality
helps out. Often, local municipalities are assessed a portion of the costs.

In my view, we could save Silver Lake separate from the issue of dealing with
Misner’s Dam. Look at the Bird Studies Canada marsh in Port Rowan. With assistance
from Ducks Unlimited and others, a pond was created that is filled from Dedrick’s
Creek. In Port Dover, we could have a lake and the river flowing unobstructed. You
don’t necessarily need the Lynn River to run through Silver Lake to bring back
Silver Lake – perhaps a culvert to access water from the river at the north end, and
a large rock barrier at the south. A berm or levee could be created that would
separate the two.

My point? We’ve had a major setback after three years. We have an opportunity to
look at other options, to consider the alternatives, to consider the possibilities!
There is expertise locally to deal with this problem. We need to move forward with
it.

Ever bearing in mind, we are blessed with a unique setting of the Lynn River,
Ivey’s, Silver Lake, Misner’s, Black Creek and Lake Erie. We’re blessed – right
across Haldimand-Norfolk with natural resources. Let’s seize those opportunities.

—————————————————————————————————————–

A mission to restore and enhance Silver Lake? But Silver Lake is actually a mill pond and the product of an industrial era need. The dam harnessed the power of falling water to operate historic machinery. Silver Lake is a byproduct of the dam- to restore Silver Lake means building a reconstructed Mill. Enhancing Silver Lake would mean dealing with the heavy metal pollution.

A culvert pipe? Mr. Barrett is suggesting that a culvert pipe diverts the Lynn River to create a mini- Silver Lake ?  That would mean major construction and engineering to alter the natural flow of the Lynn River. Expensive, impractical and an environmentalist’s nightmare.

Dams are not success stories. Nation-wide efforts are on to remove dams. If dams were a success story, this would not be the case. If dams are success stories- we need to know how many dams are found in Norfolk County and what roles they play in being a success.

Paying for dam reconstruction is a crucial factor. That’s because Dams are un-natural. They work against gravity, nature, momentum and energy. On the other hand, knocking a hole in the front of a dam to decommission it, is a fraction of the cost.

Mr. Barrett ask yourself, who needs Silver Lake? When you have an answer, please let us know.

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The response from Norfolk Mayor Travale

A meeting has been requested with the MNR and I will certainly ask them to
speak to Mr Barrett’s position of removing Misner’s dam, letting the Lynn
River “flow free” and establishing the “ponds”.

My questions will be directed specifically at:

What process needs to be followed to remove the Misner’s dam;
What sources of funding are available;
Who (what agency) would initiate the process and contract for the work to
be done;
When such removal could proceed; and
Who, what agency will maintain Port Dover’s harbour and dredge it to
maintain a workable depth.

I will also ask:

What process needs to be followed to establish the “berm, culvert, levee
and rock barrier”;
What sources of funding are available and who would apply for such funding;
Who (what agency) would initiate and “oversee” the process; and
What role the abutting property owners and the community should play in
such a venture.

All of the above questions are what I am also asking Council to
contemplate and discuss.

I hope that the Ministry of Natural Resources can and will be prepared to
answer some if not all of the questions, and make those answers available
to those concerned citizens of Port Dover.

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Mayor Travale  is to be applauded for making his position and plans clear but the use of colloquialisms such as “those concerned citizens of Port Dover” begs the question: WHO are these concerned citizens? The vocal minority or the silent majority? The last time we checked and counted signs, the number of Dam/Lake proponents is miniscule compared to the number of Port Dover homes and residences without signage and that includes areas such as Prospect Street that borders Silver Lake itself.

Nowhere in Mayor Travale’s comments is there a mention of the polluted condition of Silver Lake nor any mention of how to address this environmental concern. If you’ve misplaced the environmental report and need a refresher- we have the pdf available here on our website.  From Oct 2011 http://www.thesilo.ca/declassified-norfolk-report-reveals-silver-lake-polluted-with-metals/

——————————————————————————————————————————————

From MPP Barrett

Mayor Travale:

Thank you for the feedback. My column does not take the position of “removing
Misner’s Dam”.

Thank you

Toby Barrett

—————————————————————————————————————————————–

From Mayor Travale

Thank you Toby. May I ask, how does the Lynn “run free” if the Misner’s dam is nor
removed?  It cannot stay the way it is.

