To whom it may concern:

I am writing this letter to recommend Mr. Bernie Slepkov to you. I have known Bernie for about a decade now, both through our mutual interest in local development issues, and our work together in organizations such as Sustainable Niagara.

From 1999 until 2006, I was the Director of Economic Development for the City of St. Catharines, where both Bernie and I reside. I met frequently with Bernie in this role, both formally and informally, and valued his input and consideration on many issues. Although we were not always in agreement on specific issues, I could always count on Bernie's perspective to be carefully considered, well thought out and internally logical. He was prepared to be challenging and provocative in an environment that did not always welcome this, but also to roll up his sleeves and work on issues where his input was welcomed. I found his input and insights very helpful in the work that I did on an ongoing basis, and I am sure that he could make equally valuable contributions in a range of other contexts.

Above all, I have always found Bernie to the engaging and engaged in local issues. He combines both passion and compassion in his efforts to improve the community, our local economy and our environment. Should you consider Bernie in a specific role or capacity, I would be pleased to discuss this with you in greater detail.

Sincerely,

[signed]

Brock Dickinson
Partner
[Millier Dickinson Blais, Inc.]

Dear Bernie:

On behalf of the Niagara Health System Board of Trustees, staff and our patients and families served by the St. Catharines General Site, we extend our gratitude to you and your colleagues on the Queenston Community Advisory Committee for your support and commitment to the redevelopment of our Queenston Street site.

The process for the future redevelopment of the Queenston Street site has been lengthy and, in its early stages, was sometimes overshadowed by fears for the future. Through open and honest dialogue, ongoing consultation and many hours of respectful debate, a strong relationship has been forged between the Advisory Committee and NHS, Region and City of St. Catharines staff planners and consultants.

The remarks you presented to St. Catharines City Council on June 21st in support of the rezoning application for the property were instrumental in conveying the genuine passion for your community that has been the hallmark of the Advisory Committee's participation throughout the consultation process. We comment your willingness to share publicly how that passion has influenced your position on the future development plans for revitalization of our Queenston Street property. Pre-zoning of the property ensures that the dynamic vision for the neighbourhood created through many long and arduous hours of dialogue is captured for future development.

Thank you for your continued commitment to the process that has brought us together to share an important first step in the revitalization of the Queenston Street community!

Sincerely,

[signed]

Debbie Sevenpifer, CA, CHE
President and Chief Executive Officer
[Niagara Health Systems]

To Whom it May Concern:

RE: Bernie Slepkov

Bernie has been an active participant in municipal affairs at both the local and regional orders of government in general and specifically related to environmental sustainability over the past 10 years. His contributions to the discussion of conceptual frameworks and more detailed implementation matters have been significant. Although once 'a voice in the wilderness', many of the issues that he originally raised are now part of the mainstream discussion.

On a more personal basis, I have found our discussions of issues to be useful in evolving my understanding of sustainability issues. His knowledge and opinions are based on extensive research and reading that often challenged conventional approaches.

Yours truly,

[signed]

Paul Chapman, M.A., B.A., MCIP, RPP
Director of Planning Services
[City of St. Catharines]

University of Guelph
College of Management and Economics
School of Hospitality and Tourism Management

Dear Mr. Slepkov

I want to thank you for speaking to the Management Center Innsbruck MBA students on their field trip to the Niagara area last Wednesday. The content of your talk about sustainability from a socio-economic viewpoint was enlightening, and enabled the group to see the development of Niagara Falls from an entirely new perspective. I also want to compliment you on the presentation itself. Plain talk using ordinary words conveys thought much better than the buzz words and "profspeak" so often used. All of us, faculty and students alike, were deeply influenced by your thoughts.

Best wishes,

[signed]

J.E. (Joe) Barth, PhD
MBA Program Coordinator

Dear Bernie,

We arrived safely back to Innsbruck last Friday full of great impressions from the Ontario region and British Columbia.

I would like to take this opportunity to say "THANK YOU" for the lecture you gave to our students before we visited the Niagara Falls. Our students definitely were not used to the content you provided but therefore, benefited the most by the issues you raised in your talk, especially after they had seen the tourist attraction. Many thanks for your presentation, which I will forward to our students.

In our view, the key success factors of the study program is a combination of:

• thematic preparation and monitoring;
• theoretical inputs by guest lecturers;
• a dialogue with industry experts;
• experiences and visits on the spot, as well as;
• a thorough reflection and treatment as regards content by means of the e-portfolio that students will complete by the end of November.

Hubert and me both think that all these key success factors were very well combined and largely fulfilled within the study program. Altogether we had a wonderful time in Vancouver and Whistler and enjoyed our stay very much indeed.

As I told you during our chat after your talk, one of our research assistants, Birgit Frischhut, is very much into sustainability issues in the Alps. She is writing her dissertation about this topic. Therefore, I would like to introduce you both to each other, as I think you could exchange expertise in this field. Birgit would also be the person who could provide you with material on sustainability. Therefore, I copied her to this email, which I hope is fine. She will get in contact with you soon.

