Main Body

Welcome!
This is the official site of the Committee to Free Flamborough (CFF).
The Committee to Free Flamborough was formed as a result of the first of several town hall meetings held in Flamborough starting on April 16, 2003. This is a grassroots organization formed to bring the issue of amalgamation to the forefront in the upcoming provincial elections and to undertake whatever activities are necessary to bring about de-amalgamation.
Flamborough cannot afford to be a part of Hamilton which has significant financial issues that cannot be resolved through continued increases of municipal taxes imposed on the residents of this community.

An Analysis of Bill 130

MUNICIPAL STATUTE LAW AMENDMENT ACT, 2006 AND COMMUNITY COUNCILS
The Committee to Free Flamborough has prepared a 3 page detailed analysis of Bill 130. To view and print the document, please click here.

Letter to Minister Gerretsen

January 2, 2007

The Honourable John Gerretsen
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
777 Bay Street, 17th Floor
Toronto, ON M5G 2E5
Dear Mr. Minister:
RE: Review of Amalgamations in Ontario
Hamilton City Council at its meeting held on December 14, 2005, unanimously passed a resolution supporting a review of amalgamations in Ontario. A letter to this effect was forwarded to your office on December 22, 2005 along with a clarifying letter on January 23, 2006. A copy of this correspondence is attached for your information.
I am contacting you at this time asking if you could provide any details on this request. This is high-priority issue for the area I represent, Ward 15, East Flamborough, in the City of Hamilton. I would very much like to be able to provide my constituents with the most up-to-date information available.
Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Yours truly,

Margaret McCarthy
Flamborough Councillor, Ward 15
City of Hamilton

Flamborough Chamber of Commerce Tax Information Bulletin

Please click here to view the document compiled by the Flamborough chamber of Commerce (FCC).

News Release / Letter to the Editor

Flamborough Chamber of Commerce survey verifies that de-amalgamation is the #1 issue
The Flamborough Chamber of Commerce election survey has verified the results of all surveys since the forced amalgamation with Hamilton. The survey, conducted by the FCC over a four day period late last month revealed a lot about issues in the community.
De-amalgamation and a binding referendum for democracy are front and center. The top two issues were de-amalgamation and high taxes. These go hand in hand. We thank the FCC for their efforts and for verifying the results of every survey-conducted since 2001. The following is a letter to the editor submitted by our secretary, Donna Olivieri.
The “BOTTOM LINE” (Flamborough Chamber of Commerce Insert) was clearly the bottom line in last week’s Review. De-Amalgamation rises to the summit of all issues and concerns in Flamborough.
YES, still in 2006!! Taxation concerns (which topped the survey results) are a direct consequence of our disastrous union with Hamilton. Therefore, the two most pressing issues in Flamborough are basically one and the same.
The citizens of Flamborough continue to put de-amalgamation at the top of their wish list!
For CFF this was music to our ears. After 4 long years of fighting, meeting, challenging, writing, protesting, listening and paramount to all of this, keeping up the good fight, we hear clearly, it has all been worth it. We have always believed it in our hearts but, somehow, statistics whisper softly in our ears……………..keep up the good fight.
Our battle began with Queen’s Park and it will end there. The Province has the full power to allow the City of Hamilton to hold a legal and binding referendum on de-amalgamation. With their permission and the support of our council (be sure to find out if the person you are supporting is in favour of a referendum or partnering with Hamilton) this is still a high possibility! Only apathy can sink this ship! Our petition sits quietly on the shelves at Queen’s Park…………the largest petition ever submitted to the Province. The voices it represents, still clearly stating their will!
What does this survey shout from the rooftops to the Provincial Government? Conservatives! Re-visit your gross error of forced amalgamation! Liberals! Your pledge to allow a referendum on this issue in the last election should have been honoured! CFF will be around to remind voters of your broken promises in 2007. The minute this matter looks like it could be the deciding factor in any political win or loss, it will be at the top of their priority list…again!!!
Amalgamation was predicted not to work. It has historically never worked world wide in unions of rural and suburban communities. In 6 years, it has proven locally it does NOT work!
Thank you, Flamborough, for reassuring CFF that our tireless years of commitment to this cause were not in vain. Silence is consent…let your voice be heard!
Sincerely,
Donna Olivieri,
Secretary-CFF

Side Note: I disagree with Mr. Kersten’s suggestion that this survey is just a “snap shot in time” and therefore not reflective of citizen’s views. Random polls conducted on the street are far more accurate than those done by “organized” telephone solicitation. Last year’s telephone poll conducted by the City of Hamilton on behalf of Mayor DiIanni, suggested that we were all quite pleased with the post- amalgamation conditions in Flamborough. Clearly, that survey was inaccurate.
Submitted by
Dennis Noonan
Media Relations Officer
Committee to Free Flamborough
519-624-1755

(De-)Amalgamation Discussions

From the archives of Flamborough Town Council, the following Minutes contain interesting points raised by Council and Chamber of Commerce during amalgamation talks in 1999.

