Zeeshan Hamid's Urban Village Blog

The Protecting Children from Internet Predators Act

Zeeshan Hamid — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:26:56 +0000

I know it’s technically not a local issue, but it is one that impacts us all. The government has tabled a bill they’re calling “The Protecting Children from Internet Predators Act”. Here’s a summary: the proposed law gives police departments the ability to obtain personal information about Canadian Internet users without a warrant. That information [...]

The Protecting Children from Internet Predators Act

Zeeshan Hamid — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:25:52 +0000

Letter to My Old Master: Black History Month

Zeeshan Hamid — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:23:07 +0000

(A group of escaped slaves in VA in 1862) The 1865 edition of New York Daily Tribune ran a copy of this acid-tongue message from an ex-slave Jourdon Anderson, in which he responds to a missive from his old owner, Colonel P.H. Anderson, to return to work for him in Tennessee following his emancipation. Jourdon [...]

Motion on opening municipal data

Zeeshan Hamid — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:23:44 +0000

This Monday’s council meeting has a motion jointly requested by both Councillor Di Lorenzo and myself in regards to “Open Data”. Before I explain, let me thank Councillor Di Lorenzo for doing all the leg work in drafting and scoping this motion. He really is a true asset for us in Milton. Basically we’re asking [...]

Savoline / Main intersection open (pictures inside)

Zeeshan Hamid — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:03:11 +0000

This should take some traffic off Scott and make it easier for people on Savoline. Main Street will turn into a beautiful street once these trees mature. I’ll even take a picture at this intersection for today’s entry of my Z365 “A Picture A Day” blog.

China and transportation

Zeeshan Hamid — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:00:54 +0000

China is unveiling the world’s first 300 passenger bus : Many cities in China already significantly restrict car ownership. New bus will have a dedicated lane in local highways, and has five doors for easy entrance and exit. China also just unveiled a 500 km / hr train :- That’s not it, China is also [...]

Haunted House donates $11,243 to the Hospital Foundation

Zeeshan Hamid — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:46:29 +0000

Thanks to Councillor Di Lorenzo’s leadership and creativity, and hard work by countless others.

2012 Haunted House Donation

Zeeshan Hamid — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:51:58 +0000

30 story building in 360 hours!

Zeeshan Hamid — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 20:27:05 +0000

So you want to erect a 30 story building that can resist a 9 magnitude earthquake, is 5 times more energy efficient than a conventional building, has 6” thick glass curtain wall insulation, four-paned windows with built-in shades, a heat recovery system and a 3-stage air filtration that purifies indoor air to be 20 times [...]

To Velodrome or Not To Velodrome

Zeeshan Hamid — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:32:22 +0000

Some history first: Back in early November a report came to the council about the velodrome. PanAm Games needed an indoor track cycling arena and Milton could be a possible location. My first reaction was “no freaking way”. However, I, along with most of my colleagues in the council, asked staff to see if they [...]

Snow Clearing Policy

Zeeshan Hamid — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:09:31 +0000

There’s a bit of confusion about Milton’s current snow clearing standards. Town of Milton does not plow every street. This webpage explains Milton’s snow clearing procedures. Specifically, you can use this map to see the classification for your street. Because of flash freeze two nights ago, many streets ended up with ice buildup. Trucks were [...]

2011 RIS Conference

Zeeshan Hamid — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:51:19 +0000

With the NDP Leadership Candidate Peggy Nash, MPP Dipika Damerla, MP John Carmichael and Ontario Minister of Citizenship Charles Souza.

Barcelona Central District

Zeeshan Hamid — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 23:05:48 +0000

Cities that are designed with strict Urban Design always stand out from the rest :- (the Mathematician in me can stare at this screenshot from Google Maps for hours)

Polling Station Locations Anger Voters

Zeeshan Hamid — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 03:18:46 +0000

From Milton Canadian Champion The province’s 40th general election was marketed as ‘easy’ by Elections Ontario. With 10 days of advance polls and 28 days to vote by a special ballot, the agency sought to make it harder than ever to give people an excuse not to vote. Tell that to the residents of southwest [...]

Provincial Legislative Assemblies in Canada

Zeeshan Hamid — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 23:59:54 +0000

Ontario, Newfoundland & Labrador, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and PEI are all headed for elections this fall (yes, five provinces). I wanted to see how different provinces in Canada choose to organize their legislative assemblies :- Province MPP/MNA/MLAs Population MPP / pop Ontario 107 13,167,894 123,064 Quebec 125 7,886,108 63,089 British Columbia 85 4,510,858 53,069 Alberta 83 [...]