There goes the condo-hood
YES to Kris McCann's anger towards people who move into downtown condos and then complain about the noise ("Not in my backyard," Voice of The City, January 22). I live in a condo in a boring, quiet part of town because my kid needs sleep. I knew that about my family when I chose where I live. When she moves out, I may move closer to the action, knowing what it will be like. —posted by CBoyce at thecoast.ca
The complainers included the Cambridge Suites, built in 1987. The guests pay the money that subsidizes the Halifax Pop Explosion—which Kris McCann helps run—to the tune of $150,000 a year. —posted by Joeblow
Intelligent cities have building codes for noise reduction before allowing residential development close to existing noise. When that place next to The Blues Corner was built, the local development community rarely exceeded a code, and everything was defined by the minimum acceptable. That has changed a bit, but it has only been discretionary. I know the engineer who was sent to measure sound levels in that case—he said the building had no resistance whatsoever to external noise, and possibly channelled the bass notes into the building. Yet I've slept in a condo at Queens Quay in Toronto at the same level as the Gardiner Expressway, and there was no noise.
In summary, design new buildings for the conditions that exist in the environment you are putting them. The design considerations include ambient (and occasional peak) external noise, and the desired noise level inside. Put up a cheap shitbox if you must, but don't charge rent as if it's a luxury place, because that would have been designed and built to be quiet. —posted by Jeff Pinhey
Hands off Haiti
The Atlantic Regional Solidarity Network is a network of groups and individuals who are working in solidarity with people struggling for social justice and environmental protection in Latin America, the Caribbean and in our own region. We are writing to express our support for the popular movement in Haiti, which has been pushing for the resignation of president Michel Martelly, and for a process to begin that will result in the holding of long-delayed elections. Many protesters have also called for better living conditions and the end of the occupation of their country by the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Thousands of people have taken to the streets of several cities in Haiti on many occasions in the past few months to make the strength of their convictions known. MINUSTAH, the police and other officials have reacted with violence.
We are particularly concerned about Canada's role in robbing Haitians of their democratic rights. The Canadian government was instrumental in the fraudulent election of president Martelly. Canada has also played a significant role in MINUSTAH over the years. MINUSTAH was installed in Haiti shortly after the 2004 coup against president Jean Bertrand Aristide. Aristide and his party, Fanmi Lavalas, had won landslide victories in elections in 2000. The whole of Haiti's government was removed from power during the coup. We are convinced by very credible evidence that this illegal ouster was planned and carried out by France, Canada and the United States.
As do Canadians, Haitians have a right to participate in free and fair elections. We call on the Canadian government to reverse the democracy-trampling policy that has existed since before the 2004 coup, through both Liberal and Conservative governments. —Catherine Hughes, The Atlantic Regional Solidarity Network
Zachary Quinto plays me
Thanks for invigourating the good parts of a history whose sad parts are being inaccurately recounted in this ridiculous movie, I Am Michael ("Glatze, Franco, Sundance and Halifax" by Kyle Shaw, posted January 26 at thecoast.ca). I am VERY grateful for The Coast's support of our projects over the years. It meant a lot in our hometown.
I believe for Michael things are going to eventually be better. I saw him in Wyoming a few weeks ago. —posted by BenjieNycum
PS: I wouldn't be caught dead in a jacket as hideous as Quinto's.