[beanmedic]

what's the name of that newspaper?

[Stace]

Think this gem appeared in the Llanelli Star (South Wales paper).

[beanmedic]

...it sure doesn't bother four-year-old Benjamin Xamin, who appears to be loving the cold. Benjamin was one of several pre-schoolers enjoying a winter carnival at Peter Pan Co-op Preschool last Friday. Despite the chilly wind, Benjamin had a blast playing in the snow.

[chancellor]

Must be another slow week in the hammer. If anyone ever read this paper, they think hamilton is the dullest place on earth

[Stephen Dame]

Are their actual headlines in the paper though?

Or do they just run those sentences in banner ink near the top of the story?

[beanmedic]

Heather Bush, administrative co-ordinator for Concession Streetfest, gets in some practice for the watermelon-eating contest that is part of the 12th annual street party tomorrow (June 4).

[fingernailsonhull]

That is hurtin'.

[freakturbulance1]

hey the streetfest was good fun though...shoulda entered that watermelon contest...damn!

[j-monster]

bean, that may be the scariest picture I have ever seen.

Seriously.

I might have nightmares for weeks now.

[beanmedic]

Check this out, the picture doesnt even match the story:


The Nov. 9 tornado that struck the east Mountain and parts of the lower city severely damaged the roof at Lawfield Middle School. The school has been closed and students will be bused to the Seneca Learning Centre on the west Mountain.


Fundraising for OMB fight against pork plant underway

(Nov 18, 2005)

Regardless of which way Hamilton councillors vote to sell about 50 acres of land to Maple Leaf Foods, it is expected the decision will be appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board.

Bob Smith, chair of the community group, Citizens Against Pigs Slaughterhouses (CAPS), said his group is already organizing fundraising efforts to pay for an appeal.

"Council can save a lot of money, and save Maple Leaf Foods a lot of money (if they don't approve the land deal)," said Mr. Smith. "We have a lawyer on standby."

He expects a number of residents to appeal the decision to the OMB, if the city sells the land to Maple Leaf Foods.

Mountain resident Eleanor Giacomazza said she expects to appeal council's decision to the OMB.

"If the city sells the land to (Maple Leaf Foods), it complicates the deal," said Ms. Giacomazza, who is chair of the recently formed group Hamiltonians for Development with Vision.

"Councillors better have a good reason for selling the land."

Meanwhile, Maple Leaf Foods officials have also stated they would appeal a city council decision at any stage of the planning process to the OMB, if it denied them access to the land.

In answer to a question from Mayor Larry Di Ianni during a committee of the whole meeting last week, if the company is considering filing an appeal, Anne Tennier, vice-president of environmental and manufacturing services for Maple Leaf Foods confirmed the company would challenge council's decision.

"If we are addressing all the concerns (and) the decision is more emotional than fact based, we would go to the OMB," she said.

Maple Leaf Foods officials point out before any construction of the estimated $250 million pork processing facility begins, the company must receive over 10 government approvals.

During each stage of approval process, there will be opportunities for the public to contribute their views, say politicians and company officials.

Ms. Tennier said the company, if it receives the land from the city, will apply to council for a rezoning amendment to allow a slaughterhouse at the North Glanbrook Industrial Park. The zoning for the property is designated prestige and does not allow the use of the land for a slaughterhouse.

Maple Leaf Foods officials said any construction wouldn't begin until 2007, with the facility receiving the estimated 45,000 hogs per week in 2010.

"We are absolutely coming to council (for the rezoning)," she said. "The slaughterhouse is part of it."

Politicians are expected to approve the land sale deal during a special committee of the whole meeting Nov. 23. Mr. Smith reluctantly concludes councillors will narrowly vote to sell the land to Maple Leaf.

"It's very, very shaky at the present time (for a negative vote)," he said.

There has been some discussion among a few councillors about approving the land sale, but voting against the slaughterhouse rezoning amendment when it comes up for discussion.

Mr. Smith said residents will fight against any decision council makes with Maple Leaf Foods to the OMB.

He also disputes the position of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, which representatives stated last week if councillors voted against the land sale, it would scare other businesses from Hamilton. Mr. Smith counters the vote will bring businesses to the city.

"It won't scare people away," he said. "There is no big rush to fill this park. There are other industries that would be willing to settle there, such as auto companies, and servicing businesses that offer good wages. "

[chris]

Where are all of the pig farms that would be required to supply 45,000 pigs per week. There is a slaughterhouse in downtown Toronto, and I see a constant line-up of tractor trailers filled with pigs at it's door. Where are all of these pigs coming from?

2,340,000 pigs per year per slaughterhouse!!!! Holy crap is that a lot of pigs!!!!

[chancellor]

mountain news will be talking about the tornado for the next year

[beanmedic]

Where are all of the pig farms that would be required to supply 45,000 pigs per week. There is a slaughterhouse in downtown Toronto, and I see a constant line-up of tractor trailers filled with pigs at it's door. Where are all of these pigs coming from?

2,340,000 pigs per year per slaughterhouse!!!! Holy crap is that a lot of pigs!!!!

Ya that's another issue. I have no idea.

[worldpeace]

They can tell us that Benjamin had a blast playing in the snow, but can they tell us where all the pigs are coming from? ah hah.