50 Years of Flamborough Taxes - Graph

Please click on this link to view a graphic interpretation of the tax payments (past, present and future) of an average Flamborough home.

Letter to Minister Gerretsen

July 31, 2006
The Honourable John Gerretsen
Minister of Municipal Affairs
777 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario
M3G 2E5
Dear Mr. Gerretsen:
Re: Requests from City Councils of Hamilton and Kitchener for review of amalgamation
Referring to your letter of May 5, 2006, we regret your decision to decline the requests from the above City Councils. In the ordinary course, it is usually good administration policy to review the results of the implementation of past legislation in order to confirm it is achieving the desired results. Your department is passing up an excellent opportunity on which to base needed improved legislation.
It is apparent that you are not aware that the fundamental matter at issue is the democratic right of taxpayers. The imposition of amalgamation over the most strenuous objections of taxpayers and their municipal councils, deprived residents of their inherent right to a democratic choice of local governance. While municipalities are children of the provincial government, it is traditional in liberal civil societies that the populace be given the opportunity of choice by binding referendum when a major change in their governance is proposed.
This is our grievance. This is the reason we ask for a binding referendum, “to allow the people to make a choice”.
You can appreciate our dismay therefore that our democratic rights are not given top priority in your government. This is not the Liberal Party of old that we have known.
You state you are focused on strengthening the economy. This is what we are focused on also by proposing restructuring of local governments. Mergers are not working. The reality is that amalgamations are not providing efficient, effective, accessible, accountable governance. Historical data shows that amalgamations have not worked in other areas and other countries. These forward thinking governments are putting plans in place to undo their failed mergers. Your Ontario party continues to promote amalgamations and to tote their benefits in light of world wide contradictory evidence. How can the local economy thrive when one notes such things as the City of Hamilton budget, which requires 81% of all revenues to meet employee related expenses for the insatiable appetite of its ballooning bureaucracy? Our taxpayers must helplessly stand aside and watch our tax dollars used on ill-conceived schemes or on projects in which they have no community of interests. It is intolerable.
What is needed is a binding referendum to determine whether voters in the amalgamated areas wish in or out. We need a “move forward strategy” based on intelligent analysis with meaningful citizen input. We need a vision for improvement, broader than “bigger is better”.
As to your three conditions, two City Councils have already asked for a review of amalgamation, which meets your first condition, but you have declined to entertain their requests. The present system of taxation is highly unfair for the amalgamated suburbs. Flamborough, with 7% of the total population paid 16% of the 2005 increase in taxes plus approximately 25 million has gone to the City from the Flamborough slots since their opening. As to fiscal self-sustainability, you are well aware that the present system is not sustainable and is on life support from your government. This is again the use of our tax dollars.
Surely it is apparent to you and your advisors that a restructuring of governance in Southern Ontario is sorely needed and would likely require some years to accomplish.
As to your proposed amendments to the Municipal Act and your recent news conference in Dundas, we are reluctant to comment at this stage as we have not read a copy of the revisions nor been apprised of the details. However, from the reports that have come to our attention, the Municipal Councils would seem to be highly undemocratic with little meaningful devolution of powers. Also, it would do nothing to either restore our denied inherent democratic right to a choice of local government or change our present form of inefficient, bureaucratic government. We ask for an opportunity for input to the proposed revisions, more in line with local needs and aspirations.
Sincerely,

Dennis Noonan
Committee to Free Flamborough
Media Relations
CC: Mr. John Tory
Mr. Howard Hampton
Mr. David Sweet
Mayor Larry DiIanni

Reply from John Gerretsen

May 5, 2006
Dear Mr. Noonan:
Thank you for your letter of March 21, 2006, outlining the Committee to Free Flamborough's continued interest in local governance issues. I am aware of the support for council resolutions of the Cities of Kitchener and Hamilton....
For more please click here.

Ontario Landowners Association

The CFF would like to encourage everyone to check the OLA website frequently and subscribe to the Landowner Magazine for valuable information.

