White Flags!

[Debbie]

Good Neighbour Campaign Announcement:
THE WHITE FLAGS ARE COMING!
Given that the postcard initiative is coming to a close, the campaign has decided to shift its efforts and create another action that will not only aim to further open the lines of communication with ArcelorMittal-Dofasco, but educate the Hamilton community as well.
Our new initiative aims to have a strong focus on health and will take the form of a White Flag campaign.
The white flag tactic was originally created and utilized by Italy’s Legambiente (Environmental League). To draw attention to industrial soot, the group distributed white flags for members and residents to hang out their windows. Before long, the white flags became discoloured. This was a great tactic because it was simple, fun, and allowed many people to get involved. Its meaning was clear to all, and it was deemed as very effective.

By conducting a white flag campaign along the Beach Strip and within the Northeast end of Hamilton, we aim to create a strong visual and bring attention to the visible pollution which covers our homes and enters our lungs. The action will officially launch at the end of June/beginning of July, so please keep a lookout for volunteer canvassers coming to your doors within the next couple weeks.
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Interested in getting involved? Great! *The Good Neighbour Campaign is always looking for volunteers. If you are interested in helping to go door to door in your community, or helping with sewing and creating the flags, please give us a shout! We invite everyone to jump on board to help have a say with what is happening in their community.

Please contact Katie Stiel at kstiel@environmenthamilton.org or 905-549-0900.
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[epiphany]

White Flags????!!!!

What a fantastic idea!!-really it is--If I owned a house here on beach strip--I would have a big one on my property--I would -- just to show the amount of pollution that comes this way...

I have lived here a couple of months now and have not seen any flags though--probably cause it would devalue property prices here--cause people would not want to live here once they saw the soot or pollution---so we can't have that now can we? lol Priorities eh?

And what could we do for our beach here---(the lovely brown lining that shows up on the beach every week--that is grass--that someone has dumped in our lake) Maybe we could ask city for a grant to hand out shovels and garbage bags to visitors or residents so we can finally clean that mess up--its atrocious for such a beautiful beach!
Just a thought

 

[Debbie]

Hi- the white flag campaign is in the planning stage, will be here and in other neighbourhoods in Hamilton and is an initiative of the Good Neighbour Campaign under Environment Hamilton that is working toward communication with industry to bring positive results in this and other communities in Hamilton. There is long history of working with industry and the Ministry of the Environment to reduce emission impact. The flag would be hung for approximately 2 weeks and would be presented to the M.O.E and industry to display the dust impact we have here on certain days. We are subjected to the effect of traffic and shipping as well as industry and rather than have a negative impact on property values it shows the community is willing to be pro actively involved in making our neighbourhood better. For most it is beautiful place to live and the campaign offers a way to tell the rest of the world it is being protected.
I believe the vegetation that comes up on the beach is from undercurrent that brings it up from the bottom- comes and goes along the beach depending on the activity of the water. Not an unusual occurrence near a canal. Can be there one day and gone the next.
Thanks for your input epiphany.

 

[scotto]

Sent in by Councillor Collins
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Good Neighbour Campaign Announcement:
The White Flags are Coming!
The Good Neighbour Campaign, which has been working to open the lines of communication between ArcelorMittal-Dofasco and the community, is working with neighbours and local business partners and groups to implement a new initiative that will have a strong focus on community health.

This initiative will take the form of a White Flag Campaign and it will be launching June 29th, 2010 at the East Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club.

The white flag tactic was originally created and utilized by Italy’s Legambiente (Environmental League). To draw attention to industrial soot, the group distributed white flags for members and residents to hang out their windows. Before long, the white flags became discoloured. This was a great tactic because it was simple, fun, and allowed many people to get involved. Its meaning was clear to all, and it was deemed as very effective.

By conducting a white flag campaign within the Northeast end of Hamilton and along the Beach Strip, we aim to create a strong visual and bring attention to the visible pollution which covers our homes and enters our lungs.

On June 29th from 5-9pm at the Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club, the initiative will launch with a community BBQ and movie night. The event will be FREE to the entire community, and will be an eco-friendly night of family fun! This will be a great chance to not only hear about the initiative, but partake in a community art project, get some free food, catch a free movie, and learn about the environmental concerns facing the community. All are welcome!



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Katie Stiel
Good Neighbour Campaign Coordinator
Environment Hamilton
22 Wilson Street, Suite 8
Hamilton, ON L8R 1C5
Phone (Office): 905-549-0900
http://www.environmenthamilton.org/view/page/goodneighbourcampaign