Why Comedy "Journalism" is Often Better than "Real" Journalism and Hamilton's Faux Bike Lane Debate
The U.S. Government Shutdown is an interest case-study in false neutrality by the media, each side is to blame, or no one is to blame, or the persons behind the decisions that lead to the shutdown are ignored. As Dan Froomkin best put it, it is a failure…
City Hall Moments of the Week for September 30 to October 4, 2013 [Bratina and Ferguson]
It was a busy week at City Hall last week with both Planning and General Issues Committee meetings. From those meetings, here are two highlights from the week. Positive Highlight of the Week Goes to Ferguson A lengthy (and frustrating) Planning Committee meeting on Tuesday, during which Councillors…
Hamilton Fire Statistics 2009 to September 2013
As of September 30, 2013, the Hamilton Fire Department responded to 19649 calls this year. The most common call type is medical with the Fire Department responding to 13,315 times. “Alarm Conditions”, when a fire alarm is activated, is a distant second at 1568. There have been 276…
No Criminal Charges in Alleged Public Works Asphalt Theft: Arbitrator
An arbitration ruling in the ongoing grievances involving the termination of 21 public works employees is providing the first confirmation that a police investigation into alleged theft of asphalt failed to collect evidence to support criminal charges. “The City requested the police to investigate whether there was theft…
Saturday Night Viewing: Ten Miles Out production at Glendale Secondary School
Looking for something to watch tonight (or any other time)? Glendale Secondary School in Hamilton’s East End performed a stellar production of Ten Miles Out and the recording is now on the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board’s YouTube page. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSWPGrS0DUE[/youtube] As a Glendale alumnus, I’ve never seen such an…
You only have LESS THAN TWO MINUTES to get out of your home in a fire … so make sure your smoke detectors are working
I know the day will arrive, but hope it won’t be. I will have to share the sad news of deaths in a house fire. It seems inevitable, it’s the nature of a large city such as our that statistically tragedy will happen. What I didn’t realize was just…
Hamilton Police cruiser struck on Red Hill, Officer is okay
Red Hill Valley Parkway CLOSED Mountain-bound between Queenston and Greenhill. Only one lane QEW-bound btwn Queenston/Greenhill A Hamilton Police Officer is being transported to hospital for a precautionary assessment after his cruiser was struck on the Red Hill Valley Parkway as he was setting up traffic points following…
Speaking at Centennial College, Offline for Rest of Friday
I’m heading to Centennial College today to speak to their journalism students about how I’ve become Canada’s First Crowdfunded journalist. I speak late in the afternoon and will leave Hamilton at noon on the GO Train. I’m going to take advantage of the travel time to read a…
Burlington to use Bluetooth Signals to Track Traffic Congestion [City of Burlington]
File under innovative and interesting. The City of Burlington plans to use Bluetooth to determine how traffic is flowing on city streets and adjust traffic signals. Go over to the City of Burlington website to learn more.…
New Renderings of new HWDSB Administrative Headquarters Show Nice Building and Public Space
The architect for the HWDSB’s new administrative headquarters posted new renderings of the site on their website. The renderings show a concept that provides for many large windows, public spaces, and a very open concept Board of Trustees meeting room with overflow seating. Take a look over at The…