Excerpt: Sustainability is the central theme to which I want to lend my voice in the coming months, each column adding depth and colour to the bigger picture now defining our immediate futures; a challenge indeed as sustainability is loaded with misconceptions. Despite its buzzword stigma however, the term sustainability best captures the priorities for 21^st century societies.

Excerpt: I am Bernie Slepkov, born in St. Catharines, in 1952. For the last 10 years I have been dedicated to sustainability, and hence, societal transformation without which sustainability will never be achieved and the eventual collapse of our society more than likely. I say this because exclusionary governance, decided by the existing system of election, is proving incapable of addressing the issues.

• Our electoral system is flawed Published Sept. 16, 2003
     Excerpt: Should I vote for a politically challenged candidate to represent my riding because I want the more politically-savvy leader to become premier? Or should I vote for the politically-savvy candidate for my riding while ignoring that my vote could go toward electing a politically-challenged, or arrogant premier?  [More]
• Choosing won't be easy Published May 12, 1999
     Excerpt: When asked to place my vote of confidence in a democratic system of representation unable to adequately represent me, I feel torn and cheated. The thought of party-line dynamics overriding my chosen electorate's promises or convictions stops me cold. If only I could trust political conviction.   [More]
• Open Letter To Anyone Who Cares Written for 1999 Provincial Elections, hosted at earlier website.
     Excerpt: If I AM presently disabled, it is in my inability to decide how to place my vote in the up-and-coming elections. I have the understanding that democracy should concern itself with: my safety; my human rights; my ability to be a productive member of society; my health and well-being, my freedom of reasonable expression of individuality and self-sustainment, and my ability to make a difference in my society. I am being asked to place my vote of confidence in a system of representation that appears to have a disability to adequately represent its voters.  [More]

Excerpt: If this city and region is to achieve a healthy, prosperous future, we had better get on the same page along with everyone else. The current joint proposal by the Niagara Health Systems and Hotel Dieu is wrong on so many levels! For starters, this proposal is completely out of touch with getting serious about addressing social, fiscal and ecological sustainability^{¶ §} of our communities, for our children's sake.

Excerpt: It is not on some fanciful whim that communities worldwide are seriously, even urgently, addressing sustainability^{¶ § Δ} imperatives. While it holds true for future generations, that survival will depend on restoring ecological sustainability,^{¶ §} the more immediate viability of our communities hinges on swiftly establishing fiscal - and social - sustainability. It is this imperative which underpins the various smart growth^{¶ § Δ} strategies.

• Alternative inner-city hospital sites exist December 13 2003
     Excerpt: The alternative site for a new hospital floated by the Citizens for a Smart Growth Hospital is not a viable option. Their well-founded concerns, however, do cry out for valid recognition and swift, responsible action by elected municipal, regional, provincial and federal officials.  [More]
• Hospital proposal raises concerns Published March 16, 2004
     Excerpt: March 29 is the scheduled public meeting before city council regarding the rezoning of the Fourth Avenue property whereon the hospital boards wish to develop the new hospitals. In view of the lack of public awareness for the surrounding issues, my concern increases with the approach of this meeting.  [More]
• New hospital site will adversely affect traffic Published July 17, 2004
     Excerpt: Putting the new hospital out at the city's fringe would result in a number of consequences for which the taxpayers will be on the hook. One is that it would adversely affect our public transit.  [More]

• Harper has shown the entire world he can't be trusted Published December 5, 2008
     Excerpt: On Thursday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper crossed the road to request the Governor General to grant him a prorogation. Hey, you know, that may spark a whole new run of why the chicken crossed the road jokes. Anyways, I'm concerned that Governor-General Michaelle Jean didn't turn Harper down. Notwithstanding the dangerous precedent the Governor General has now set, the record will show -- and history will record -- that Harper put partisanship well before the interest of the nation.   [More]
• I Don't Trust Harper's Leadership Published September 12, 2008
     Excerpt: It is said that this election will hinge on federal leadership. But while Harper has displayed strong and decisive leadership, so has many an historically infamous leader. Now I am not about to declare support for any 'national' party, yet I challenge anyone to say Dion's preparedness to center his party's platform on contentious strategies intended to address the most critical issue of our (children's) future isn't a clear display of decisiveness or strength.   [More]
• Organizing to look into the future Published May 12, 1997
     Excerpt: How many times have we heard and read about our desperate need for better visions and better visionaries? Our future hinges upon gaining the insight of knowing what to do with them. Coverage of Mike Harris' recent fundraiser in St. Catharines brings to the forefront, matters critical to essential `leadership.'   [More]

Excerpt: Madam Chair, I've researched trends impacting our societies since '97 and helped shape our smart growth strategies since '01, involved with every policy document cited-for which I have letters of recommendation from Mr. Rodey and Mr. Cambray. I wrote two extensive papers on the applications (on the record) to gain insight into my own conflicted feelings; having been so active in revitalization strategies, why did such an awesome development concern me?

Excerpt: I dare not presume everyone has read my last position paper in which I claimed that the proponents have put before the City-and Regional Niagara-a precarious proposal. In review, I argued PDVC's proposal to be precarious with respect to the following:

Excerpt: Port Dalhousie Vitalization Corporation [PDVC] has gone to great lengths to offer an opportunity for Port to realize a number of objectives set out in their community's Comprehensive Development Strategy. It also offers the City and Region with a progressive, smart growth model development integrated with elements of sustainable design.

As developments go, this is without a doubt, a very exciting one. A part of me would love to see it materialize. Despite that desire - and that PDVC's proposed development offers to employ some of the objectives I have been actively encouraging at the region and city - I am submitting this paper. The gist of it argues why the application to amend the Official and Port Dalhousie Neighbourhood Plans (enhance forth referred to as 'the Official Plans'); must be denied!

Excerpt: The proponents of Port Place have put forward tightly woven arguments to defend their intent on injecting a residential high-rise into a low-rise, heritage-designated district, as part of a more comprehensive development scheme. The gist of PDVC's (Port Dalhousie Vitalization Corporation's) key supporting arguments rest on:

• We need to face hared realities when pondering the future Published April 21, 2006
     Excerpt: Until recently North America communities pandered to whimsical developers with little regard for the longer-term consequences. They, as we, now suffer the backlash from sprawl, deteriorating infrastructure, threatened social and natural systems, and rising taxes.  [More]
• Decision should be based on city's official plans Published August 24, 2005
     Excerpt: To date, neither the Standard, nor Proud, nor any Letter to the Editor has addressed a critical issue underlying the Port redevelopment. That issue extends beyond maintaining the integrity of the Port Dalhousie Designated Heritage District.  [More]

• Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt Task Force; and
• Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) and Strong Communities (Planning Amendment Bill 26) Act, 2004

• The Melbourne Principles
• Leed™ Rating System
• 9 Hannover Principles; and
• Components of QUEST™ Software Toolkit

In early 2004, after attending many a council meeting over the years, I identified to Mayor Rigby and a couple of then newly elected councillors, gaps the decision-making process, suggesting an open-mike as one means by which citizens like myself, might assist in decisions about to be made by council. These open-mike sessions emanated from council's acknowledgement that we could likely offer valuable insight.

Apparently these sessions have proven successful enough that the CVC report recommended enhancing them. The announcement in today's Standard, much like the one some three weeks ago, are proof that sincere efforts are being made to inform the public that they are welcome to weigh in on matters pertaining to the future of their city.

Although forces shaping the Breakpoint change our societies are experiencing differ from those which caused the French Revolution, the opening words to Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Social Contract still ring philosophically true.

