Author: Councillor Brad Clark

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a number of changes were necessary to our usual community heat response. Under provincial orders, spray pads and indoor and outdoor pools remain closed. The following locations across the City have been activated as Cooling Places:

• Central Memorial Community Centre,  93 West Avenue South, Hamilton
• Ryerson Recreation Centre, 251 Duke Street, Hamilton
• Norman Pinky Lewis Rec Centre, 192 Wentworth Street North, Hamilton
• Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre, 876 Cannon Street East
• Stoney Creek Rec Centre, 45 King Street West, Stoney Creek
• Rosedale Arena & Senior Centre, 100 Greenhill Avenue, Hamilton
• Hamilton Central Library, 55 York Boulevard, Hamilton

These locations were selected with advice from Public Health on the most at-risk areas within the City  and because the necessary public health measures such as physical distancing could be easily implemented. Cooling Places will only be open during heat events; specific daytime open hours for each site will be confirmed shortly. All locations can be identified by a “Cool Down Here” sign at the entrance and will have water available on-site. Please note that these locations are open to serve as Cooling Places only, not for normal service (i.e. recreation, libraries, etc.)

The Centres are open until 9 pm tonight and tomorrow will operate between 11:00 AM and 9 PM.

The following precautionary measures are in place at the Cooling Places:

• Locations are staffed at the front doors; staff will actively screen and register anyone who attends.
• Active screening will be done daily upon entering for all staff, volunteers and clients. Individuals will also be asked to self-monitor.
• Cooling Places are designed to support physical distancing; individuals will be instructed to physically distance around others. Signage reminding individuals about the importance of physical distancing will also be posted in these locations.
• Locations are stocked with proper hand hygiene supplies (i.e. pump soap, warm running water and paper towels or hot air dryers).
• In addition to routine cleaning, surfaces that have frequent contact with hands will be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
• Clients are encouraged to wear masks/face coverings if possible/available at the Cooling Places.
• Staff are trained on the safe use, care, disposal and limitations of PPE.
• Staff will contact Public Health for specific advice and control measures regarding anyone who displays systems or is suspected to have COVID-19.

Westbound lanes of the LINC between the Upper James exit ramp and the Garth St entrance ramp for one night beginning on Friday, May 29.

For Immediate Release
May 27, 2020

Overnight closure on westbound LINC beginning Friday

HAMILTON, ON – In order to accommodate repairs to an overhead sign structure on the Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway (LINC), the City of Hamilton will close the westbound lanes of the LINC between the Upper James exit ramp and the Garth St entrance ramp for one night beginning on Friday, May 29.

The overnight closure will begin at 8 p.m. on Friday and wrap up at 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 30. 

Motorists should detour around the closure using Stone Church Rd.

The City thanks motorists for their patience and cooperation as we complete these important repairs.

Ward 9 yard waste will be picked up this week. We ask you to place your yard waste at the curb before 7am on Monday and it will be picked up by Friday May 22, 2020.

Normal yard waste pick-ups return May 29

We will return to our normal weekly Friday pick-up on May 29, 2020. Please place your yard waste at the curb with your garbage and recyclables by 7am Friday morning. It will be picked up later in the day.

I am very pleased to see this change in policy to ensure testing of anyone with COVID-19 symptoms. If you have symptoms, please stay home and isolate yourself from contact with household members. Use a sperate room and washroom where possible. Use anti-bacterial wipes or soaps to clean shared facilities.

Seek medical advice from your doctor or Public Health at 905 974-9848. Don’t downplay your condition. This illness can turn serious very quickly.

I just learned from Dan Nolan, a freelance reporter with the Hamilton Spectator, that an old friend of ours, Jack Norris, has passed away at 88 years old.

Jack Norris was well known to many Creekers and Ward 9 residents as a charismatic, kind soul who was willing to give the shirt off his back if you needed one. The Stoney Creek News once referred to him as Mr. Stoney Creek. It was a moniker that effectively and affectionately described him.

I first met Jack when serving on the board of directors at Stoney Creek Not for Profit Housing. He struck me from the get-go as a compassionate, caring, diplomatic and thoughtful man.

I had the honour of sponsoring Jack when he converted to Catholicism and joined Our Lady of Assumption parish. He would occasionally joke when introducing me to his friends that I was his Godfather which would bring some odd looks. At Assumption Parish, he was elected to the Pastoral Council even serving as Chair. He was quickly organizing picnics and spaghetti suppers for the Knights of Columbus. He was involved in numerous other charities and service groups. He was even honoured as Stoney Creek Citizen of the year.

He was a former city Councillor in Stoney Creek who served for 16 years. He was an avid supporter of local democracy. He was a member of Stoney Creek Residents Against Pollution, SCRAP, where he fought to protect the environment from a landfill. He also helped lead the opposition to amalgamation and lead the citizen run referendum wherein he enlisted me to serve as polling staff and scrutineer.

He was a lifelong liberal and as you would expect, we had some interesting discussions over the years. I found Jack to be the political force in Stoney Creek. There was a time in Stoney Creek that if anyone was considering a public run, Jack Norris was called first.  In fact, I once compared him to Senator Keith Davey as “our very own local Rainmaker”.

Jack truly had his finger on the pulse of the community. He hated confrontation and always looked for a pragmatic compromise.

I was always pleased to hear from Jack when he would call me to proffer some unsolicited advice on the issue at hand or give me some suggestions on how best to approach a discussion a local or provincial controversey. In the last few years, I have missed those conversations

Jack leaves his lovely wife, Beverley Galassi, his daughter Jennifer Krueger and her husband Peter, and his son John Norris and his wife Sharon, his brother and sister, grandchildren, neices and nephews and two great grandchildren.

I pray that Jack Norris be granted eternal rest and that perpetual light will shine upon him. May he rest in peace