Over 200 residents from across Niagara, Hamilton and beyond, braved winter storm warnings to attend MPP Tim Hudak’s 15th Annual New Year’s Levees on January 3 in Mount Hope and Beamsville.

The New Year’s Levee events are an annual opportunity for Hudak to meet his constituents in an informal setting to ring in the new year, share in the spirit of Christmas and the holiday season and also to discuss local issues.

“The biggest concerns on people’s minds were definitely the looming implementation of the HST and the lack of government accountability witnessed by scandals at agencies such as eHealth and the OLG,” Hudak said. “I also received some very constructive advice on other provincial and local issues.”

For the third straight year, the day’s first levee was held at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Mount Hope. Visitors to the levee were given free admission to the museum, which contains dozens of aircraft used by Canadians and the Canadian Forces dating back to World War II.

“In addition to sharing best wishes for the year ahead and offering advice on how the Province can better respond to local issues, visitors to the levee also got to enjoy a first-class attraction,” Hudak said. “Guests really enjoyed the unique setting of the Warplane Museum. For many it was their first visit.”

The second levee was held later in the day at Angels Gate Winery, an award-winning estate winery located on the Beamsville Bench. Guests enjoyed breath taking views of Lake Ontario and snow covered hills along the escarpment.

Hudak said he would like to thank the Canadian Heritage Warplane Museum and Angels Gate Winery for hosting this year’s levees.

Over 100 pounds of non-perishable food items were collected at both levees. Hudak plans to drop off the donated food items at local charities next week.

Hudak has hosted New Year’s Levees in his riding for 15 consecutive years, dating back to when he was first elected to the Ontario Legislature in 1995.