TPR Email Edition for April 20, 2018: The New(s) Newsletter

I’ve redesigned the newsletter, and welcome your feedback. Today I launch a new template for the newsletter that is designed to provide you with a condensed summary of the information you need to be an engaged local resident in a condensed easy-to-read format. (Replies to this email are sent to me)

– Joey Coleman

P.S. One section is absent today, “New on The Public Record” as I spent yesterday working on this redesign.
Look for new content on The Public Record this weekend, including the Mountain Plaza mixed-use residential planning application, McMaster University takes the City to the OMB for non-decision on the Main West/Treymore residence, and news from the Heritage Committee that the Padoga sign is being restored.

“Angel of Dieppe”, dead at age 103. Sister Agnes Marie Valois remembered for her daring efforts to save lives during the disastrous 1942 Dieppe Raid. Her obituary in Le Journal Paris Normandie (French), and remembrances from Hamiltonians who met her in today’s Hamilton Spectator. 

(Photo courtesy Capt (Ret) Tim Fletcher of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry)

NDP MPP Questions Value of Union. An voicemail recording obtained and published by CBC reveals that MPP Paul Miller questioned the loyalty of a staff member who took parental leave, and suggested the union representing the staff member, Todd White, is “really digging a hole for themselves” and that NDP MPPs are not happy with the union. Read more and listen to the voicemail at the Toronto Sun.
Veteran Affairs Cmte to Visit Hamilton. The Federal Standing Committee on Veteran’s Affairs to will visit Hamilton and Six Nations this spring to “study on needs and issues specific to indigenous veterans“.
Dofasco Aiming to Fix Emissions Problem. Members of ArcelorMittal Dofasco’s Community Liaison Committee heard the company’s plans to eliminate particular emissions by moving scrap handling indoors. Community members received this positively, The Hamilton Spectator reports.
Register to Participate in OMB hearings for Television City, Mac Student Residence. Case coordinators have been assigned to the OMB appeals filed by Brad Lamb’s Television City, and McMaster for non-decision to build their new public-private partnership student residence at 1190 Main West. Click the links for contact info for the case coordinators, who you can email to request notification of the pre-hearing date to register as a participant.
HSR mobilizing for Mac Exams on Sunday. I noted on Monday the HSR would need to operator full service this coming Sunday due to rescheduled McMaster exams. The HSR is promising every 20 minute service on the 51-University, which will be inadequate for demand, however, I’m being told by HSR operators management is seeking more drivers to volunteer for Sunday, I’m hopeful the HSR will provide the full service (every 8 minutes) required for exams.

Parent Taking School Board to Court Over Charity Policy. A Halton Catholic District School Board parent is taking them to court on their new “sanctity of life” policy which forbids fundraising for groups that “either directly or indirectly, abortion, contraception, sterilization, euthanasia, or embryonic stem cell research” Among the charities banned are Sick Kids, Canadian Blood Services, cancer research charities, and the United Way.
Parent David Harvey, a retired non-practicing lawyer whose wife has terminal cancer, is filing a judicial review application. Harvey, during his career, successfully argued two cases at the Supreme Court of Canada.    
Bikes on Ottawa LRT. OC Transpo will continue to allow bicycles on their LRT system, including the new Confederation Line opening in November, and continue to monitor demand during peak times. OC Transpo says two bikes would take up the same space as five or six riders.
Engaging Disengaged Voters. Steve Paikin gathered young people into a panel discussing why millennials, immigrants, and Indigenous people are often missing from voting lines come election day in Ontario”

Apr 25 Why Mid-Sized Cities Will be Sustainability Leaders. Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring hosts former Winnipeg Mayor and former Ontario Environment Minister, now Executive Director of the Pembina Institute Glen Murray for a free public talk at the RBG next Wednesday evening. RSVP and details
May 3 Port Authority Community Update. The Hamilton Port Authority is hosting an community update. Details 
May 6 Finding Level Ground: Discussion on Affordable Housing. Beasley Neighbourhood Association is hosting a group of panel discussions on how to keep Beasley a complete community, and affordability challenges across Hamilton in general. Details

Newsletter top photo: Augustus Jones Fountain, Downtown Stoney Creek