Again many thanks and kind regards from Innsbruck,
Anita

DIE UNTERNEHMERISCHE HOCHSCHULE®
MCI MANAGEMENT CENTER INNSBRUCK

Prof. (FH) MMag. Dr. Anita Zehrer

Stv. Leitung des Studiums und Lektor/-in
Bachelorstudiengang Unternehmensführung in der Tourismus- und Freizeitwirtschaft
Masterstudiengang Entrepreneurship & Tourismus

Weiherburggasse 8, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Tel: +43 0512 2070 -3332, Fax: -3399
anita.zehrer@mci.edu, http://www.mci.edu

WIR BEGLEITEN MOTIVIERTE MENSCHEN.
MCI Management Center Innsbruck - Internationale Hochschule GmbH
FN 153700f LG Innsbruck | UID ATU43480005

I got a similiar message, except the personalised part about your presentation and Birgit's interest in your thoughts regarding her dissertation. ... If you have time to spend with her, she would derive great benefit from your insights.

I'll bet you had no idea there would be so much interest in what you said!!

Thanks again, and best wishes.

Chief Administrative Officer
City Hall
4310 Queen Street, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5
Tel: (905) 356-7521 Ext. 5100 Fax: (905) 374-3557
E-mail: ktodd at niagarafalls dot ca
 

To Whom it May Concern:

I have known Bernie Slepkov for the past twelve years, in my role as Director of Corporate Services for the City of St. Catharines. Very recently, I took on the role of Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Niagara Falls.

Bernie has a proven record as a tireless advocate of environmental and sustainable initiatives in Municipal Government which include, to name a few, the Region's Urban Working Group, Smarter Niagara Steering Committee, Niagara Health System Community Advisory Committee, and the City of St. Catharines Strategic Planning Committee.

He is very knowledgeable, well-spoken, informative and is willing to spend considerable time investigating and researching.

Therefore, I am pleased to provide this letter of reference for Bernie Slepkov.

Yours truly,

[Signed]

Ken Todd
Chief Administrative Officer

Donald F. May M.C.I.P., R.P.P.
3310 South Service Road, Suite 205
Burlington, ON L7N 3M6
Tel: (905) 332-2324 Fax: (905) 681-2944
E-mail: donmay at almostthere dot ca
 

As the planning consultants to the Niagara Health System, we would like to acknowledge the significant contribution you have made to the St. Catharines General Hospital Site redevelopment. You are very knowledgeable with respect to Brownfield redevelopment and provide a broad range of information as well as valuable participation in the Community Advisory Committee. Both Glen Barker and I appreciated your involvement throughout the process.

Your thoughts and suggestions with respect to the new hospital were also insightful.

Your commitment to Smart Growth and good land use planning is evident in the research and participation you make to the local and regional planning process.

We would be pleased to discuss your contribution with anyone directed to our office.

Yours truly,
ALMOST THERE INC.

[Signed]

Donald F. May

To Whom It May Concern,

Bernie Slepkov has been an active participant in the Smarter Niagara Steering Committee. This Regional Niagara Committee consists of Regional Councillors, citizens from around Niagara and additional members who are on the subcommittees such as the Urban Working Group. Bernie is a member of this Group and also regularly participates at meetings of the Steering Committee.

Bernie is knowledgeable and well-spoken on sustainable development. He contributes a variety of insights and sources of information on Smart Growth, climate change, and the development of communities. He brings a community perspective to the Committee's meetings, challenging everyone to think more broadly.

I appreciated working with Bernie who makes a positive contribution to community development.

Yours truly,

[Signed]

Corwin T. Cambray, MCIP, RPP
Commissioner of Planning and Development
[Niagara Region Planning and Development]

June 2, 2009

To whom it may concern:

This is a letter of reference for Bernie Slepkov. I have known Bernie for several years and found him to be a good source for information related to Smart Growth, green building technologies and sustainable development. Bernie has been a member of the Region's Urban Work Group which is a sub committee of the Smarter Niagara Steering Committee and as well is a member of the City of St. Catharine's Strategic Planning Committee which is mandated to develop a new strategic plan for the City.

Bernie has a good feel for how changes (dwindling land resources and increasing energy costs) now being experienced globally will affect our urban fabric. Bernie has the ability to look at the big picture and has a sincere interest in effecting positive change. If you are interested in making sustainability a priority I would recommend using the consulting services offered by Bernie.

Yours truly,

[Signed]

John Rodey M.C.I.P.
Director
Planning Services
[City of St. Catharines]

Dear Bernie,

While doing research for a book I am writing for Fairchild Books, tentatively entitled, The Human Need for Nature: A Premise for the Design of the Built Environment (based in part on the concept of biophilia), I came across the essay you wrote for the Shell Economist Prize (Do We Need Nature?). I enjoyed this essay very much and found the final paragraph to be one of the most thought-provoking, powerful quotes on the subject I have ever seen.

I would like to quote your essay in my book - citing you, of course - and just wanted to let you know that I think you should have received 1st prize in the competition. Much, much more profound than the fungi interview that won :-)

Thanks for the inspiration!!"

Best,
Julie Steward-Pollack ASID, IDEC
(Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design)

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"The future will be green, or not at all. This truth lies at the heart of humankind's most pressing challenge: to learn to live in harmony with the Earth on a genuinely sustainable basis." ~ Sir Jonathon Porritt