Thursday, October 28, 2010

Call For Conservation Awards

Do you know someone who has contributed to environmental improvements in the past year? If so, The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) wants to hear from you! ERCA is calling for nominations for its 2010 Conservation Awards. These awards honour and recognize those in the community who have made outstanding contributions towards improving our natural environment, and ultimately the health and quality of life in the Essex Region.


There is a critical need for local environmental protection and restoration. While the United Nations has indicated that at a minimum, at least 12% of any region must consist of natural areas, in the Essex Region, merely 7.5% of our local landscape remains in its natural state. It is extremely important to recognize and thank all those who make a tangible contribution toward achieving this goal. The annual Awards will be presented to individuals and organizations in three categories:

The Education Award for excellence in conservation education programs or projects in schools, organizations, companies, youth groups, etc.

The Volunteer Award for outstanding effort in volunteering time and services for conservation programs and projects;

The Environmental Achievement Award for programs or projects undertook which have enhanced the region’s environment. In addition to individuals and organizations, municipalities can also be nominated for environmental achievements.

A new category has been added this year to recognize young leaders of conservation, with the Youth Award.

The Youth Award recognizes a youth leader who has undertaken habitat or conservation projects or activities and is a student in the elementary or secondary schools of our region.

To submit a nomination, simply write a one page summary of the individual or organizational accomplishments that merit the receipt of the award, or contact ERCA to receive a nomination form. Please be sure to include the category, name, address and phone number of the nominee, in addition to your own name, address and telephone number. Nominations close on Friday, December 10, 2010. The awards, presented since 1992, will be presented at ERCA’s Annual General Meeting on January 20, 2011.

For more information on any of these awards, please contact Susanne Tomkins at 519-776-5209 ext. 366. Nominations can be faxed to 519 776 8688, or e-mailed to stomkins@erca.org.

Nominations can also be submitted online or download a nomination form from erca.org on the About ERCA page and click on ‘Conservation Awards’.


by Deborah Jones Publisher Biz X Magazine

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Mike Burton's Conspiracy Theory Debunked

by Deborah Jones Publisher
Biz X Magazine

I am sure everyone has been reading about Ward 4 candidate's Mike Burton's press conference recently where he accuses Biz X magazine and myself, for hurting his campaign regarding the distribution of a April 2010 article by Mr. Alan Halberstadt (the incumbent Mr. Burton is running against in the 2010 Municipal Election).

View Mr. Burton’s six minute press conference video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vmxbS_ZcqQ posted by windsorcityblog.

Now, let's set the record straight Mr. Burton concerning your press conference.

1- At :40 you say “the article by the way is readily available on the Biz X website.” Ref for point #4 below.

2- At :58 you say “Alan's long time employer.” Mr. Burton, Alan Halberstadt is not an employee of Biz X Magazine. He is a freelance writer.

3 - At 1:45 you say “the Biz X lawyer called me on Monday and denied my request to reprint the article.” Mr. Burton, you had already printed this article without permission the week before.

4- At 3:00 you say, “However it appears Alan wants to keep his agenda hidden and that Biz X wants to stifle any debate on it.” Mr. Burton, the current and past issues of Biz X Magazine are available at http://www.bizxmagazine.com/ 24/7/365!!! There's no conspiracy here. It's called the Internet. Al Gore invented it! By all means spread our links around all you want . . . just don't photocopy copyrighted material that you do not have permission to use is all I asked.

5- At 3:58 you say “so in effect they have stopped my campaign in a very critical week.” WOW, one flyer has brought your entire campaign to a screeching halt? What are you going to do if you're elected when many issues are coming at you? We also question how you would handle the pressure of City Council when you state “Biz X Magazine is going to extraordinary lengths to cover up Mr. Halberstadt’s residential tax position.” “Extraordinary lengths! I sent you one polite email and you received one phone call?!?! We put the issue to rest, you kept it going.

6- At 4:50 you say “which by the way on the particular website page I took this from, there's no mention of copyright.” Mr. Burton the copyright notice is in the Masthead of any magazine and newspapers print it on random pages. On the website, it is not only in the Masthead but it is in the footer at the bottom of the home page. It reads “no artwork, contents or photos can be reproduced elsewhere without the consent of the Publisher”. So to note, Mr. Burton if you were to be elected, you will be reading many legal documents and you need to ensure that you read ALL the details and read EVERY page to make sure you follow the proper procedures!

The only issue here for us, was the copying you did and admitted to doing, of my property…that’s it.

Also to note, my magazine, Biz X has NEVER run any political ads nor supported any politician…We have kept totally out of this municipal election and have not favoured one candidate over another in ANY WARD nor in the race for the Mayor.

