By Pepper Parr
August 26, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
The flood has only begun as far as the flow of information is concerned.
A graphic from the Weather Network shows just how much rain fell on Burlington August 4th. We are still struggling with the impact of that raifall.
The four Burlington Rotary Clubs are pulling together at RibFest this weekend collecting funds for the Disaster Relief program. This is a significant opportunity for the community to help out – we don’t have details yet on exactly what the Rotary Clubs are doing – they will hold a media event later today and tell us more.
Tomorrow – the name of the chair of the local Disaster Relief Committee will be announced along with the sub committees that will be set up.
On Wednesday of next week there will be a major Roll Out event at which all kinds of information will be made available.
The Burlington Community Foundation (BCF) has been managing this community effort and will have a Disaster Relief portal set up on their web site. It is expected to become THE source for information.
Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman, whose ward was heavily hit by the flooding, said that the community is going to have to raise $2 million – which if the city actually gets a 2 for 1 deal with the province, will result in $6 million available for distribution.
“We need more than the two million” said Sharman “but that is the target”. It isn’t clear if this is a Sharman target or a BCF target.
What has been disturbing is the very poor flow of information from city hall. A lot of people over there are beavering away at stuff – but there is no flow of information to the public. The section of the city web site with Flood Relief information says:
The City of Burlington and Halton Region are committed to helping people as quickly as possible following the storm of August 4 that resulted in extensive flooding in many areas of the city.
The city is taking this matter very seriously and has additional staff in place to meet ongoing needs. Please check this web page frequently for what the city is doing to respond to the flood and the needs of people in Burlington.
They then refer people to the United Way web site but don’t give people the specific address to log in and send in donations.
When asked about the poor flow of information Councillor Sharman said: “I don’t know about that – that isn’t my job. My job is to take care of the people in my ward.
A very large part of the reason for so little information is – wait for it – the Elections Act – which sets out when incumbents running for office can use city facilities to talk to the public.
Given the crisis Burlington faces – someone could just say – to hell with – I’m going to tell the people in my city what has been happening. Given that the Mayor isn’t running against anyone yet and isn’t likely to have a challenger – he could step out and talk to people.
Lackluster leadership.
Where is John Taylor in all this. Many homes destroyed in Ward 3 but not a word from our beloved councillor. We got all our information through councillors Meed-Ward and Sharman.
It’s “lackluster leadership” to go violate the Municipal Elections Act? Hmm.
The blackout period doesn’t begin until tomorrow anyway. There are in fact exceptions to the rules for emergencies like floods, although perhaps not three weeks after the flood. I’m not sure who decides that.
I’ve received some very detailed flood update emails from the Mayor. Not sure if I’m seeing something you’re not on the City site, but the posted link to the United Way makes it very easy to donate online, by phone, by mail, etc. https://www.uwaybh.ca/urgent-burlington-flood-relief/
The real issue that no one’s talking about is if the province will actually come through with disaster relief funding, and if so, when?
Maybe Goldring is off to get the cheque from the Premier to pay for the ice storm damage. Remember………when he said he was going to the province for money that was supposed to be paid April 1st. Where is that money?
Sharman’s job is to take care of the city not just his ward. He needs to be reminded, or, maybe he is just critical of the mayor which makes more sense.
This from MPP Eleanor McMahon’s website:
https://eleanormcmahon.onmpp.ca/News/10006?l=EN
Of course, one would have to go the her website to read it. Now, would be an appropriate time for Ms. McMahon to take a full front page in a local paper and make a statement updating the Provinces’ position.
Someone could also say – to hell with it – I will tell the people in my city that once again, only the Burlington Gazette tells it like it is.
You nailed it, Mr. Parr.