Letter to Mayor DiIanni

April 6, 2006
Mayor Larry DiIanni
City of Hamilton
City Hall, 71 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ont.
L8P 4Y5
Dear Mr. Mayor,
City business makes heavy demands on your time and we appreciate the courtesy of your coming to Waterdown for this meeting.
You no doubt are aware that the promises and expectations, which were to flow from amalgamation, have not been fulfilled nor appear likely. The impact of amalgamation on the socio-economic life of Flamborough has been detrimental and as this is an election year, it is timely to confront this reality for the benefit of all residents.
The purpose of this meeting is to request that you take steps to obtain permission from the Minister of Municipal Affairs to place the following referendum question on the ballot for voters in Flamborough in the forthcoming Nov/06 Municipal Election:
Do you support remaining in the City of Hamilton
or
Do you support restructuring the City of Hamilton in favour of an alternative governance structure.
A referendum is encouraged by Dalton McGuinty and outlined in his two letters to us dated June and April of 2003, and there is ample evidence that the referendum question would be widely welcomed (even demanded) by the vast majority of Flamborough voters.
For example:

The petitions of Dec./03 from suburban voters asking for referendum/de-amalgamation from Unicity bearing 23,000 signatures. The largest petition ever submitted to Queen’s Park.
The unenthusiastic response from Flamborough to the City’s Satisfaction Survey of /05.
The Flamborough Citizens’ Survey of March/05 (copy attached). 97% of the 312 responders wanted a referendum (on remaining or leaving the Unicity).
A questionnaire submitted to attendees at a Town Hall meeting (standing room only) on Nov./05 at Millgrove. Of the 289 responses, zero wished to remain in Hamilton. The dissatisfaction with the status-quo is palpable wherever you go in Flamborough as this Unicity is not working to our best interests.
The reasons for this are many and varied.

The fundamental reason for the lack of acceptance of amalgamation is that the citizens did not have a voice in making the decision. Democratic sensibilities run deep in Old Ontario bequeathed by tough old pioneer stock. This is why a referendum is needed to restore our democratic rights which have been badly trampled.
Amalgamation has caused tensions among disparate voting groups resulting in disharmony and frustrations on all sides, especially in rural/suburban/farm communities vs. urban.
Flamborough (and other suburbs) have little community of interests with Hamilton. The Hardeman Report of January 31,1997 admitted this. Successful municipal governments have a high degree of voters who share similar preferences, common interests and goals.
We were promised fewer politicians, while maintaining accessible, effective, accountable representation. Instead, we got reduced control over local affairs and reduced capabilities to hold government accountable.
We were promised lower taxes, high quality services while preserving volunteerism. Instead, volunteerism has virtually disappeared, property taxes have skyrocketed (quite apart from C.V.A.) and the net levy has increased 8% annually over the past several years and shows no sign of abating. Not to mention the City dept that had doubled to $500,000,000 since amalgamation.
We were promised better, more efficient service delivery. Instead services have declined and there is a bureaucratic maize to find out who does what.
We were promised less bureaucracy by simplifying government. Instead, there is substantially increased costs and bigger more bureaucratic government. Hamilton’s net levy is represented by 81% of Employee Related Expenses.
We were promised clear lines of responsibility and better accountability. Instead, we have a drastic decline in local representation which is really a decline in local democracy.
The belief by the former Harris Government that amalgamation could be forced upon long established communities which have few shared interests and goals was most unfortunate and this seriously flawed decision has resulted in anger, suspicion, feelings of betrayal, unrest and deep divisions. Amalgamation has failed.
This situation requires a healing process and it can begin by holding a referendum to let the people decide.
It is the duty, which is above all other responsibilities of our municipal politicians, especially you Mr. DiIanni as mayor, to take action to start the process and do the right thing for the people.
We are submitting this letter to you in person before you discuss it with colleagues as you may have some points you may wish to discuss with us.
We look forward to your early advice.
CFF Chairman, Roman Sarachman