• We mustn't settle for the status quo Published March 21, 2003
     Excerpt: I agree with Cam Leach's comments about the status quo (We mustn't settle for status quo, The Standard, March 14). Our Niagara forefathers didn't build the canal so we might watch the ships pass us by, or better yet, that we might attract outside tourists to do it for us.   [More]
• No longer poor? Published Globe and Mail Nov. 28, 2002
     Excerpt: A single mother of three children, earning $41,000 from a new job while having to pay child care and attend to a $60,000 student loan is a far cry from being considered "no longer poor" (Mother And Girls Enjoy Better Times -- Nov. 26). At the very least, she and her children would have to be considered at risk.   [More]
• Let your readers know more about private member's bill Published July 10, 2000
     Excerpt: Regardless of Canada's proud UN rating of being the best country in the world in which to live, there are serious concerns regarding our future well-being. The increasing exposure given to matters of environment, socio- economic gaps, and displays of stress-related violence are such indicators.   [More]
• Restorative justice is a good idea Published February 4, 1999
     Excerpt: Saturday's Viewpoint article ("Restorative justice gives communities hope," The Standard, Jan. 30) by Catherine Ford presented a powerful piece of the true common-sense revolution making itself apparent in North America.   [More]
• Opening a community's eyes to complications faced in wheelchairs Published July 13, 1998
     Excerpt: The recent parade of area politicians who took a tour from the St. Catharines Golf and Country Club to the Pen Centre on motorized scooters was accomplished through the drive of Sally Barton, co- founder and president of Ontario Wheels for Legs Successability (OWLS). Accolades go out to all the participants, and boos go out to the TV media, who for whatever the reason, failed to cover the momentous event.   [More]
• Media helps create the community's complacency Published April 9, 1998
     Excerpt: I applaud The Standard's efforts in trying to generate positive input into matters that concern the future of our communities. I regret that the tax forum co-sponsored by CHSC turned into the attack-and-defend session that it did. The poor showing of attendees is in my mind an obvious indication of the general state-of-mind of the public. It might be concluded that the public's trust level has reached such a point that hope and faith for any real solutions being found and acted upon is at an extreme low.   [More]
• Misconceptions, entrepreneurs Published May 5, 1998
     Excerpt: A real entrepreneur would not want the responsibility of "such mundane stuff as public administration", as James puts it. This is the misconception between true entrepreneurship and enterprise. A true entrepreneur would love to find a need and fill it; to conceive a solution to a problem and see that solution become reality, then, depending upon the entrepreneur, move on to the next challenge.   [More]
• Unions and governments should put their resources to better use Published December 15, 1997
     Excerpt: The rash of strikes surrounding the key issues of job security should well be of major concern to everyone. Quoting a recent news item covering the postal strike: "They're cutting our jobs... What are my kids going to live on?" This brings to the forefront what appear to be legitimate reasons for fighting the inevitable. It is an easily used strategy by unions to rabble-rouse and gain public sympathy.   [More]
• Poor access was an eye-opener Published November 12, 1997
     Excerpt: On Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, I had the pleasure to help videotape Sally Barton, Sandi Weibe, Joe Dinnely, and Domenic Gigliotti in their personal campaign to raise mayoralty and aldermanic candidates' awareness of the need for making our community "disabled friendly".   [More]
• We must all rebuild Niagara from within Published September 26, 1997
     Excerpt: Let's all just get down to revitalizing the Niagara Region! We certainly have the resources with which to do it. If it were impossible, why have other communities succeeded before us? We are tired of watching our quality of life threatened.   [More]
• It's time for a reality check Published June 28, 1997
     Excerpt: We hear a lot today about children at risk or families at risk. The use of these phrases severely downplays the magnitude of the problems in our society. They contribute to the general state of apathy and complacency by removing from us any responsibility or accountability for adding to the severity of our current social and economic climate.   [More]

• Condo could be built in parking lot Published March 5, 2005
     Excerpt: Thursday's article (Apartment above the Pen?) regarding my suggestions to the city excluded the more "doable" aspect of residential developments at the Pen Centre.  [More]

Excerpt: Finally! A local institution publicly pronounced Niagara to be in crisis. Until The Standard's Jan. 12 front-page editorial called for a plan to end Niagara's ailing economy, we largely ignored the writing on the wall.

Our stubborn hold on a dying industrial era blinds us from seeing how, as a region, we might orchestrate an economic renewal^{¶ §} based on a world undergoing fundamental changes. While this week's The Road Ahead series indicates some movement towards economic rebuilding, climate change^{¶ § Δ} and an end to cheap oil^{¶ § Δ} will force our participation in an intense race against time and obsolescence.

Excerpt: I started kicking ideas around for this column especially early. For parting thoughts, however, nothing seemed right with my collection of drafts. I was seriously stuck -- and distracted. Regular Port tower hearing attendance aside, I had problems reprogramming my websites -- For-Legacies-Sake.ca and SustainableNiagara.ca.

Excerpt: Despite my wishes for a happy, prosperous New Year, those damn gathering storms threatening social, economical and ecological collapse loom so large. Even if we did expect such events to befall us, how will we weather them? We resist change most when it means sacrificing convenience and comfort, and it is never easy imagining daily lives not yet lived.

