I can't wait to see the other pics
Here is an "Educator of the Year" and the anxiety and trepidation shows, Well done Rob.Saturday, July 25, 2009
Here is an "Educator of the Year" and the anxiety and trepidation shows, Well done Rob.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Some people say dumb things
Yesterday I delivered a load of hazardous waste to an out of Town Company and in the course of conversation I asked if they were busy, "Yes and No. The recycling is doing well but the transportation side isn't."
"How many drivers do you have out today?" I asked. "Twelve but normally it would be thirty five". When a local gravel hauling company tells me that the plans are made for the year and nobody else is being hired (and gravel moves first in the construction season) you know that the economy is knackered.
So where does the Governor of the Bank of Canada get off by proclaiming, at a nationally televised news conference that the recession is over? Tell that to the thousands of EI exhaustees who will flood the economy in the next three months. Tell that to the bankruptees who have held on waiting for stimulus money, tell that to the local bridge builders who are not working on the Burnham St. bridge because a company from Newfoundland is. It doesn't make sense!
"How many drivers do you have out today?" I asked. "Twelve but normally it would be thirty five". When a local gravel hauling company tells me that the plans are made for the year and nobody else is being hired (and gravel moves first in the construction season) you know that the economy is knackered.
So where does the Governor of the Bank of Canada get off by proclaiming, at a nationally televised news conference that the recession is over? Tell that to the thousands of EI exhaustees who will flood the economy in the next three months. Tell that to the bankruptees who have held on waiting for stimulus money, tell that to the local bridge builders who are not working on the Burnham St. bridge because a company from Newfoundland is. It doesn't make sense!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
And some people say there is no need for hyper-local news!
I beg to differ and enter into evidence this online submission from Bob Owen of "Cramahe Now". He has been pursuing, like a bulldog, the goings on in Colborne over a Farmers' Market. Never mind the fact that here is only one farmer and never mind the efforts of an officious bylaw officer whio seemed determined to take the market out, the twenty year old market was officially reinstated this week. Read about it here, because this is another small, but significant, story that only hyperlocal people tell. Another knock against the MSM.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The CCC getts a 4 - 2 approval rating
You don't give a figures man no figures and you don't give the process lady no process! That's what the fifty minute debate about the Cobourg Community centre boiled down to yesterday afternoon.After two amendments were voted down, the main resolution - to approve the building of the CCC and finance the Municipal portion with funds from the development charges account, passed in a recorded vote without much ado.
The debate kicked off with Councillor Frost asking that the project be made more specific and that private clubs, especially the Lawn Bowling club be left out of the project unless they pay a full rate. "The June report spoke about a club house for the Lawn Bowling Club, we should not be using public money to relocate private clubs." When the gang of four made it abundantly clear that they were not going to support his motion, quote Councillor MacDonald, "This motion is redundant, the Steering Committees will decide this" Frost tried to persuade the rest of Council to tighten up the proposal, in Council chambers, the majority were quite happy to let unelected and as yet unknown members of the steering committees decide the nuts and bolts of the build. So having kicked Stan in the goolies the gang of four then put the boots, in due process, to the other dissenter of the group.
Councillor Mutton wanted to know why the Council was funding the Municipal Portion of the build, $6 million, out of the development charges fund and not use the "playmoney" from the Holdco and Northam park dividends because when debentured the $6M goes to $8M. When asked the reason CAO Steve Robinson said, "It' a philosophy thing, do you want the taxpayers in the next 25 years paying for the facility or do you want present taxpayers doing it?" So she made a motion to the effect that other funds be used as well as development charges used to finance the debt - it lost. After that she wanted the resolution split in two parts so that she could vote for the project but against the financing details. It never happened so she voted against the resolution because of the financing arrangements. For his part Councillor Frost was incensed "We have met three times on this issue and we have never had a discussion about what it is! Council must settle down and say what it is we are doing."
Apparently that is something they will not do now because at the same meeting they decided to hire a Project Manager to fill in the details, with the steering committees, and run the project. BTW that decision cost us $310K.
Who says that the Private Sector can do it best? Putting their faith in owning and operating their own piece of equipment Council bought a boat. A dredger to be precise. Cobourg spent $123K last year on dredging the harbour and it is an annual chore. If Cobourg wants a harbour it has to keep the entrance open by dredging. Buying a boat for the sum of $688K and paying for it over ten years we save 46K alone on our own costs. If we rent it out at $566 per hour we make more money, and there are customers already waiting for it. A good deal for all and it came about because this was a job that the private sector couldn't do, or didn't want to do, properly!