Letter to John Gerretsen

March 21, 2006
The Honourable John Gerretsen
Minister of Municipal Affairs
777 Bat Street
Toronto, Ontario
M3G 2E5
Dear Mr. Gerretsen:
You will by now have received the resolution passed by Hamilton City Council in December 2005 calling on you to establish an independent review of the results of amalgamations in Ontario. The review would examine the principals of affordability, accountability and political accessibility and determine the benefits and negative aspects of amalgamation.
Hamilton’s resolution is similar to and preceded by a resolution from Kitchener.
In view of the above initiative taken by Hamilton City Council, it is timely to remind you of your response of February 2004 to our petition on de-amalgamation that was tabled in the legislature on December 3, 2003. Your response (but no decision) was to refer the issue to the Mayor of Hamilton and you expected that individual to address our concerns.
The Mayor of Hamilton and City Council has now done so in the form of their resolution asking for a full, independent review of amalgamation. The matter is now back in the hands of your Ministry where it belongs.
Amalgamated Hamilton, undemocratically imposed, and in no way represents the community of interest, is not working and is extremely dysfunctional. We now call upon you to take quick action in accordance with the request from the Hamilton City Council.
We also remind you of our long wait for your decision regarding the petition from 23,000 voters in Ancaster, Glanbrook, Dundas, Flamborough tabled in the legislature in December 2003 on the matter of de-amalgamation. Dealing appropriately with the City on Hamilton’s resolution provides you with the opportunity of dealing with that issue also.
Further, our request for action is reinforced by the fact that Premier McGuinty in June. 2003 just prior to the last Provincial election, committed himself by letter and other media, “to allow a binding referendum when there is a substantial demonstration of public support”. The petitions supply ample evidence of that.
We reiterate, that taking appropriate action on the City of Hamilton’s resolution provides the premier with the opportunity to take the first step to confirm justification of a referendum by the amalgamated suburbs on the issue of Unicity.
May we please have your earliest advice on this important matter?
Sincerely,

Dennis Noonan
Committee to Free Flamborough
Media Relations
Cc:
Councillor Braden
Mayor DiIanni
John Tory
Howard Hampton
David Sweet
ODN
OLA

Flamborough Town Hall Meeting Results

March 13, 2006
The Committee to Free Flamborough held a very successful Town Hall meeting on November 16, 2005. We continue to receive positive comments on the meeting and suggestions for future actions.
The final results of the vote were as follows:

To remain part of Hamilton
Flamborough as a stand-alone Town
Three City Model – Flamborough, Ancaster & Dundas
Flamborough split 3 ways between Halton, Brant County and North Dumfries 0
114
27
148 votes
votes
votes
votes

The result indicates a serious desire by the voters in Flamborough to disassociate themselves from the forced association with Hamilton. They want a return to democracy and the undemocratic forced amalgamation to be restructured with input from the voters on the final arrangement not just a bureaucratic decision.
In the years 1999 and 2000 many residents in Flamborough realized that municipal changes were necessary and expressed an opinion by 96 % of the respondents that joining Hamilton was not the answer but dividing in three sections would be acceptable. The aftermath of this unacceptable decision is bitterness and suspicion towards Hamilton, the city managers and staff. These feelings are reinforced by staff still asking if we are part of Hamilton, lack of services, deteriorating services, higher and unreasonable taxes and certain city councillors accusing us of not understanding the urban problems. We are a rural area but must accept urban regulations but there is no by-law officer available, let alone an acceptable police presence.
Junk cars, unlicensed and illegal repair garages, community interests not represented, contaminated water in wells from neighbouring properties, uncontrolled weed growth, overnight parking on streets, buildings constructed without approval, to name a few, all go unchecked. Complaints of these problems directed to the city receive no response. We are told they do not have the resources to manage these situations. Taxes continue to rise but the money is not returned to the rural areas. The answer is simple, restructure Flamborough in line with people’s wishes and give us a new direction for the future.
Dennis Noonan
Committee to Free Flamborough
Media relations

CC: Mayor DiIanni
John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs
Mr. John Tory
Ontario De-Amalgamation Network
Ontario Landowners Association
All Media

Hamilton Council to ask Province to Review Amalgamation Results

Kevin Werner,
Special to the Review
December 26, 2005

In a surprise decision, city councillors want the provincial government to review the results of amalgamations that occurred five years ago in Ontario - including in Hamilton.
In response to a resolution passed by Kitchener City Council last month, Hamilton politicians want the Municipal Affairs Minister John Gerretsen to establish an independent "review of the results of amalgamation in Ontario."
For the full article, please see our Info section,
or go to the Flamborough Review's website at http://www.haltonsearch.com/hr/fp/story/3231962p-3741792c.html