—————————————————————————————————————————————–

So the exchange is revealing. It shows that this issue is so complicated when it doesn’t have to be. It shows that even communication between high levels of government are strained. It shows that positions are not clear. Our position on the other hand is:  someone stand up and act like a champ. Do what’s best for the environment, the taxpayer and the public conscience. Educate us. We’re ready and willing to be engaged citizens. Decommission Misner Dam and let nature take its course. 

Let the comments commence. Agree? Disagree?  CP

Flagellants. Woodcut in the public domain.

Sure lemons are great when squeezed on fish or grilled asparagus but thats just scratching the surface….so says Limoneira, the United States largest supplier of Lemons and avocados. Earlier this year, Limoneira offered almost 2,000,000 common stock shares to help bolster its bottom line while it plans to team up with international food,beauty,health,lifestyle and cleaning experts with an eye on developing new product demand and new international product destinations including Canada. CP

SANTA PAULA, CA. – After launching its new marketing campaign, Unleash the Power of Lemons last year, Limoneira Company, a leading agribusiness, announced its partnership with five Canadian based experts in the areas of health, beauty, food and drink,
lifestyle, and cleaning to promote the many innovative uses of lemons.

The experts are passionate, local opinion leaders who have paired with Limoneira to provide  tips, uses, recipes, and much more on a new website, www.limoneira.com/unleash  Limoneira has also paired with local experts in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Seoul, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Lima, and plans to continue in major metro markets globally.

“The local leaders we’ve paired with are the movers and shakers in their industries, and they’re experts in using lemons in a variety of innovative and fun ways,” says Harold Edwards, Limoneira’s CEO. “We believe the campaign is a way to help drive
consumption for our lemon business.”

An early, vintage Lemon crate. The Limoneira Company was established in 1893.

The Canadian experts include:

* Aviva Allen, regularly featured in Canadian media and the author of two books  is one of Toronto’s leading nutritionists and heads a successful nutritional counseling practice in offering clients personalized nutrition advice with an emphasis on whole,
unprocessed foods.

* Tayler Rogers and Kendra Lovik are the wise women behind the Beauty Mark one of Vancouver’s longstanding beauty boutiques that offers Canadians highly coveted brands and products north of the border. These girls have a major following, and they’ve
been covered extensively in Elle Canada, Vancouver Magazine, Westender, I’m the  It Girl – the list just goes on and on.  The Beauty mark was created for beauty  junkies seeking the latest “gotta have it” products. Tip: For radiant skin, mix equal amounts of lemon juice and honey and apply on your face and neck.  After 10 minutes, rinse off with cold water.  Lemons contain hydroxyl acid which is highly valued in beauty products.

* John Michael MacNeil, Executive chef at Teatro in Calgary is building on the restaurant’s impeccable tradition by taking the very best quality ingredients and classical techniques and combining them with “molecular gastronomy” to produce something new. After stints in Banff, Switzerland and France, MacNeil made his way to Calgary as culinary czar at Teatro.

* Manny Sgourakis’ passion for the creative has made Luluthia Floral Design the  go-to source for clients such as Mercedes, Guess, Marciano, Queue de Cheval, Lexus and many others. Consistently ranked among the top in the floral industry, he and his team create works of floral art for discerning Montrealers. Tip: Incorporate lemons in floral centerpieces.

* Tenzin Jangchup, CEO of innovative Good Karma Eco Cleaning is bringing the highest quality cleaning services to Montreal. The Company uses non-toxic eco-friendly cleaning products and is making small but powerful changes that are creating a big difference in the health of their client’s homes, families and the world. Tip: Use lemons to clean grout, simply add lemon juice to 1 or 2 tablespoons of Cream of Tartar to  create a paste- apply with a toothbrush then rinse.

