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Open letter to Mayor Lovell and Owen Sound City Council

July 21, 2009
Open letter to Mayer Lovell and Owen Sound City Council
Re. Sydenham Holdings development proposition and proposed change in zoning

Dear Mayor Lovell and Council,

Last night, I attended a portion of the Council Meeting after reading Christy Hempel’s column in the Sun Times. Unfortunately, I did not read the article until five minutes before my arrival at City Hall, too late to hear the presentation of Sydenham Holdings, citizens input or the debate. Thus if my remarks are redundant, I apologize.

Firstly I wish to acknowledge the very difficult job you are faced with in these difficult economic times and facing challenges of a magnitude such as climate change hitherto undreamed of, or should I say unnightmared of! Additionally, I want to say, knowing several of you personally, I am sure of your sincerity in desiring a sustainable future for the citizens of Owen Sound.

Having said that I wish to share some comments and concerns arising from the reading of Ms. Hempel’s article and subsequent attendance at the Council meeting.

Let me vigorously voice my support for the substance of Ms. Hempel’s column, specifically her call for development in accordance with Ontario’s “Smart Growth” policies. I would as vigorously support her suggestion that council “review the long-range vision for our commercial area on the east side”.

Last night I heard several councilors talk about the responsibility Owen Sound has as regional centre. Hear, hear. I also heard enthusiastic reference for the prospective increased tax revenues that would ensue as a result of this development proposal. One question this raises is this proposal part of a sustainable solution to the economic problems we face as a city?

In about 1965 Owen Sound in what certainly seemed a good decision gave, as in zero cost, a piece of land to PPG to build a plant. It can’t be argued that this did create both revenue from taxes and many jobs for over forty years. With the recent closure, by definition, this has to be deemed, by definition, a non sustainable initiative. Was there an alternative that could have been pursued that would have been sustainable? I don’t know. Could the council of the day been more perspicacious in their decision making? It is hard to imagine given the virtually consonant world view at time.

These same conditions do not maintain today. We have knowledge of climate change. We have knowledge of peak oil and natural gas. With the greatest of respect to LEED(Leadership in Environmental and Sustainable Design) Gold designation, to point to having a big box retail development, epitomizing urban sprawl, achieving a LEED Gold standard as an example of sustainable development is akin to applauding the attachment of flotation devices to deck chairs on the Titanic.

In conversation with local Engineer Jim Farmer today, he told me the cost gap between goods imported from China and those manufactured locally has narrowed to five percent from the previous 20-30 percent. What happens when the products contained in “Big Box” retail are not cheap because of the cost of shipping, regardless of manufacturing costs? What happens when people won’t drive distances to shop because the cost of fuel has doubled tripled or quadrupled in cost. These circumstances, according to lots of people way smarter than me are a when not an if proposition. Not to mention the morality of burning carbon in a climate change crisis world.

May I respectfully suggest that Owen Sound can take a real leadership role in developing a sustainable, region with a healthy economy by helping to develop a regional plan based on self sufficiency and vertical integration That is, we eat food and consume goods and services produce and process and manufactured here. I moved here because I saw in Grey-Bruce the possibility of a sustainable, self-sufficient bio region for my children and future grandchildren to live in.. And I am not saying 100 percent. I want my fair trade coffee too. But could we shoot for 80 percent self-sufficiency.

I would urge you; no beg you, on behalf of the future generations, to be the exception as political leaders and develop a long term vision that is truly sustainable, not just pay lip service to the notion and be complicit in “Greenwashing”.

After attending last night’s meeting I called a friend, a local business man deeply involved with local affairs who cares deeply about a sustainable future for our community. I asked where were the people who share these values at last night’s meeting. He said sadly, “people don’t believe that council will listen”. I am sure that is not true of all of the councilors all of the time, but for it to be said at all, for me, is a problem.

Prove him wrong, please.