CTF Demands Ontario Property Tax Reform

Calls for assessment freeze, launches new petition drive

November 28, 2005

Toronto: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation today is calling on the Ontario government to disregard the 2005 property assessments, as determined by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), until the province’s property tax system is reformed to provide greater equity, predictability, and value for money to Ontario property taxpayers.
“In light of Ombudsman André Marin’s investigation into MPAC, and rising taxpayer outrage, property tax assessments from 2005 should not be accepted and the values from 2003 should be maintained for assessment purposes,” said CTF Ontario Director Tasha Kheiriddin. “The system is broken and needs to be fixed before taxpayers are hit with another round of assessment increases.”
The CTF is calling for an assessment freeze and the immediate institution of a reform process to investigate alternatives to the current value assessment system. The CTF recommends doing away with annual assessments, instituting a property tax cap, and creating a greater link between taxes and services received, by incorporating elements of unit-based assessment into the property tax system.
To this end, the CTF is launching a new petition calling on the government to freeze assessments at 2003 levels and to begin anew the property tax reform process. The petition can be accessed on the CTF’s website at www.taxpayer.com
“Taxpayers are seeing their assessments go through the roof while they can barely keep the roof over their heads,” commented Kheiriddin. “The time to act is now. The government must address this issue before these new assessments take effect on January 1, 2006. We do not want to see taxpayers forced out of their homes by this unworkable and unfair property tax system.”

- 30 –
Media contact: Tasha Kheiriddin, 416-725-0501

Standing-room only at CFF town hall meeting

Flamborough's destiny, if it ever gets provincial approval for restructuring, could well mean a dismemberment of the former municipality with three different sections going to neighbouring municipalities. That's the scenario preferred by the majority who voted on three restructuring options or maintenance of the status quo (remaining with Hamilton) at a town hall meeting held in Millgrove last Wednesday by the local de-amalgamation group, the Committee to Free Flamborough (CFF). ...
[more]

‘GO AHEAD AND FREE FLAMBOROUGH’, SAYS CITY OF HAMILTON EMPLOYEE

Last week on September 17th I called the City of Hamilton to enquire about road repairs to the section of Old Hwy # 8 that runs through the village of Sheffield. I spoke with four employees before being put through to the person in charge of road repairs. No one knew where Sheffield was and I was actually asked, “Are you sure it’s in Hamilton?” Rick Andoga in Asset Management at Ext. 2431 finally took my call. He also did not know where Sheffield was. I explained to him that the road is in very serious disrepair and has had no maintenance since amalgamation in spite of our greatly increased property taxes. He quipped, “Everybody pays taxes.” I took exception to his claim that more money is being spent on roads in Flamborough than ever before and when I mentioned I was a member of The Committee to Free Flamborough he shot back, “Go ahead and Free Flamborough.” The bad news is that there are no plans in place whatsoever to improve the road in Sheffield any time soon.
Given this shocking ignorance and shameful attitude toward the citizens of Flamborough after five years of increased taxes and declining services it is absolutely clear that Flamborough must be free from the City of Hamilton. If you agree please watch for the announcement of our Town Hall meeting in mid November and come out to hear our proposals for change. Out theme is, Always Change A Loosing Game.
Lynn Noonan
1270 Old Hwy #8
Sheffield, Ontario
L0R 1Z0
519-624-1755

Commonwealth Games Application

August 3, 2005
Commonwealth Games Canada
2255 St. Laurent Blvd., Suite 120
Ottawa, Ontario
K1G 4K3
Attention Ian Curry, Director of Games
Dear Sir:
The Committee to Free Flamborough is a non-profit organization formed after the Progressive Conservative Provincial Government, in 2001, undemocratically forced the Municipality of Flamborough to amalgamate with the City of Hamilton. The City of Hamilton needed this amalgamation to generate more revenue to stem their deteriorating financial position after many years of fiscal mismanagement. The Provincial Government justified this amalgamation by claiming positive achievements of amalgamations, such as lower taxes or controlled increases and better city management. These undemocratic decisions were made in light of the fact that other countries were undoing their failed amalgamations because they had proof that bigger is not better.
This is not a time for Hamilton to be considered as the host for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. These games are going to be run using residential tax dollars. Hamilton’s financial and economic problems have continued to grow since the 2001 forced amalgamation. The financial position of the city remains uncertain and there are major problems with the infrastructure. During a recent flood a councillor stated that the city should cover repair cost because the antiquated infrastructure was unable to handle the volume of run off. Upgrades to the structure have been put off into the future because the dollars are not available. Taxes are continuing to rise substantially in the rural and suburban areas where services are deteriorating and sporting facilities are crumbling due to lack of funding. A recent column in the Flamborough Review stated that the 2006 cost of the Melbourne games has soared to over $1 billion and the cost to host the 2014 games is certainly going to top $1 billion.
The Committee to Free Flamborough is currently working on a restructuring proposal, to present to the Provincial Government. This proposal removes the Municipality of Flamborough from under the control of Hamilton. The success of this separation will reduce the revenue available to Hamilton and place greater strain on the remaining Hamilton taxpayers.
With an unstable political future for the City of Hamilton, and continuing financial woes, the Committee to Free Flamborough requests that the application from the City of Hamilton be dismissed without consideration. We understand that the $5,000.00 application fee is non-refundable. Thank you.
On behalf of the Committee to Free Flamborough
Dennis Noonan
Media Relations