“Lemons are one of the most versatile items in the produce department” says Alex Teague, Limoneira’s Chief Operating Officer. “Our Unleash the Power of Lemons campaign takes advantage of today’s technology, and it is fun, informative and easy. Everyone
knows that lemons are a great recipe ingredient and enhancer, but they also have many uses in the areas of health, lifestyle, beauty, and cleaning. ”

Six generations since Limoneira’s founding, the company continues to move,grow and look ahead to international markets and products. Almost two million shares were offered in February via Nasdaq. CP

About Limoneira:

The Limoneira Company was founded in Ventura County, California in 1893. Their dedicationand innovation in the agricultural industry helped found and develop many institutions that still exist (Sunkist Growers, Fruit Growers Supply and Diamond Walnut). Today, Limoneira has evolved into a global company whose mission is to preserve and promote its tradition, heritage and legacy in agriculture and community development. With over 7,000 acres of agricultural production, Limoneira is the largest provider of lemons and avocados in the United States. In addition to agriculture, Limoneira  has a long history of community building and involvement in residential and commercial real estate. Finally, sustainability has been woven into Limoneira’s fabric for  over a century with strategic investments in water, solar, soil, and integrated  pest management.  For more information visit www.limoneira.com

Early indicators are that Limoneira’s stock is solid. CP

Supplemental-  Limoneira offers 1.8 million shares of common stock via Nasdaq Februrary 2013 

More than what meets the eye and what doesn’t meet the eye- the comic panel. Transcending time, transcending linear thought, transcending singularity. The panel has been used throughout the ages- it’s a mystic form of communication. CP

Whether you are a fan of comic books or not, this is an entertaining TED talk and here is why:  it expounds the process of thought and observational connectivity in science and in the arts.  Uh- what does that mean?   In simpler terms, it means that this short TED explains how a scientific mind operates in the arts.

Our narrator Scott McCloud is the son of a blind genius. His Father was a rocket scientist and an inventor for the American defense industry and his siblings are all working in the Science industry.  Scott on the other hand, is a comic book artist. More specifically: a variantologist comic artist.

At the start of the TED Talk, Scott does his best to explain that the ‘apple’ really doesn’t fall that far from the ‘tree’- even if your siblings are, engineers and scientists and you are not.  Here’s why:  Scott McCloud the comic book artist came to realize that our contemporary understanding of how we define art and understand media is wrong and the true understanding is one of interrelated connectivity based on thought and observation.  Working in Comic books is not really that different from working in science.

Scott McCloud. Comic creator and variantologist.

You want to know more but it would be sinful to give too much away. After all this lecture weighs in with a featherweight length of 17:06.  What I can tell you (other than it is completely worth watching) is that Scott does an artful job of breaking down the ‘modus operandi’ of curious minds.  He summarizes his insight using a K.I.S.S.  quadrant grid showing that our processes of thought are interrelated.  “Sorta -kinda” like using a four-sectioned pyramid to help rearrange and reuse a mathematical formula- he shows how the Classicist, the Formalist, the Animist and the Iconoclast are just parts of the same formula of human experience and thought. Just as in scientific investigation and theorizing, creativity in the arts is powered by human experience and thought.

Things worth remembering. Scott offers a “quick bake” recipe for meaningful results: Learn from everyone. Follow no one. Watch for patterns. Work like Hell.       For the Silo, Jarrod Barker

Computer Axial Tomography (CT Scan)
A CT (computed axial tomography) scan, also known as a CAT scan, uses a rotating X-ray tube and special computers to produce high-resolution, cross-sectional images of the body. It is also possible to create three-dimensional images. The CT scanner resembles a large donut, with a narrow bed in the middle.
CT technology is used to diagnose abnormalities and pathology in almost any body part and tissue, including your brain, spine, musculoskeletal, lung, abdomen, pelvis and blood vessels. Your test may require an oral or intravenous contrast medium (dye) to be used to enhance images of organs and blood vessels within the body.

With Haldimand County’s first CT scanner now fully operational at the Haldimand War Memorial Hospital in Dunnville, a combined $25,000 donation from two community sources helps to ensure the equipment has a long-term home in our community.

A $15,000 donation was offered by the Royal Bank of Canada.

“We are overwhelmed with the support that RBC has shown over the past few years,” said Doug Madill, Assistant Treasurer of the Dunnville Hospital and Healthcare Foundation (DHHF).

“This $15,000 brings us that much closer to our goal of $1.5M, of which over $900,000 has been raised.”

