6 community and government

The City of Hamilton : 

The City of Hamilton

Community Services : 

Community Services What is 9-1-1 Have you ever used this service what happens? What is 2-1-1 What is this Has anyone used this service Was it helpful

2-1-1 Community Services : 

2-1-1 Community Services 2-1-1 is a telephone number to access community resources. It is an abbreviated number, similar to 9-1-1, but the services are very different. The number 9-1-1 is used to call emergency services. The number 2-1-1 is used by people looking for non-emergency services. People who live in a community with 2-1-1 service can call the number and ask for help. It is free and confidential and it is offered 24 hours a day in some areas. Many people have questions about community services, social services, health services or government services. They can dial 2-1-1 and get information they need, including phone numbers, names of programs, location or hours of operation. Each call is answered by an operator who connects the caller to the place which offers the community information that he or she is looking for. The 2-1-1 service is useful for new immigrants, refugees and people facing barriers because of language, poverty or personal difficulties. It is also available to professionals in government, business or the community. Call 2-1-1 if you have a question. It is an excellent community resource.

Understanding the Reading : 

Understanding the Reading Complete the questions 1-8 on the handout about the 2-1-1 article

Understanding the Reading : 

Understanding the Reading Answers Emergency assistance Non emergency assistance People facing barriers of language poverty or person difficulties, professionals in government business or commercial agencies. Yes Yes 24 hours a day False False

Benefits to 2-1-1 : 

Benefits to 2-1-1 It is visible service One number us used to access community, health, government and social services Simple for everyone especially useful for people facing barriers. Reduces confusion and frustration by directing people to appropriate services quickly

Services in Our Community : 

Services in Our Community If you call 2-1-1 you can get services in our community such as the one in Willow Park Neighbourhood Services (smart notebook)

Questions : 

Questions Answer the questions about Willow Park.

211 Dialogue : 

211 Dialogue O: Hello, this is 2-1-1 X: (give your name) O: Hi __________ how can I help you today? X: (what is your problem) O: What information are you looking for? X: (tell them what you are looking for) O: I can help you with that. Now where do you live? X: (give your address) O:OK, let’s see. Yes there is a program in your area called ______________. (give some information about the program) X: (thank them for their help) O: You’re welcome. Best of luck and thank you for calling.

Letter to the Editor : 

Letter to the Editor

Hamilton Local News : 

Hamilton Local News 'Festival of lights' seeks fireworks TheSpec.com - Local - 'Festival of lights' seeks fireworks Danielle WongThe Hamilton Spectator(Jul 10, 2010) Hamilton's Hindu and Sikh communities want the city to see the lights. While thousands of Hamiltonians every year celebrate Diwali -- the "festival of lights" -- they are restricted from observing the holiday with traditional fireworks displays. A city bylaw limits the use of family fireworks to Victoria Day, Canada Day and the two days before and after those holidays. Community leaders are looking to change what they are calling an outdated, exclusive regulation. "The definition is called 'festival of lights.' Without that component of light, Diwali has no, or very little, meaning," said Nithy Ananth, president of the Hindu Samaj of Hamilton and Region. The debate is one example of the challenges the city faces in ensuring Hamilton's bylaws reflect its changing population. With Hamilton fire officials concerned about expanded use of fireworks, it becomes a discussion of public safety versus religious accommodation.

Slide 12: 

"It's safe to have firecrackers on Victoria Day. It's safe to have them on Canada Day. Why can't we have them on another day?" said Budh Dhillon, a member of the Baba Budha Ji Gursikh Temple. Dhillon and Stoney Creek convenience store owner Baljit Grewal filed a request this week to speak with the city's economic development and planning committee on expanding the current bylaw to allow for the sale and use of family fireworks around Diwali, which falls on Nov. 5 this year. It's an issue the community has been bringing to city officials for the last five to seven years, Ananth said. The city has allowed both the Hindu and Sikh temples in Hamilton to light sparklers on Diwali in recent years, but this form of pyrotechnics "is just for kids," Ananth said. In the city of Brampton, Diwali is the third holiday during which residents can set off fireworks. "If other cities can do it, why can't Hamilton?" Dhillon said. But Hamilton's assistant chief fire prevention officer, Frank Biancucci, said the issue was safety. "I don't think we would be supportive of any more fireworks being set off on any given day. Our position would be to limit the amount of fireworks that are discharged.“ Biancucci said there are provisions in the current bylaw for people to set off fireworks outside of the two holidays, if a fireworks supervisor licensed to set off high-level pyrotechnics applies for a permit and supervises the display. Dhillon and Grewal have not spoken to the city yet, but if the amendment comes through, this opens doors for other groups seeking accommodations.