Also you are continually quoting snippets from an entire article and using it for your own means. You only wanted to use the April 2010 to benefit your political agenda, and I can not go along with this for you, nor any candidate in fact (so there is NO bias)…and this is the reason why I could not give you permission. However since the article is “readily available” as you say (and this was the one true statement you mentioned)…people are free to go and read ALL of Mr. Halberstadt’s articles.

Here's the link to the April 2010 issue so you can stop perpetrating this big spooky conspiracy against you. http://www.bluetoad.com/publication/?i=35022 Mr. Halberstadt's column is on Page 6.

The residents of Ward 4, the citizens of Windsor and everyone here at Biz X (and the Windsor media too!), have heard plenty from you on your opinion of Mr. Halberstadt . . .the time is short for you to get your political platform out there and to stop commenting on others…what is your position—concentrate on that!

Mr. Burton, If you're going to take a run at me or my magazine, I'm going to stand up for myself!

Good luck to all candidates on Monday Oct. 25 – it’s an exciting time for all of us!

Monday, October 18, 2010

TIME TO VOTE OCT 25 IN WINDSOR ELECTION!

Election Office Reaching Out to Increase Voter Awareness


The City Clerk’s office for the City of Windsor has been committed this year to making it easy for every single eligible voter to vote in the municipal election, and that starts with spreading the word. Efforts are already paying off, as 8,059 people came out to vote in last week’s advance polls—a 70% increase over advance polls in 2006. While Windsor’s total voter turnout of approximately 38% in 2006 was respectable in comparison to other municipalities, the goal is to increase that number in 2010. This means reaching out by as many means as possible, some of them for the first time ever.


While all voting stations are accessible this year, voters at advance polls had the unique opportunity to take advantage of the AutoMark ballot marking device. This assistive device provided a number of helpful options including touch screen tactile buttons with Braille, sip/puff tube, rocker paddle, and a high contrast touch screen with zoom feature. To spread the word about this new service, the City sent informative flyers to a number of community service organizations detailing the AutoMark device, advance poll times and locations, and free Transit services to voting stations. All information was also posted on the official election website.


To reach seniors in the community, informative pamphlets have been supplied to 16 long-term care facilities and Centres for Seniors Windsor; and numerous polling stations have been located within senior centres. A Senior Voters page has been included at www.windsorelections.ca, and linked from the Windsor-Essex Seniors Portal and the Seniors Advisory Committee.

Homeless residents without a permanent address likely did not receive a voter notification card, but they are still eligible to vote. To ensure that homeless voters are on the Voters’ List and are given the opportunity to vote, City staff visited area shelters earlier this month to give unlisted residents the opportunity to be added to the list.

To encourage potential young voters to participate, Vote Out Loud Windsor (VOL) was created. VOL uses social media sites, videos and other promotions to get the word out about who can vote and how. Check out www.voteoutloudwindsor.com.

Residents can learn more about the election by calling 311 or visiting us online at www.windsorelections.ca and www.facebook.com/ElectionsWindsor2010. In addition to these resources, a brochure entitled “It’s Your Time to Vote” was mailed to every household in the city in September. Additional copies are available at City Hall while supplies last.

by Deborah Jones Publisher Biz X Magazine

Monday, October 4, 2010

vote early in windsor municipal election

WANT TO VOTE EARLY? NOW'S YOUR CHANCE FROM OCT. 9 TO OCT. 16TH!

On October 9, from 9 to 6 p.m. at Devonshire Mall, voters in Windsor will have their first chance to vote early in the 2010 Municipal Election. Shop ‘n’ Vote in the Bay Centre Court will be the first of six advance voting days being held ahead of the October 25 Election.


There are no special requirements to vote at an advance poll. Any eligible voter can vote at any one of the six stations across the city. Residents should bring their voter notification cards to the voting station, and they must bring identification showing name, signature and qualifying address under this year’s new rule.

Here is a complete list of advance voting opportunities:

-October 9, 2010: Devonshire Mall

(3100 Howard Ave – 9:00am to 6:00pm)

-October 12, 2010: South Windsor Recreation Complex

(2555 Pulford – 10:00am to 8:00pm)

-October 13, 2010: College Avenue Community Centre

(3325 College Ave – 10:00am to 8:00pm)

-October 14, 2010: St. Angela Merici Church Hall

(750 Erie Street East – 10:00am to 8:00pm)

-October 15, 2010: Most Precious Blood Church

(1947 Meldrum Ave – 10:00am to 8:00pm)

-October 16, 2010: WFCU Centre

(8787 McHugh – 10:00am to 8:00pm)

Residents are reminded that they can find out which ward they are in under the new 10-ward system by checking their Voter Notification Card, calling 311, or visiting the Ward Locator at www.windsorelections.ca.


To learn more about the election, visit www.windsorelections.ca OR www.facebook.com/ElectionsWindsor2010.



by Deborah Jones Publisher Biz X Magazine