 Ted Freifield, RBC Dunnville’s Branch Manager, thought the ‘Back the C.A.T.’ campaign was a worthy outlet for the donation.

“We are proud to support the arrival of Haldimand County’s first CT scanner, as it will result in faster, better quality care for all residents of our community,” said Freifield.

In addition to RBC’s contribution, a combined $10,000 donation in memory of long-time DHHF board member and community leader, Harry Price was also received.

Russ Cameron, owner of Dunnville Rock Products, along with Paul Cameron and the Cameron family, donated $5,000.00 each in memory of Mr. Price.

“Price was once named Dunnville’s ‘Citizen of the Year’ and he played an integral role on the many different boards and committees on which he served. His commitment to improving healthcare in our community was evident with his tireless support of the ‘Care & Win’ lottery and other Foundation events,” said DHHF staff in a press release May, 2013.

RBC Dunnville presents a $15,000 donation to the DHHF’s
‘Back the C.A.T.’ campaign. Front (L-R): Carol Burke, Cathy Nagel, Doug
Madill, Shelley Rollo, Charlene Nagel, Ted Freifield, Denise Fisher, Joan
Allen, Cornelia Thorne. Back (L-R): Lisa Sander, Scott Tomlin, Adam
Faulkner, Brian O`Connor, Alec Cowan, Christina Pentlichuk.
Contributed photo.

“Having served on the DHHF’s Board of Directors for over 25 years, his passion and dedication to improving the lives of others will be greatly missed.”

For more information on how you can support the ‘Back the C.A.T.’ campaign, visit www.dhhf.ca or call 905-774-2529.

images: courtesy of the author

A thousand UFOs are reported each month and are usually seen with lights or as bright orbs. They often appear to be signaling their presence. I have been told by high ranking personnel that UFOs definitely have a religious aspect involved in their presence. Most are friendly but some have their own agenda.  The Ten Commandments has instructions for mankind to abide by rules or laws that mankind should use when they travel in space such as do not kill and steal.

The Bible frequently mentions lights.

“You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew. 5:14-16: The Bible promises life after death. Are these ships here to pick up human souls as they die? People’s bodies are known to lose less than an ounce at death. 

“A fourteenth century fresco of the Madonna and Child by St Giovannino, in the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, attributed to the 15 Century school of Filippo Lippi. A UFO hovers in the distance. A blow up of this fresco reveals details of the UFO including port holes. It seems to indicate a religious involvement between UFO’s and the appearance of the Christ Child. ” from disclose.tv

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “The soul comes from without into the human body, as into a temporary abode, and it goes out of it anew … it passes into other habitations, for the soul is immortal.”

Angels in Starships

There are thousands of books about angels and first hand contacts with humans. The book “Angels in Starships” tells of Angels or aliens in Italy. The book states, “And now the facts: Giorgio, Tina, Paolo, and other friends have a number of ‘eye-to-eye’ contacts with space brothers, with rides in starships, and with conversations, in which it is revealed to them that they are the so-called ‘angels’ of the Bible, or mediators and messengers of those who served God’s will, and still serve, to reveal the truth to men of Earth, and to guide them on the path toward higher development. During the encounter their car received tremendous heat and the engine was severely damaged.

In the course of such meetings, the group received important revelations and messages of utmost seriousness, which concern all the inhabitants of this afflicted planet. The invitation to follow paths to a better way of life is well advised, for the time of great catastrophes and dreadful happenings about which the Apocalypse speaks is coming nearer; the day in which “one will be taken away and the other left behind.”

On the occasion of one of these unusual meetings, the Earthly friends, who had been entrusted with messages and teachings, and had been guests on the flying saucers and the starships, were allowed to have the wonderful experience of visiting a distant planet.

Understanding of this work is important and perhaps decisive for every person.

A few examples of UFO encounters : In Indian Sanskrit, space vehicles are generally called ‘Vimanas.’  Cicero, in the 43rd chapter of his “De Divinatione”, writes of ‘balls in the heavens’; Julius Obsequens, in “Prodigia”, writes of ‘flaming shields’, and these descriptions occur likewise in Aschylos, Plutarch, Seneca, and Valerius Maximus. and Xenophon. Dio Cassius related that, at the first landing of the Romans in Great Britain under Aulus Plautus in the year 43 B. C., a round object flew like lightning from east to west. Roman soldiers had UFO like objects on their shields.