Slide 13: 

City councillor Brad Clark said the current rule does not accommodate for other cultures. "I would suggest that the way our bylaw is currently worded, if challenged, would be considered unconstitutional," he said. "We would need to amend our bylaw so that we're clearly inclusive for all ethnic and cultural and religious practices that may utilize fireworks in their traditions." Robert Zhou, president of Hamilton's Chinese Community Services Centre, said he would like to celebrate Chinese New Year properly with fireworks as well. Matthew Sheppard, spokesperson for the Hamilton Iranian Society, said the bylaw change is a good idea. They celebrate the Persian festival Chaharshanbe-Suri on March 15 next year and would like to set off fireworks as well, he said. If the request turns into a snowball effect involving other groups, the city has to "re-evaluate the nature of our community" while ensuring public safety, councillor Bob Bratina said. Settlement and Integration Services Organization executive director Morteza Jafarpour agreed. "Every community has (a major holiday)," he said. "When it comes to fireworks, there's a potential for harm. I don't believe everybody wants someone setting off fireworks in their backyard.“

Why should you write a letter to the editor? : 

Why should you write a letter to the editor? You're angry about something and want others to know An issue is so important that you must speak out To persuade others to take a specific action To suggest an idea to others To influence public opinion To educate the public To influence policymakers

When should you write a letter to the editor? : 

When should you write a letter to the editor? Any time you want to shape public opinion, tell others how you feel about something, or just inform the public on an issue To start a community conversation about an issue

How do you write a letter to the editor? : 

How do you write a letter to the editor? Open with a simple salutation Dear Editor, Paragraph 1 Grab the reader's attention state your opinion or reaction. Explain what the letter is about at the start Explain why the issue is important Paragraph 2 Give evidence for any praise or criticism Paragraph 3 State what you want to happen. Your opinion to what you think should be done.

Example : 

Example Dear Editor, I am writing in response to your article on Wednesday about the peanut butter ban in Hamilton. I think that this is the most ridiculous idea that I have ever heard. Peanut butter is a healthy food that people should be encouraged to eat. Peanut butter is full of protein for people. It is an inexpensive food that most people can afford. People have already banned this food from schools. I do not think that it is fair they stop selling it altogether. I think that people should stop trying to tell others what to do and let people buy whatever food they want. Stop telling us what to eat! Sincerely Lover of Peanut Butter

What is your Opinion? : 

What is your Opinion? Write your letter to the editor in response to this article. Do you think fireworks should be allowed for religious celebrations at any time Or Do you think that fireworks are dangerous and should be saved for the two holidays they are only allowed on now.

Infinitives : 

Infinitives Some verbs followed by infinitives Verb + Infinitive Some adjectives followed by infinitives Adjective + infinitive Infinitives are often used when actions are unreal, abstract, or future::

Verb + Infinitive : 

Verb + Infinitive Afford fail agree advise ask decide help hope manage promise refuse seem threaten want wish would like would love prefer

EXAMPLES: : 

EXAMPLES: After her father’s death in the war, she decided to join the army. We can’t afford to buy a new car these days. I advise you to listen your boss carefully otherwise he will definitely recognize it. She failed to win the race but everybody applauded her attempt. The little baby managed to survive from that deadly illness. Promise to come,again! Although I insisted very much,he refused to have a cup of tea.

Adjectives and Infinitives : 

Adjectives and Infinitives The infinitive form is always used after adjectives, for example: disappointed, glad, happy, pleased, relieved, sad, surprised I was happy to help them. She will be delighted to see you. This includes too + adjective + infinitive: The water was too cold to swim in. Is your coffee too hot to drink? The infinitive form is used after adjective + enough: He was strong enough to lift it. She is rich enough to buy two.

Some adjectives are followed by Infinitives : 

Some adjectives are followed by Infinitives Glad happy sorry ashamed good nice hope sad pleased stupid clever afraid

EXAMPLES: : 

EXAMPLES: I am glad to meet you,sir. She has been so happy to see you after so many years. It’s good to have good marks at high school. My father was pleased to hear that his daughter had graduated as the best student in the school. I hope to come here again!

Try this test : 

Try this test http://www.eflnet.com/grammar/gerinf1.php