Sincerely,
Kevin Best

8th Annual Fabulous Festival of Fringe Film

8th Annual Fabulous Festival of Fringe Film
July 30 – August 3

This year’s instalment of the Fabulous Festival of Fringe Film has been consolidated into one weekend (July 30 – August 3), pushing the boundaries of film, video and new media works by artists from around the world. The program for 2009 includes an AIDS docu-musical, video installations on Main Street, a collection of mixed-media work by Asian artists, a contemporary silent film by Guy Maddin and workshops for people of all ages.
The opening reception will take place at the Durham Art Gallery on July 30 at 8pm. Quebec City artist Diane Landry’s media installation and magical kinetic sculpture explores the visually sublime through the “eyes” of familiar mechanical devices. “Picture Happenings” will be on display at the gallery until September 20. Once the summer sun sets the opening continues at the middle dam of the Suageen River for out an outdoor screening. Heather Keung of the Reel Asian Film Festival is presenting a provocative and poignant program of mixed media performances and videos by Asian women.
Filmmaker John Greyson will be present to introduce his documentary “Fig Trees”, recent winner of a Teddy Award at the Berlin International Film Festival. An unsparing portrayal of the continuing impact of the AIDS epidemic and the political quagmire surrounding its treatment, “Fig Trees” brings the viewer on a musical rollercoaster ride of top 100 countdown songs, opera, documentary, and surrealist fantasy.
Afternoons have been set aside for cutting edge documentary films. “RiP: A remix Manifesto” is a film about copyright and re-mix culture and the blurred line between inspiration and infringement. In “The Yes Men Fix the World” we meet Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno. Gonzo journalists, media pranksters, and Swiftian satirists, the Yes Men pose as corporate spokespersons. Can they find a way to defeat the cult of greed and save civilization from its excesses?
Returning artist Lesley Chan will be conducting filmmaking workshops for kids and adults. Lesley is re-introducing the overhead projector, a piece of equipment that is almost “anti-digital”. There has been resurgence in overhead art since it was originally appropriated in the 1960’s where it was used for experimental light shows and installations. These workshops will encourage participants to create their own live performance.
The festival will feature two evening of film and live music in the majestic Symphony Barn. Montreal composer Ben Shemie will premiere his latest work, “Invisible Ink”, a multi-media, new music composition that incorporates a string quartet and electronica.
The second night of live music collaborations features the visually arresting contemporary silent film “Cowards Bend the Knee” by Guy Maddin and the music of Bob Wiseman (of Blue Rodeo) and his band the Silencers. Wiseman will also present some of his own Super-8 films and videos.
New Generation’s Choice is a program of short films juried by young people from the local community. These films, produced by Bravo!FACT, represent a cross-section of Canadian culture, humour and political satire.
And if you find yourself in downtown Durham after dark, walk by the former Stedmans where Michelle Gay will project her video installation “Spampoet” onto the windows of the empty main street store. This work, a constantly evolving word play on electronic spam, will run every evening during the festival.
This unique, rural-cultural event, called “one of the country’s most unusual film festivals” by the Globe and Mail, is not to be missed. Challenging, provocative and unique in both setting and content, the rich tapestry of the Fabulous Festival of Fringe Film will inspire and delight.
Individual tickets are available at the door. Festival Passes are $35 available through the Durham Art Gallery or on-line. For any further information about the festival, the workshop or volunteering opportunities contact the Durham Art Gallery, 519.369.3692 or email info@fabfilmfest.ca. For a full schedule, timetable and directions visit the web site www.fabfilmfest.ca.

If you would like high resolution stills for publication, access to programmers or filmmakers for interviews, or any other media materials, please contact Myke Dyer at 519.369.2908 or email: info@fabfilmfest.ca

World’s Most Extreme Escape Artist to Tackle “Death Row” Condemned Cell at Historic Quebec Prison

Owen Sound escape artist Steve Santini, officially named, “The World’s Most Extreme Escape Artist” by the legendary Ripley’s Believe it or Not!, will put his skills to the ultimate test on July 24th when he tries to free himself from the death row condemned cell at the Old Prison of Trois Rivieres, Quebec.

At 9:00 AM on the morning of July 24th Santini will be searched by members of the media and prison staff to ensure he has no tools, keys, or lock picks to aid him in his escape and he will then be manacled and chained with over 20 lbs of shackles, handcuffs, and fetters and locked into the “Death Cell” at the historic prison.

“En Prison”, built in 1822, is the second oldest historic prison in Canada and was the site of 8 hangings. The first took place in 1854 and the last in 1934. Today the Old Prison and it’s “Go to Jail” visit-experience is a major tourist destination in Trois Rivieres with their ex-inmate guided tours . The Death Cell, from which no inmate has ever escaped, is fitted with a massive iron door weighing in at over 1000 lbs. Unlike modern jails where the doors are made up of bars, the door to the Death Cell has thick flat iron slats with spaces in between them so small it is impossible for an inmate to fit more than 2 fingers through the openings.

Santini will have 40 minutes to attempt his escape in private and unaided or concede public defeat. If he is successful, he will set a world record as the only escape artist in history to defeat 2 maximum security “Death Row” prison cells. In 2003 Santini garnered national media attention when he freed himself in 13 minutes from the condemned cell at the Carleton County Gaol in Ottawa which formerly housed James Patrick Whellan who was hanged at the prison for the assassination of Thomas Darcy McGee who was one of the founding fathers of Canadian Confederation.

Santini, who holds the Ripley’s title, has also been featured on numerous national television shows and has been profiled in leading Canadian print media stories from coast to coast.

Steve Santini can be reached for pre escape interviews by contacting his manager Robert Baird at 416 887 2151 or at 1 800 867 3281.

Associated links:

www.thedarkmaster.com
www.thedarkmaster.com
www.bairdartists.comwww.bairdartists.com
http://www.enprison.com/english.htm

Calling all Volunteers– Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce Needs Your Help!

Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce is seeking volunteers to help us build four homes in a capacity building effort that will increase affordable housing in Wiarton.

Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce is well on its way to building four homes for four families and we need your help! These homes will become the pride and joy of four new homeowners, who, with the support from many, will have received a hand-up, not a hand-out. We invite you to come build homes and help us build a brighter future for generations to come.

Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce is a community-based, non-profit, faith-based organization working for a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. Our mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty. Make a commitment to us! The positive benefits and impact it has upon our partner families and their futures are truly life changing.

Our families have been selected, the ground has been broken, and the footings are up… but without more volunteer support and more community partnerships, it is going to be impossible to meet our build goals. We want you to come build with us and help us change lives forever and completely!

We currently need volunteers, lots and lots of volunteers, to help us build hope, homes and communities! Great things happen to people when you address them! Your support will enable us to make a positive difference in the lives of many! Together we will see many more lives changed for the better; who knows, the life we change may be your own!

Are you ready to change lives and make a difference?

For more information on how you can get involved to support this worthy cause, please call us at 519-371-6776 or check us out online at www.habitatgreybruce.com.

We’ll see you in Wiarton!

Written by Deb · Filed Under Community, Get Out, Guest Post, Participation, Wiarton 

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