‘Dark globes’ were seen over Basel in the Middle Ages, and similarly, there were ‘airships’ in the skies of the United States toward the end of the 19th century. During World War II, ‘balls of light’ and so-called ‘foo-fighters’ followed both the Allied and the German aircraft.  For the Silo, George Filer. Search “Filers Files” for more about UFO’s

 Supplemental: Kniha angels in starships

.

Andrew Weaver

GPO leader Mike Schreiner made the following statement on the election of BC’s first Green MLA:    

“I want to congratulate Green Party candidate Andrew Weaver for his historic victory in yesterday’s BC election. Andrew is the first Green ever elected in a provincial legislature in Canada.

Once again BC voters have made history two years after electing Elizabeth May as Canada’s first Green MP. I am happy and excited for Andrew and everyone pushing for a sustainable future.

 I know Andrew will seize this moment to be a voice for change in BC, and he will work tirelessly serving his constituents in Oak Bay-Gordon Head.   

 I also want to commend Leader Jane Sterk and all BC Green candidates for a strong campaign. The Green movement in Canada is growing stronger. Mr. Weaver’s election is an inspiration for the Green Party of Ontario. GPO members are already working hard to bring change to Ontario by electing our first Green MPP to Queen’s Park.”  For the Silo, Becky Smit

Without ‘best practices’ in place, unchecked farming procedures can lead to Algal blooms.

The Grand River Conservation Authority has developed a showcase of water improvement initiatives- other municipalities can surely benefit from similar programs. What resource is more important than water? CP

 
More than $300,000 is available this year to farmers in Waterloo Region for water quality improvement projects. Applications are being accepted for grants from the Rural Water Quality Program, which is administered by the Grand River Conservation Authority.

Farmers can apply for grants for projects such as:

*         tree planting along streams, on retired farmland or to create a windbreak,

*         construction of fencing along streams to keep livestock out,

*         construction of manure storage and milkhouse waste treatment facilities

*         development of nutrient management plans,

*         improvements to fuel, chemical or fertilizer storage and handling systems,

*         well upgrade or abandonment projects, and

*         erosion control projects

“Farmers should be applying now for grants on projects they want to do this year,”said Tracey Ryan, Manager of Environmental Education and Restoration for the GRCA.

Fencing- a necessary first step for preventing microbiological contamination of waterbodies via fecal matter.

“We have staff available to talk to landowners and help them with their applications.”

Anyone interested in the program should contact Anne Loeffler, Conservation Specialist, at aloeffler@grandriver.ca  or by phone at (519) 621-2763, Ext. 2

Grants range from 50 per cent to 100 per cent, depending on the type of project. The landowner contributes the balance in cash, materials or labour.  Participation in the program is voluntary. Funding for this program is supplied by the Region of Waterloo and through the Ministry of the Environment’s Drinking Water Source Water Protection Program.

Since the program began in 1998, Waterloo Region farmers have invested more than $13 million in 1,200 projects, with grants to farmers totaling more than $4.4 million. More than 330,000 trees have been planted on 690 acres of fragile land, along watercourses or to create 35 km of windbreaks. Fences have been installed along over 50 kilometers of stream banks. About 160 farmers have taken advantage of the program to improve their manure storage facilities. For the Silo, Dave Schultz

Don’t think our water is under threat? Think again- this satellite image (courtesy of Essex Region Conservation Authority) shows Lake Erie under seige by a massive Algal bloom. CP

Supplemental- British Columbia guidelines on waterquality criteria for microbiological indicators

Huge toxic algal bloom expected for Lake Erie in 2013- http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/story/2013/04/29/wdr-algae-bloom-predicted-lake-erie.html

image:http://cpcml.ca

QUEEN’S PARK – Haldimand-Norfolk’s MPP will be going back at the Minister of Labour
tomorrow after indicating his dissatisfaction with a response to his question on
government steps to deal with the US Steel lockout of Steelworkers at Nanticoke.

