A new phase

Today we leave blogspot perhaps some of you will not come but that's your choice. The new site will take some getting used to. For instance you will see a post on the front page but to see it the way it was written and take the opportunity to leave a comment you will have to click on the headline.

So follow the white new page into a new layout by clicking here - BurdReport.ca

PS if any of the readers have problems with this payour and change please email me here and tell me about your experiences


BTW Check out the Cobourg candidates page on the new site here

Sign up for email notifications by clicking on the form at the bottom of the sidebar on the right side of the page this service may take a couple of days to settle in so be patient.

A few notes, because I have time

A trip away does put things in perspective and bring new insights.

For example we, in North America have been bludgeoned by the fast food industry that large signs and a standardised building formula are absolutely essential for corporate existence. If that's the case why do the Italians put these stores in heritage buildings and mandate small signs?

The lists are now sealed let the games begin! The number of people wanting to be a councillor is the lowest in years and Stan Frost has been acclaimed as Deputy Mayor, this demonstrates a huge disinterest in the election. With the Town going to 'wired' elections only nobody knows, and one can only guess, the actual voter turnout. The only winner in this move is the company running the election being paid per vote!

Publication of the BR will resume on Sunday, we can't wait to peruse the last two weeks headlines and start to comment.

Last Point: we just can't get away from these guys can we? Click on pic to enlarge.

Inspiration from the Oddest Places

Every year when the Film Festival lands in Toronto I avoid watching TV news. The simpering, smarmy reporters following the celebrities for what seems like weeks on end just drive me crazy, leading me to fret about the mess our society is in when this event creates such excitement and wonder amongst the masses.

Since nothing ever stops me from reading the print media though, I saw in the Toronto Star a lead story this morning that made my weary heart sing. There he was, Martin Sheen, walking the picket lines with strikers at the venerable Royal York, the hotel targeted for a single day of action today.

Telling the press he has been a union member all his adult life and that he supports the labour movement, he then came out with a statement that spoke directly to me. He said, and I quote directly from the Torstar, "I'M HERE TO REMIND YOU THAT LOST CAUSES ARE THE ONLY CAUSES WORTH FIGHTING FOR".

It hit me like the proverbial bolt of lightening, and for a split second I swear my heart stopped beating, then resumed with a lilt that's been missing for quite a while. In that one short sentence was contained the entire rationale for a lifetime of seemingly fruitless work on my part, work that sometimes feels like it has drained all my energy for nothing.

The significance of Mr. Sheen's remark is stunning. It reminded me that it's easy to work for popular causes like curing cancer or diabetes. Everybody believes in those goals, and nobody will tell you that you're destroying peoples' lives, an accusation hurled at me more than once for my efforts to end poverty. Nobody booes you when you speak, nobody calls you nasty names or gives your kids a hard time because they carry your name too. Instead, you get awards and accolades for it. Like I said, it's easy to carry the flag for popular causes.

But just try advocating for a cause that is controversial, like giving the poor an adequate income so they can feed their children properly and live in decent housing. For some reason, that drives some people crazy, and they will go to great lengths to discredit and silence you. That's true whether it's anti poverty work, or union activism, or gay rights, or any other worthy but controversial cause.

But Martin, dear Martin, put it all in perspective for me again. Nothing worth having is gained without a fight, and the harder the fight, the worthier the cause. Just think of civil human rights, and womens' rights. Those battles are far from over around the globe, and if the fight to win them here in North America is any indication, we still have huge battles ahead before we succeed.

Now, at least, my head is clear. Like Braveheart and Robert the Bruce, I say bring it on, the battle is nigh.

Had to interrupt the vacation for this

Cobourg Tourism should be proud. In a letter to NToday.com:

Shady experience at beach

I visited the Cobourg beach on September first with my two children. My son is two and a half and my daughter 10 months old. We arrived at the beach at about 10:30. We set up our two sun shade tents and proceeded to play in the water and sand.

At around 11:10 a police officer approached us and asked us to take down the tents because they aren't allowed on the beach. It would be a $103 fine if I left them up. In embarrassment we packed up and went home, all the while my son was saying "I just want to play at the beach."

I understand if there was alcohol or something to that matter, but there wasn't. I had my two small children and my mother with me.

Nowhere was it posted or in any website I searched on to say anything about no sun shades allowed. On one of the hottest and sunniest days this year, I can't have shade for my children? Absolutely ridiculous. So much for trying to get people to visit Cobourg. I was thoroughly disappointed! I drove 45 minutes to have a beach day with my children only to be kicked off the beach an hour later.

Tara Martino Oshawa

Enough said 

Gone travelling

Back in 14 days, travel diary here

Where are the candidates?

With only one week to go before nominations close for all of the seats in Municipal elections to be held in Ontario a quick perusal of the lists shows a disturbing trend - nobody appears to want the job. Two Townships in the county - Hamilton and Cramahe will have all councillor seats acclaimed, if nobody else files. Hamilton twp will have its complete slate acclaimed if nobody else files and the Cobourg councillor race, which usually has a lineup in the double figures by now only has nine for five spots.

So why the lack of interest? Is it because of the daunting workload for a small stipend, is it because of an increasing apathy toward politics or is it a generational change. It is a well observed trend that has reduced the number of volunteers who wish to participate in anything that requires meetings. The generation of volunteers, those in the upper age bracket - 70-80s are getting fewer and those in the prime volunteering age just don't have the urge to get stuck in, unless it has a personal attachment (volunteering to run the Scouts or Soccer because they have their own children involved).

In an aside, when the Mayor of Cobourg commented on the move to eliminate traditional balloting methods and go online he observed that this might be one way to get youth involved. Earth to Peter - Just because youth live on the keyboard doesn't mean that they will vote. To get votes one has to inspire. Frankly, what inspires youth less than a ballot made of up people their granddads age?

Before you slam Ben Burd for mouthing off and not getting into the race let me say why I haven't. Not wanting to waste all of your money - yes I would be asking all the readers of the BR for a $100 donation, $99 if you wanted to remain anonymous and expending a lot of my effort and a considerable amount of time I declined the offer. Why go through that exercise only to discove what I know already - I am not one of the five most popular people in Cobourg. Competence has nothing to do with being elected - ppopularity wins everytime. How many people will admit to voting for the meanest SOB available?

So I will miss the opening salvos, and not much else we (Doreen and I ) are off the drink wine and discover antiquities in Italy for a couple of weeks. There may be a travel blog so that others may share the pics, but check us out on Facebook.