Down to the nitty gritty - the CCC decision

First of all a hydro outage at my house yesterday, rewiring the panel, and the need for a couple of days off today and tomorrow may mean sporadic posts.

OK here it is: the Community Centre project and it's up for the first real vote on Monday. A thick memo lays out all the details, and the bottom line is that this project will be built without hitting the taxpayers for an extra dime. But you say what about the operating costs? They're in the report but obviously based on best estimates from the Staff. Without a breakdown of the revenues one cannot argue the figures but the report says that total revenues from all three rinks and the revamped Memorial Centre will net a combined loss of $318K. The current loss for two rinks is $126K. So the real operating cost to the taxpayer of Cobourg will be about 1% increase in taxes to pay for the Community Centre which will be built without a tax impact. Look at it in the real world and without bias and it appears to be a good deal.
The devil is in the details and those are to be worked out by three steering committees: fundraising, building and operating. But the absolute bottom line is that $2,733,00 has to be raised from the public - 10% so joe public show your stuff if you want this place pay up if not be vocal in your opposition.

The Corcoran affair has taken a life of its own. Started in an online publication, travelled to the National Post and then carried by the local paper, now it has travelled back into cyberspace where some hardline views are being expressed. But for an depth reasoning of the way Mr Corcoran has approached this issue, and he says the problem is systemic in the parish - that of an unaccepting congregation against changes being implemented by a Parish Priest one should read his blog here. Here is a list of the places in cyberspace that emerge when you "Google" Corcoran and the Church: Socon or Bust, Box Turtle Bulletin, Michael Coren and the National Post, The Shotgun Blog, try them.

Another nail in Obama's coffin. The linchpin of organised labour's support for Obama was the imposition of a new union organising regime, called the "The Employees' Free Choice Act" the mainstay of this bill was a process called the "card check" where employees could get a union if a majority signed union cards, hence the term "card check". Now in this story it looks as though the card check, the major symbol of Obama's reform agenda is biting the dust. Sad; but predictable.

What an interesting day yesterday was

Yesterday's post, that asked the question - "Where is the local media" on the Corcoran vs the Bishop of Peterborough, certainly educated me as the day went on. Firstly the post was up and then an email from one of the media defending itself came in, then the radio station posted a paragraph of rewrite from the "Catholic Register", with nothing new in it, and then an email exchange took place about the ethics of the situation.

As explained to me no responsible journalist can just rewrite a story stick their name on it and then print it - that violates original copyright. The story was broken by Patrick B Craine on 7th July, on a website LifeSiteNews.com. He wrote an extensive story here that included a copy of the complaint sent to the tribunal here. The Catholic Register wrote about the story here on the 9th July and quoted Mr Corcoran some more, thereby avoiding copyright rewrite problems.

So back to the local absence on this story. An editor from one of the local MSM, in an email exchange, told me that he couldn't rewrite the story "that would be plagiarism." Unfortunately for him Mr Corcoran and the complainants have gone to ground and have clammed up giving no new material to the reporter assigned to it. But an enterprising editor might have seized on that silence as a new angle to the story and run with "All in Human Rights complaints case clam up!" and then get into the story using the two previous articles as background.

More about the Brighton railroad issue. Councillor Craig Kerr certainly isn't afraid to take on the lions. He is challenging the way that the County has interjected itself into the "grade separation" debate as a threat to the Town, “What he is saying is it doesn’t matter if Brighton votes on this or not, the county will do what it wants anyway,” Coun. Kerr said. “That’s highly improper. He basically threatened our council with consequences if we didn’t make a decision, and it prejudiced the decision of people.” (source NorthumberlandNews July 15 2009)
Claiming that the County will take over the process and that is a threat to the autonomy of the Town. As an observer of the issue the question to me is the behaviour of the Mayor, either with the complicit understanding of the Council (obviously not Mr Kerr) or on her own she has figured out a way to get the County to pay for a Municipal expense, a very expensive one to boot.

A question for the local news, including the BurdReport

Last week I received emails pointing us to Wally Keeler's local online journal (read the details here), our cultural affairs correspondent, wherein he outlined a story about local businessman Jim Corcoran (he owns St Ann's Spa) and his pending lawsuit against the Catholic Diocese of Peterborough and 12 local Cobourg parishioners. The story is that Mr Corcoran, an admitted, but chaste for 19 years, homosexual began to serve the sacrament just before last Christmas. Twelve local parishioners objected, wrote a letter to the Bishop and Mr Corcoran was removed. Mr Corcoran responded by filing a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Commission and is personally suing the twelve parishioners and the Bishop for $25,000 a piece.and the people named in the suit could be fined up to $25,000 (source "Catholic register").

Now the question - where was the local MSM in this, nary a comment even though the story was out there for the picking. It has only come to light now because the National Post has a piece about it this morning here. The sad part here, for MSM advocates, is that it was a rabid homophobic 'family values' site that broke the story early last week, beating the MSM to the punch.