“I was at US Steel Nanticoke last night. A thousand Steelworkers are locked out-the
third lockout in three years between Lake Erie and the Hamilton works.” Barrett
stated in the preamble to a question to the Deputy Premier today. “A thousand steel
jobs support 4,000 others and up to 9,000 jobs can be affected.

“Ontario has already lost 300,000 manufacturing jobs. Look at London. Deputy
Premier, what are you doing about these lockouts?…What are you doing? Have you
talked to the company? Have you talked to the union? What steps are you taking to
get Steelworkers back to work?

The Deputy Premier, obviously at a loss for words, punted the question to the
Minister of Labour.

“Ontario has 600,000 people out of work. Jobs are fleeing the province,” Barrett
went on to say. “Look at London: 9.9% unemployment. Caterpillar closed
Electro-Motive and moved to Indiana. Now they’re closing Toronto and moving to
Michigan. And here we have the third US Steel lockout in three years. I’ve been
talking to the union, I’ve been talking to the company. We have government for a
reason. Will you personally pull all sides together, at least call a meeting
personally?

“The steel business has changed. Your approach has not changed. You’re getting
rusty,” Barrett shot back in his supplementary question. “Please explain: What are
you doing to deal with this new reality, not only in the steel business but in
Ontario’s manufacturing in general?”

With the Minister choosing to laud the importance of mediation without mention of
any action steps to get Steelworkers back to work, Barrett registered his
dissatisfaction with the Clerk, leading to a more fulsome late-show debate on the
subject Tuesday evening.

For more information contact Toby Barrett 519-428-0446 or 1-800-903-8629

Supplemental: Excerpts from the LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO Monday 13 May 2013 Labour dispute

Mr. Toby Barrett: To the Deputy Premier: I was at US Steel Nanticoke last night. A
thousand Steelworkers are locked out-the third lockout in three years between Lake
Erie and the Hamilton works. A thousand steel jobs support 4,000 others and up to
9,000 jobs can be affected.
Ontario has already lost 300,000 manufacturing jobs. Look at London. Deputy Premier,
what are you doing about these lockouts? A government mediator was involved. I asked
your government what does the mediator do, and I was told that can’t be divulged.
What is he doing? What are you doing? Have you talked to the company? Have you
talked to the union? What steps are you taking to get Steelworkers back to work?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: To the Minister of Labour.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: I thank the member opposite for raising an important question.
Speaker, as we all know, some negotiations are very challenging and some take place
in the public eye. I want to commend all those who represent employers and unions at
the negotiating table who have come together to develop a strategy that could work
for both of them.
We know that agreements that are reached around the negotiating table are the best
ones, and we really encourage in this situation for both parties to come back to the
table. As the member opposite noted, a Ministry of Labour mediator has been engaged
in the negotiation.
The mediator has been assisting the parties and has met with the parties on seven
different occasions.
Our services are still available. We encourage the parties to come back to the
negotiating table. We are willing to facilitate that conversation and come out with
a negotiated settlement that will be in the best interests of all parties.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Toby Barrett: Ontario has 600,000 people out of work. Jobs are fleeing the
province. Look at London: 9.9% unemployment. Caterpillar closed Electro-Motive and
moved to Indiana. Now they’re closing Toronto and moving to Michigan. And here we
have the third US Steel lockout in three years. What have you learned from that?
What have you done?

I’ve been talking to the union, I’ve been talking to the company. We have government
for a reason. Will you personally pull all sides together, at least call a meeting
personally? The steel business has changed. Your approach has not changed. You’re
getting rusty. Please explain: What are you doing to deal with this new reality, not
only in the steel business but in Ontario’s manufacturing in general?

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: I think the member opposite knows exactly how the labour relations
process works, where both parties need to come together on their own will around the
table and be able to negotiate a settlement.
I think the member opposite also knows the role of the government or that of the
Ministry of Labour is to mediate or facilitate that conversation, and our mediators
are available. They have participated in the process on seven different occasions
and they are willing to get the parties back, but both parties have to agree to doso.

Now, what’s concerning is the approach that the party opposite continues to raise,
and that is their right-to-work-for-less strategy. We know, Speaker, that approach
does not work either, so I ask the member to stop advocating for a system that will
take a race to the bottom for workers, and ensure that we have a robust labour
relations process, like we have in the Ontario Labour Relations Act. I encourage
both parties, in the case of US Steel Canada Lake Erie Works, to come together and
negotiate a final settlement.