More... Commonwealth Games News
August 31, 2005
Commonwealth Games Canada
2255 St. Laurent Blvd., Suite 120
Ottawa, Ontario
K1G 4K3
Attention Ian Curry, Director of Games
Dear Sir:
We wrote to you on August 3, 2005 to express our feelings towards the bid that the City of Hamilton was contemplating for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. There have been some developments since that writing and we are enclosing information that may help to influence your decision.
There is a copy of a column written by Kevin Werner, a reporter for Brabant Newspapers that clearly expresses the opinion of the majority of residences of Flamborough. Margaret McCarthy, Flamborough Councillor in Ward 15 expresses her opinion in the enclosed article that appeared in the Flamborough Review, our local newspaper. Dave Braden, Flamborough Councillor in Ward 14 did not attend the council meeting to vote on the application. Flamborough has only 2 representatives on a Council of 15 thus our voice never receives proper consideration.
The Committee to Free Flamborough ran a citizens survey on March 31, 2005. A copy of the results is enclosed and you will note that 96% of the Flamborough Residents are dissatisfied with the association with Hamilton and the impact it has had on our life styles. They want to separate and 13,000 residents of Flamborough alone have signed a petition and presented it to the House requesting that the undemocratically forced amalgamation be undone. There will be a Town Hall meeting for Flamborough in November and 3 different separation plans will be presented to the attendees and we will proceed with the one they find most favourable.
In an effort to offset these actions Mayor DiIanni, has hurriedly tried to keep one of his campaign promises by putting together, this month, a local council to report to the City on local concerns. The names will be made public next month but, to our knowledge, no one representing the views of de-amalgamation, separation or de-merger has been requested to be part of the council.
With an unstable political future for the City of Hamilton, and continuing financial woes, the Committee to Free Flamborough again requests that the application from the City of Hamilton be dismissed without consideration. Thank you.
On behalf of the Committee to Free Flamborough
Dennis Noonan
Media Relations

MISSION STATEMENT

To have the Legislative Assembly of Ontario rescind the forced amalgamation order and return our local municipal government to the local citizens and their democratically elected officials in Flamborough.

REASONS:

The citizens of Flamborough had no direct say in the creation of the new City of Hamilton
The government by regulation and legislation forced the recent amalgamation, against the will of the obvious majority of the people
The government has not delivered the promised streamlined, more efficient and accountable local government, nor the provision of better services at reduced costs
The promise of tax decreases has not been met
The expected transition costs to area taxpayers of this forced amalgamation have already exceeded the promised amount

BELIEFS:

The Committee to Free Flamborough is independent of political party affiliation.
It will use its lobbying power and influence on the Provincial Government as well as that of the newly created Super City to achieve the above objective.
It believes that the communities of Flamborough and its citizens have a democratic right to evaluate and decide on their future direction in terms of services & local government structure.

STRATEGIES

These will include but will not be limited to:

Petitions door-to-door: to show significant level support by the citizens of Flamborough.
Yellow ribbon campaign: as a very visual reminder to both media and politicians of the level of support for the de-amalgamation campaign.
Investigation of opportunities to proceed with legal actions: to identify precedents and legal cases through which the Free Flamborough Campaign may initiate proceedings in law to realise their democratic rights when the political process has failed them.
Political lobbyists: to gain access to the key decision makers makes and arbitrators of actions which may bring about de-amalgamation.
Establish a coalition with the regions of Ancaster, Dundas, Stoney Creek and Glanbrook: as the municipalities amalgamated at the same time we share a common cause and through strength in numbers that we hope to convey a real message to the political parties that this is an issue that cannot be ignored.
Request for a binding referendum
Free Flamborough web site
Research on fiscal issues and Press releases
Letter writing campaigns to MPPs
Newspaper advertising
All party election forums
Liaise with other interested citizens groups and business forums

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since May 10, 2003.

This site last updated on: February 15, 2007.