This is where the MSM is - covering Dalton. The Lib spin machine is in full bloom taking advantage of the summer dearth of news and to announce an announcement, probably one of "old money" being re-announced. Put the above story with this one and you get a local MSM not willing to rock the advertisers and pump out political spin because it is safe. Really ,how many 'real people' will be there to see Dalton anyway?

Another piece of locally significant news was the announcement that the local hospital is setting up a "Citizens' Advisory Panel". This group of folks will be the sounding board for the bad news of cuts in the hospital budget. As part of the contingency plan, where the budget is balanced, a "community engagement plan" has to be filed with the LHIN before such a contingency plan can be approved. A Queen's Park requirement that is such total BS that it stinks even from there. The idea is that the public can be brought on side with the proper massaging and consultation. Rather like putting five people in a room and saying to each of them, "You all have to lose a limb, what will volunteer to cut off - an arm or a leg?"

Two problems with this idea - the idea itself; that unpalatable decisions are more acceptable if the dirty work is done by some people other than the Board who are elected to make the dirty decisions and the fact that cutbacks are mandated by a remote central body like the LHIN. When the idea was being floated I assumed that the CAP would be a vehicle of consultation led by local people who would talk to others in the community and form community opinion. But talking to the CAO he thinks that the discussion will remain in the room of the appointed people. Whoa Nelly, where is the legitimacy in that? Who gets to speak for me and when do I get to speak to them?

A bit redundant we have an open membership that elects a Board, based on regional demographics and geographic representation and that Board is expected to make decisions. But in this case, probably the most important decision they will make this year - the budget, they decide to delegate their representative responsibilities - sad.

A guest column

Click for the guest column the pics are refreshing [that's because we can't smell it -ed]

A morning in the park

With a fresh breeze blowing in from the Lake, Victoria Park was packed and most were feeling chilly but pleased with the show. The Great Pine Ridge Car Show was on hand and nobody mentioned the chill just walked around in the sun and gawked.

From the oldest car - a 1913 Ford belonging to local aficionado, Terry Barker, to the flashiest a modified 190 purple lowered Chevy Impala, anywhere from 200 to 250 vehicles will be parked in the park today. One of the organisors, Bill Alls, told me, "That as cars are still arriving and depending on the weather, there will be up to as many as 250 cars here today."
Nationally revered car restorer, Doug Greer; of Cobourg, was greeting people at the gate and told me that apart from the popular ballot, one that anyone can enter for a buck, and select the best car, there will be no show champion. "The Judged show will be in Port Hope next month." So if you like cars there is plenty to look at this summer, in the area.

Reading between the lines

Two letters to the Brighton Independent question the motives, process and price to be borne by taxpayers in the railroad crossing debate in Brighton. In this letter Councillor Craig Kerr wonders how the CAO of the County managed to insert himself, and the County, into the debate without any direction from anyone in Brighton. This topic may not even have been on the agenda at the County, so what's he doing butting in? In this letter well known fiscal conservative and one-time reformer and former County Councillor Bonnie Browne asked just who will be paying for this massive expenditure when other needed County projects are on the books.

Reading between the lines anything that the County can do to undermine the autonomy of the lower tier it will do. If only to justify its own existence. For years the lower tier and the County have been locking horns about the efficacy of "County Roads". These are roads that begin in one Twp and finish in another. The County has been trying to download some of them particularly the ones that today seem to have no rationale. County Rd 33 going North from Hwy 45 at Fenella and leading to nowhere comes to mind. But Alnwick-Haldimand cries poor whenever the subject of transfer is raised.

In this case there are valid questions about Mr Pyatt's presence: who authorised it and who gave him the mandate to tell Brightoners "Brighton needs to finalize this quickly" (The Independent, July 2).
Councillor Kerr raises two more fundamental questions: "Two questions arise immediately. What inspired an employee of an upper tier administration to flagrantly interfere with, and attempt to override, the decision process of your elected council? How and why was the CAO's visit arranged without notice, and how did the report of it conveniently find its way into the local papers when no reporters were present at the meeting?"

Obviously more to come.

August 22nd 1999 these two, with another paddled across Lake Ontario in 10hrs 20 mins. Drs Paul Caldwell, Bill Moebus and Investment banker Jim Edwards intend to do it again in September, from Cobourg to Oak Orchard, to mark the anniversary.

This morning Bill Patchett announced the United Way fundraiser and the options for fundraising. For instance for $5000 you can sponsor one paddle, one life vest and a name on the canoe. The Doctors, Caldwell and Moebus will also buy dinner for two at the Woodlawn. Other sponsorship options exist and Billy P will give you a good price for your name. $2.00 tickets, that will win you donated prizes are on sale at 70 retailers around the area. And the big prize will be $500 for guessing the time taken to paddle the voyage - $5 for one or 3 for $10.

Remember this, the bike that was crossing Canada? Well it's back in Town for a refit. George Parker, the intrepid cyclist determined to go to N'fland, hit a snag on the east side of James Bay. His front wheel fell apart on the washboard gravel roads. But undeterred, I spoke with him this morning, he is getting the wheel rebuilt in Toronto, with a more robust rim, and has used the first part of the trip as a shakedown exercise. "I put no time limits on the trip and have accomplished the Ontario section, learnt a lot about myself and the equipment and will be ready to hit the trail again in a couple of days, but I don't want to ride without the best wheels, I need super rims!"

This time he will be starting in Quebec. He intends to pick up the trail in Matagami, after two days of train travel to get there and will be back in the thick of the blackflies by the end of the week, this time with a better and finer mesh headgear to ward them off. "Riding they don't bother ,you but as soon as you stop you are swarmed."

What is it about the cells in the Port Hope police station, a second person has been found hanging from the beams, at least they found the latest guy alive. Within 55 minutes of first encountering the Police he was discovered hanging with a blanket around his neck, sort of bang him up and then check the TV some time after he was placed in the cells. Obviously the cells are not monitored constantly, as the inquest into the first guy will hear. Hey Port Hope Cobourg has a pretty good system and it comes cheaper than a complete refit of facilities and staff.

With the swirl around the Liberal Party politics, another wrinkle is being added. Former Cobourg resident and popular Grocer - Tom Batchellor, of No-Frills fame, is heard as a potential nominee for the Macklin seat.

With the story in the TO Star about a Cabinet Minister being punished for doling out money to the Gay Pride parade here the conservative votes in Warkworth may just have switched from the rainbow coalition to the farmers. This move will obviously please the conservative base and offend the LGBT folks. If this is going to be government policy, giving tax money only to those groups that please the ruling party, then we are in for some fiery policy situations and perhaps some Charter challenges. For an insiders opinion about the whole furor, which is being stirred up by a conservative homophobic website called "Lifesite" click here. And, here is a column by pundit Paul Wells about the whole government programme that is causing so much grief.

Summer thoughts

Putting the MJ event in perspective. A writer from the Vegas Sun has penned this story. A comparison of mammoth funerals and points out that the MJ event wasn't as big as it seemed when put up to other funerals.

Hot and sweaty politics in Northumberland. The President of the Federal Liberal party is going to be here for a meeting of the NQW liberals. Local Lib organisor Martin Partridge tells the BR that this was just going to be another mundane executive meeting but -

"However, with a hot nomination race suddenly underway there's more excitement within the ranks.  Attendance is expected to be quite high, and both of the declared candidates (and perhaps one or two undeclared candidates) will be chatting up the crowd."

Mr Alfred Apps ( I bet nobody has the cheek to call him Alfie) is here to chat up the troops, keep the morale high, and remind all that there is an election to win. And of course if you are a Lib and want to check out the new faces get to the meeting: 7pm at the Colborne Legion.

The days after

With all the Waterfront festival people claiming a record success, they would wouldn't they? I went off to look for myself on cleanup day.

The King St merchants I spoke to did not notice much more traffic during the festival, cementing an opinion that visitors to the waterfront rarely migrate to the downtown whenever there are waterfront activities. This opinion was confirmed when the merchants told me that Sunday, the first day after the festival and the day after the American holiday, was a busy one. "Nothing at the harbour let's go downtown!" seemed to be the sentiment from the majority of people, mainly visiting Americans. Not to be negative let's celebrate the fact that Cobourg put on a good show, even though one must remember that it is a major commercial event run by the Rotary for the Rotary.

The Toronto garbage strike is going to drag on and the two sides have to get down to brass tacks now that McGuinty has said he will not legislate them back, well he can't if he has let the Windsor strike drag on for eleven weeks. What did Mayor Miller expect? that the union would roll over. Not going to happen. You can't give all the unions (police and fire) except the grunts 3% raises and improvements to contracts and then turn around and takeaway a year later in the bargaining cycle, "Just because things have changed" Besides despite the big issue, that keeps getting distorted, like the sick pay issue (this one for all the union bashers is in lieu of the short term disability that most provate sector companies have) you can't take away without a quid pro quo. I wonder what all the bashers would say if the Feds suddenly said, when all the execs in the country are getting bonuses and when all MPs and other pols are raising their own wages "Your CPP is being cut by 10% because we are in a recession!" not going to happen. But because these folks are in a union their wages and benefits are fair game. Both the City and Union have to get real - compromise and finish with a status-quo contract. Unfortunately Miller, who has had bad advice on this issue, will come off worse but perhaps he deserved it because he has not led on this one.

Sad, reports from the war-zone that two more soldiers have died today. The tragedy about this one is that it may have been caused by technical failure. Let's face it we are fighting with equipment built by the lowest bidder and held together by baling wire.

Must be the day for weird headlines

The headline says it all, funny old world where this guy is now richer by dying and nobody really knows who the heirs are. His mother isn't in charge any more, his ex-wife may come back and claim the two children she bore and then dumped, The brain is going to be tested for all kinds of things and may be buried later, probably a big plot for another funeral. E-bay has clamped down on the "free" tickets to his service that were being sold for thousands and although everybody says they are sick of the whole affair TV ratings for anything associated with MJ go through the roof.

Mexicans love their wrestlers, big or small and the whole country is mourning the loss of a pair of famous twins who died after drinking 'spiked' drinks with two prostitutes, story here.