Supplemental- US Steel Lockout of Lake Erie Works Begins its 3rd Week

Get the word out! Visit www.thesilo.ca/add-your-event and let our community know about your fundraiser,yardsale,buck&doe….

As temperatures continue to climb one of the things I really look forward to is the night-time sounds of crickets and the day-time sounds of grasshoppers. If you didn’t know already, crickets and grasshoppers are not the same insect- though they do share a distint common ancestor somewhere back in time.  For one thing, grasshoppers have short antennae whereas crickets have long antennae. Considering that crickets are active at night, in the dark- it makes sense for them to have “supercharged” antennae.  Perhaps this is a favourable adaptation?

Oh but the sound. It’s amazing to know that together and in unison, thousands upon thousands of orthopterans (the common order that is shared by crickets and katydids,  grasshoppers and locusts) can create a huge amount of sound from nothing more than, in the case of grasshoppers: rubbing their hindlegs against their forelimbs or in the case of crickets: rubbing their forewings together.  Judging by the number of nature recordings, CD’s, and MP3′s available- many of us are enjoying these sounds as a soothing treatment to help us unwind, relax and fall asleep.  CP

Cricket or grasshopper? What do you think? photo: Dixie Greenwood

From the nature recordist NeCubFlyer: “I’ve been recording high quality nature sounds for over 26 years for my own personal use. When I first started, nature recordings didn’t exist and when these types of recordings finally hit the market, they were so overly compressed & attenuated it didn’t even remotely sound natural!

Throughout this recording you may find sounds that are man made. All of my recordings are captured in nature as it happens. None of my recordings have been “Computer Generated” or are short segments looped together. I have traveled to some of the most remote areas of the US to capture my nature sounds only to find jets flying overhead or a train off in the distance blowing its horn. It is virtually impossible to capture a clean recording without the “Hand of Man” being heard. To remove these sounds would take some serious computer manipulation and destroy the integrally of the recording! Being a purest… what you hear is what you get… just like the real world.

If you enjoy these soothing sounds, please   visit my site  and help show your support…I hope you enjoy this beautiful recording as much as I have!!!”

And now for some photos- Two of  these were taken at the recent consultation meeting with well known and respected skater and skatepark consultant Kanten Russel. The aerial view image is of the Dunnville Lions Park and shows the Z-shaped structure in the lower left: ground zero for the proposed Dunnville skatepark. Updates on the way!

photos courtesy of the author

Old style story- A small crowd gathered in the auditorium of Grandview Lodge on
May 8, to discuss a youthful issue- to hear the words “Haldimand County is fully
committed to the Dunnville Skate Park Project.

Katrina Schmitz of Haldimand County called a last minute
meeting in order to share the latest developments related to the Dunnville Skate Park Project, including a sneak peak at the proposed layout.

Schmitz was accompanied at the front of the room by Kanten Russell, a consultant for Stantec Consulting , the company working to develop the Dunnville Skate Park Project.

“Now is the time to ask the questions, because I don’t want anyone leaving with unanswered questions because at this point we are committed to building this before the end of the year,” said Schmitz.

“We need to finalize a design, finalize the budget and get going.”

A Dunnville Lions Member questioned regarding the possibility of including a bowl into the layout.  However, Schmitz had to be the
bearer of bad news and explain the budget would be entirely eaten up just to have the appropriate drainage and grading for a bowl.
Although it wasn’t what the audience wanted to hear Russell suggested a possible phase two of the project for the future.

The highlight of the meeting took place after a slideshow of skate park designs Russell had been a part of developing.  Russell rolled out large copies of  Dunnville Skate Park design, and markers.  He then spread the blue print out and the four skateboarders, two BMX riders and Nan Adie who helped create the existing skate park  began editing the blueprint to exclude uninteresting details and add features they thought more beneficial to the users.

“It feels pretty good, I really want to give my input but I want the younger guys to get in here,” said Adie.
“Russell has some great ideas for covering the basic needs and it’s going to be a really good park.”

For the Silo, Lacie Williamson.