Excerpt: I am obsessed with our future prosperity. My obsession started with the 1996 receipt of a Canada Pension Statement of Contributions that accounted for nine years of employment before moving to Israel in 1979, two years after returning in 1990, and the one year I made enough to contribute. Seeing the petty total caused me to consider my chances for greater affluence. I soon realized those chances depended on the restoration of prosperity to our city, region, and points beyond.

• A Cynical take on problem gambling Published March 14, 2007
     Excerpt: Obviously, this editorial (Protecting our kids from gambling addictions) was not considering the long-term benefits to raising a generation of gambling addicts.
  
  You claim "these are our children at risk and it's incumbent on society to offer protection." But is it not also incumbent on our governments to insure the ongoing sustainability of our economies?   [More]
• Progress will render incineration not viable Published May 3, 2007
     Excerpt: Within the next 5 years waste incineration will no longer be a viable option for the Niagara Region. As well, demands on landfills will be reduced significantly.
  
  Here is but a few reasons why:   [More]

While the subject of this report focuses on senior housing in the Niagara Region, a myriad of interrelated trends presents impending challenges common to this sector continent wide. On November 18, 2004, Regional Niagara endorsed the 'Melbourne Principles for Sustainable Cities' as a framework for long-term planning. In 2006, they received recognition as an international leader in integrating those guiding principles into regional policies.

On January 29^th, 2007, I addressed the newly elected council for the City of St. Catharines requesting them to endorse a motion to eliminate municipally sponsored bottled-water. On February 9^th, 2009 I presented a follow-up address in reply to a progress report to council.

Jan. 29^th Excerpt: The Niagara Water Quality and Protection Strategy's Citizen's Advisory Committee, of which I was a member, had profound input and influence on the watershed planning strategy and recommended action programs. At our insistence Education and Awareness Building was moved from the last to the highest priority of the strategy's 11 action programs. This motion contributes towards meeting the objectives of that action program intended to: ...

Feb. 9^th Excerpt: Last August in a Standard article reporting on London, Ontario's motion to forbid the sale of bottled water at any municipal facilitiesLondon, Ontario's motion to forbid the sale of bottled water at any municipal facilities with water fountains, Mayor Brian, you attempted to reclaim our title as the first North American community to pass a formal motion pertaining to bottled water. Perhaps if the story of our 2007 motion had made the front rather than the fourth page of the Standard, our title would have been firmly established.

in April 2007, I submitted my application for Mayor McMullan's Prosperity Council.

Excerpt: In her inaugural speech to the Chair, Debbie Zimmerman spoke of "Harnessing Chaos and Directing Change", a phrase I had coined and later rephrased to "Harnessing Chaos and Stewarding Change." Given the challenges facing all global communities, this concept might offer relevant guidance as to the council's role. With the pace by which our communities need to address the magnitude of pressures being placed upon them, it will not be enough for this council to seek out, review and assess best practices applied by others. This council will need to define and recommend original strategies for renewing this city's prosperity and maximizing its socioeconomic resources.

On June 4^th, 2007, along with Jane Hanlon of Climate Action Now (CAN), I addressed the council for the City of St. Catharines, responding to a report from the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services which claimed that major actions to mitigate climate change/global warming, were beyond the control of the municipality. On Sept 17^th I, along with Jane Hanlon of Climate Action Now (CAN) and Don Alexander, addressed the CAO's report back to council based on the concerns and suggestions put forward by the June 4^th's presenters'

June 4^th Excerpt: For ten years I have researched how communities across North America are addressing this and related issues. Comparatively, by declaring that "major steps ... are beyond municipal control" this report disconnects council, municipal departments, and this community from responsibilities that must be shared by all, without exception! The mindmaps I've provided you reflect issues far too complex for there not to be solutions pursued by each and every department, and community sector--separately, collectively and irrespective of other levels of government.

Sept 17^th Excerpt: I want to extend to staff my appreciation for this report. It acknowledges the City's various roles in addressing the emerging threats confronting our institutions and residents. It warns of impending impacts of climate change and rising costs of energy. It cites Canadian best practices. It eludes to the opportunities for stimulating local economic development. And it clearly expresses the need for engaging our institutions and residents in being part of defining a future based on urgent new challenges confronting us all.