The debate kicked off with Councillor Frost asking that the project be made more specific and that private clubs, especially the Lawn Bowling club be left out of the project unless they pay a full rate. "The June report spoke about a club house for the Lawn Bowling Club, we should not be using public money to relocate private clubs." When the gang of four made it abundantly clear that they were not going to support his motion, quote Councillor MacDonald, "This motion is redundant, the Steering Committees will decide this" Frost tried to persuade the rest of Council to tighten up the proposal, in Council chambers, the majority were quite happy to let unelected and as yet unknown members of the steering committees decide the nuts and bolts of the build. So having kicked Stan in the goolies the gang of four then put the boots, in due process, to the other dissenter of the group.
Councillor Mutton wanted to know why the Council was funding the Municipal Portion of the build, $6 million, out of the development charges fund and not use the "playmoney" from the Holdco and Northam park dividends because when debentured the $6M goes to $8M. When asked the reason CAO Steve Robinson said, "It' a philosophy thing, do you want the taxpayers in the next 25 years paying for the facility or do you want present taxpayers doing it?" So she made a motion to the effect that other funds be used as well as development charges used to finance the debt - it lost. After that she wanted the resolution split in two parts so that she could vote for the project but against the financing details. It never happened so she voted against the resolution because of the financing arrangements. For his part Councillor Frost was incensed "We have met three times on this issue and we have never had a discussion about what it is! Council must settle down and say what it is we are doing."
Apparently that is something they will not do now because at the same meeting they decided to hire a Project Manager to fill in the details, with the steering committees, and run the project. BTW that decision cost us $310K.
Who says that the Private Sector can do it best? Putting their faith in owning and operating their own piece of equipment Council bought a boat. A dredger to be precise. Cobourg spent $123K last year on dredging the harbour and it is an annual chore. If Cobourg wants a harbour it has to keep the entrance open by dredging. Buying a boat for the sum of $688K and paying for it over ten years we save 46K alone on our own costs. If we rent it out at $566 per hour we make more money, and there are customers already waiting for it. A good deal for all and it came about because this was a job that the private sector couldn't do, or didn't want to do, properly!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Sorry folks, the comments are late.
Keep the comments coming in and I promise to check the comment moderation page more often - I have missed some timely comments as blogspot appears not to be emailing them directly to me
If the local candidate is only worth 5%?
If the local candidate in any election is only worth about a 5% increase or decrease in the final numbers (and this is a bedrock of belief amongst pundits and pols alike) how can a story like this gain traction? This story, published in the "Hill Times" quotes spokespeople from Harris-Decima as saying, "The next election will be fought on a riding by riding basis." Kinda of a contradiction. Fighting the election riding by riding assumes that local candidates will be important to the election. Not!
If local candidates are going to be important let's look at what we have here in NQW. An incumbent who has been pasting the riding with cheques and cut ribbons and costing us a fortune on nonsensical free flyers - "householders", that arrive on what seems to be a weekly basis and two parties that have not announced who their candidate is going to be. The Libs have a nomination race with two no-names announced so far and a couple more in the wings, but nobody with "gravitas" yet. It appears that this will be a nomination fight by proxy - who can snag the biggest endorsement; round one to a man who lives in the riding but teaches in Kingston. Andrew McFadyen, from Warkworth, has been endorsed by someone who the average voter may have trouble remembering - Christine Stewart, an ex Chretien Minister. The Dippers haven't had a press release yet to announce a replacement for Russ Christianson, it is believed to be Will Lambert from Port Hope, but he had better start to get out this summer to the BBQs just to introduce himself.
If local candidates are going to be important let's look at what we have here in NQW. An incumbent who has been pasting the riding with cheques and cut ribbons and costing us a fortune on nonsensical free flyers - "householders", that arrive on what seems to be a weekly basis and two parties that have not announced who their candidate is going to be. The Libs have a nomination race with two no-names announced so far and a couple more in the wings, but nobody with "gravitas" yet. It appears that this will be a nomination fight by proxy - who can snag the biggest endorsement; round one to a man who lives in the riding but teaches in Kingston. Andrew McFadyen, from Warkworth, has been endorsed by someone who the average voter may have trouble remembering - Christine Stewart, an ex Chretien Minister. The Dippers haven't had a press release yet to announce a replacement for Russ Christianson, it is believed to be Will Lambert from Port Hope, but he had better start to get out this summer to the BBQs just to introduce himself.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
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.
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.
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