Invasive Species

We have more to learn from animals

than animals have to learn from us...deemed Anim.

Lee Woodruff aspires: Maybe there weren't fairytales

or dreams didn't often come true,

but this moment felt very close ~

as close as it gets to 'perfect in an imperfect world.'

Police Search Home After Overnight Assault

Hamilton police searched a house following an alleged assault late Monday night. Officials shut down Gainsborough Road near Keats Road while they conducted their investigation. Paramedics and police were called shortly before midnight with reports that a shooting had occurred. (Excerpts from report)

'Large Sum' Stolen from Ribfest Event

Halton police are asking for the public's help in finding those responsible for stealing money raised during the Burlington Ribfest which ran from August 30 to September 2. At some point during the overnight hours, someone broke into the' Rotary Club of Burlington' office

and stole a large sum of cash.

Calgary Boy Cut by Razor Blades Lodged in Slide

A Calgary family says it's in shock after a 4-year old boy was cut by disposable razor blades wedged into a playgound slide. Gillian Webster says her son James, was cut on his buttocks and hand at the playground on Monday morning. Not requiring stitches,the child was in the care of the family's dayhome provider. Police say the blades were removed before the officers arrived. There are no security cameras in the area and investigators are seeking tips from the public.

Highway Driver Has 'Right of Way'

In his Letter to the Spec, Rodney MacNamara from Cayuga (a driving instructor) responded to a recent offence about a highway driver's 'right of way.'

“The merging vehicle is crossing a dotted line into traffic and should signal immediately to look for a gap and merge without causing significant traffic slowdown. There is no law that you 'have to let someone in'. Courtesy, of course dictates that we can slow slightly or move over if safe to do so.

Driving to the end of the merge lane and forcing people to slam on the brakes

so you can get in...is dangerous and you do not have the right to do so.

Driving tractor-trailer for over 45years, I have seen the attitude of merging, change from courtesy to cutting in at the last minute, which has led to others becoming blockers.

Merging can be done safely if all use common sense.

All of us are imperfect human beings

living in an imperfect world, stated Harucki Murakami.

And Maxwell Maltz responds, You may live in an imperfect world,

but the frontiers are not closed ~ and the doors are not all shut.

Thieves Steal Over $10K in Phones at Burlington Centre

Halton Regional Police are looking for two suspects after a major theft inside Burlington Centre Mall.

The suspects were caught on security camera and police released some images Tuesday in the hopes they trigger arrests in the case. The brazen theft occurred inside the Value Mobile on August 12 when two men walked into the store and stole mobile phones with a total value over $10,000, according to Const. Naresh Dabas. One suspect is described as black...in his 40's...six feet tall...weighing 250 pounds. He has a shaved head...full beard ...and was wearing a striped peach and white-coloured polo top ...peach-coloured pants ...and white shoes.

The second suspect is described as a white man in his 30's...
six feet tall...190 pounds...clean shaven...wearing a beige T-shirt...blue jeans...

black shoes...and carrying a plastic shopping bag.

Anyone with information, can call police at 905-825-4747. Tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or at haltoncrimestoppers.ca.

Smokers Should Collect Their Own Garbage

To Readers Write ( a daily column in Hamilton's Spectator)

Chuck Farauto from Hamilton wrote:

I relate entirely with Dr. Stewart's opinion of the unreported problem with the cigarette butt.

Besides the single-use plastic garbage issue and the manufacture of the same, as with all single-use plastics, the problem begins with allowing the unrestricted manufacture of the garbage and ends with the user discarding it anywhere they like.

Why aren't these culprits being held accountable for our mess of garbage?

The cigarette butt for me, takes on an especially distasteful element, that being those who choose to smoke cigarettes have been given (or have taken) the inherent right to use our public spaces for their ashtrays. There is little or no thought given by the smoker to the offensive nature of their flicking the ashes of their smokes into the air...on the ground...around their feet...in public doorways...table tops...

anywhere at all. Then again ~ without regard, they flick their butts out car windows...doorways... streetscapes...again anywhere at all without regard to this behaviour.

Kudos to the city for enacting a bylaw

to limit smoking in public parks.

I say enact toothy bylaws to nail these inconsiderate users in every public place.

Let it be known this disgusting habit of polluting public space is not acceptable.

Imagine smokers being forced to carry around a container of their ow

to put their ashes and butts in ~ and empty it out at home.

(The foregoing was published July22 ~ page A8)

Statement by Christopher Dawson

“We must recognize that we are living in an unperfect world

in which human and superhuman forces of evil are at work ~

and so long as these forces affect the political behaviour of mankind,

there can be no hope of finding peace.”

Once an invasive spcies arrives,

it's about impossible to get rid of it.

(Author unknown)

Author: Merle Baird-Kerr...September 25, 2019

Comments welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca