tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80341831032265108712024-03-19T18:14:36.368-04:00Davenport DemocracyKen Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comBlogger174125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-71670988384003211372011-09-27T18:17:00.000-04:002011-09-27T18:17:06.715-04:00What About POVERTY?The Ontario provincial election is upon us and voting day is October 6th. Although this is not about Davenport riding, it is about the people mliving beside us.<br />
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I submitted the following question to candidates via <strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">The Gleaner</span></em></strong> <a href="http://gleanernews.ca/#two">LINKhere</a><br />
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2. <strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">What will you (really) do about the appalling levels of poverty amongst your constituents, if elected? Not just vague promises but real, deliverable, time-dated action?</span></strong><br />
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—Ken Wood<br />
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<strong>DiNovo:</strong> You’re talking to the woman who brought in the $10 minimum wage bill. And thanks to that bill, in our riding, a million Ontarians got a twenty-eight per cent raise. So that’s significant, and that was within the first six months of my being elected, and that’s as a member of the Opposition in a ten-person caucus, in a 107-person government. I’m part of the provincial legislature and I sit in Opposition Government primarily because of poverty issues. One in six children in our riding, and in our city, and in our province, live in poverty. We would definitely reassess the ODSP rates and raise them. We’ve also promised that we would be building at least 10,000 new [units] in housing every year. Also, introduce legislation to allow municipalities to call for inclusionary zoning.<br />
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<strong>Ganetakos:</strong> One of the things we’re offering that I’m really happy about is support for those who are on OW and ODSP. There are those that are working part-time and are trying to improve their quality of life and they are trying to takes steps forward. But the Liberal government claws back moneys from their paycheque. It’s a disincentive to try. Our plan is to let those on OW and ODSP to keep more of their money. It may not be possible for some, and we understand that, but we want them to have more money that they work for so that they can have more dignity in their lives.<br />
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<strong>Pasternak:</strong> Daycare is a huge issue in this riding, and one that I will be championing to make sure we have lots more, we desperately need them in this riding. Full-day kindergarten is a real, measurable investment made by the McGuinty government that helps alleviate the poverty cycle in so many ways. The other thing that we’re doing is, people may not be able to feel it, but the fact is that we just went through one of the worst recessions since the Great Depression, and we’ve come out stronger, we’ve created more jobs than the other provinces combined. The truth is, when the economy is lifted up, everyone gets lifted up.<br />
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<strong>Trottier:</strong> One Green policy area that I really think is important is the idea of taxing resource use and property use, and taxing less income and earned value. For us, we would seek to reduce income tax and one of our policies is to reduce it by a certain percentage dependent on the amount of income a person is bringing in, but in such a way that those with the smallest income, the poorest among us, would benefit the most in income reduction. We would offset [those decreased tax dollars] by increasing the tax on property and on resource use. This has the benefit of encouraging the use of currently vacant property, which is an issue right along Queen Street.<br />
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I sincerely hope people in my Davenport riding and other ridings ask their candidates about this.<br />
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Provincial election debate at the <strong>Davenport Perth Neighbourhood Centre</strong>. <br />
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Time: Thursday, September 29 · 6:00pm - 9:00pm<br />
Location : 1900 Davenport Road (in the Sanctuary)<br />
More Info: This is an opportunity to hear what the leading candidates have say on key issues impacting the community in Davenport. All the four leading candidates were invited. Crisitna Martins, Jonah Schein, and Fank de Jong have confirmed their participation. We hope to see you all there as well. (This is a re-scheduling of the September 12 meeting). Childcare available.Ken Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-79723339988352233342011-08-08T19:57:00.001-04:002011-08-08T19:58:20.666-04:00Saving Money for Toronto<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Top Ten Ideas to Save Toronto Money:</span></u></em></strong></div><br />
10. Moratorium on new construction, let our infrastructure catch up to our desire for bigger residential tax base<br />
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9. Permit more city staff to work from home, flex hours etc. Technology connects us already<br />
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8. Reduce road infrastructure to encourage less car usage, eg. Make Yonge street pedestrian concourse only <br />
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7. Road tolls, the time has come! <br />
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6. Tax rebate to anyone who gets rid of their car and commits to taking public transit, save on infrastructure <br />
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5. City needs to refuse to accept downloaded provincial responsibility programs like social assistance <br />
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4. Index police force size to crime rate, stop making TO cops best paid in Canada mantra <br />
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3. Close metro zoo - its a money loser and unneeded in today's world<br />
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2. Form parksrec 'BIA's' and get local volunteers to help maintain park programs<br />
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1. Trim bloated ranks of TTC management <br />
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Ken Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-41886406320108797142011-07-27T10:43:00.007-04:002011-07-27T11:26:18.496-04:00Police Overdo Strip Searches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjKnmQVJ_utGbGAWnsvC-ZjizYcaf2T9sh6u9-asTSVBBO8bhlgcW3dl22TZAFAS_yQ0MC4Jox9JBhYfLcP2xM6jikVOTnoeqiQNSyLy_zfjxR92pEuo_oD3qoQECkLUNOL7AAtDVaiE5/s1600/g20inquiry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjKnmQVJ_utGbGAWnsvC-ZjizYcaf2T9sh6u9-asTSVBBO8bhlgcW3dl22TZAFAS_yQ0MC4Jox9JBhYfLcP2xM6jikVOTnoeqiQNSyLy_zfjxR92pEuo_oD3qoQECkLUNOL7AAtDVaiE5/s1600/g20inquiry.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://toronto.openfile.ca/blog/news/2011/why-are-toronto-police-strip-searching-so-many-people">http://toronto.openfile.ca/blog/news/2011/why-are-toronto-police-strip-searching-so-many-people</a><br />
OpenFile Toronto: "... if TPAC, the activist group led by <a href="http://www.johnsewell.org/bio/">former mayor John Sewell</a>, is right, strip searches are being used roughly <strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">60 percent of the time</span></strong> in Toronto"<br />
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"<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The Supreme Court says that strip searches "cannot be carried out simply as a matter of routine policy</span></strong>", because <strong>"strip searches are inherently humiliating and degrading for detainees."</strong><br />
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"According to the TPAC newsletter, when asked whether more than half of arrests would constitute a routine use of Level 3 searches, <strong>Police Chief Bill Blair</strong> said that for something to be routine it would have to occur something like 100 percent of the time (something like handcuffs and fingerprinting would qualify). It's not exactly a reassuring answer, and even less reassuring than the Chief's assertion that the perceived climb in strip searches is due entirely to better record-keeping. <strong><em><span style="color: purple;">According to the Toronto Star, the police started keeping better records after a 2005 complaint by, you guessed it, John Sewell</span></em></strong>. So, before 2005, there were tons of undocumented strip searches despite the 2001 Supreme Court case? Yikes."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI86-V3qBPI_j3C1FzyJ7ztCqtO9t0Ap52EggsceSN_UCKbUl2BoaWvWM4sZ5TNkjvpm-6QPyw6biLYXafyDOg4hz1pfePjqthu5FcHXC6pOVtZzxXYv2mxC9Dvm-e1-uLCtmkkaSWcAAB/s1600/NoBullies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI86-V3qBPI_j3C1FzyJ7ztCqtO9t0Ap52EggsceSN_UCKbUl2BoaWvWM4sZ5TNkjvpm-6QPyw6biLYXafyDOg4hz1pfePjqthu5FcHXC6pOVtZzxXYv2mxC9Dvm-e1-uLCtmkkaSWcAAB/s1600/NoBullies.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><br />
.... Having been a subject who was strip searched in the past, simply because a) the police files on me mentioned I was suffering from mental illness and/or b) I was someone who has protested democratically in the past and am not a fan of police brutality - I think I have the experience to comment.<br />
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When I protested back in 2001 against the Mike Harris cuts, was knocked unconscious by police batons at King and Bay , followed by nationwide media attention showing me laying in a pool of blood, surrounded by riot police who refused medical access to me, then (surprise) was charged with a false claim of assault against police... long story, sorry.... then charges were dropped and I sued Toronto Police Services Board and the city, eventually getting a significant settlement....the point here is:<br />
<br />
When I was arrested, I was taken in and strip-searched, simply to 'teach me a lesson'.<br />
<u><strong><span style="font-size: large;">I KNOW this is why police employ this intimidation tactic</span></strong>.</u><br />
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I was also continually harassed by police at other social justice protests, often having officers I never met say to me : "<em>Hey, Ken! Did you take your meds today? (laughter)</em>". Complaints about this turn out to be a waste of time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHRgWLR9UFVyFdGH5fNN_JtYkD5larGz5dZ-TXeO7VkfIc1h3RwlyaOrte9YGN10Oi_avbyyVCTrhrOJxVVNuemuAluu1lI9ZgJvOx0zNJDh_GbVU-KF0zgwmMZuljepkhSvy5l328Mhg/s1600/Wood_Ken_Toronto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHRgWLR9UFVyFdGH5fNN_JtYkD5larGz5dZ-TXeO7VkfIc1h3RwlyaOrte9YGN10Oi_avbyyVCTrhrOJxVVNuemuAluu1lI9ZgJvOx0zNJDh_GbVU-KF0zgwmMZuljepkhSvy5l328Mhg/s1600/Wood_Ken_Toronto.jpg" t$="true" /></a><br />
Go <a href="http://injusticebusters.com/04/Wood_Ken.htm">HERE</a> for a link to the story on this.<br />
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There is still even today an ingrained culture in police that demeans, intimidates and targets people with any form of mental illness. They use the term '<strong>EDP</strong>' (emotionally disturbed person) whenever they run into anyone with a mental health/illness history, which leads to some form of immediate assumption of guilt.<br />
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Of course this is wrong. Of course police will deny this. Of course police will just continue to do it....<br />
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Unless the 'normals' in society speak out about this injustice done to their family members, friends and neighbours..<br />
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Despite the good news about police stopping the practice of keeping and passing on mental health notes when they are called for police checks (see last post).... we have a long way to go.<br />
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But thank you <a href="http://www.johnsewell.com/">John Sewell</a> and the <strong>Toronto Police Accountability Coalition</strong> (<strong>TPAC</strong>) <br />
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Link is <a href="http://www.tpac.ca/">HERE</a> "Toronto Police Accountability Coalition is a group which encourages debate about police policy issues, and is devoted to making the police more accountable to the public."<br />
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Go <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/article/1028738--toronto-police-strip-searches-increasing">HERE</a> to see The Star artcle about this.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">"Last month, a judge found that Peel police officers conducted an illegal strip search of a man in order to “humiliate and intimidate” him, and then tried to cover up what they had done."</div>Ken Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-39975020475827163422011-07-26T19:22:00.003-04:002011-07-26T19:30:37.954-04:00Breakthrough on Destigmatizing Mental Illness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHVqhokE08W7osHbIj2_BCXOCQUFIV8yvhUbi6QzuVDJFEyM0jltjNZ_aiUcC2vWWPGG8OuRpTTPtnpbR8-tR1F9eI4VWO96evOErsOg27kjl2ohEYltTWgH6WbwhIoBX_Nx4nY7_N47n/s1600/TalkMental.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHVqhokE08W7osHbIj2_BCXOCQUFIV8yvhUbi6QzuVDJFEyM0jltjNZ_aiUcC2vWWPGG8OuRpTTPtnpbR8-tR1F9eI4VWO96evOErsOg27kjl2ohEYltTWgH6WbwhIoBX_Nx4nY7_N47n/s1600/TalkMental.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><br />
OPINION - Carol Goar: <em><strong><span style="background-color: yellow;">Rare breakthrough on mental health</span></strong></em><br />
July 26, 2011 18:07:00 Carol Goar Toronto Star Columnist <br />
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It took nine years of pleading, lobbying and negotiating. But the breakthrough finally came. This week the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police unveiled province-wide guidelines on the disclosure of sensitive information about a person’s mental health. <a href="http://www.oacp.ca/content/news/article.html?ID=1048">LINK</a><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Police information checks, routinely required by employers and voluntary agencies, will no longer include any reference to an incident involving mental health that did not result in criminal charges.</span></strong><br />
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Since the millennium, thousands of Ontarians have lost jobs, promotions and chances to serve their community because of a past mental health crisis. A family member might have phoned 911 during a suicide attempt. A doctor might have called for a police escort to the hospital after an adverse drug reaction. An individual with a mental disorder might have sought help during an emergency.<br />
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It all ends up in the police data bank.<br />
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That was where it remained until 1999. Then the Ontario government decreed that all new teachers must undergo police checks. The directive was well-intentioned — no parent wants his or her child exposed to a pedophile or predator — but it was devastating for job applicants who had experienced an episode of mental illness.<br />
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Other organizations quickly followed the schools. Daycare centres, nursing and retirement homes, sports leagues, community agencies and some businesses began requiring police checks.<br />
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(<strong><em>These are not criminal record checks</em></strong>. They are police information checks that include all contact between an individual and the police, regardless of the reason.)<br />
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Alarm bells soon started ringing at the Ontario Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office. David Simpson, who headed the independent government agency at the time, remembers fielding calls from dozens of people who had learned, to their horror, that they had police records. They were being barred from jobs and voluntary positions because of illnesses that had been successfully treated. <br />
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“It can stop people dead in their tracks,” he said. “For those who are on the road to recovery, it can be a devastating setback.”<br />
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Simpson heard from students who were afraid of failing their courses because they couldn’t get a voluntary placement; public servants who dared not seek promotions because of what might turn up in their police record; parents who couldn’t coach their kids’ soccer teams; retirees who couldn’t give back to their community.<br />
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In 2002, Simpson contacted Keith Norton, who was then the province’s human rights commissioner. He agreed the practice of releasing police information indiscriminately was a problem and took it up with Bob Runciman, the public safety minister of the day. Runciman said the issue was beyond his control. The Ontario Association of Police Chiefs was responsible for the use and disclosure of information collected by its members.<br />
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Fortunately, Norton’s successor, Barbara Hall, was more insistent. She wrote to every police chief in the province pointing out that the practice of releasing information about a person’s mental health was “potentially discriminatory.”<br />
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A handful of police forces, including Toronto’s, responded. It developed a sophisticated risk assessment tool to determine whether to release information about a person’s mental health. But most local forces continued to red-flag individuals who posed no threat. <br />
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The Ontario Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office still gets daily calls from people who want to apply for a job or become a volunteer, but fear they’ll be stigmatized and rejected. <br />
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The new guidelines won’t solve everything. They’re not binding; each police force will set its own policies. Nor do they seal all mental health records. Organizations with vulnerable clients will still have access to relevant mental health information.<br />
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Most stakeholders, however, consider them a fair compromise.<br />
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It shouldn’t have taken this long to get the balance between privacy and public safety right.<br />
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But <strong><span style="color: red;">in the mental health sector, where no victory comes easily, this is a moment to celebrate.</span></strong><br />
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- Carol Goar's column appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday. <a href="http://www.thestar.com/">LINK</a>Ken Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-37276747866465286922011-07-22T20:20:00.015-04:002011-07-26T20:54:48.384-04:00Mayor Ford Invites All of Toronto<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:</strong></div><strong>EX 8.1 Core Service Review </strong><br />
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</div> Meets <strong><span style="font-size: large;">Thursday, July 28</span></strong> Weblink is <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/decisionBodyProfile.do?function=doPrepare&meetingId=5052#Meeting-2011.EX8">here</a><br />
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<em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>The Executive Committee makes recommendations on Council's strategic policy and priorities, governance policy and structure, financial planning and budgeting, fiscal policy including revenue and tax policies, intergovernmental and international relations, Council and its operations, and human resources and labour relations. </strong></span></em><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><strong><u>13 Members</u>: Mayor Rob Ford, Mike Del Grande, Paul Ainslie, Michelle Berardinetti, Doug Holyday, Norm Kelly, Giorgio Mammoliti, Peter Milczyn, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Cesar Palacio, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Michael Thompson </strong></span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">* <strong><span style="color: red;">Mayor Ford invites residents to tell him what to keep, cut <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/mayor-ford-invites-residents-to-tell-him-what-to-keep-cut/article2106583/">Globe and Mail, July 22</a></span></strong></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><em>"Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says everyone can come to city hall next week to tell him what they think about proposed spending cuts...." </em></span></span></strong></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><em> </em><span style="background-color: magenta;"> Caution to all left wing Pinkos: </span></span></span></strong> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruNJCO8jrm50WpXXsVl7SwqtbpatLbecFo_tTHTEOfMECqSSaK0_h4OaacmnJA0wJNgYhYSivC1NIPDSFypZLLWiR3R9pB9b0oINCtuztCSKM7DPTE8RXhgcnzaKLfKhOaV8b5Clu_HPx/s1600/not-listening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruNJCO8jrm50WpXXsVl7SwqtbpatLbecFo_tTHTEOfMECqSSaK0_h4OaacmnJA0wJNgYhYSivC1NIPDSFypZLLWiR3R9pB9b0oINCtuztCSKM7DPTE8RXhgcnzaKLfKhOaV8b5Clu_HPx/s320/not-listening.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><em>“I encourage people to come to the executive committee next Thursday,” he said during an interview on CP24. “Everyone has five minutes to talk to me personally at our executive committee. I invite the whole city. I don’t care if we have to sit there for three days. I don’t want to have people ... they have five minutes to tell me what business do you think we should be in. And it’s next Thursday at 9:30 at city hall. Come and let me know what you think – the average taxpayer out there – what are we doing right, what are we doing wrong. I want to hear from the people and I encourage them to come. “</em></span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: red;"></span></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">So, Y'all <span style="color: magenta;">Come On Down to </span><span style="background-color: cyan; color: black;">Mayor Rob's Place</span> and Tell Us Whatcha Thinkin', Toronto</span></strong></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf22RxAgsrP1U9iLgYNAtRLo1JeS9PVKPKFHOR_BRn2jpWrE2pHQh6-MakngOyKPXgRcCHw5QWE7O9gtnz56AOdWQR-S7RUIddg48YXO4OQqWj0uDrTWxVrRBtujL8juDgfaQPJvQfIn4-/s1600/YALL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf22RxAgsrP1U9iLgYNAtRLo1JeS9PVKPKFHOR_BRn2jpWrE2pHQh6-MakngOyKPXgRcCHw5QWE7O9gtnz56AOdWQR-S7RUIddg48YXO4OQqWj0uDrTWxVrRBtujL8juDgfaQPJvQfIn4-/s1600/YALL.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">I guarantee each of you get your 5 minutes to speak,</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"> all 2,503,281 of you</span></strong></div><br />
<em><strong>Just call, write, email or fax to:</strong></em><br />
<br />
Frances Pritchard<br />
10th floor, West Tower, City Hall<br />
100 Queen Street West<br />
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2 <br />
email: <a href="mailto:exc@toronto.ca">exc@toronto.ca</a> <br />
phone: 416-392-6627<br />
fax: 416-392-1879 <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">The link to the meeting information is <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/decisionBodyProfile.do?function=doPrepare&meetingId=5052#Meeting-2011.EX8">HERE</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"></div></div><div align="left"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><em><strong>During the same interview the mayor said taxpayers have three priorities: They want to feel safe, they want roads that are clean and without potholes and they want their garbage picked up.</strong></em></span></span></div><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><em><strong></strong></em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span style="color: black;"><em><strong></strong></em></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><em><strong>These, he said, “are the three high-level issues that people really want us to deal with.”</strong></em></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcIlLgYFmqWI4rbgbHWuBbmIsmwMG8Hbza7epJf_RiVPXbYffBzmbz5Du3KhuC2borwKU2BwcX5NMAg9TWzT5H1zO5jbdlYSfUPksHjdCj8Abh-auZXIoZgCU7RqpSdYugSd4JWNmtuUe/s1600/yall+come.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcIlLgYFmqWI4rbgbHWuBbmIsmwMG8Hbza7epJf_RiVPXbYffBzmbz5Du3KhuC2borwKU2BwcX5NMAg9TWzT5H1zO5jbdlYSfUPksHjdCj8Abh-auZXIoZgCU7RqpSdYugSd4JWNmtuUe/s320/yall+come.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also see: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDzB4Myp_h6bG6e33nVFmML54K1efsAromIDJAhJpLyKJMu-cR-rd0oMreijGNRA7OqSByUs1voNtuz18LACBG9WCACzVhqp13N-eXUE0dk11Dji77YS8HL0U2rYpnlahxDBoRGzIhit6/s1600/mdelgrande.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDzB4Myp_h6bG6e33nVFmML54K1efsAromIDJAhJpLyKJMu-cR-rd0oMreijGNRA7OqSByUs1voNtuz18LACBG9WCACzVhqp13N-eXUE0dk11Dji77YS8HL0U2rYpnlahxDBoRGzIhit6/s200/mdelgrande.jpg" t$="true" width="152" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Mr Crankypants" Mike del Grande, Budget Chief</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLCFQRCSA_7WbdIje2dvO0xdAXypS6_KnH1I_nhXM2Ztw3hxP2wYU_3QZfKpWLqObTVIiZoAHMsKR8jhyJfSa4f6ppfrkeAlcZIrb3vZ0JbL8uk07hF9ld7IWuRHHOsWvdZgvEckp_WU2/s1600/Mammoliti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLCFQRCSA_7WbdIje2dvO0xdAXypS6_KnH1I_nhXM2Ztw3hxP2wYU_3QZfKpWLqObTVIiZoAHMsKR8jhyJfSa4f6ppfrkeAlcZIrb3vZ0JbL8uk07hF9ld7IWuRHHOsWvdZgvEckp_WU2/s1600/Mammoliti.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrs2uLmH5Ht10TEM97ItWtsz6UjXGBGu6QJ-H7H6HjFToYrm3bPrM_NqAf8Tk8c4CUVfKe_O9GA6Cr2EsLQvpn3wJLH6m7qN7jLCPFAwxXwjhcgvbK_gCgxUTWA3Dzvis-NErBYnNMD3Mn/s1600/MAMMOLITIthumbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrs2uLmH5Ht10TEM97ItWtsz6UjXGBGu6QJ-H7H6HjFToYrm3bPrM_NqAf8Tk8c4CUVfKe_O9GA6Cr2EsLQvpn3wJLH6m7qN7jLCPFAwxXwjhcgvbK_gCgxUTWA3Dzvis-NErBYnNMD3Mn/s1600/MAMMOLITIthumbs.jpg" t$="true" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Giorgio (Thumbs Down) Mammoliti <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DYzAoF-_q49fAiKotqdQVtgxc66rBcEo2vL9Qdx6Dc4V5jQCiZj6bUVnXTX9AnDQi8euGIQimubZGN65BG0EBSa1-CgNqANDAVcPS1kaIrc_-L6PJMAtFDievX8_7g_T5Mz_biCht3bs/s1600/ii-220-dougford-cbc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DYzAoF-_q49fAiKotqdQVtgxc66rBcEo2vL9Qdx6Dc4V5jQCiZj6bUVnXTX9AnDQi8euGIQimubZGN65BG0EBSa1-CgNqANDAVcPS1kaIrc_-L6PJMAtFDievX8_7g_T5Mz_biCht3bs/s1600/ii-220-dougford-cbc.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div>Doug (Foot-In-Mouth) Ford<br />
<br />
"Margaret Atwood, I wouldn't recognize her if she walked right past. If she wants to talk about libraries, she can run for office." ...<br />
Janet Davis <a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/07/26/margaret-atwood-i-wouldnt-have-a-clue-who-she-is-doug-ford/">NatlPost weblink</a><br />
Doug Ford: "There is the odd person that comes in [to depute] because they care." The rest? Part of a union conspiracy.Ken Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-75754822991468243692011-07-18T16:03:00.118-04:002011-08-01T14:23:30.137-04:00Speeding Up The Dismantling of Toronto: CORE SERVICE REVIEWS<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><strong>KPMG Core Review Moving Fast to Push Ford Ideology Over Realities</strong></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">HEY TORONTO!!!! WAKE UP!!!</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">SOMEBODY IS DESTROYING YOUR CITY !!!</span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKt0S7BzDRwaUfpmDLETyPkg1sVauKkJltOfm1ffsb9ZeQqaLpy2rLehSOwqzG4nVzdMCl-PkRe7veATkuUecb8EV-DpMjHE17zM-QWJyuqpF1_Zanq5S5SfvsAFpU7ANNVcMYC9OEXOT/s1600/ROB-FORD-PIC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKt0S7BzDRwaUfpmDLETyPkg1sVauKkJltOfm1ffsb9ZeQqaLpy2rLehSOwqzG4nVzdMCl-PkRe7veATkuUecb8EV-DpMjHE17zM-QWJyuqpF1_Zanq5S5SfvsAFpU7ANNVcMYC9OEXOT/s320/ROB-FORD-PIC.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4bQMu64KQnzcGcp0_8hrxldxrSgij2S6Pu2BJAwRT6J-iorqkDKSPTZ1PUKeTN32IyLhIwloZiVt72vwzbi7ql9D9gPIeiTVL0lLMJz4ecuu07qOp_iYj8wZ5w4OiLrltDvKx-EiJ-yL/s1600/Los_angeles.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4bQMu64KQnzcGcp0_8hrxldxrSgij2S6Pu2BJAwRT6J-iorqkDKSPTZ1PUKeTN32IyLhIwloZiVt72vwzbi7ql9D9gPIeiTVL0lLMJz4ecuu07qOp_iYj8wZ5w4OiLrltDvKx-EiJ-yL/s320/Los_angeles.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><em><strong>Note: All the various committee meetings are being televised live and archived on Rogers Cable 10 TV and on the net at </strong></em> <a href="http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?rid=16&lid=12&sid=1030">This Link</a> <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.torontostandard.com/daily-cable/core-exercise">HERE</a> is a link to another blog that sums up what is happening.<br />
...and <a href="http://www.thestar.com/mobile/news/article/1026685--hume-ford-s-way-sending-toronto-on-a-downward-spiral?bn=1">HERE</a> is a link to Christopher Hume's take:<br />
"<em><span style="color: purple;"><strong>As the Core Services Sideshow grinds to its foregone conclusion, it’s clear Mayor Rob Ford is less interested in slashing costs than slashing government</strong>....<strong><span style="color: black;">His goal is less to make the city better than to make it smaller, to diminish the role it plays in our lives, whether at the park, the library, riding the subway or putting out the garbage</span></strong>.<strong>...At the same time, Ford admits we face property tax hikes of up to 3 per cent. Never will less have cost more</strong></span></em>."<br />
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<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">1. Public Works and Infrastructure Committee:</span></strong><br />
<span style="color: black;">Meeting today (Monday July 18) as I type this.</span><br />
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<em><strong><span style="color: blue;">The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee's primary focus is on infrastructure, with a mandate to monitor, and make recommendations on Toronto's infrastructure needs and services. </span></strong></em><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><strong>6 Members: </strong><a href="http://www.toronto.ca/councillors/minnan_wong1.htm" target="_blank">Denzil Minnan-Wong </a></span><span style="color: black;">(Chair), Mark Grimes, Mike Layton, John Parker, Gord Perks, David Shiner</span><br />
<br />
"The review, conducted by KPMG on behalf of the city, examined four core services: water, solid-waste, transportation and technical services." <a href="http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/142354--kpmg-identifies-possible-cuts-eliminations-to-city-services">Weblink</a> "At a technical briefing (last) Monday, city manager Joe Pennachetti said the cuts could shave $10 million to $15 million from the Public Works Committee’s budget of $1.085 billion....KMPG said <strong>96 per cent of services provided by the Public Works Committee are "core municipal services," meaning they're mandatory</strong>" <br />
<br />
Another link to a CTV story is <a href="http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110713/toronto-public-service-review-spending-cuts-110713/20110713/?hub=TorontoNewHome">HERE</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In essence, it seems the city is looking at incredibly ridiculous things like cutting back firefighting, EMS, water treatment, etc.</span><br />
<br />
It seems there were about <u>26 people making deputations</u> at today's committeee.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><u>SUMMARY:</u> Said best in these Twitter Tweets...</div><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: red;">kevinbeaulieu -Councillors Grimes, Minnan-Wong, Shiner,& Parker all vote against determining health, environmental,& service level impacts of proposed cuts</span></em></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><em><strong>Now - Cllr Shiner moves to pass all of KPMG's "opportunities" on to the Ex Comm, basically leaving decisions up to the mayor </strong></em></span><br />
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<em><strong><span style="color: red;">KEN WOOD - Gord Perk's zinger: KPMG told us <u>amalgamation would save us money</u> #TOCouncil #topoli need to remember this one!</span></strong></em><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: red;">City Slikr -If PWI committee anything to go by, committees won't make any decision on KPMG report. Send decisions for mayor to make at Ex. Comm</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: red;">City Slikr - Cllr Perks is suggesting results of public consultations process have been buried</span></em></strong><br />
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Here is a link to quickie overview of the motions passed at this Public Works meeting: <a href="http://torontoist.com/2011/07/public_works_committee_votes_to.php">Torontoist</a><br />
and another summary is <a href="http://torontoist.com/2011/07/core_services_review_our_summer_farce.php">HERE</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">2. Economic Development Committee</span></strong>:</span><br />
Meets tomorrow: Tuesday, July 19 Weblink is <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/decisionBodyProfile.do?function=doPrepare&meetingId=5046#Meeting-2011.ED6">HERE</a><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><em><strong>The Economic Development Committee's primary focus is the economy, with a mandate to monitor, and make recommendations to strengthen Toronto's economy and investment climate</strong></em>.</span> <br />
<span style="color: purple;"><strong>6 Members: </strong><a href="http://www.toronto.ca/councillors/thompson1.htm" target="_blank">Michael Thompson </a>(Chair), Shelley Carroll, Josh Colle, Sarah Doucette, Paula Fletcher, Mary Fragedakis </span><br />
<br />
<em><strong>On the chopping block today:</strong></em><br />
* Arts Programming<br />
* BIA Supports<br />
* Cultural development<br />
* Events Programming<br />
* Heritage Supports<br />
* Toronto Employment and Social Services<br />
* Research and Trade Development<br />
... Here is a <a href="http://torontoist.com/2011/07/all_aboard_the_gravy_train.php">LINK</a> to Torontoist article about this.<br />
<strong> "Low income families, elderly, and disabled persons may be negatively impacted resulting in potentially serious health and medical issues,"</strong><br />
<br />
- Chair Michael Thompson gave a long-winded intro, says <u>expect 25+ deputants</u>, followed by chief city staffman Joe Penachetti (City Manager)... followed by self-promotional speech by KPMG... there goes about an hour.... plus questions to citymanager and others.... tic toc tic toc while deputants wait.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><em><u><strong>Today's meaningful Twitter Tweets:</strong></u></em></div><br />
<span style="color: red;">Daniel Dale - I'm reminded that, in consultant-speak, "high-level," as in "high-level presentation," means "not very specific," not "very excellent."</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Daniel Dale - Janet Davis to Pennachetti: have you considered anything members of the public said during consultations? </span><span style="color: black;">(real answer is no, but avoided saying that)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Daniel Dale - KPMG reps keeps being asked about impacts of getting rid of programs and services; keep saying they weren't asked to analyze those.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">by cityslikr -Just so's we're clear: this is the same KPMG that said Iceland's economy was sound, yes? We're getting them to vet our city's finances why?</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Daniel Dale - 25 people signed up to speak. Six from BIAs - KPMG says city could cut staff support to them.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Daniel Dale - Del Grande says something re taxes at cte. Vaughan disagrees and comes to media area to tell us. Del Grande comes over... And says, loudly, "BULLSHIT. That's BULLSHIT." Concludes by saying, "Absolute bullshit." Vaughan starts laughing and says, "Watch your language, Mike." Chair Thompson seems to notice - Del Grande says something like, "Sorry, I just get frustrated with these people." Walks out angrily.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">City Slikr - Wow. Wasn't it Cllr Del Grande complaining of the use of inappropriate language at the last council meeting?</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Daniel Dale - For the record, I'm not yet sure who's right on the merits of their argument.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br />
</span><span style="color: red;">DoucetteWard13 - Heavy hitters from Toronto's $950 million #Film and #Television industry tell Ec Dev Cmtee - predictable services allow film & tv growth</span><span style="color: red;"></span><br />
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1:35pm _ meeting supposed to resume at 1:30 but no quorum... resumed 1:37pm, people being very polite after their lunches.<br />
<br />
... seems every BIA is making a deputation. And rightly so.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">KEN WOOD - Shelley Carroll gets deputant to explain "Food Incubator" It helps local business #TOCouncil at Econ Devlt Cmttee</span><br />
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2:25pm end of pre-registered deputants...<span style="color: red;">KEN WOOD - Very courteous chair Michael Thompson asks if anyone else not on list wants to speak Blind disabled person speaks </span><span style="color: black;">... cmtee takes bathroom break</span><br />
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* Meanwhile in other news: <span style="color: red;">Goldsbie -<strong> Doug Ford</strong> complains that Toronto has too many libraries: </span><br />
“We have more libraries per person than any other city in the world. I’ve got more libraries in my area than I have Tim Horton’s.”<br />
<strong>Reality Check</strong>: •In Etobicoke (Mr. Ford’s area), there are 13 library branches there, and 39 Tim Horton’s shops, not to mention all the other donut shops. In fact, on a per capita basis, t<strong>he people in Etobicoke have fewer libraries than Toronto as a whole</strong>. They have one for every 27,000 people whereas in Toronto as a whole it’s about one for every 25,000 people.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYawEwy7baNiy9r3feGJ5cmBlezg40lVisDOoy2NMjwiRPhj__LToK9qnxb1-xGkkxAI-L1x6f5XKLrO7zOoXldKE-uBw7N9b-TccNQd44aqmntwcfBqWn9jWMsnLdnahfk1USQgQ5g7HB/s1600/dougford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYawEwy7baNiy9r3feGJ5cmBlezg40lVisDOoy2NMjwiRPhj__LToK9qnxb1-xGkkxAI-L1x6f5XKLrO7zOoXldKE-uBw7N9b-TccNQd44aqmntwcfBqWn9jWMsnLdnahfk1USQgQ5g7HB/s320/dougford.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>...............Mini-Mayor #2: Councillor Doug (I Hate Unions) Ford<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><strong>3. Community Development and Recreation Committee</strong></span> :<br />
Meets Wednesday, July 19 Weblink is <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/decisionBodyProfile.do?function=doPrepare&meetingId=5047#Meeting-2011.CD6">HERE</a><br />
.............................Com Dev & Rec Committee has 60 registerd deputations<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: blue;">The Community Development and Recreation Committee’s primary focus is social cohesion, with a mandate to monitor, and make recommendations to strengthen services to communities and neighbourhoods.</span></strong></em><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><strong>6 Members: </strong><a href="http://www.toronto.ca/councillors/mammoliti1.htm" target="_blank">Giorgio Mammoliti </a></span><span style="color: black;">(Chair), Maria Augimeri, Janet Davis, Josh Matlow, Joe Mihevc, Kristyn Wong-Tam </span><br />
<br />
Items on the chopping block here are:<br />
* Childrens' Services = Child Care<br />
* Long Term Care Homes<br />
* Emergency Medical Services<br />
* Fire Services, EMS - consider merging paramedica with fire?<br />
* (Social) Housing, Shelters and Support<br />
* Parks,Forestry and Recreation = higher user fees?<br />
* Social Development = community engagement, youth services, community safety<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><u>Todays Twitter Tweets:</u></strong></div><br />
<span style="color: red;">torontoist -First move: committee chair Giorgio Mammoliti tries to cut off speaking list, and cut down speaking time per deputant. Both fail</span>. <br />
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<span style="color: red;">Robert Cerjanec - We have 66 deputants @ Community Develop & Rec Cmttee! Good luck </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Goldsbie -From today's KPMG report: "Consider reducing or eliminating proactive inspection for illegal signs and investigation of sign complaints."</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Goldsbie - From today's KPMG report: "Consider reducing or eliminating proactive inspection for illegal signs and investigation of sign complaints."</span> <br />
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<span style="color: red;">Robert Cerjanec -Some of the "opportunities" re: #TTC include scrapping night buses and privatizing routes! Shameful</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Cllr Fletcher comes out swinging against KPMG b/c our cost for sports & rec services is lower than many other cities</span> <br />
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<span style="color: red;">Kristyn Wong-Tam - Toronto delivers recreational services most cost effectively out of 9 Ontario cities. Why privatize?</span> <br />
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<span style="color: red;">Cerjanec - Cllr Mammoliti tells ppl in the room that they can't use empty chairs reserved for people who aren't coming to the room!</span> <br />
<span style="color: red;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: red;"> Cerjanec - Cllr Perks points out that other municipalities in Ontario provide grants for community development! Why cut it here? </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Martin Kuplens-Ewart - KPMG demonstrate lack of understanding of how TCH waitlist works, suggest doing what already happens as an efficiency </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">@jm_mcgrath In response to @DoucetteWard13, KPMG guy says "swimming is only a life-saving skill if you go near the water." // No! Really?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Cllr </span><a class=" twitter-atreply" data-screen-name="joemihevc" href="http://twitter.com/joemihevc" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: red;"><span class="at">@</span><span class="at-text">joemihevc</span></span></a><span style="color: red;"> asks KPMG if they would put their children in a daycare w/ lower wages rather than higher wages. Answer: no comment. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Many questions about what was behind the KPMG report - who drives it who do they talk to about setup, etc,</span> (Wealready Know it is Rob Ford's back room secret plam)<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Daniel Dale - Deputant says he just learned he's going to be a father, Janet Davis asks him if he's on child care list yet, says he just.did it yesterday, Adam Vaughan says, "Too late." He says he's number 20,096 on the list for subsidized care. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Sue-Ann Levy - Parade of leftists and vested interests tell city ctte they are entitled to their entitlements </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Goldsbie - @ @SueAnnLevy They're mostly talking about childcare, you know. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Goldsbie - Deputant, on cuts to childcare: "It's easy to steal candy from babies, but I would like the mayor to know that it's not responsible."</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Maria Augimeri - When you have to apply for childcare before you're even pregnant to get any chance at a space, it makes zero sense to cut 2000 spaces</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Mom @ Cttee: childcare cuts "will be met with massive protest, we simply will not accept it". With a 19,500 backlog, I don't blame moms.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">'We need free -- or at least dirt cheap -- rec pgms,' deputant tells city cllrs.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Robert Cerjanec - Deputant explains why KPMG's numbers are wrong on child care subsidies.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">@ddale8: Deputant says KPMG child care number is "a pile of......sorry. That is: completely wrong."</span><br />
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The time is 5:27PM and the all day meeting is still going on...A lot of smart women giving deputations have done their work: they point out many errors and incorrect figures in the KPMG report.<br />
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<em>8PM - deputants finished, committee questioning chief city bureaucrat, City Manager Joe Penachetti</em><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Daniel Dale - Mihevc: are we doing broad consultation? Pennachetti: don't have time. Mihevc: "A radical restructuring of government," we should make time.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Daniel Dale - Matlow went pretty hard at Pennachetti; asked why service review was being done hastily "and perhaps recklessly." Matlow complained that it's being done "piecemeal" - core reports to committee now, efficiency and user fee studies going elsewhere later.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Daniel Dale - Pennachetti now seems more annoyed than he's been at any meeting this year. Wong-Tam, Davis also being critical.</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Daniel Dale - Davis: how do we make decisions without year-end financial results, the efficiency studies, user fee info, and knowing more about layoffs?</span><br />
<br />
This committee is not willing to just roll overs and take what they are told, and are making a number of motions that require much more consultation.<br />
<br />
8:51pm Now Josh Matlow is going on about how he would have just sent on report to the Exec, ...then many words expressing his desire to sit on the fence. Mushy Matlow as usual.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">Janet Davis - CDR defers KPMG report to Sept 14 mtg & asks for more information. Committee and Public will know then real recs from Mayor to Sept 19 Exec.</span></strong><br />
<br />
Official decisions made atthis meeting are <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewPublishedReport.do?function=getDecisionDocumentReport&meetingId=5047">HERE</a><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">4. Parks and Environment Committee:</span></strong> <br />
Meets Thursday, July 21 Weblink is <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/decisionBodyProfile.do?function=doPrepare&meetingId=5048#Meeting-2011.PE6">HERE</a><br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: blue;">The Parks and Environment Committee’s primary focus is the natural environment, with a mandate to monitor, and make recommendations on the sustainable use of Toronto’s natural environment. </span></em></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: purple;">6 Members: Norman Kelly (Chair), Michelle Berardinetti, Raymond Cho, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Ron Moeser, James Pasternak </span></strong><br />
<br />
<em><u>Next on today's chopping block:</u></em><br />
<br />
* Reduce grass-cutting, snow clearing<br />
* Reduce tree planting, lower tree canopy targets = un-green Toronto<br />
* Contract out park maintenance to volunteers ?<br />
* Eliminate zoo and farm attractions eg. Riverdale Park<br />
* Eliminate Toronto Environment Office<br />
* Reduce maintenance of beaches<br />
* Eliminate community gardens<br />
<br />
"With the temperature reaching 37 C and the humidex making it feel like 51 C — Canada's largest city became Canada's hottest city, at least for one day."<br />
<br />
Hottest day on record in Toronto, seems Mother Nature is really the first deputant to this committee...<br />
<br />
Over 100 deputants to be heard, apparently about 392 emails sent from the general public and someone presented a petition of over 7,000 signatures. News covereage in the morning left a little early as the time used up by KPMG and visiting councillors meant the first deputant was not heard from until almost noon.<br />
<br />
Most of the deputants were from organized lobby groups representing many more people, like Toronto Environmental Alliance, Urban Forestry, Park Peple - lots of defenders of Riverdale Farm. About 1/3 of all councillors showed up at one point or another, including ward 18's Ana Bailao.<br />
<br />
It's a shame much of the well-researched, factual data from respected professionals did not make the news as it was a great education for anyone who listened.<br />
<br />
Following normal Ford-bias, the committe chair limited deputants to 3 mins instead of the usual 5, and even limited councillor time to 2 mins instead of 3 to ask questions. The smart councillors tended to give their 2 mins to the more fact based deputants to finish up.<br />
<br />
It seems the job of committee member councillors McMahon and Berardinetti was to try to ask every deputant what level of user fee they would recommend peopl pay to use parks... rather one track mind on that. Many other councillors used their question time to self promote how they love parks, no promises, but got on record they love parks.<br />
<br />
A few tweets:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Michael Shapcott -Respect for taxpayers? Mayor Ford inherited $345.5m surplus from previous #TOCouncil - six months later, Toronto claims $774 million deficit</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Michael Shapcott - On impossibly hot day, plan to cut Toronto Atmospheric Fund (which backs plans to cool urban heat effect) seems so... stupid!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Janet Davis - Kelly interrupts another young deputant who says cutting car tax was a mistake, "Do you have a car?" Then sheepishly apologizes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">torontoist - At City Hall, Parks&Rec nearing its 12th hour of mtg. Just finished defending the Toronto Environment Office: Insurance Bureau of Canada </span><span style="color: blue;">9::25pm</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">by kristynwongtam - #Scarboro resident left home @7am and waited til 10 pm to tell Cmttee not to rush decisions & community gardens needed in Scarboro #parks</span><br />
<br />
Parks and Environment Committee Decisions can be found <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewPublishedReport.do?function=getDecisionDocumentReport&meetingId=5048">HERE</a> in its entirety.<br />
The Parks and Environment Committee:<br />
<br />
<br />
1. Requested the City Manager to review the List of Opportunities to ensure service efficiencies are maximized to meet the 2012 budget targets and multi-year service and financial planning objectives and report directly to the Executive Committee.<br />
<br />
2. Requested the City Manager, in his report to the Executive Committee on September 19, 2011, to include the implications of the proposed service reductions for Parks and Environment by KPMG.<br />
<br />
3. Requested the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to report to the September 15, 2011 meeting of the Parks and Environment Committee on how a community board governance model may be included with the Parks Plan consultation process.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">5. LICENSING AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE</span></strong>: </span><br />
Meets Monday, July 25 Weblink is <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/decisionBodyProfile.do?function=doPrepare&meetingId=5049#Meeting-2011.LS6">HERE</a><br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: blue;">The Licensing and Standards Committee's primary focus is consumer safety and protection, with a mandate to monitor, and make recommendations on the licensing of business and enforcement of property standards. </span></em></strong><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><strong><u>6 Members:</u> Cesar Palacio (Chair), Glenn De Baeremaeker, </strong><a href="http://www.toronto.ca/councillors/lee1.htm" target="_blank">Chin Lee</a>, Gloria Lindsay-Luby, Frances Nunziata, Anthony Perruzza </span><br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: red;">NOTE: As of 2pm Tuesday, July 19 there are only a "handful" of deputants and this committee is not as busy as others.</span></em></strong><br />
<br />
The mainstream media is concentrating on the scrapping of pet licences, but the real story is much bigger. <strong>Drastic changes like getting rid of Toronto Animal Services entirely</strong> is on the table as is bylaw enforcement in a wholse host of areas. Liecnsing and Standards could even disappear potentially.<br />
<br />
"It proposes scrapping the city’s cat and dog licensing program, <strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">outsourcing animal care</span> and enforcement</strong>, <strong>reducing response time for emergency animal rescues and abandoning a pickup program for unwanted animals</strong>" (Globe and Mail <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/pet-licences-business-permits-next-in-city-hall-cost-cutting-line/article2100343/">Weblink HERE</a> )<br />
<br />
"Beyond the kitty and canine realm, it suggests ditching categories of business permits that “do not clearly serve a public service.” The consultants refrained from detailing all the business licences they consider to be extraneous, but the division controls a range of activities including bowling alleys, carnivals, nightclubs, tradespeople, parking lots and pet shops."<br />
<br />
Another Toronto Star story link is over <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1026485--consider-cutting-even-money-making-licensing-consultant-says?bn=1">HERE</a><br />
Another National Post story article is <a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/07/18/scrap-animal-licensing-program-report-suggests/">HERE</a><br />
Another Toronto Sun story link is <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/2011/07/18/toronto-could-claw-back-pet-licensing">HERE</a><br />
<br />
"Business licensing earns the city $6 million per year. The pet-licensing program alone brings in $660,000."<br />
(but pet licensing costs $1.9 million to do) <a href="http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/local/article/920416--end-pet-licensing-city-urged">link</a> ???<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><u>Today's Tweets About the Meeting:</u></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: red;">reporterdonpeat Don Peat-by SusanGapka 19 speakers on the list for licensing and standards meeting today. So far, no dogs or cats in the room.</span></em></div><em><span style="color: red;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: red;">DoucetteWard13 Sarah Doucette - At Licensing and Standards core service meeting. Should we keep Licensing of pets so we can reunite them with their owners</span></em><br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: red;">DoucetteWard13 Sarah Doucette - Just watched a very disturbing video of what happened when Montreal contracted out animal services. Some residents had to leave the room</span></em></strong> <br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: red;">goldsbie Jonathan Goldsbie - Licensing & Standards meeting was supposed to reconvene at 1:40. Only Chair Cesar Palacio is present. He asks other councillors to show up.</span></em> <br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: red;">goldsbie Jonathan Goldsbie - (02:35pm) (Now Nunziata and Chin Lee have arrived. Still no quorum.)</span></em> <br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: red;">goldsbie Jonathan Goldsbie - It might be noted that Mike Layton, who showed up to this morning's Licensing Committee session, didn't return for the afternoon. </span><span style="color: blue;">(Dad has cancer, Mike was effective in the am session)</span></em> <br />
<br />
Not a tweet, but noted committee member Anthony Peruzza asked <strong><span style="background-color: yellow;">why no consideration of the taxi industry under Core Service Review...</span></strong>. ooops, major fail by KPMG.<br />
<br />
<em><strong>News Articles:</strong></em><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/2011/07/25/pet-licensing-reviewed">Pet licensing reviewed - Toronto Sun </a>"Councillors on the licensing committee voted Monday to toss suggestions for cost-savings from a core services review by KPMG to the executive committee’s September meeting"<br />
<br />
*** Actual video footage of licensing and standards meeting is available <a href="http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=237&rid=16&sid=1030&gid=82951">HERE</a><br />
<br />
I was there - here are my notes... 10 deputants, notable ones...<br />
<br />
1. <strong>Peter Newell</strong> deputant spoke for the <strong><span style="background-color: lime;">Toronto Humane Society</span></strong>. He acquitted himself admirably with his deputation, staying pretty general but supporting TAS staying in business: "We cannot take up the slack - If TAS vaporized it would be a challenge", TAS plays a vital role with demonstrated leadership, gave some statistics about the THS (3,000 members, 600 volunteers) and said we could work with the city to contribute meaningfully to help reduce costs at no drop in service levels, Outsourcing would be a mistake (see Ken's comments re Montreal Berger Blanc below), THS <strong>supports pet licencing and encourages microchipping</strong>, spoke about Calgary/Bill Bruce model working well (revenue neutral), gave Calgary stats: 5,000 dogs with 88% return to owners and 40% of those happen immediately upon pickup (no need for shelter... Calgary pet licencing: 80% of dogs and 50% of cats licenced withToronto at 30% dogs, 10% cats). In response to very supportive questions from committee member Glenn de Baermaeker, about microchipping said a lifetime data bank would help, present problem is people do not keep data up to date, Summary: <strong>Drastic remedies are not necessary</strong>. Glenn asked if THS or volunteers could fill in the gap if TAS were not to exists, specifically 'picking up dead animal corpses with shovels'. Peter's excellent response: No, it takes demonstrated expertise to do a lot of things TAS does as well as credibility of city run oversight, volunteers would lack the authority to do much of what TAS does.<br />
<br />
... at least I think that is what he said, as I furiously scribbled notes. Sorry if I misquote you here Peter.<br />
<br />
2. <strong>Ken Wood's</strong> deputation: I was the first deputant and managed to get in (in the 5 mins allowed): Pet licencing with tags is inaccurate, especially for cats who routinely lose collars, better way to go is mandatory microchipping; Said I was <strong>confused about actual costs of pet licencing as some reports say city takes in $600,000/yr but costs $1.9 million to administer</strong> - so needs looking at (apparently KPMG did not factor in that <strong>the city took in $253,000 in donations last year</strong>); Spoke well about TAS beginning to do a better and better job as they reach out to other animal welfare groups in the city and that we need them to provide a centralized, coordinating role, Mentioned that compared to city of Montreal who used to do it as city service - spent $15 million/year with 3 million pop, versus Toronto who spends $8.9 million for 2.7 million residents, so <strong>TAS is cost effective</strong>; Most of my deputation was to draw attention about disaster of Montreal's outsourcing to private, for profit <strong>Berger Blanc</strong> with terrible societal impacts and lawsuits (I provided paper copies of many links about this to the committee). In response to supportive questions from Glenn de Baermaeker, I was able to confirm: No, volunteers could not pick up the slack if TAS not there, we would see many problems, <strong>there is not enough capacity in the animal welfare community in Toronto to handle things the way they are now</strong> and it would get much worse; That <strong>I see city providing central coordinating role</strong>; eg lost /injured pets call <strong>311 service</strong> and get connected to resources, "One Stop Shopping" as was commented by another committee member (Frances Nunziata) = a good desirable thing; That <strong>I'd like to see the city have a sort of 'shelter bed' system to direct animals in need to wherever and whomever in the city can help</strong>, whether that be humanes, shelters, rescues, fosters, etc. Many questions about microchipping, including one from chair Cesar Palacio who asked if I thought licencing compliance and revenue would be boosted if the city made it microchipping: Yes. (In fact they passed a motion on this very thing - actual motions made will be on the city website very soon as meeting ended about 3:00pm).<br />
<br />
3. <strong>Stephanie Cliff</strong>, a vet tech who works at TAS showed a segment of the <strong>VERY disturbing expose of Berger Blanc in Montreal</strong> and ensured every committee member had a dvd of this. (I watched it last night and cried and shook with anger; many people had to leave the room and Chair Palacio actually stopped it to ensure that there were no more disturbing immages coming - the few minutes shown were NOT the worst in the 26 min+ video accessible here: <a href="http://iwantapounddog.blogspot.com/2011/04/berger-blanc-can-you-feel-death-in-air.html">Video Link</a> <span style="color: red;">It had a major impact on the committee</span>. <br />
<br />
4. There were 19 pre-registered deputants on the list and only about 10 showed up. All gave really good input, including:<strong> <span style="background-color: lime; color: black;">Liz White, Animal Alliance of Canada</span></strong>; <strong><span style="background-color: yellow;">Nathalie Karvonen of Toronto Wildlife Centre</span></strong> (non profits), various current and past employees and volunteers of TAS, and <span style="background-color: cyan;"><strong>Fern Sinkins</strong> formerly of <em><strong>Toronto Cat Rescue</strong></em></span> who gave a quickie encouraging the city to look closer at the Calgary model.plus other city workers. Several other non-committee city councillors popped in and out and seemed supportive of TAS not being cut. <strong>Darren Jackson of Toronto Civic Employees Union</strong> with 29 years' service doing animal bylaw work <strong>took particuar exception to KPMG suggestion to increase Emergency Response times to animal problems to more than 2 hours</strong>, saying when he was in North York pre-amalgamation it was 20 minutes. <strong>Michelle Firman also pointed out that the citizens of Toronto would not stand for injured animals not being cared for on the streets of our city</strong>.<br />
<br />
<strong><u><span style="color: blue;">RESULT:</span></u></strong> I missed some of the motions as I was in transit going home, but it seems they are NOT going to recommend outsourcing TAS, that they want to look closer at microchipping and keeping pet licencing using that leverage... <strong>This next goes to Mayor Ford's Executive committee on Thursday, July 28</strong> (where anything can happen - but where Ford has publically invited the whole 2,503,281 of us to come get 5 mins to speak = 24 days of nonstop meeting?) - <strong>then goes to full city council for debate/decision September 21st</strong>.<br />
<br />
Here are the <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewPublishedReport.do?function=getDecisionDocumentReport&meetingId=5049">DECISIONS MADE</a> at this meeting.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">6. Government Management Committee </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
Meets Tuesday, July 26 Weblink is <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/decisionBodyProfile.do?function=doPrepare&meetingId=5050#Meeting-2011.GM6">HERE</a><br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: blue;">In February 2007, the General Government Committee was renamed as Government Management Committee. This committee has a focus of government assets and resources, with a mandate to monitor, and make recommendations on the administrative operations of the City.</span></strong></em><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><strong>6 Members: </strong><a href="http://www.toronto.ca/councillors/ainslie1.htm" target="_blank">Paul Ainslie </a></span><span style="color: black;">(Chair), Vincent Crisanti, John Filion, Doug Ford, Pam McConnell, Jaye Robinson </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/143810--core-services-review-part-6-outsource-some-311-services-consolidate-finance-administrative-functions">HERE </a>is a link to story. Outsource some 311 services, consolidate finance, administrative functions<br />
<br />
<strong>7 Deputants</strong>:<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="background-color: yellow;">Michael Rosenberg</span></strong> (a regular deputant)- speaks about <strong>waste in Information Technology</strong> (computers) - lots of new software things are "fluff" - says could save $50 million.... Doug Ford asks questions, keen on this. Deputant says lets replace computers every 6-8 years not every 4.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: yellow; color: black;"><strong>Miroslav Glacic</strong></span> talks about graffitti, problems with 311 service... Doug Ford jumps on this promoting outsource to non-union jobs, Glacic says hope it does not go to India for rock-bottom costs as we need people in Toronto who know Toronto. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGXvOwJcX6sFxePbH0BFTOCx9U8ZqOaeb3PH_xQtfb6wdIvRO7TV57XP_po0h2JKe-S6U9vkqM2xWRsE-H_9pJUiq_A0yMsbK5Atz19Jub1lVbLvudNeMUFfbgQj4WTSBYV8GpKx0hGsa/s1600/NoUnion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGXvOwJcX6sFxePbH0BFTOCx9U8ZqOaeb3PH_xQtfb6wdIvRO7TV57XP_po0h2JKe-S6U9vkqM2xWRsE-H_9pJUiq_A0yMsbK5Atz19Jub1lVbLvudNeMUFfbgQj4WTSBYV8GpKx0hGsa/s1600/NoUnion.jpg" t$="true" /></a>????????????????????????????????????????????</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>CUPE union deputant</strong> reinforces that citizens will hate it if they call 311 or for helps elsewhere and end up taliking to somebody in North Dakota (as has happened)... <strong>Doug Ford attacks him on several fronts</strong> <strong><span style="color: red;">(he is so ANTI-union</span>).</strong>.. gets really nasty badgering deputant, trying to put words in his mouth. Accuses him of scare-mongering. Much revolves around issue of Ford wanting to outsource cleaning jobs at police stations (deputant rightly says thats a security risk). <br />
<br />
Next deputant chastizes Doug Ford for his irresponsible comment about there being more public libraries in his ward than Tim Hortons (actually is 39-13 the other way) ... gets cutoff by Chair Ainslie.<br />
<br />
*** Next deputants <span style="color: red;">tell it like it is</span> <strong>about cleaning in police facilities</strong>: feces, blood, 'manstuff', etc. Say they deserve decent benefits and fair wages, <strong>Getting $10.25/hour to clean up HIV blood</strong>? Infection dangers like Tuberculosis? Cleaners get access to police areas even other police officers do not -<strong> it is all about trust and security</strong>. Lots of supportive (visiting) councillor questions.<br />
<br />
Staff questions by committee members happened next. Lots of motions that pretty much went:<br />
<br />
"All in Favour? Carried.... next (repeat)"<br />
<br />
Adjourned at 12:49pm. Easy when everybody in the Ford camp isn't it?<br />
<br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><u>Today's Tweets:</u></strong></em></div><br />
<span style="color: red;"><em>@cllrainslie is one blessed politician. <u>Only 7 speakers</u> at #gmcTO today (@MiroslavGlavic being one of them).</em></span><span style="color: red;"><em></em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><em>DoucetteWard13 Sarah Doucette - At Government Management Core Service meeting 7 speakers today </em></span><span style="color: blue;">(So is Shelley Carroll, Josh Matlow, )</span><br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: red;">shelleycarroll Shelley Carroll - WAIT! Today's Core Review stops comparing us to the 6 Cities & uses private sector only. <span style="color: purple;">Not what Council voted to do</span>. #tocouncil</span></em></strong><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: red;">Josh Matlow - Interesting discussion at Government Management Committee on the possibility of using recycled aggregates on Toronto's roads.</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: red;">Janet Davis - Doug Ford asks deputant if he'd be happy contracting out 311 - </span><span style="color: blue;">"don't have to worry about pensions and benefits".</span></strong></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: red;">Matt Elliott - Re: Contracting out 311. <strong>Is anyone actually going to argue that the private sector is good at running call centres? ...</strong> Because my experiences calling 311 are ten times better than my experiences calling Bell, Rogers, Dell, etc.</span></em><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><em><strong>ddale8 -</strong> Speaker tells Cllr Doug Ford "cheaper isn't always better." <strong>Ford responds: "More expensive isn't always better either."</strong> </em></span><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: red;">KEN WOOD - WOW <strong><span style="color: blue;"><u>Doug Ford totally loses it attacking CUPE union deputant</u></span></strong> at GovtMgt cmtee</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: red;">Janet Davis - Earlier</span></em> (Doug Ford?)<em><span style="color: red;"> said <strong>Toronto should look to Walmart for how the city should be run.</strong> Hmm...</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: red;">City Slikr - Why would efficiency studies not go through committee process again? Am I missing something?</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: red;">City Slikr - Watching Gov't Management Comm. talk about<span style="color: blue;"> cloud based computering</span>, I keep expecting Ted Stevens to pop in and explain it. Tubes & Wires.</span></em><br />
<br />
...Google: Cloud computing is all the rage. "It's become the phrase du jour," says Gartner senior analyst Ben Pring, echoing many of his peers. The problem is that (as with Web 2.0) everyone seems to have a different definition <a href="http://www.infoworld.com/d/cloud-computing/what-cloud-computing-really-means-031">LINK</a> Definitions = "Cloud computing is Internet-based computing, whereby shared resources, software, and information are provided to computers and other devices on demand, like the electricity grid." "The use of a Web services such as Flickr, Google Docs, Jing (video screencapture service) to perform the functions that were traditionally done with software installed on an individual computer." "Cloud computing is the use of a 3rd party service, such as Indicee, to perform computing needs on a publicly accessible IP basis. The term cloud is used as a metaphor for the Internet" ... "Software that is provided online meaning there is no software to install or infrastructure to maintain."<br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: red;">City Slikr - Sorry. I don't get it. How do you outsource a city based service like 3-1-1? Won't it undercut its effectiveness slightly</span></em>? (They actually talk about getting someone in Mumbai to answer questions on 311 about Toronto !!!!)<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: red;">Matt Elliott - Why not just route all 311 calls to the mayor's cell phone? </span></em></strong><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: red;">Janet Davis - Gov't Man.Ctte asks for report on outsourcing 311- KPMG says "little experience" doing this. <strong><u>In fact, no city outsources 311 call centres</u></strong></span></em><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"> DECISIONS made can be found </span><a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewPublishedReport.do?function=getDecisionDocumentReport&meetingId=5050"><span style="color: black;"><strong>HERE</strong></span></a><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: red;"> </span></em><strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">7. Board of Health:</span></strong><br />
Meets Tuesday, July 26 Weblink is <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/decisionBodyProfile.do?function=doPrepare&meetingId=5246#Meeting-2011.HL6">HERE</a><br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: blue;">The Board of Health determines and sets public health policy and advises City Council on a broad range of health issues. The Board of Health is composed of six Councillors, six citizen representatives and an elected school board representative.</span></em></strong><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><strong>13 Members: John Filion (Chair), Alejandra Bravo, </strong><span style="color: black;">Eduardo Castro, Vaijayanthi Chari, Raymond Cho, Sarah Doucette, Paula Fletcher, <a href="http://www.toronto.ca/councillors/mihevc1.htm" target="_blank">Joe Mihevc, </a> Fiona Nelson, Lisa O'Brien, Gord Perks, Valerie Sterling, Soo Wong ... Note several members are NOT city councillors.</span> </span><br />
<br />
<u><em><strong>Today's Tweets:</strong></em></u><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: red;">Sarah Doucette - KPMG <strong>suggests eliminating the Student Nutrition program</strong>. They say this could compromise the students. I say it WOULD compromise the students</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: red;">Diane_Dyson - <strong>Board of Health recommends taking provincial $$ for Bed Bug control</strong> - for inspections and extreme clean for the vulnerable</span></em><br />
<br />
Toronto Star article <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1030886--keep-breakfast-programs-for-kids-toronto-board-of-health-urges">HERE</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Sorry - no notes. For some reason Rogers and the city are not telecasting this via the net like all the other core service review meetings.......</span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">8. TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD: </span></strong><br />
Meeting at Metro Reference Library, north of Yonge and Bloor <br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: purple;">Sorry - no notes. For some reason Rogers and the city are not telecasting this via the net like all the other core service review meetings.......</span><br />
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<u><em><strong>Today's Tweets:</strong></em></u><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: red;">HiMY SYeD - Standing Room only in @TorontoLibrary Board Mtg.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: red;">HiMY SYeD -Maureen o'Reilly deputing: cites number of online signatures at website.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: red;">Marcus Gee - Library union says 23,267 ppl have signed a petition against library closures.</span></em><em><span style="color: red;"></span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: red;">HiMY SYeD - Maureen O'Reilly citing 1.2 Million @torontolibrary card holders... She ask @cllrainslie directly what is he doing???</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: red;">HiMY SYeD - Hard to get a signal...one bar... Sorry folks, unable to live-tweet @torontolibrary board meeting</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: red;">Paul Ainslie - Toronto Public Library Boartd of Directors reviewing suggestions of KPMG "Core Service Review"</span></em><em><span style="color: red;">Shannon D'Arcy - Just got an email from @Ward18AnaBailao, who will NOT be supporting privatizing libraries.</span></em> <br />
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<em><span style="color: red;">Goldsbie - The Toronto Star provides statistics on the library that Doug Ford says "no one uses":</span></em> <br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1030746--doug-ford-blasts-margaret-atwood-over-libraries-i-don-t-even-know-her">Link</a> Visitors: 39,775 Active users: 2,746 Program attendance: 1,692 Annual circulation: 96,328<br />
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<em><span style="color: red;">Ainslie - Toronto Public Library Board removes fine exemptions for Board of Directors</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: red;">Janet Davis - TPL defers KPMG till Sept. 13. TP Libraries: Very busy, innovative, cost effective, exceptional customer satisfaction. Let's close them???</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: red;">HiMY SYeD - Globe and Mail: #LibraryTO cuts will happen ‘in a heartbeat,’ Doug Ford says</span></em><br />
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<strong><span style="color: black;">July27:</span></strong><br />
<em><span style="color: red;">City Slikr - Cynical me wonders if @karenstintz's strong public stand on library cuts signals that they're not really on the table...Bright sunny me hopes that </span></em><a class=" twitter-atreply" data-screen-name="karenstintz" href="http://twitter.com/karenstintz" rel="nofollow"><em><span style="color: red;"><span class="at">@</span><span class="at-text">karenstintz</span></span></em></a><em><span style="color: red;">'s strong public stand on library cuts signals her stepping further away from the mayor</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: red;">Daniel Dale - James Pasternak told me earlier that he wouldn't support the closing of branches</span></em><br />
Toronto Sun: Public <a class=" twitter-hashtag" href="http://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23libraryTO" rel="nofollow" title="#libraryTO"><span class="hash">#</span><span class="hash-text">libraryTO</span></a><span style="color: #444444;"> board shelves branch closures <a href="http://m.torontosun.com/2011/07/26/public-library-board-shelves-branch-closures">LINK</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="color: #444444;">hmmm, kind of looks like libraries are safe and may just be the red herring designed to draw public outrage, while sometheing bad elsewhere will happen?</span> </span><br />
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11:35am Wed July27:<br />
<em><span style="color: red;">Sarah Doucette - Cllr Doug Ford & I were just interviewed by Global News re closing Libraries. Gave Cllr Ford a chance to talk his foot out of his mouth</span></em><br />
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<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">9. Planning and Growth Management Committee:</span></strong><br />
Meets Wednesday, July 27 Weblink is <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/decisionBodyProfile.do?function=doPrepare&meetingId=5051#Meeting-2011.PG7">HERE</a><br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: blue;">The Planning and Growth Management Committee’s primary focus is on urban form, with a mandate to monitor, and make recommendations on planning, growth, and development of the City. </span></em></strong><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><strong>6 Members: </strong><a href="http://www.toronto.ca/councillors/milczyn1.htm" target="_blank">Peter Milczyn </a></span><span style="color: black;">(Chair), Ana Bailão, Gary Crawford, Frank Di Giorgio, Karen Stintz, Adam Vaughan </span><br />
<br />
<u><em><strong>On the Chop Block:</strong></em></u><br />
* The Heritage Grant and Tax rebate programs could be reduced or eliminated.<br />
* The Public Realm Improvement program could be eliminated<br />
* Charge user fees for planning notices<br />
* Reduce consultation in planning<br />
* Eliminate public art program<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u> Today's Tweets:</u></strong><br />
<br />
(first one I've seen from him about any meeting):<br />
<em><span style="color: red;">Mayor Rob Ford - Planning & Growth Mgmt Cttee meeting starts in 15 minutes. Watch it live here http://t.co/WbApQNa #TOServiceReview #Toronto #FB #yyz #TOpoli</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: red;">City Slikr - Cllr Fletcher to KPMG: You're speculating. KPMG: We're categorizing</span></em><br />
<span style="color: red;"></span><span style="color: red;"><br />
<em>cityslikr -KPMG now talking about recommendation to reduce @illegalsigns enforcement. Same not said for graffiti of course<br />
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suckersarestuck -#coreservicereview :eliminate heritage grants. Clr Vaughan announces #KPMG got big #heritage grant in Melbourne AUS to restore HQ there<br />
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. </em></span> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em>... and finally .... <u><strong><span style="color: purple;">where all the decisions seem to be made</span></strong>..</u>.</em></div><br />
<em><strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">10. <u>EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE</u>:</span></strong><br />
Meets Thursday, July 28 Weblink is </em><a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/decisionBodyProfile.do?function=doPrepare&meetingId=5052#Meeting-2011.EX8"><em>HERE</em></a><br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: blue;">The Executive Committee makes recommendations on Council's strategic policy and priorities, governance policy and structure, financial planning and budgeting, fiscal policy including revenue and tax policies, intergovernmental and international relations, Council and its operations, and human resources and labour relations. </span></strong></em><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><strong><em><u>13 Members</u>: Mayor Rob Ford, </em></strong><a href="http://www.toronto.ca/councillors/delgrande1.htm" target="_blank"><em>Mike Del Grande</em></a><em>, Paul Ainslie, </em><a href="http://www.toronto.ca/councillors/berardinetti1.htm" target="_blank"><em>Michelle Berardinetti</em></a><em>, </em><a href="http://www.toronto.ca/councillors/holyday1.htm" target="_blank"><em>Doug Holyday</em></a><em>, Norm Kelly, Giorgio Mammoliti, Peter Milczyn, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Cesar Palacio, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Michael Thompson </em></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>* <strong><span style="color: red;">Mayor Ford invites residents to tell him what to keep, cut <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/mayor-ford-invites-residents-to-tell-him-what-to-keep-cut/article2106583/">LINK HERE</a></span></strong></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="color: black;"><em>... </em></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><em>So, Y'all Come On Down to Mayor Rob's Place and Tell Us Whatcha Thinkin', Toronto</em></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>I guarantee each of you get your 5 minutes to speak, all <span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>2,503,281</strong> of you</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><em>Just call, write, email or fax to:</em></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">Frances Pritchard</span></div><br />
<span style="color: black;">10th floor, West Tower, City Hall<br />
100 Queen Street West<br />
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2 <br />
email: </span><a href="mailto:exc@toronto.ca"><span style="color: black;">exc@toronto.ca</span></a><br />
<span style="color: black;">phone: 416-392-6627</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">fax: 416-392-1879</span><br />
<br />
... Tweet: as of noon, Wed July 27: <em><span style="color: red;">Kim Wright - Must rest up tonight. <strong><span style="font-size: large;">There are already <u>210 deps</u> registered</span></strong> for Exec Cmte tomorrow. May bump into sundown clause on Friday.</span></em><br />
<br />
Toronto Star article about this:<br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/torontocouncil/article/1033078--shrinking-government-not-deficit-drives-ford">http://www.thestar.com/news/torontocouncil/article/1033078--shrinking-government-not-deficit-drives-ford</a><br />
"For Mayor Rob Ford, no matter what he says, this painful budget exercise is not about slaying Toronto’s annual deficit....In carefully chosen words before the start of Thursday’s epic executive meeting, Ford decreed that “must have” services stay and the “nice to haves” go. In his mind-the-shop view, cities don’t hand out arts grants, bolster poor student’s meals, spur environmental research or own a zoo."<br />
<br />
"<span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: large;"><strong>The public consultation process that included deputations to the executive committee is an elaborate sham</strong></span>, something apparent to most of the long line of Torontonians who passionately pleaded for Ford to keep his election promise not to reduce services."<br />
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<span style="color: red;"></span></div>Ken Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-32889248957979956242011-07-10T17:31:00.002-04:002011-07-10T17:33:54.746-04:00Moments of Meaning from Movies<strong><span style="color: magenta;">SHRINK</span></strong>: 2009 Movie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1247692/">LINK</a><br />
<br />
Unable to cope with a recent personal tragedy, LA's top celebrity shrink turns into a pothead with no concern for his appearance and a creeping sense of his inability to help his patients. Stars: Kevin Spacey, and Robin Williams (in a small impressively serious role)<br />
<br />
<em>Storyline</em><br />
<br />
In Hollywood, people in need revolve around Dr. Henry Carter, a shrink: Jack, an aging star wants permission to cheat on his wife; Shamus is a director who's a cokehead; Patrick is a high-powered germophobic producer; Jeremy is a young writer looking for a break; Jemma, a high-school student, is skipping school; and Kate is an actress facing her mid-30s. Henry's wife recently died; he's grieving, blaming himself, smoking lots of pot. Henry's friends try an intervention; someone steals a patient's file from Henry; Patrick's assistant, the pregnant Daisy, sees promise in Jeremy's work; and, Jesus, Henry's drug dealer, sells him some potent weed. Can anything good come of this?<br />
<br />
... Just watched this movie and liked the Kevin Spacey lines:<br />
<br />
"<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Happiness" is a word for a feeling. Feelings are rarely understood in the moment. They are quickly forgotten, and almost always mis-remembered</span>."<br />
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and, attributed: "<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The first step towards happiness is always the hardest</span>"<br />
<br />
(For those that like reading scripts go <a href="http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/a2/shrink-script-transcript.html">HERE</a> )<br />
<br />
<em>Caution:</em> Movie deals with suicide and the whys. Heavy duty movie with a pretty realistic ending.<br />
<br />
Highly recommended.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29BBKDTpWnrOAmV4wEsKvyAbq2bLQ9gLYhROYDqWLtV2amRyISs_I9i81zYCwCHGtJ0otIzmJydWAaa7d-514KQlqaqodc-e9cVrfSMrZP7SkwFRWO1uXVdTttdZNDiS4bhAfSgpnaoIA/s1600/movieposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29BBKDTpWnrOAmV4wEsKvyAbq2bLQ9gLYhROYDqWLtV2amRyISs_I9i81zYCwCHGtJ0otIzmJydWAaa7d-514KQlqaqodc-e9cVrfSMrZP7SkwFRWO1uXVdTttdZNDiS4bhAfSgpnaoIA/s320/movieposter.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>Ken Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-17209223859432004972011-06-23T21:47:00.004-04:002011-06-23T22:02:00.254-04:00Serendipity ?<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><strong>Serendipity</strong></span> is when someone finds something that they weren't expecting to find...<br />
or The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBDizIJNOhBl5dH0D7D70uIj_0L7JE0CqTBRxXQvINTUf75eOUATLhm6_4nNyFxInAXg8_wieC5uedY0y6M8Qq-pxCvV_bm9Q0Q65H6A0AaDmq1L3xnLBJFdniVs7doWixmlbZd-SIMJ_/s1600/serendipity-frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBDizIJNOhBl5dH0D7D70uIj_0L7JE0CqTBRxXQvINTUf75eOUATLhm6_4nNyFxInAXg8_wieC5uedY0y6M8Qq-pxCvV_bm9Q0Q65H6A0AaDmq1L3xnLBJFdniVs7doWixmlbZd-SIMJ_/s320/serendipity-frame.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Like the sweet little grey and white cat (less than 6 months old?) sitting on the grass in front of the No Frills at 222 Lansdowne. A terribly busy street with fast, unforgiving cars. A rather unconcerned cat, who came over to me when I offered some Friskies cat food - I was on my way to feed a small feral colony up the street.<br />
<br />
I was just coming back from a last minute pizza meeting with Peter Newell, a vice president of the <strong>Toronto Humane Society</strong>, whose board I recently joined. Otherwise, I would not have been at that spot to notice him. Serendipity.<br />
<br />
I decided to carry him home the 2 blocks across several lanes of traffic (College/Dundas/Lansdowne), hoping I would not be scratched too badly. Luckily the little guy was well behaved.<br />
<br />
When I got home, I kept him safe in our entrance hall to the basement apartment while I called <strong>24 PetWatch</strong> about the yellow microchip tage on his collar. <strong><u>I have REALLY got to say good things about this company!</u></strong><br />
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Within 3-4 minutes, I was connected to the cat's owners who live one street east of me (St. Clarens) and within another 5 minutes, the cat was in the arms of his caretaker. Wow !!!<br />
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Somewhat distressingly, I learned that this was their second cat (named Pretty Boy), because the first one had been killed by traffic. (WTF ?) I gave the tattooed guy, who seemed nice, some advice about how to streetproof a cat (take them securely in your arms when traffic is noisy and heavy and repeatedly say 'no'... believe it or not, cats learn). I forgot to tell him that having a second companion cat often keeps cats anchored to your backyard.<br />
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I wondered whether I should call <strong>Toronto Animal Services</strong> to report the found cat, since he also had a City of Toronto licence tag to compare if the chance of return was as great. What prevents me from doing so and reporting the tag number is fear that the city will over-react and send a bylaw officer to fine or confiscate the pet.<br />
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Serendipity. A wonderful thing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbR5emGTJsfVQHhqRwhsIPYMytnzqtomqyBuCthawCQrFz_MdHdAYrzJAsTJqHn3ecR1GXlVhg8gp6viFooDjq8eqvEysCqnWjx9cRVfk3ajlUA1Hc0l1zN7lyxYOXWEbRZJLH5mQFTZ5U/s1600/0709_serendipity_Jacqueline_Tribou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbR5emGTJsfVQHhqRwhsIPYMytnzqtomqyBuCthawCQrFz_MdHdAYrzJAsTJqHn3ecR1GXlVhg8gp6viFooDjq8eqvEysCqnWjx9cRVfk3ajlUA1Hc0l1zN7lyxYOXWEbRZJLH5mQFTZ5U/s320/0709_serendipity_Jacqueline_Tribou.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Kinda makes life worth living when these kinds of things happen.....Ken Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-25384539447594557892011-06-23T13:44:00.004-04:002011-06-23T13:55:36.950-04:00What is 'Humane'<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">hu·mane</span></strong>/(h)yo͞oˈmān/Adjective<br />
<br />
1. Having or showing compassion or benevolence.<br />
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2. Inflicting the minimum of pain.<br />
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3. Having the feelings and inclinations creditable to man; having a disposition to treat other human beings or animals with kindness; kind; benevolent. <br />
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4. Characterized by kindness, mercy, or compassion: <br />
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5. Marked by an emphasis on humanistic values and concerns: <br />
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6. Civilizing or liberal <br />
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<em><strong>Synonyms:</strong></em> compassionate, humanitarian, merciful - These adjectives mean marked or motivated by concern with the alleviation of suffering:<br />
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<em><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Other 'Google' search results:</span></strong></em><br />
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humane society - 2 dictionary results <br />
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<strong>Toronto Animal Control</strong> Call Us Today For Professional & Humane Wildlife Removal. <a href="http://www.professionalwildlifecontrol.ca/">http://www.professionalwildlifecontrol.ca/</a><br />
<br />
<strong>Animal Control</strong> Fast & Effective Wildlife Removal. Same-Day Service. Call Us Today. <a href="http://www.allseasonswildlifecontrol.com/">http://www.allseasonswildlifecontrol.com/</a><br />
<br />
<strong>Animal Control Toronto</strong> Humane removal of wildlife from your home or business 416 792 5181 <a href="http://www.swatwildlife.com/">http://www.swatwildlife.com/</a> <br />
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<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">humane society </span></strong> –noun ( often initial capital letter ) an organization devoted to promoting humane ideals, especially with reference to the treatment of animals. <br />
Origin: 1770–80<br />
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<strong>A humane society</strong> may be a group that aims to stop human or animal suffering due to cruelty or other reasons, although in many countries, it is now used mostly for societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals (SPCAs). In the United Kingdom, it may also be a society that provides a waterways rescue, prevention, and recovery service, or that gives awards for the saving of human life (see: Royal Humane Society). Wikipedia <br />
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<strong>The first SPCA in Canada was the Canadian SPCA founded in Montreal in 1869</strong>. The other societies developed on a regional basis and<strong> now 123 societies</strong> are represented at a federal level by the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies <a href="http://cfhs.ca/">http://cfhs.ca/</a>Ken Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-11661782219430303762011-06-22T13:10:00.002-04:002011-06-22T13:16:07.272-04:00Personal Poverty Notes<em><strong><span style="color: red;">Why I've Been Absent From Blogging</span></strong></em><br />
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There are times I feel like my blogging is just like farting in the wind - no one notices and it makes no difference. This has been one of those times. The news is almost always bad: cutbacks, unhappiness, etc.<br />
<br />
I've been distracted by my illness: chronic depression and an anxiety disorder. My prescribed pharmaceuticals no longer work and I am given to long periods of depression and almost suffocating sadness while I am awake. I have nightmares and wake seemingly more tired than when I went to sleep. I am acutely aware of the increasing pain of arthritis and that I can no longer do the things I used to. I have aged beyond my years and my physical health is not good. The health system sucks: I go to a family clinic with a rotating crew of learning ("baby") doctors who can't seem to help me with the most basic health issues. Yet - I am soldiering on.<br />
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Poverty is pummeling me too. For the first time in a long time, I've had to visit the food bank, where I saw lots more discouraged and depressed people. It seems public donations are significantly down, probably because everyone else is having a harder time and food costs appear to be soaring. The food they provide is mostly chocolates and weird sauces, and a few other things that will last about 2 days at most. When I was on the board at Daily Bread, I costed out what a single person gets each visit: $13-17 worth of 'cast-off- foods. Yet - at least there is some minimal help out there.<br />
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The other side of poverty is isolation = not having the funds to attend or get to events in the city. Yet, I am on ODSP (disability) which pays at the high end of social assistance (about $12,000/year) and I really wonder how people on general welfare (Ontario Works) could get by (under $7,000/year). Our society really punishes the poor. The more isolated I become, the more I want to stay isolated.<br />
<br />
.... I didn't mean for this post to be so negative, but it is what it is...<br />
<br />
The one thought I wanted to communicate is that taking the packed TTC buses to the food bank this morning, I saw not a single happy face. Everyone was glum and looking like they didn't want to be where they were. Likely from the snazzy dressers, they were probably going off to slave at some job to make three, four or five times what I live on.; but they didn't look any happier.<br />
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Maybe all of Toronto is suffering from chronic depression. Maybe all this is a cycle of self punishment of society when they vote to elect the hardnosed conservatives like Rob Ford to have power over them.Ken Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-14425420050729229672011-06-10T10:42:00.002-04:002011-06-22T12:47:07.911-04:00Animal Issues Hot Topics at City CouncilIt seems like this month is <em><strong><span style="color: blue;">animal issues month at city hall.</span></strong></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>* UPDATE: </strong>The animal hoarding issue did not make it to the floor of city council; The Pet Sale Ban apparently has last minute "legal issues: and will be heard at NEXT month's city council meeting. </span><span style="color: black;">(Strange that it's only been studied for almost a year now, and legal becomes an issue? #TOCouncil moves at a snails/ pace sometimes)</span></em><br />
<em>====================</em><br />
<br />
Next Tuesday June 14, amidst a <strong><em>very </em>long and ambitious agenda</strong>, they will discuss and decide on:<br />
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LS 4.3 Banning the Sale of Cats and Dogs in Pet Shops<br />
MM9.5 Motion to deal with Animal Hoarding - Josh Matlow<br />
<span style="color: black;">MM9.3 </span> A By-law to Ban the possession, sale and consumption of Shark Fin and Derivative Products in Toronto - by Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker, seconded by Councillor Krystyn Wong-Tam<br />
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The Cat/Dog Sales Ban had a signficant public consultation and has been around almost a year (Aug 13, 2010), but the animal hoarding motion came up just last night as an initiative by 2 councillors (Josh Matlow and Michelle Berardinetti)<br />
<br />
Here is an email I just sent all city councillors and the Mayor .....<br />
---<br />
Dear Councillor <strong>Matlow</strong>, Re: Member <strong><span style="color: red;">Motion MM9.5 Animal Hoarding</span></strong><br />
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I commend you for bringing up the complicated and contentious issue of animal hoarding. Although I was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Toronto Humane Society and intend to bring this up for discussion at our board level, I must make it clear that at the moment, I speak as a private citizen only, and not for the organization. <br />
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This issue is a complex one and I encourage city council not to rush to judgement without significant consultation with other animal welfare organizations. The pet licence bylaws were an example of how the city can waste money, time and lose goodwill. (Example only 11% of cats are expected to be licenced over the next 3 years, this after tremendous city resources used to try to increase compliance). Threats don't work well in our city it seems.<br />
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Yes, animal hoarding can be a sign of a mental illness, although not always. There are numerous websites, mostly American, that talk about the issue. (I l ist them for your reference at the end of this communication.). Many eventual 'hoarders' often become so precisely because of the threat that authorities will sweep in and take away beloved pets. Your motion may simply serve to force hoarders deeper into hiding, helping no one. They will not speak out and ask for help in such a case. Thus, the stigma of mental illness is reinforced in the broader society as well.<br />
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One dynamic is that lonely people, often those on low income who have not sufficient social interaction due to extremely limited finances, find a starving stray cat wandering into their life. They take it in, but then there is another, and another, and so on. This is the pet overpopulation issue that is directly caused by bad pet owners who see animals as temporary toys then throw them away if their 'lifestyle' or whim changes. Other irresponsible pet owners are the direct cause of a lot of hoarding, and they are never held to account. In essence, attacking hoarders does nothing to resolve the overall pet overpopulation problem.<br />
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At what magic number do you declare a hoarder? Toronto has a pet limit of 6, Hamilton 2, other jurisdictions vary. In the 'gold standard' Calgary model, Bill Bruce, Director of Calgary Animal and Bylaw Services has no pet limits, and sees early education and putting the onus on making sure pet owners are responsible. He has had tremendous success (Weblink: http://redstarcafe.wordpress.com/2010/08/25/the-calgary-model/ ), but jurisdictions like Toronto have in the past cherry-picked a few ideas here and there. Some pet owners/caretakers have large premises with secure fenced in yards, while others have tiny rooms. How can you say to this person 6 is okay and to another 7 is wrong and I will confiscate your family friend? What of rescues that have people fostering larger numbers of animals? They are helping the city, using charitable donations, with the pet overpopulation problem. <br />
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Responding to animal hoarding requires a well-informed, well-researched approach. Although I am sure that city staff will do their usual reporting, there are so many other experienced and useful sources out in our community. I urge you to table this motion and refer it to the Licensing and Standards Committee pending further analysis and to give the public and animal welfare organizations a chance to have input.<br />
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Thank you<br />
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<em>Animal Hoarding website links:</em><br />
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<a href="http://www.tufts.edu/vet/hoarding/">http://www.tufts.edu/vet/hoarding/</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.animalhoarding.com/">http://www.animalhoarding.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.animalhoardingproject.com/">http://www.animalhoardingproject.com/</a><br />
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<em>Other News Stories:</em><br />
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<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2010/07/19/f-animal-hoarding-faq.html">http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2010/07/19/f-animal-hoarding-faq.html</a><br />
<a href="http://en.video.canoe.tv/video/news/canada/1896809958/alarming-case-of-animal-hoarding/919554376001">http://en.video.canoe.tv/video/news/canada/1896809958/alarming-case-of-animal-hoarding/919554376001</a><br />
<a href="http://canada.myletsadopt.com/2011/04/27/animal-hoarder-or-overwhelmed-animal-lover-what-is-the-difference/">http://canada.myletsadopt.com/2011/04/27/animal-hoarder-or-overwhelmed-animal-lover-what-is-the-difference/</a><br />
<br />
... says: "<strong>the difference between animal hoarder and animal lover is simply one of animal care</strong>."<br />
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Should anyone want to speak to their city councillor about this or any other issue, here is the weblink to contact:<br />
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- OR - Here is the full city council email contact list:<br />
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councillor_doucette@toronto.ca ; Councillor Matlow ; councillor_berardinetti@toronto.ca ; councillor_bailao@toronto.ca ; councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca ; councillor_augimeri@toronto.ca ; councillor_carroll@toronto.ca ; councillor_cho@toronto.ca ; councillor_colle@toronto.ca ; Councillor Crawford ; councillor_crisanti@toronto.ca ; councillor_davis@toronto.ca ; councillor_debaeremaeker@toronto.ca ; councillor_delgrande@toronto.ca ; councillor_digiorgio@toronto.ca ; councillor_filion@toronto.ca ; councillor_fletcher@toronto.ca ; councillor_dford@toronto.ca ; councillor_fragedakis@toronto.ca ; councillor_grimes@toronto.ca ; councillor_holyday@toronto.ca ; councillor_kelly@toronto.ca ; councillor_layton@toronto.ca ; councillor_lee@toronto.ca ; councillor_lindsay_luby@toronto.ca ; councillor_mammoliti@toronto.ca ; councillor_mcconnell@toronto.ca ; councillor_mcmahon@toronto.ca ; councillor_mihevc@toronto.ca ; councillor_milczyn@toronto.ca ; councillor_minnan-wong@toronto.ca ; councillor_moeser@toronto.ca ; councillor_nunziata@toronto.ca ; councillor_palacio@toronto.ca ; councillor_parker@toronto.ca ; councillor_pasternak@toronto.ca ; councillor_perks@toronto.ca ; councillor_perruzza@toronto.ca ; councillor_robinson@toronto.ca ; councillor_shiner@toronto.ca ; Councillor Stintz ; councillor_thompson@toronto.ca ; councillor_vaughan@toronto.ca ; councillor_wongtam@toronto.caKen Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-50199456263751739402011-06-09T11:24:00.010-04:002011-06-09T12:10:14.826-04:00Toronto Humane Society Press Release<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">THS Board of Directors Elects New President</span></strong></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">TORONTO, June 8, 2011 /CNW/ - The Toronto Humane Society (THS) Board of Directors has elected Marcie Laking as its new president. Elected as vice-president is long-time THS volunteer and foster parent Wendy Strickland, while second vice-president is lawyer Peter Newell. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuME8unaRGWjujE-3oJzs-66MzCOIsRquoQssCKZ289gdMxUKMolJbS1_KmiwKDdECnMs8QaokVgz2kWnHle0k_Wp1cyhh3V9G6MJhrjsmCdKmfe8XW0UUi7oQpRbzOknLw3Bo-LcIKNSc/s1600/bio-Marcie-Laking-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuME8unaRGWjujE-3oJzs-66MzCOIsRquoQssCKZ289gdMxUKMolJbS1_KmiwKDdECnMs8QaokVgz2kWnHle0k_Wp1cyhh3V9G6MJhrjsmCdKmfe8XW0UUi7oQpRbzOknLw3Bo-LcIKNSc/s1600/bio-Marcie-Laking-sm.jpg" t8="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilspl5Te7ACaob36TvALPGZUUU7KzI3WfvtSPP-nSeBI7V5wD6qd74CqPv6_t68LM_-Vw439Hxi4xvcQ7H3NCZe1AqxmrtPO44jwIZwtXhPtHFsJmVYeQ16dxWNXUn9q1psN4_vWMOPWZ-/s1600/bio-Wendy-Strickland-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilspl5Te7ACaob36TvALPGZUUU7KzI3WfvtSPP-nSeBI7V5wD6qd74CqPv6_t68LM_-Vw439Hxi4xvcQ7H3NCZe1AqxmrtPO44jwIZwtXhPtHFsJmVYeQ16dxWNXUn9q1psN4_vWMOPWZ-/s1600/bio-Wendy-Strickland-sm.jpg" t8="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Marcie Laking Wendy Strickland</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8klUjeeNUFmuqbO4WeEBotFcFXSlBfCh-RG0kS6Q_T5b_pUoXY1nsq3sypl6P2qWEYGWAnSQKeyscRAkEUkcxU5W_Clp_lKZP4FMmczW-Yz-jBYv5M8ok5rMJ963MJVLpn9FkQZJUuyu/s1600/bio-Peter-Newell-sm.jpg" t8="true" /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> Peter Newell</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Board officer Linda MacKinnon has been re-elected Chair while Lisa Gibbens was elected Secretary and Sydney L. Nezon appointed Treasurer. Former president Michael Downey will continue to serve as a Board Director. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5or6EcUscIlFEExEbGNWqokU1Wmql8ZIy2H_Va_b30hbLzc1EFIVKfdqSWFdz0WgFjAqGbq9sMM5N1OcVfx0jGlWzxeG-waZ6zGjNoY4Mc_yJVx9j-omC5y2ACuSbft7ELndVVTPAJxqr/s1600/bio-Linda-MacKinnon-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5or6EcUscIlFEExEbGNWqokU1Wmql8ZIy2H_Va_b30hbLzc1EFIVKfdqSWFdz0WgFjAqGbq9sMM5N1OcVfx0jGlWzxeG-waZ6zGjNoY4Mc_yJVx9j-omC5y2ACuSbft7ELndVVTPAJxqr/s1600/bio-Linda-MacKinnon-sm.jpg" t8="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTYxUO9wpBKL-OTY9-cXTALHBCg05kQHd4jxl4yArSlFoIhExxsYeaP4aAjzru4Xz9ZNVwyKhjPAFgpNTCftdicpjjfXpV44iVmoYt_YFc95SpBBo9Xvx3t0odmE3Q2NCg_R0IjoIUe22/s1600/lisa-gibbens-b%2526w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTYxUO9wpBKL-OTY9-cXTALHBCg05kQHd4jxl4yArSlFoIhExxsYeaP4aAjzru4Xz9ZNVwyKhjPAFgpNTCftdicpjjfXpV44iVmoYt_YFc95SpBBo9Xvx3t0odmE3Q2NCg_R0IjoIUe22/s200/lisa-gibbens-b%2526w.jpg" t8="true" width="120" /></a><br />
Linda MacKinnon Lisa Gibbens<br />
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Following on the heels of last week's Annual General Meeting in which five Board of Directors who support the mission and mandate of the previous board were elected, these new appointments will also serve to take the organization in a progressive direction. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"I am honoured and thrilled to be leading the Toronto Humane Society into this new and exciting phase," says Laking, formerly Board vice-president. "We have put in a lot of hard work to get to this point and will continue to do all we can to ensure the safety, health and happiness of the animals." </div><br />
The only First Nations Ojibway to be elected president in THS's history, Laking's post also marks a significant milestone as she is the first who started out as a teenage volunteer at THS to hold the position. A passionate animal advocate, Laking's past experience also includes work as a THS animal care worker and is known for playing a pivotal role in the reform of the organization over the past year. <br />
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For a complete list and biographies of the current THS Board of Directors, visit <a href="http://www.torontohumanesociety.com/board.htm">www.torontohumanesociety.com/board.htm</a> <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">About THS: THS is an independently operated humane society that services the needs of Toronto. Injured and/or ill animals receive veterinary care and abandoned animals are given safe shelter. Immature and/or injured animals are placed in foster care until they are old enough and strong enough to be placed for adoption. The THS receives no government funding and is operated entirely through private donors and sponsors.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">------------ Links:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/marcie-laking-new-president-of-toronto-humane-society/article2052663/">http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/marcie-laking-new-president-of-toronto-humane-society/article2052663/</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1005149--activist-named-president-of-toronto-humane-society">http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1005149--activist-named-president-of-toronto-humane-society</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://iwantapounddog.blogspot.com/2011/06/marcie-laking-is-new-president-of.html">http://iwantapounddog.blogspot.com/2011/06/marcie-laking-is-new-president-of.html</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://mypetnews.com/2011/06/09/activist-named-president-of-toronto-humane-society/">http://mypetnews.com/2011/06/09/activist-named-president-of-toronto-humane-society/</a><br />
------------</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Toronto Humane Society has about 1800 members. Membership is open to anyone who lives or works within a 60km radius of THS headquarters (11 River Street at Queen Street East). Current membership fee is $40.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><u>Other directors on the current 15 member board are:</u></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOszFILT3i4x6jLkQrECwCVJA6eZmNF_SYAUretpW7dy36TfSPVFzkfMXoLhpxsGi93DqISVjSdQK3UwNnfb3shDpysZlWSgvaJv8J8Z-jFrCV0TcmCcnowphKoGaf-ruV3bkrUE4y2zX/s1600/bio-Crystal-Tomusiak-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOszFILT3i4x6jLkQrECwCVJA6eZmNF_SYAUretpW7dy36TfSPVFzkfMXoLhpxsGi93DqISVjSdQK3UwNnfb3shDpysZlWSgvaJv8J8Z-jFrCV0TcmCcnowphKoGaf-ruV3bkrUE4y2zX/s1600/bio-Crystal-Tomusiak-sm.jpg" t8="true" /></a></div>Crystal Tomusiak<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7_Utnqn3vQJeyuVwNgz6Dbc-eHPkvfn98I9Q-jsCOHDJmJRJqAjKBEgsL2cjTRthFPF6n3vUCcB7gAZlxQ7nvoXcCOOZN1IKhtQ2L_TpXsM7TB1me3gAW5Ia25NHmA3qPXtDZXroHJR7/s1600/bio-Hanna-Booth-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7_Utnqn3vQJeyuVwNgz6Dbc-eHPkvfn98I9Q-jsCOHDJmJRJqAjKBEgsL2cjTRthFPF6n3vUCcB7gAZlxQ7nvoXcCOOZN1IKhtQ2L_TpXsM7TB1me3gAW5Ia25NHmA3qPXtDZXroHJR7/s1600/bio-Hanna-Booth-sm.jpg" t8="true" /></a></div> Johanna Booth<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgP66q67-lXWxqcqbsKQTCeVjKgtqH29MTG0gHfEi7anPTZNiqJlbe5m599TVQOTT2zjhl9W2tsd7lZ7GclL7EaU3COgnoTHThPiXEn3LvhaPa67pNHyUtwOQ2UA-2BQT40jz4PWSZZge/s1600/bio-Jennifer-Downe-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgP66q67-lXWxqcqbsKQTCeVjKgtqH29MTG0gHfEi7anPTZNiqJlbe5m599TVQOTT2zjhl9W2tsd7lZ7GclL7EaU3COgnoTHThPiXEn3LvhaPa67pNHyUtwOQ2UA-2BQT40jz4PWSZZge/s1600/bio-Jennifer-Downe-sm.jpg" t8="true" /></a></div> Jennifer Downe<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrQj_GUPHFzerWCXUHKP0FhlpnAoEd2_MBsol6gyBVPVMKlFy-LPmYk3j0zh7VrZU6aDVqQQ-LEWQ3JfrorithHxfNpf8eakvpdBobfSRTN5esxFXvDedLUDX9b1BiDNxcDPUABTOKs1D/s1600/bio-Judy-King-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrQj_GUPHFzerWCXUHKP0FhlpnAoEd2_MBsol6gyBVPVMKlFy-LPmYk3j0zh7VrZU6aDVqQQ-LEWQ3JfrorithHxfNpf8eakvpdBobfSRTN5esxFXvDedLUDX9b1BiDNxcDPUABTOKs1D/s1600/bio-Judy-King-sm.jpg" t8="true" /></a> <br />
Judi King<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcs8TZ2rkMYLo56js2ubPcqtJO76qNSXAKWGxBD10HC-8eVR8A7do-B7itR4w8O4rt6IuCiI9sIBHYBxoSThBx7Dv9Qk-pCCinWHdY3c-M9E0hKbbyPhl6hfXeE-1Xh1tnOInrCbzKpCF/s1600/bio-Karen-Nasir-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcs8TZ2rkMYLo56js2ubPcqtJO76qNSXAKWGxBD10HC-8eVR8A7do-B7itR4w8O4rt6IuCiI9sIBHYBxoSThBx7Dv9Qk-pCCinWHdY3c-M9E0hKbbyPhl6hfXeE-1Xh1tnOInrCbzKpCF/s1600/bio-Karen-Nasir-sm.jpg" t8="true" /></a> <br />
Dr. Karen Nasir<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54l8Fqxnz-uRPiBHyONjTGrwq_ye7x1wq4LzRAWx7ZXGLex5ll2VOeKICB9H792E963VuMRLwbqiu57r9XS8EJcT3_ay_vr5TTFYkezMVUbmlBm6YYCnLGqCQ7igsXl37q4qKpWBilmt1/s1600/bio-Michael-Downey-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54l8Fqxnz-uRPiBHyONjTGrwq_ye7x1wq4LzRAWx7ZXGLex5ll2VOeKICB9H792E963VuMRLwbqiu57r9XS8EJcT3_ay_vr5TTFYkezMVUbmlBm6YYCnLGqCQ7igsXl37q4qKpWBilmt1/s1600/bio-Michael-Downey-sm.jpg" t8="true" /></a></div> Michael Downey<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdow5SfdpOT8u-1ozEBGS2noet4ZVWRxvFscOhe_613eWzYY5dTxD29uc0MzqRogdM0Lr_Xt8sezoRAA1WQrVgAcFVdZnNZjyaS6KEGjp0CAfnAI5tFHDsIDMgNBNJ8bM-fOjSfKCZCHn/s1600/carol_hroncek-b%2526w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdow5SfdpOT8u-1ozEBGS2noet4ZVWRxvFscOhe_613eWzYY5dTxD29uc0MzqRogdM0Lr_Xt8sezoRAA1WQrVgAcFVdZnNZjyaS6KEGjp0CAfnAI5tFHDsIDMgNBNJ8bM-fOjSfKCZCHn/s1600/carol_hroncek-b%2526w.jpg" t8="true" /></a> <br />
Carol Hroncek<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRs63Q7ZfKH5ea5qdKciY86DO-mFVbbvrnrzkDtbYweDnZns3WXB9dzgAphKk5x4y98Ri8wzHbqbZbhMUWXu4Wagx3p4tHRcf8Nc6ZT0GyCh7ZKkA00GxnigJnbgmTmfaubEGLWQ6RJsuh/s1600/david-bronskill-b%2526w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRs63Q7ZfKH5ea5qdKciY86DO-mFVbbvrnrzkDtbYweDnZns3WXB9dzgAphKk5x4y98Ri8wzHbqbZbhMUWXu4Wagx3p4tHRcf8Nc6ZT0GyCh7ZKkA00GxnigJnbgmTmfaubEGLWQ6RJsuh/s1600/david-bronskill-b%2526w.jpg" t8="true" /></a> <br />
David Bronskill<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIrkcVxF4cQ0NEOyRY61LiOhsJK88AUDAO9Ns5GVC9tKrkPN46IImnNoKrOemvVlDatP0236ZIpcGHazPuB7Je_lIqdN_9d8-TZ5BIrqy__Qe-DHlaucFJI0Dph8SX1agq-yUa_PEq1_0/s1600/bio-Ferne-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIrkcVxF4cQ0NEOyRY61LiOhsJK88AUDAO9Ns5GVC9tKrkPN46IImnNoKrOemvVlDatP0236ZIpcGHazPuB7Je_lIqdN_9d8-TZ5BIrqy__Qe-DHlaucFJI0Dph8SX1agq-yUa_PEq1_0/s1600/bio-Ferne-sm.jpg" t8="true" /></a> <br />
Ferne Sinkins<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9N2TtlOOhhuTceMy9_8uzKZvUxkJqpLrlRwwTpP4RGiHmhtuPa3O4vuaaEgzYmTMob7oJ1RHjx8eYSurF9Aqy6M6mi9f2eFuCMLYpOIf-rekrzSgQPAOsoPv0mJkjxNsnToPe5zb-FjFQ/s1600/ken_wood-b%2526w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9N2TtlOOhhuTceMy9_8uzKZvUxkJqpLrlRwwTpP4RGiHmhtuPa3O4vuaaEgzYmTMob7oJ1RHjx8eYSurF9Aqy6M6mi9f2eFuCMLYpOIf-rekrzSgQPAOsoPv0mJkjxNsnToPe5zb-FjFQ/s1600/ken_wood-b%2526w.jpg" t8="true" /></a></div>Ken Wood</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* Next Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Toronto Humane Society will be:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Tuesday, June 28 at 7:00PM</strong> at 11 River Street Board Room (2nd floor).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRQdK876mXL6nasO5Te3-cIN39yolHhUQZjhoUn-xnjC9QZxWm7VOrfp4HHS_flqBJcCrcZJTYmpB5gu1aA5w7Kuy6U4QULjjUH8PBC57_cHJdKlwCdmsA6PlEeMx2WDO2ESE9_Q-5UYN/s1600/THSmap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRQdK876mXL6nasO5Te3-cIN39yolHhUQZjhoUn-xnjC9QZxWm7VOrfp4HHS_flqBJcCrcZJTYmpB5gu1aA5w7Kuy6U4QULjjUH8PBC57_cHJdKlwCdmsA6PlEeMx2WDO2ESE9_Q-5UYN/s1600/THSmap.JPG" t8="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Ken Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-85532730924615051002011-06-01T23:13:00.003-04:002011-06-01T23:33:39.458-04:00Bloordale Press First Issue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuE1qlOJHR8lQaoN5_vXhbrQTi9mmgzl-B5YBiBkfQyBtkvNMRdhSlooY0TaPv0Xm18F9dYGIg-onPozve78_yTbvH0KgPn1RE2snHfarusdL4b6dVpAxf1Lq67y4CYahtM1lhI-n4XGT/s1600/BloordaleLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuE1qlOJHR8lQaoN5_vXhbrQTi9mmgzl-B5YBiBkfQyBtkvNMRdhSlooY0TaPv0Xm18F9dYGIg-onPozve78_yTbvH0KgPn1RE2snHfarusdL4b6dVpAxf1Lq67y4CYahtM1lhI-n4XGT/s320/BloordaleLogo.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-daDEuaE6h4UpOiatnBFJUWRJseNRWSPtiTz97RmwdwUrDDmikymNHCa3zeTXiX8XqSIdK93iTqPI9WhyOJBbfy-_csouYtcQ3ppzya3894fhr7IJEgIxYeXKmXV9QovJC81hlqDvjbv/s1600/KenWood_THS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-daDEuaE6h4UpOiatnBFJUWRJseNRWSPtiTz97RmwdwUrDDmikymNHCa3zeTXiX8XqSIdK93iTqPI9WhyOJBbfy-_csouYtcQ3ppzya3894fhr7IJEgIxYeXKmXV9QovJC81hlqDvjbv/s320/KenWood_THS.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Click on photo to enlarge</div><div align="left"><br />
Thank you to the newly launched local community newspaper, <strong><em><span style="color: red;">THE BLOORDALE PRESS</span></em></strong>, and chief editor, <strong>Gurpreet Ghag</strong>, for doing such a fair story on me for their paper. Were this a city election, no one could complain about inappropriate advertising! ... since the issue came out one day after I was successful at being elected to the board of directors for The Toronto Humane Society (a volunteer, unpaid position in the not for profit charity).</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">I wish this monthly local newspaper every success and welcome them to my neighbourhood!</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">I urge everyone in ward 18 Davenport, particularly businesses, to support them.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Good luck to all involved.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">----</div><div align="left">PS: The only inccuracy in the article I discovered was the statement, "THS members who live within a six kilometre radius of 11 River Street". It is actually 60 (sixty) kilometers radius that is the requirement for membership in the Toronto Humane Society. <a href="http://www.torontohumanesociety.com/membership.htm">Toronto Humane Society website</a><br />
---<br />
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Wonderful mix of articles covered (besides me - hey I am not egotistical, really!) such as:<br />
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* Story on new federal MP Andrew Cash (NDP)<br />
* 243 Perth avnue controversy over development plans (historic Church)<br />
* Dufferin Grove clothing swap<br />
* Community consultations on new park (90 Lisgar Street)<br />
* Review of May Works at the Free Gallery<br />
* Coverage of Janes Walk<br />
* Review of The Ortolan at 1211 Bloor St W<br />
* Story on local city Councillor Ana Bailao's expense report<br />
* Review of the Lansdowne Cone<br />
* Hockey Night in Bloordale<br />
* Classified ads section<br />
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Pick up the free paper anywhere in Bloordale! (lots at the Lansdowne Cone)<br />
</div>Ken Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-81387350602564936822011-06-01T01:41:00.012-04:002011-06-01T22:48:47.568-04:00Toronto Humane Society Elections and AGM<strong>Blast from the past, <span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Tim Trow and his slate REJECTED</span> by Toronto Humane Society, Vote of Confidence In Current Board to Continue Direction</strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Toronto Humane Society has finally turned a corner and can be trusted to be stable again. Tremendous vote of confidence in current strategic direction and a re-energized membership bodes well for the future. Hey Toronto! Animals in need are now 'Guests in Our Home' and Not Prison Inmates! </span><br />
<br />
Kate Hammer of the Globe and Mail, whose brilliant investigatory pieces over a year ago wrote:<br />
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"<em>The state of animal welfare in this city is at a crossroads as the membership of the Toronto Humane Society decides whether <strong><span style="color: blue;">to continue the changes brought about by its new leaders</span></strong> or to support another comeback for former president Tim Trow</em>" <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/trow-seeks-re-election-to-the-toronto-humane-society/article2040763/">Link to full article</a><br />
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At a meeting where the amazing in person showing up of a large proportion of the THS membership has not been the norm, the Annual General Meeting started about an hour late while meeting staff and coordinators struggled to find adequate seating for the people, many of them elderly, There were overflow rooms to the overflow rooms. (I estimate 300+ people there)<br />
<br />
AT the start of the meeting portion for the election of the 5 available seats on the 15 member board, the independent elections official (Grant) told everyone that as of the Monday May30 5pm deadline for submission of proxies:<br />
<br />
* 741 proxies received <br />
* 30 were deemed spoiled (incorrectly filled out, mostly not signed)<br />
* 521 proxies were directed to the current board chair to vote for the recommended slate<br />
* 183 proxies were directed to Tim Trow and his slate<br />
* 7 other individual proxies held by others<br />
* 271 in attendance would would be voting in person<br />
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Actual attendance was higher, I estimate about 300+, because many of those who had sent in proxies wanted to be there to see how the vote went. Engagement! As well, assuming the 1800 members list was correct, <strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">50-80</span></strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">%</span> of the THS society Voted!!!</strong><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> (* 80% is My guesstimate, as many people on the membership list have home addresses in the Yukon, BC, Halifax, etc). Bare minimum voter turnout would be 57% if everyone on the membership list is valid (To be a voting member, youmust live or work within 60km of 11 River Street)</span><strong> </strong></span><br />
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(<em>Side note: I happened to be around when Tim Trow was signing in and said he had some additional 70+ proxies in his hand, but no proxies were being accepted past the pre-published deadline.This was consistently applied to all people who might be bringing in proxies at that time</em>)<br />
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The meeting was slightly raucous as pro-Trow people were routinely booed and anyone expressing the slightest anti-Trow sentiments were accorded a heroic applause. Yes, there was some rudeness and attempted shouting down of pro-Trow speakers, but the President and Chair consistently reminded that everyone was to be accorded civility and respect.<br />
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However, one gentleman was so over the top shouting that he was ejected by Police.<br />
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Good points and questions were raised by all in the rooms and accorded reasonable respect.<br />
All questions were answered, no one was barred from asking or saying anything.<br />
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(<em>One lady made a point of telling everyone they should be ashamed at their behaviour;</em> in my humble opinion, I thought 99% of people were well behaved, given the emotional nature of the meeting for many: staff, volunteers, and members and the intense media buildup around Tim Trow's attempted return)<br />
---<br />
.... So, who got elected? <strong><span style="font-size: large;">The entire board recommended slate</span></strong>. A clean sweep.<br />
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* <strong>David Bronskill</strong> (skilled lawyer in municipal law matters)<br />
* <strong>Lisa Gibbens</strong> (informations systems, marketing)<br />
* <strong>Carol Hroncek</strong> (longtime volunteer, cat rescuer)<br />
* <strong>Crystal Tomusiak</strong> (criminal law background, animal welfare enthusiast)<br />
* <strong>Ken Wood </strong> (hey! that's me! community social justice activist, has been on Daily Bread Food Bank and Mainstay Housing boards)<br />
-----<br />
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News Story Links:<br />
<a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/05/31/tensions-high-as-humane-society-meets-to-elect-new-directors/">http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/05/31/tensions-high-as-humane-society-meets-to-elect-new-directors/</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1000549--former-toronto-humane-society-president-fails-to-win-board?bn=1">http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1000549--former-toronto-humane-society-president-fails-to-win-board?bn=1</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/05/31/thc-trow-return.html">http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/05/31/thc-trow-return.html</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.newstalk1010.com/News/localnews/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10243006">http://www.newstalk1010.com/News/localnews/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10243006</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/2011/06/01/toronto-humane-society-elects-new-board">http://www.torontosun.com/2011/06/01/toronto-humane-society-elects-new-board</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://iwantapounddog.blogspot.com/2011/06/toronto-humane-society-annual-general.html">http://iwantapounddog.blogspot.com/2011/06/toronto-humane-society-annual-general.html</a><br />
<br />
----<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: magenta;">* Update June 1,2011: </span></strong></em><br />
Here is one impression of the meeting by someone who was there:<br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: red;">I attended the General Meeting at THS last night I am not involved much with their issues and don't know the full story however I was curious to see what was going on. I will tell you that I have never seem such a farce in my life. The patients definitely are running the asylum It doesn't matter if you are pro or con Tim Trow because that is incidental to my point. However if Mother Theresa were running for the THS Board of Directors she would never have gotten in. Votes were padded by employees who screamed and yelled and carried on worse than the animals they are supposed to be looking after. People were shoved and insulted. One man was escorted out by police because he stood up and screamed the election was unfair. No one could make a fair choice because the THS supporters who wanted their own people in would not let others talk. You could not hear anyone for all the heckling and insults being thrown at anyone who was not the favored choice of the present Board. I will never ever be associated with this organization again. Many of us who are civilized, walked out of there in total shock after witnessing this whole debacle. Not only was it shocking, it was extremely upsetting to see anyone acting out in the manner they did. God help our animals because there are unbalanced people looking after them.</span></strong></em> (Posted on this link: <a href="http://www.torontopetdaily.com/2011/06/one-persons-account-of-last-nights.html#comment-form">http://www.torontopetdaily.com/2011/06/one-persons-account-of-last-nights.html#comment-form</a> )<br />
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.... And here is my personal impression and response:<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><strong><em>I sincerely believe this post is probably from a pro-Tim Trow supporter seeking to find anything redeeming about him in light of the abuses documented on the public record ( </em></strong><span style="color: black;">Link <a href="http://ottawahumane.ca/news/ospca_release.cfm">HERE</a></span><strong><em> ). </em></strong></span><br />
<em><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><strong></strong></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Yes, the meeting was slightly raucous as pro-Trow people were routinely booed and anyone expressing the slightest anti-Trow sentiments were accorded a heroic applause. Yes, there was some rudeness and attempted shouting down of pro-Trow speakers, but the President and Chair consistently reminded that everyone was to be accorded civility and respect. Differences in opinion were valid but respect for all was defended and encouraged at all times. </strong></span></em><br />
<em><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><strong></strong></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>It must be understood that much of the rudeness came from employee and volunteers who suffered terrible personal abuse and trauma under the reign of Tim Trow. Think what it would be like if a rapist was permitted to make speeches to his victims... Important: I am NOT not not not not intimating Tim was guilty of that, I simply am trying to draw a parallel for the sake of understanding the emotional duress those people were under. As well many of them were young, unfamiliar with the formalities of public meetings and for many, it was the very first time they could be heard by the membership and able to call Mr Trow on his version of the truth. </strong></span></em><br />
<em><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><strong></strong></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>The one gentleman who was ejected by Police was protesting that people outside the overflow room on the patio could not hear the speakers (microphone acoustics were not great). A fair comment. The problem was that even after he was acknowledged, thanked and the problem rectified, he continued to shout down (not-pro-Tim-Trow) speakers and be loudly abusive and threatening. The disruption to the meeting continued until he was ejected for disruption of the proceedings by Police. </strong></span></em><br />
<em><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><strong></strong></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Given the experience of past AGM's, no one could have predicted such an in-person turnout of such magnitude. 271 in attendance, where in past it was very rare to get more than 80 or so people there. The majority of the membership exercised their legal right to vote via proxies. In the past, Tim Trow would appear with 700-800 proxies in hand and subsequently ignore those 80 or so present, waving them when challenged or asked a question - which as he ran the meetings as Chair and President in the past, meant he was able to totally ignore valid questions about finances, etc. from members in the room. </strong></span></em><br />
<em><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><strong></strong></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Now - THAT was rude, uncivil, disrespectful and it was in the past that "The patients definitely are running the asylum", the chief patient being Mr Tim Trow himself. </strong></span></em><br />
<em><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><strong></strong></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>- Ken Wood - newly elected Director to the board of the Toronto Humane Society</strong></span></em>Ken Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-10179474592966747692011-06-01T00:44:00.004-04:002011-06-01T02:34:49.334-04:00City Discourages Puppy Mills<strong><span style="color: blue;">STRONG MESSAGE TO BACKYARD/PUPPY MILL BREEDERS:</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">We Don't Want You Here in the GTA</span></strong><br />
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No Full On Pet Sale Ban of cats, dogs in retail stores....<br />
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But a lot of tighter restrictions and promised upgraded city monitoring of retail stores to ensure the animals they offer for sale have not snuck in the back door from factory-farm-breeders within Canada and crossing the border. (See the Wendy Mesley CBC Marketplace video <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2009/how_not_to_buy_a_puppy/main.html">HERE</a> "<em>How much do you know about that puppy in the window")</em><br />
<br />
Kudos and thanks to the efforts of <strong>Mr Dean Maher</strong>, (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=146392258720389">Link</a> ) who led the charge on this initiative, having started the ball rolling almost a year ago by his detailed and well-researched proposal.<br />
<br />
Tail wags and meows from the animals whose concerns were ably represented in the form of <strong>Councillor Glenn de Baeremaeker</strong>, (<a href="http://www.toronto.ca/councillors/debaeremaeker1.htm">link</a>) who not only focussed the media moment by bringing in one of the puppies from Toronto Animals Services, (" He showed off a beautiful basset hound named Betsy"), but also ensured significant amendments were made to the otherwise watered down city staff report.<br />
<br />
Should the Licensing and Standards Committee recommendations be accepted by the full City Council, when you buy an animal (cat,dog) from a retail store in the GTA they will now come from one of 4 places:<br />
Toronto Animal Services, Humane Societies, Legitimate Shelters/Rescues or Licenced Certified Breeders.<br />
No more will people learn much later after horrendous vet bills that the animals had significant health problems or genetic defects.<br />
<br />
There was one deputant of the 8 or so that showed up who gave a very moving story of how after being promised a healthy animal with a clear lineage and history, actually had come from a puppy mill factory farm, costing her over $4200 in vet bills for an animal with ongoing prtoblems. Story <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/05/31/toronto-pet-stores.html">link</a><br />
<br />
This is but a small, yet significant step, towards valuing animals as sentient beings and companions rather than a property product.<br />
<br />
Even the pet store owners and their 'better business' group are okay with the recommendations.<br />
<br />
A good day for animal lovers to feel optimistic! <strong><span style="color: purple;">City council will vote on the tighter rules in June</span></strong>. <br />
<br />
---<br />
News Links:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110531/110531_pet_license/20110531/?hub=CP24Home">City tightens up rules for pet stores- CP24</a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontopetdaily.com/2011/05/city-has-voted-in-favour-of-restricting.html">http://www.torontopetdaily.com/2011/05/city-has-voted-in-favour-of-restricting.html</a><br />
<a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/05/31/city-hall-motion-would-restrict-pet-store-sales-to-rescue-shelter-animals/?preview=true&preview_id=67990&preview_nonce=e34b1ed1a9">Toronto could restrict pet store sales - National Post</a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/2011/05/31/city-hall-goes-to-dogs-for-pet-store-debate">http://www.torontosun.com/2011/05/31/city-hall-goes-to-dogs-for-pet-store-debate</a>Ken Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-82646513977409472132011-05-30T19:03:00.004-04:002011-06-23T17:54:22.160-04:00Police Too Busy to Do Their Job?<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Why Don't Police Enforce the Safety Laws?</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">BOTH Police and TTC NOT Doing Their Jobs!</span></strong><br />
<br />
<em>TTCnotices Official TTC Tweets Westbound 506 Carlton streetcars are holding near Bathurst due to a collision</em>. (a tweet about 5:30pm on Monday, May 30)<br />
<br />
.... So why is this meaningful?<br />
<br />
Because about an hour and bit earlier, Monday May 30, I was on another westbound 506 Carlton streetcar when an expensive white car (Mercedes? <strong>Licence number 130XK129</strong>) zoomed past the streetcar almost causing a car-streetcar collision because the car driver decide he could cut in front of a moving streetcar who would be forced to stop. The same car then sped through a red light ahead of us. <br />
<br />
Less than half a block on, a Toronto Police officer stood chatting with construction workers as he watched the car zoom past.<br />
<br />
.... So why is this meaningful?<br />
<br />
Because Sunday night, May 29 at 7:03pm on a Queen West Streetcar (#4235 westbound) just east of Beaconsfield, when the same expensive white car (Mercedes? <strong>Licence number 130XK129</strong>) zoomed past the fully stopped streetcar, with open doors, almost hitting a passenger stepping off the curb to board..<br />
<br />
A few seconds later we passed a stopped police crusier with 2 officers just sitting inside. No radar trap, guess they were on a break. Following the white car as I had several stops to go, I saw it suddenly make a right turn (no signal) down a side street. Definitely no police car in pursuit.<br />
<br />
<em>(Note: I have made repeated suggestions to the TTC that they need to crackdown on cars ignoring stopped streetcars, giving ideas like external mounted photo radar and swing out stop signs like school buses, but it has been a total waste of time. Emails direct to TTC CHair Karen Stintz are ignored)</em><br />
<br />
.... So what else about this topic?<br />
<br />
My local Tim Horton's on the southeast corner of College and Lansdowne has a clearly marked DISABLED PARKING ONLY near the entrance to the coffee shop. I regularly see people without disabled stickers park there. Even when I point out they should not do that ($400 fine I think) I am told to F-off by the offenders. Staff there frequently try to get people not to park there but are routinely ignored.<br />
<br />
Last Friday night, May 27 in late afternoon TWO Toronto Police cars pulled up, FOUR officers went in to get their coffee (no donuts). As I was leaving, I saw yet another non-disabled stickered car parked in the offending spot. Since the officers were leving, I pointedly and clearly asked them to ticket the car. Aside from one officer asking another (there were 3 others), "Hey You got any parking tags?", the whole thing was ignored. Both teams got busy rearranging their trunks, sat in their cars and had coffee briefly before they both just drove off in different directions. No sirens, emergency call that I could see. I took a few cellphone snaps of the police, crusiers and offending vehicle<br />
<br />
While the 4 police officers were 'busy', the driver of the car, a young woman, came out and made to drive off. I stopped her, saying "Boy You were lucky. It's a $400 fine and police are coming to ticket you". The bizarre response was for her to pull out of the space, then pull back into it for about 3 minutes (waiting?), then she pulled out and drove off.<br />
<br />
If police don't want to do the basics of their jobs (is it beneath them?) why do they deserve the regular whopping pay increases?<br />
<br />
- Disgusted.<br />
<br />
See also:<br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/948533--paid-duty-costs-taxpayers-millions-audit-report?bn=1">Paid Duty Policing Costing Taxpayers Millions</a><br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: red;">* Update :</span></em></strong> Mayor Ford takes on 'Handicapped Parking Issue' <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1013603--ford-wants-to-get-tough-on-handicapped-parking-violators">http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1013603--ford-wants-to-get-tough-on-handicapped-parking-violators</a>Ken Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-17801781649928753732011-05-28T18:27:00.019-04:002011-05-30T18:32:59.336-04:00Like a Dog With a Bone<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><strong>Toronto Humane Society Continues to be Haunted by Tim Trow</strong></span><br />
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Adjective like a dog with a bone:(simile) <strong>Stubborn; persistent; relentless; dogged </strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpv8WHqY_aYKS7cyg3h1H4yJeHy5vDTwiGmqtG8lHrLM5dEGes5FGk7x3L-oXBE49ykt3cdCEj2EeqQ6UfRr1swLvuyPX4W8Xe5cb_O39gNd80wDDjWKQED4tsFjKkbHT_Pv-hrRuJwLI/s1600/Iflunkedangermgt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpv8WHqY_aYKS7cyg3h1H4yJeHy5vDTwiGmqtG8lHrLM5dEGes5FGk7x3L-oXBE49ykt3cdCEj2EeqQ6UfRr1swLvuyPX4W8Xe5cb_O39gNd80wDDjWKQED4tsFjKkbHT_Pv-hrRuJwLI/s320/Iflunkedangermgt.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXdbUxFfmnlWCMahgyW_w7xdkXG8DBpLXCPshXsBuNs2cU6WTwHY7_bB6am_HaED18rrKAGCfpFYKRZSVP0dOe54cz4rSb-q5BT_buFq0qOJUY18XIciG77900BCy7iBh90pNhlPHiUSU/s1600/bonedog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXdbUxFfmnlWCMahgyW_w7xdkXG8DBpLXCPshXsBuNs2cU6WTwHY7_bB6am_HaED18rrKAGCfpFYKRZSVP0dOe54cz4rSb-q5BT_buFq0qOJUY18XIciG77900BCy7iBh90pNhlPHiUSU/s1600/bonedog.jpg" t8="true" /></a></div><br />
<br />
"<em>A call to bar Mr. Tim Trow from holding office at the THS</em>" ... <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">someone started <strong>a petition</strong> to try to keep Tim Trow from getting his clutches back on The Toronto Humane Society</span> <a href="http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/a-call-to-bar-mr-tim-trow-from-holding-office-at-the-ths/">Link </a>to site. (349 names so far)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On <strong>Craigslist</strong>, there is a call for a peaceful demonstration against Mr Trow</span>.<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tuesday, May 31 at 4:30pm:</span><br />
<em>"We support a Toronto Humane Society (THS) that is cruelty free. We support a THS that operates legally and honestly with full transparency. A THS that helps all animals and has a working relationship with other rescue groups and organizations. We support a THS that is moving forward in the world of animal rescue. We support a THS that does NOT have board members who were previously under investigation for animal cruelty. Tim Trow and the former board of directors were all under investigation for animal cruelty in 2009, You can read some of the court documents and sworn affidavits from previous Vets and employees here: </em><a href="http://saynototrow.webs.com/"><em>http://saynototrow.webs.com/</em></a><em> You can also read the technicalities that lead to the charges being dropped in the links on that site. As some of you may know, Trow and a slate of his supporters are running for election to the Board of Directors. The LAST thing in the world that the Toronto Humane Society needs is any involvement from Trow. Please take a minute to look through the website to find out why. We will participate in a peaceful demonstration outside the Toronto Humane Society at 11 Rivers Street on May 31, 2011 at 4:30PM, prior to the AGM which starts at 6pm. We will gather to demonstrate that we DO NOT support Tim Trow or any of his supporters running for the Board, and will be showing our support for the current Board and celebrating all the positive changes they have made since being elected one year ago</em>. <em>The animals of the Toronto Humane Society need you again. We invite all interested Torontonians to take part and show your support for a positive and united future for the Toronto Humane Society that does not involve the leadership of Tim Trow."</em><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Toronto Humane Society, which appears has fallen to a membership low of about 1800 from the 3300 of pre-Trow days, and has seen donations tank due to the antics of Mr Trow and subsequent very bad press (Globe Investigation <em>Killing them with kindness </em>by Kate Hammer May 29, 2009 <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/killing-them-with-kindness/article1160810/">Link</a> ), found itself with a completely new, non-Trow board last year after a judicial order for new elections. The new board has been meeting frequently and has worked hard on restoring the organization from the ground up.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em><u>Disclaimer:</u> I am running for the one of the five vacant positions, and have been recommended by the current board to its membership. There are<strike> four</strike> EIGHT! Trow supporters and Mr Trow himself who are trying to make a comeback as the old slate. There are others running as well. The board consists of 15 people, with 5 positions planned to come up every year as 3 year terms expire. <span style="color: blue;">* Update</span></em>: here is a <a href="http://www.torontohumanesociety.com/AGM/">link</a> to everyone and everything about the AGM. 18 people running now.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">What is startling is the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">frenzy of activity going on. Mr Trow's own site <a href="http://timtrow.ca/">http://timtrow.ca/</a> has been running since he was ejected from office and he makes whatever allegations seem to suit his purpose, including throwing whatever dirt he can find at the new board's efforts, often enlisting old guard friends like Peter Worthington of The Sun ( <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/2011/05/25/vote-raises-questions-about-toronto-humane-society">LINK</a> ) and various anonymous blogs and Facebook friend pages. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Suprising too, is the number of animal welfare blogs that continue to condemn his negative antics:</span><br />
<a href="http://supportanimals.wordpress.com/">http://supportanimals.wordpress.com/</a> (used to be anonymous, public, recently marked private, but when I read it made all sorts of unsubstantiated claims)<br />
<a href="http://socialmange.blogspot.com/">http://socialmange.blogspot.com/</a> (Tim Trow has been making frequent mass mailings to the society's membership, even submitting his own revised, preferential - and confusing! proxy form)<br />
<a href="http://animalfarm-selkie.blogspot.com/">http://animalfarm-selkie.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://saynototrow.webs.com/">http://saynototrow.webs.com/</a> Tells us that:<br />
<em>"As you may know, Tim Trow and his supporters are running for the board of directors at the Toronto Humane Society. They are running as a slate called the 'Animals First Team.' Members include;Tim Trow, Bob Hambly, Margaret Ann Johnson, Tony Marner, Ian McConachie, Antoine Musiol, Carol Lupovich, Wilfred 'Bud' Walters. They are hoping for a takeover of the current board, removing the current President, Vice-President and Chair." </em>The site also posts pictures (<span style="color: red;">WARNING: graphic detail, disturbing!</span>) of what was found during the investigations last year <a href="http://saynototrow.webs.com/apps/photos/album?albumid=11613676">link</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am sure I missed some blogs, but I continue to be astonished by Mr Trow's self-delusional belief he is somehow good for the animals. The man is a lawyer (his site says: "</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Legal counsel for 28 years with the Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">" which means he probably not only has friends in high places, but also is skilled with presenting his views in a believable way, no matter the situation. In one of his many letters to persuade members with his version of the truth, he says: "</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>The animals need you and me like never before</em></span>". </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Really ??? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I hope media and the citizenry and everyone who really cares about animals pays very close attention to this dangerous man.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">-----</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em><span style="color: purple;">* Update:</span></em> On a lighter note, here is a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJgMueh-zLM">video link</a> to a confused dog "<span dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="Dog's Own Leg Tries To Steal Bone">Dog's Own Leg Tries To Steal Bone" .... sometimes you just have to laugh.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">---</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em><strong><span style="color: red;">* Update:</span></strong></em> No media even bothered to cover a very successfull weekend open house at Toronto Humane Society, nor did they do anything with last week's be kind to animals week and awards ceremony May25 (</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Included </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simcoe, an 18-hand, eight-year-old Toronto Police Mount and MC Gord Martineau)..... I guess Toronto papers are only interested in bad news... if it bleeds, it leads.... sigh</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em><span style="color: blue;">* Update:</span></em> At least local community paper noticed someone <a href="http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/1017269--humane-society-honours-two-roncesvalles-residents">Link</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">----</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em><strong><span style="color: magenta;">* Update</span></strong></em>: A couple of more mini news bits and blogs...</span><br />
<a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/05/29/urban-scrawl-humane-society-needs-involvement-now-more-than-ever/">http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/05/29/urban-scrawl-humane-society-needs-involvement-now-more-than-ever/</a><br />
<a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/05/30/two-groups-battle-for-humane-society-board/">http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/05/30/two-groups-battle-for-humane-society-board/</a><br />
"<em>The election will pit former president Tim Trow and four of his allies against a board-endorsed slate of five candidates, including two members running for re-election and one long-time volunteer....A total of 18 candidates are running for the five available seats</em>." <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Way to go with simplistic reporting National Post! Yes, Tim Trow and 4 others are running for the 5 available seats, but in a last minute move, Mr. Trow has 3 more on his slate (ie 8 not 5) and hopes to make a motion to turf the top 3 anti-Trow loyalists so he can grab majority on the 15 member board.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">One has always to remember Mr Trow is a lawyer, a profession Readers' Digest survey lists as way down the list as most trusted professions, just above car mechanics.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeQsPbt2Ny288wGQ4_OH1VZXXw5B_iDwfdhtGcXuA_cirXWtlQHmfhAMj2ecx9Uq8PeL8SVpeCc8vV91qYkd_Mg6pzqg-7aqA3UA_L-nPSbW0Pq0Igam8flFU0nvohOsZ7xJ81Luqb0sb/s1600/ATROW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeQsPbt2Ny288wGQ4_OH1VZXXw5B_iDwfdhtGcXuA_cirXWtlQHmfhAMj2ecx9Uq8PeL8SVpeCc8vV91qYkd_Mg6pzqg-7aqA3UA_L-nPSbW0Pq0Igam8flFU0nvohOsZ7xJ81Luqb0sb/s320/ATROW.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFYTvxhFDIgGNoJnpJ7h_KMJ-L0c0BplNR0M-8tpYK_2S39n0Y59sPde8QKVmRWO-DxNBKT_W8-a1bv8saV19jCwLxXulIjvPEGxCOAJX0wIs0jyodjmDmQs-LSAND1QdGaFH5qA3g50w/s1600/lawyer_shark_trust_me_bumper_sticke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFYTvxhFDIgGNoJnpJ7h_KMJ-L0c0BplNR0M-8tpYK_2S39n0Y59sPde8QKVmRWO-DxNBKT_W8-a1bv8saV19jCwLxXulIjvPEGxCOAJX0wIs0jyodjmDmQs-LSAND1QdGaFH5qA3g50w/s320/lawyer_shark_trust_me_bumper_sticke.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><em><span style="color: red;">* Update:</span></em></strong> Sorry, I seem to have neglected an important reference to what the Tim Trow fuss is all about... here is a <a href="http://ottawahumane.ca/news/ospca_release.cfm">LINK</a> to the OSPCA Ontario website where anyone can view the official court documents, affidavits, photos etc of just what the police/ospca investigations found, as well as explanation of <strong>why our justice system failed to prosecute.</strong></div>Ken Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-64959962885585409102011-05-10T18:08:00.005-04:002011-05-10T18:49:12.978-04:00Running for Election - Again<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Toronto Humane Society Elections are coming: May31</span></strong> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">I am a candidate running for election to the board of the *new* Toronto Humane Society. <span style="color: black; font-size: small;">My name is <span style="font-size: large;">Ken Wood</span>.</span></span></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The 123rd Annual General Meeting of The Toronto Humane Society will be held on <strong>Tuesday, May 31</strong>, 2011 at 6 p.m. at 11 River Street Weblink is <a href="http://www.torontohumanesociety.com/AGM/#a">HERE</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxZSaSAzgjzC_qFSTH_7b4Iw3oQt92r9sfmp5jhQvajQrlafpv7PxA-43qmMb8GcURi5l0lTeue8dVOEtg8EyFivEgHIB8D_mON-eJ1Cvgzh0zgHbbyr832OUr3aqwvPspOd6dVS2Bx6q/s1600/KW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>There are 15 seats on The Toronto Humane Society Board of Directors; <strong>five are up for election</strong> at the 2011 AGM. Directors are elected by the membership and serve for a three-year term. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Tim Trow and his own slate are running for election as well. I certainly hope they do not get back in, since tremendous damage was done to THS by Mr. Trow's actions. Should any of them be successful, it only means discord, disruption and possible dysfunction on the board. I believe those loyal to the Trow way of doing things are: Bob Hambley, Ian McConachie, Tony Marner, Margaret Ann Johnson. They represent the scandals of the past, in my view. Some of the entries on this, my blog, dealing with Mr Trow and THS and my views on animals are: <a href="http://davenportdemocracy.blogspot.com/2011/04/tim-trow-toronto-humane-issues-heating.html">here</a> , <a href="http://davenportdemocracy.blogspot.com/2011/04/bad-guy-tim-trow-toronto-humane-society.html">here</a> , <a href="http://davenportdemocracy.blogspot.com/2011/01/is-new-toronto-city-council-anti-animal.html">here</a> , <a href="http://davenportdemocracy.blogspot.com/2010/10/national-feral-cat-day.html">here</a> , <a href="http://davenportdemocracy.blogspot.com/2010/10/tree-saver-ken-becomes-dog-hugger-ken.html">here </a>, and <a href="http://davenportdemocracy.blogspot.com/2010/02/lots-of-local-issues-coming-up.html">here.</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: red;">If any of you reading this are members, please support me.</span></strong> Mr. Trow has traditionally relied on securing proxies of members who do not attend the meeting (which is a legal course of action), but often those same members are not aware of what has and is happening at THS.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This is my bio:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5T-dB8oAJk4t0MUjGg56nWE5Rdd16MQfJa_V_yt_tdlFYbvQnNZzXk_0Yus9O-3TdXWx01C-mi4luWjLoYLXcazO1LMCNs8XqOEj9NwXqzbklo6Xx0f3KOpiaYHG3emoYZalUUkPOvb_/s1600/KenTREE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5T-dB8oAJk4t0MUjGg56nWE5Rdd16MQfJa_V_yt_tdlFYbvQnNZzXk_0Yus9O-3TdXWx01C-mi4luWjLoYLXcazO1LMCNs8XqOEj9NwXqzbklo6Xx0f3KOpiaYHG3emoYZalUUkPOvb_/s320/KenTREE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Ken Wood is a longtime animal caregiver who has had pets since he was a child. He believes that animals teach us compassion and caring for other human beings as well. Familiar with not for profit organizations and governance issues, Ken has served as a board member on the Daily Bread Food Bank and Mainstay (supportive) Housing. Ken recently ran as a city council candidate to highlight the need to update our animal bylaws and recognize the need to spay and neuter our pets. He says the biggest challenge facing the Toronto Humane Society has become fundraising and the urgent need to reach out to a new generation of those that care about animals. We must ensure a stable and vibrant THS for now and into the future.<br />
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Tim Trow might recall me looking something like this back when I was protesting his reign over the THS:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_h-UNvP4rB2JPiJXchNV88QEwCM1qqRDpGZjqz_r_qYMDllVbfrPHEbva8aoQWFgEkbmBuuMvF6PanBAeoHHqe-KoehTAF8o2EzXndeMhnrxeSYclLDKkj6FQesfTaFeTA73MfisnZn5/s1600/KenBBQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_h-UNvP4rB2JPiJXchNV88QEwCM1qqRDpGZjqz_r_qYMDllVbfrPHEbva8aoQWFgEkbmBuuMvF6PanBAeoHHqe-KoehTAF8o2EzXndeMhnrxeSYclLDKkj6FQesfTaFeTA73MfisnZn5/s320/KenBBQ.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">----</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><span style="color: blue;"><em><strong>* Update</strong></em>:</span> Surfing for latest information on Toronto Humane Society on twitter and came across this link:<br />
<a href="http://galangswers.blogspot.com/2011/03/day-in-life-animal-care-worker.html">Day in the Life of an Animal Care Worker</a>. Also, in recent news this: <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-toronto-animal-control-officer/article2016091/">Day in the Life: City Animal Care Officer</a>. And in related news: <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/987897--expired-licence-for-your-cat-or-dog-expect-a-knock-on-the-door?bn=1">Pet Police Knocking on Doors</a> ...<br />
<br />
Notice the difference? In one case, animal caretaker gets paid $11.50/hr, while the City run Toronto Animal Services Bylaw Officer get paid between $62,150 and $70,054 a year (about $38/hr). Makes you wonder why the gravy train is still running in Ford nation....Ken Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-50146854815812799572011-04-27T10:02:00.002-04:002011-04-27T10:20:05.791-04:00Councillor Language Proves Bias<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><strong>OBJECTIONABLE LANGUAGE BY COUNCILLOR PARKER</strong></span><br />
<br />
Just saw this at 10:00am April 27th on Twitter:<br />
goldsbie Jonathan Goldsbie<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> Parker just used the phrase "<span style="color: blue;">another way to skin the cat</span>."</span></strong> I'm guessing that's not one he picked up in the Legislature. 11 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply <br />
<br />
This must have been at <strong>Public Works and Infrastructure Committee</strong> (2010-2014) meeting April 26, 2011 - 9:30 AM - Meeting 3 whose members are: Mark Grimes, Mike Layton, Denzil Minnan-Wong (Chair), <strong>John Parker</strong>, Gord Perks, David Shiner<br />
<br />
This is something that the<strong> Licensing and Standards Committee</strong> (2010-2014) whose members are:<br />
Glenn De Baeremaeker, Chin Lee, Gloria Lindsay Luby, Frances Nunziata. Cesar Palacio (Chair), Anthony Perruzza and have the responsibility for Toronto Animal Services ought to take note of and censure Mr. John Parker for his careless comments.<br />
<br />
I call upon the Toronto City Integrity Commissioner, Janet Leiper, to investigate Mr. Parker's intemperate language and public statements made at the above mentioned meeting.<br />
In a time when animal abuse is seen as an important issue, such public statements made by a public official are unacceptable and not only reflect poorly on Toronto City Council, but are inflammatory and seem on the surface to condone illegal and criminal behaviour.<br />
---<br />
<br />
I have filed a complaint with the city's Integrity Commissioner, for all the good it will probably do. sigh.Ken Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-48477743906122864512011-04-22T19:11:00.006-04:002011-04-22T22:02:55.690-04:00"PEOPLE LIKE YOU..." says the TTC<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><strong>PEOPLE LIKE YOU ...</strong></span><br />
<br />
No, its not a compliment that I received today,<strong> it ended in an arrest by Toronto Police</strong>, courtesy of a situation precipitated by a judgemental and 'higher than thou' TTC driver on the 506 College eastbound bus, a few houses down the street where I live, College and Lansdowne.<br />
<br />
It happened at about 3:45pm today (Good Friday) and I am posting this at 6:21pm, after I ran my errands after being released from uncomfortable police custody in the back of one of their cramped cruises, while in over-tight handcuffs. They purposely have the from seats pushed back as far as it will go and I still have ligature marks on my wrists.<br />
<br />
... But this is not about the police, who just did their jobs as a cog in the system.<br />
<br />
This is about the <strong><span style="color: red;">Toronto Transit Commission</span></strong> and <strong>how customers are considered second class freight by (<u>some</u>) arrogant drivers.</strong> Since this record will no doubt be used in my upcoming court case, and because I believe in truth, here are the details:<br />
<br />
1. I walked to the corner and waited at the northwest corner for the College streetcar. There were already about 20+ people there.<br />
<br />
2. After what felt like a 15-20 minute wait (wish I had timed it), and watching bus after bus just bypass and go down Dundas (which I thought was closed), the 506 bus and the soon to be offending driver pulls up.<br />
<br />
3. The young female driver (a rookie?) commences to have a long conversation with another young lady who boarded after me and seemed to be a friend, while about 10 people, many of them elderly, wait to board.<br />
<br />
4. I was seated about halfway down the bus and went to the front, feeling concerned that people were waiting, and simply asked the driver "<strong>What's the holdup</strong>?"<br />
<br />
5. She replies "Just be patient sir." I replied "We've been patient enough" . Yes I was feeling irritated at the wait, but did not express it other than to say "<strong>Let's just get moving</strong>" and turned to walk away.<br />
<br />
6. Driver says "<strong>If you don't like it, get out and take a taxi</strong>". Now, understand that I am on disability, low income and the last time I took a taxi was when I had to go to the hospital after a fall and tore a hamstring. I resent being reminded of my poverty, and her statement was inflammatory.<br />
<br />
7. It may have been at this time that I said was was only the worst thing that I could have said: "<strong>Oh, go to hell</strong>"... or it may have been later, since the driver continued to escalate and bait me.<br />
<br />
9. The driver then said <strong>'Get off my bus</strong>" and stopped just in front of the Tim Horton's I always frequent. I replied "No, I've got a valid fare" and held up my monthy April TTC pass again.<br />
<br />
10. Driver then says "Its' <strong><span style="color: red;">PEOPLE LIKE YOU</span></strong> <strong>who are the problem</strong>..." Now I admit, this bothered me as I would most anyone I think, as it is a put down that is a classist statement intended to diminish the value of another human being.<br />
<br />
11. I inform the driver I would be filing a complaint, and the driver says "<strong>Go ahead, I won't lose my job over a complaint</strong>". To me, this is obnviously a reference to the fact that the TTC has a strong union and no complaints would ever be taken seriously or have conseuences.<br />
<br />
12. The 'won't lose my job' complaint to me was yet another further escalation, said loudly and with a smirk on her face, again intended to 'put me in my place' so to speak.<br />
<br />
13. At this point, I am angry enough to decide then and there to stand up for my rights as a human being, entitled to some respect just like anyone else. I strongly point out that I did not swear or become abusive or threatening to the driver in any way. In fact, there was a man between me and the driver who was chatting with her during this, and a relatively full busload of passengers.<br />
<br />
14. Now, we have one bus stopped and not moving. The driver calls TTC control to report 'an abusive passenger who won't get off the bus' and proceeds to describe me as old, balding, etc. I spoke loud enough such that the TTC controller would know who I was, giving clearly my name, address and telephone number. My thought was there was no point in delaying the bus, I was on it and they knew who I was. Besides there are in bus cameras taking down the entire exchange.<br />
<br />
15. TTC control soon comes over the bus speakers and announces the bus out of service and told all passengers to exit.<br />
<br />
16. At about this point I decide to document things myself using my cell phone camera to take photos and video of the bus, identifying number, etc. <br />
<br />
17. The police have not arrived, another bus pulls up and I get off to get on it. Driver 1 (young female) says, "no dont let him on" but I already am. Driver 2 (a guy with a small beard) comes back and says his bus is now out of service.<br />
<br />
18. I get off bus 2 and get back on bus 1. Now 2 buses are out of service. This is ridiculous.<br />
<br />
19. Police have still not arrived (I am standing up for what I believe is an impotant issue, having to do with human rights<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"> *</span> more on this at end of this post), so <br />
<br />
20 I call 311 to ensure that at least there is a record of what is happening and ask to lodge a complaint against the TTC. The 311 operator doesn't know what to do, so I ask him to take my name and telephone number and to advise my local city councillor Ana Bailao. The reason for this is that I have had concerns about TTC issues of safety and customer service for some time, having posted about it on my weblog and in emails to TTC Chair Karen Stintz as well as discussions with Ana. I intend to file a complaint.<br />
<br />
21. Police arrive and I gladly exit the bus to explain what happened, to an initially sympathetic officer - while the other officer (Hollingshead) talks to the TTC driver. I ask if I am being arrested and he says no.<br />
<br />
22. By now there are crowds watching 2 idling buses and police questioning me and the driver, with traffic slowed and gawking at the roadside show.<br />
<br />
23. I have to admit by this point I am disgusted with the whole over the top situation, but I am not one to back down when I feel I am being treated unfairly (by the TTC, I stress, police are still just doing their job).<br />
<br />
24. Since the statements appear to have been taken, I try to board the bus and officer Hollingshead blocks my entry. If I am not under arrest and I have a valid fare, why not I ask. Things are fuzzy here as I think I tried to board, angry that I was being refused, in my thought, all access to TTC buses. And here I did do a stupid thing, puting my foot up to board (my stubborness did me in). I am absolutely sure I did not touch or push the officer, but in a frenzied whirl I am speedily manhandled, twisted around and handcuffed.<br />
<br />
25. Now I am frisked over the trunk of the police car, relieved of all my belongings and consigned to the cramped back seat of the cruiser. I see out the window buses idling, 2 police cars (including the one I was in) and a TTC supervisor car. While I wait for about an hour, with the blood ciculation in my hands cut off, I think over the events. I hear on the police radio that the incident for my call is Delta 137173. I also hear a police call for an assault situation at 1011 Lansdowne and calls for a traffic car at College and Ossington.<br />
<br />
26. I am shamed that the incident involving me was responded to in such an over the top fashion and that police resources were being taken up bt this. I am however certain of the rightness of my concerns in how the TTC often treats the 'lower classes'. I am glad to at least know that now there will be a full report of the incident so I can actually follow up and not be just ignored, as often happens to those with no power or status.<br />
<br />
27. After what seemed an eternity, the car pulls round in front of the bus and I am told to get out of the car. I am released from the cuffs and given back my belongings. I ask why I wasn't being taken to the station and told I was being given a ticket. $50 fine for trespass. I will fight it.<br />
<br />
28. I think at this point another bus pulls up (#3) and I go to get on it (after all I was not under arrest and had valid fare). The driver refuses me access and the supervisor comes up and say no as well. What gives? Am I being refused access to the entire TTC system? <br />
<br />
29. The kindly police officer (good cop, bad cop teams?) comes to tell me that I cannot board. After some confusion I realize its because I 'had words' with him, ie. an interchange so the police have to document this while another bus is out of service: Driver 3: "You can't get on" Me: "Why" Driver 3: "Because I said so"... that was pretty much the entirety of the conversation.<br />
<br />
30. NOW... bus number 4 pulls up and I am invited to board by the police.<br />
<br />
31. As I go towards the bus, the bearded TTC Supervisor feels compelled to come to me and say "You know, it's<strong><span style="color: red;"> PEOPLE LIKE YOU</span></strong> that cause all the problems...." He goes on to say, "<strong>My job is to protect my people</strong> from <strong><span style="color: red;">PEOPLE LIKE YOU</span></strong>"<br />
...I thank him for giving me a title and sweet soundbite for the whole incident and its deeper meaning:<br />
<br />
.... Someday <strong><span style="color: purple;">People Like You</span></strong>.... can quickly become <strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">PEOPLE LIKE ME</span></strong> ....<br />
<br />
I am looking foward to my day in court.<br />
----<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">* <em><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">There is background to this that bears consideration. I travel on the Queen Streetcar, the Dufferin and Ossington buses. I too often see abusive TTC drivers who give those that are 'down and out' a really hard time. They are challenged much more often to again produce valid transfers just because of the way they look. A few times, I've heard drivers say really nasty demeaning things like 'you're a waste of time' or 'what? all you can give me is pennies? or 'I don't want YOU on my bus (before they even board or speak'. I do say that it is only<u> some</u> drivers, in my estimate maybe 10% at most and usually not the drivers on the regular runs (probably overtime work from another more classy route).</span></em></span><br />
<br />
<em>Still, the customer deserves some respect, don't you think?</em><br />
<br />
<em>---</em><br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: blue;">* Update</span></strong>: 8:50pm Friday - I checked the TTC website for the bylaws, since I was charged as "</em><strong>Failed to leave premises when directed Trespass to Property Ac 2 (1) (b)</strong>. "<br />
----<br />
<strong>TTC bylaws</strong> <em>make no direct mention of this, other than possibly:</em><br />
<em>3.24 No person, unless otherwise authorized, shall <strong>loiter</strong> in or on TTC property.</em><br />
<br />
<em>... </em><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is this what I am being found guilty of ?</span><br />
<em>3.25 No person shall cause a disturbance or act contrary to the public peace on TTC property, including but not limited to:</em><br />
<em>a) urinating, expectorating or defecating, except in facilities specifically intended for such actions;</em><br />
<em>b) using profane, insulting or obscene language or gestures; ...<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is the word 'hell' profane?</span></em><br />
<em>c) behaving in an indecent or offensive manner; </em><br />
<em>d) shining any type of light at an operator of a TTC vehicle or any other passenger; </em><br />
<em>e) fighting; or</em><br />
<em>f) behaving in a manner which would interfere with the ordinary enjoyment of persons using the transit system. ... <span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A wonderful 'anything else we can think of' catchphrase?</span></em><br />
<em>----</em><br />
<strong>The Trespass to Property Act says</strong>: R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER T.21<br />
<br />
Trespass an offence<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">2. (1) Every person who is not acting under a right or authority conferred by law and who,</span></strong><br />
(a) without the express permission of the occupier, the proof of which rests on the defendant,<br />
(i) enters on premises when entry is prohibited under this Act, or<br />
(ii) engages in an activity on premises when the activity is prohibited under this Act; or<br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">(b) does not leave the premises immediately after he or she is directed to do so by the occupier of the premises or a person authorized by the occupier,</span></strong><br />
is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $2,000. R.S.O. 1990, c. T.21, s. 2 (1).<br />
------<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: purple;">* Update:</span></em></strong> 9:46pm I sent in a signed, faxed complaint to TTC customer service. I am told by their site I can expect followup in 7 business days (May 3rd). Stay tuned. This was the exact complaint just sent:<br />
<br />
<em>Comments:</em> Driver held up the much delayed bus with a conversation with a friend/passenger while elderly people waited to board. I asked What the holdup was, She said, Be patient, I said we've been patient enough and turned to sit down. Driver escalated several times, saying: 1. If you dont like it, get out and take a taxi; 2. It's PEOPLE LIKE YOU who are the problem; 3. I'm not going to lose my job over a complaint (laughs) - after I said I would file a complaint. Resulted in about 3+ buses being delayed, Police called, me being arrested. I shall fight this complaint in court and will be talking to the media. Note that my chief complaint is with the TTC cultural attitude of 'my people, you people'. Since I have to put this in writing it is only fair that you respond in kind. kenwood@bell.net I would be happy to speak with your new customer service guru to resolve this.<br />
Date and Time of Event (yyyy-mm-dd): 2011-04-22 03:45 PM<br />
<br />
Employee Badge Number: unknown<br />
<br />
Employee Description: Young, female driver<br />
Gender: Female<br />
Vehicle No.: 1626<br />
<br />
Run No.: 506 Ossington<br />
Licence Plate: I have a photo<br />
Route name and/or Number: 506 bus eastbound<br />
Vehicle direction of travel: East<br />
Location of Occurrence: College and Lansdowne<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Reference Number #52481 </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">----</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Note: I have also emailed TTC Chair and Councillor Stintz and cc'd my local Councillor Ana Bailao.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</span>Ken Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-72352371463886208242011-04-16T07:56:00.004-04:002011-04-16T12:27:15.882-04:00Disturbing News About Political Campaigns<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><strong>Do Any of These News Stories Make You Mad Enough to Vote?</strong></span><br />
<br />
"...<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">political parties are exempt from Canada’s privacy rules</span></strong>, said David Fraser, a privacy lawyer with Halifax-based McInnes Cooper. “They can collect, use and disclose your personal information without your consent and they can use it for whatever purpose they want.” <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/975620--email-to-mp-lands-woman-in-campaign-database?bn=1">Email to MP Lands Woman in Campaign Database</a><br />
<br />
"In its findings, the poll says “Canadians’ <strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">primary reaction to the English debates was annoyance</span></strong>. “There was none of the engagement, excitement, happiness or even interest that we have observed with more stellar political performances (also tested with this polling tool).” <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/975746--tv-debates-annoyed-canadians-poll-finds?bn=1">TV Debates Annoyed Canadians</a><br />
<br />
"the Conservative Party is facing an allegation of <strong>election tampering</strong> after trying to have 700 votes cast by students earlier this week at the University of Guelph declared null and void...The Liberals say officials with Guelph Conservative candidate Marty Burke <strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">illegally filmed voters and then tried to snatch away the ballot box,</span></strong> a great big election no-no." <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/975507--elections-canada-rejects-tory-bid-to-quash-student-votes">Elections Canada Rejects Tory Bid to Quash Student Votes</a><br />
<br />
“I was told <strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">the RCMP had done a screening</span></strong> and that perhaps my name was affiliated with something on Facebook or the Internet,” MacDonald told the Star. “Something that made me unfit to enter. They wouldn’t say what it was...MacDonald says she has never been affiliated with any political party. Nor has she participated in any anti-government or anti-Conservative rallies. " <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/970185--another-student-barred-from-conservative-party-rally">Another Student Barred from Conservative Party Rally</a> ... "The Royal Canadian Mounted Police admitted Wednesday that the phalanx of officers assigned as the Prime Minister’s bodyguards <span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><strong>overstepped their bounds to enforce Harper’s closed-to-the-public re-election bid. </strong></span>Their transgressions include blocking and ejecting those whose only crime is to seek out the Tory chief’s election message without advance notice or sufficient party glee." <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/970029--rcmp-implicated-in-harper-s-closed-to-public-campaign">RCMP Implicated in Harper's Closed to Public Campaign</a><br />
<br />
...And this posting from <a href="http://www.junctiontriangle.ca/node/1066#comment-3842">the Junction Triangle website</a> :<br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">"(Mario) Silva</span></strong> at Digin<br />
<br />
<br />
I attended the DigIn meeting on Tuesday April 12. I won’t recount the whole evening here but I do think it’s important to make some observations about the behaviour of the current incumbent, Liberal MP Mario Silva. I feel it is necessary to single him out for a couple of reasons. One, he is our representative in Ottawa who <strong>currently makes $170,000 per year</strong> and I can find little evidence in the riding of how he’s earning it. Two, I was very disappointed by his behaviour and I feel he oozed the arrogance and entitlement of past Liberal governments, not to mention the current Conservative one.<br />
<br />
Mr. Silva arrived about 20 minutes late and he used his own introduction to take a few shots at the NDP party and their candidate Andrew Cash. The first questioner from the audience asked Mr. Silva if he could please put his Blackberry away (he was reading and writing text messages while in the front of the room) and give the audience and the other candidates his full attention. Silva’s response was unapologetic. He put the device away but said he was capable of multitasking and that he was listening to what was going on. So much for respect.<br />
<br />
My question was why, if he supports the electrification of the rail corridor that runs through the riding, was he not at the Human Train rally organized by the <strong>Clean Train Coalition</strong>. He talked for a while about meetings and so on but he didn’t answer the question. When pressed to answer, the best he could do was admit<strong> he didn’t know why he wasn’t at the rally.</strong> In a phone conversation with him last year Mr. Silva told me he didn’t know about the rally! There were only about a thousand people there who came together around the single most important issue in this riding. Gerard Kennedy was there, as was Peggy Nash, Cheri DiNovo and many other political players. What does this say of Mr. Silva’s concern for his own riding of Davenport?<br />
<br />
When asked about his attendance and <strong>voting record in the House of Commons (67 absences I believe</strong>) Mr. Silva did not really account for the lapse but instead declared he had a very good record as it fell within the top 20% of MP’s voting records. He then went on to attack another riding’s NDP member (and by association Mr. Cash) whose record was worse than his own. As this progressed <strong>Mr. Silva got more agitated and started yelling at Mr. Cash and the woman who asked the question</strong>. It was a poor display of overblown indignation and underneath it all he revealed a “how dare you question me” attitude. This is pretty bold coming from a politician who, time and again, is pretty much invisible in the riding until an election is called. Perhaps he is too busy getting his Phd from a University in Ireland. My understanding is his thesis is about failed states. I guess he would know. How unfortunate for Davenport. But how fortunate that we have the chance to make a change."Ken Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-34811955236476125552011-04-06T14:07:00.004-04:002011-04-06T14:18:19.567-04:00Tim Trow, Toronto Humane Issues Heating UpFollowup to this post <a href="http://davenportdemocracy.blogspot.com/2011/04/bad-guy-tim-trow-toronto-humane-society.html">HERE</a> ...<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Messy Times for Toronto Humane Society</span></strong> (thanks to Tim Trow)<br />
Listening to <strong>CFRB </strong>1010 am radio <strong>Jim Richards</strong> talk show today about 1:45pm<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Tim Trow</span></strong> spoke and was asked some pointed questions, most of which he deflected or denied:<br />
(tried to be exact in wording, but went something like this)<br />
<br />
Host: What's this about? Are you wanting back in as President or are you just clearing your name?<br />
<br />
Trow: Neither, just an effort to talk to members about the concerning things going on there, like closing the wildlife centre...<br />
<br />
Host: But didn't that happen before the new board and changes, as a result of OSPCA investigations?<br />
<br />
Trow: No, I don't know why they stripped it (<em>really?</em>)<br />
<br />
Host: I know criminal charges were dropped against you, but it was more a technicality charter violatiuon thing and pretty much you didn't have your day in court...<br />
<br />
Trow: Yes in part, but also the crown prosecutor said that investigations prior to '09 had not sufficient evidence to prosecute..<br />
<br />
Host: There were a number of allegations when you were there that the place was not well run...<br />
<br />
Trow: The place was very well run. We were very, very full all the time and now there is just a trickle of animals...<br />
<br />
Host: They said you're not a fun guy to work with...<br />
<br />
Trow: I had the highest plurality ever in my last election.... <br />
<em><span style="color: purple;">(<strong>It wasn't brought up that Trow misused the proxy system and sly, questionable campaign correspondence and confusing forms to secure 769 proxies at a meeting where only a relative handful of the 1800 or so members actually showed up to vote</strong></span></em><strong>)</strong><br />
<br />
Host: What about fundraising? I understand that Toronto Humane has had a tough time of it lately...<br />
<br />
Trow: When I was there we did not have that problem, we took in $11 million...<br />
<br />
Host: But the other side would say that's because you sullied the THS reputation?<br />
<br />
Trow: No, I know how to fundraise. You get donations by doing things. They see lots of animals helped... now very few animals are being helped...<br />
<br />
Host:: There were also accusations that animals suffered under your watch...<br />
<br />
Trow: No, not true. Thats a terrible thing to say about someone who gives all their time to help animals...<br />
<br />
Host: But there were charges you directed what to do with animals...<br />
<br />
Trow: No. I didn't decide who lived or died, that decision was made by the chief veterinarian (Sheridan)... yes, we'd speak about animals sometimes, he'd ask if there was funding for costly procedures, but he made all the decisions. I never interfered.<br />
<br />
Trow: Last year the city pound took in 2,000 additional cats because nothing was going through Toronto Humane. They euthanized more than 40% of them. At least we tried to help...<br />
<br />
- end of interview -<br />
<br />
Note: <strong>Marcie Laking</strong>, the new Vice President of Toronto Humane Society was to have spoken, but she had a bad land line at the beginning, then for unknown reasons (damn!) she was never heard from as the segment ended and they went to the news.<br />
<br />
SADLY - Jim Richards speculated that perhaps she just hung up because she didn't like the way the interview was going....<br />
<br />
I called the show and tried to comment on air but no dice.....Ken Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-24804713166136932462011-04-06T00:45:00.008-04:002011-04-18T11:43:02.748-04:00The High Cost of Running for CouncilThank you Mr. Joe Fiorito !<br />
---------------------------<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><strong>The High Cost of Running for Council</strong></span><br />
By <strong>Joe Fiorito</strong>, City Columnist <strong>THE TORONTO STAR</strong> - Wednesday, April 6, 2011<br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/969464--fiorito-the-high-cost-of-running-for-council">weblink</a><br />
<br />
Ken Wood sat in the Tim’s at Lansdowne and College with a binder, a sheaf of papers, a cup of coffee and a plate of humble pie on the table in front of him.<br />
<br />
Ken ran for city council in Ward 18 and he never stood a chance. That’s not the point — that’s never the point — but now he’s in a jam because his backers are out of pocket, and they’re miffed.<br />
<br />
First things first. <br />
<br />
His bona fides? “I remember going to a free trade protest in Quebec City and getting tear-gassed. And I was at the convention that elected Trudeau.” <br />
<br />
He was beaten by police at a rally in Toronto in 2001, after which he sued and was awarded a tidy settlement. Oh, and he chained himself to a tree during the construction mess on Lansdowne Ave. a couple of years ago; he saved the tree.<br />
<br />
Not bad bona fides.<br />
<br />
Why did he run? “I’d had some issues in the neighbourhood, and my councillor wasn’t much help.” So Ken, who is on disability, decided to enter the race. It cost him a hundred bucks.<br />
<br />
“It gave me a platform to talk about poverty, housing — issues that don’t get addressed.” The ward skews poor. “Maybe poverty isn’t being talked about because poor people aren’t running . . . I figured I could reinforce the messages.” Which is what he did, at four or five public debates.<br />
<br />
How did it feel to debate? “It was a bit scary. I wondered whether I should polish a speech. In the end I decided that I know my issues, so I just responded from the heart.”<br />
<br />
How did his heart poll? “I got 101 votes; less than one guy who didn’t even campaign — a guy who had no flyers, didn’t come to the debates, and no one could reach him.”<br />
<br />
Ken’s votes are not the point, the process is the point. On election day, he was his own scrutineer; later that evening, he attended a party held by the Green candidate and talked politics all night.<br />
<br />
What did he learn about running? “That it’s not as difficult as most people might think.” <br />
<br />
His problem? “When I registered, I attended the city’s orientation session. They talked about donor contributions, how people would get 75 per cent of their donations back.” <br />
<br />
Ken cheerfully raised $745 from four donors: his sister, a friend, a neighbour, and a guy he knows who is a fellow cat rescue volunteer.<br />
<br />
“I couldn’t afford signs. I ran flyers off at home, or at the copy shop. I spent the money on ink and paper, and on my cellphone — a pay-as-you-go plan.” <br />
<br />
He spent precisely what he raised, but when he went to file his expenses in time for the March 24 deadline, he was reminded that he had to submit an audited statement if his contributors were to get their rebates. <br />
<br />
The rules, according to city by-laws: “Candidates are required to hire an auditor if they are: <br />
<br />
• participating in the contribution rebate programme (mayor and councillors only) <br />
<br />
• accepting contributions or incurring expenses over $10,000.” (end italics)<br />
<br />
Ken said, “I read that as not a worry because I wasn’t over $10,000.” An innocent, but costly, mistake. “I was told there’s no appeal.” <br />
<br />
He has filed provisionally, and has until September; but an audited statement would cost him $500 and he isn’t sure if he can raise the money. <br />
<br />
He’d be grateful if council would consider changing the audit rule from “will require” to “may require,” which is how the province does it.<br />
<br />
Why should council make the change? Because we don’t need barriers to democracy in Toronto.<br />
<br />
Joe Fiorito appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Email: <a href="mailto:jfiorito@thestar.ca">jfiorito@thestar.ca</a><br />
-----------<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: red;">Update:</span></em></strong> Some followup from the article release... (Still feels strange to be heard)<br />
<br />
Tweet: 416647905 @KenWood_ward18 good article, i usually rag on Fiorito, but i appreciate ur plight,i'm willing to donate some $ if needed #topoli #tocouncil<br />
<br />
Tweet: 416647905 @TOMayorFord If you can do something to fix this, please do. Thank you. http://tinyurl.com/3e49wgk #ward18 #topoli #TOCouncil<br />
<br />
Tweet: rbmorra @KenWood_ward18 Why don't you get @<strong>Ward18AnaBailao</strong> working on this very worthy issue! #ward18 <br />
(<em><span style="color: red;">Note: I spoke with her and she is looking into it. Also I hope <strong>Joe Mihevc</strong> and <strong>Josh Matlow</strong> will help)</span></em><br />
<br />
A comment in the Star: A nice guy. Ken Wood sounds honest and sincere and what’s more he really seems to care about the issues - in other words a nice guy. Unfortunately and in the traditional sense nice guys come where? LAST!! Good luck Mr. Wood - don’t give up the fight - remember, the current administration at City Hall is not philosophically in tune with the issue’s you care about - the poor and the disadvantaged!! adrian<br />
------<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: red;">UPDATE (April 18):</span></strong></em> Since the Star article, I have had 2 other people contact me that are in the same boat. No doubt there are othere (47 people did not file in time for the March 24th deadline - speculating whether it was because of this discouragement)Ken Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-23128046780524293312011-04-05T14:51:00.007-04:002011-04-06T00:23:21.518-04:00Bad Guy Tim Trow Toronto Humane Society Just Won't Quit<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">How On Earth Did <span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span> </span>Become Tim Trow's Friend?</span></strong><br />
<br />
Remember? Back on <strong>May 29, 2009</strong> when the big scandals at the (old) <strong>Toronto Humane Society</strong> broke, in a news story by Globe and Mail's <strong>Kate Hammer</strong>, investigative reporter, entitled: <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/killing-them-with-kindness/article1160810/">KILLING THEM WITH KINDNESS</a>. It was followed by more and more terrible revelations about mismanagement and animal mistreatment and neglect. Police raids occurred, people were arrested and the OSPCA spent months doing investigations and restoring the shelter to an acceptable state.<br />
<br />
I attended this rally in the rain on June 20, 2009 along with many other upset animal lovers:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpwmyGjULMcUD3lTpcoKyoOwHEwlUtkupHW0EzJt-cHZvFR7CvMu6PCvJTK04rmww-LKd1YOiqYFFWAULCppUhz5M08BIJL3PPbpVOS6YKGMRSfNYfHIuGDgtfxf21jp-9Vr3E04Z_vBf/s1600/June2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="124" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpwmyGjULMcUD3lTpcoKyoOwHEwlUtkupHW0EzJt-cHZvFR7CvMu6PCvJTK04rmww-LKd1YOiqYFFWAULCppUhz5M08BIJL3PPbpVOS6YKGMRSfNYfHIuGDgtfxf21jp-9Vr3E04Z_vBf/s320/June2009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After this rally, I was threatened with a lawsuit by Tim and THS for saying they did not spay/neuter adopted out animals (it was true, so nothing came of it)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then, in November 2009: Five people named in the search warrants are being arrested and charged with criminal offences based on the contents in the search warrants, which were executed.:</div><br />
• Tim Trow, THS President, will be charged with Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (2 counts), Cruelty to Animals (2 counts), and Obstruction of a Peace Officer (3 counts).<br />
<br />
• Gary McCracken, THS General Manager, will be charged with Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (2 counts), Cruelty to Animals, and Obstruction of a Peace Officer (3 counts).<br />
<br />
• Dr. Steve Sheridan, THS Head Veterinarian, will be charged with Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence and Cruelty to Animals.<br />
<br />
• Andy Bechtel will be charged with Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (2 counts), Cruelty to Animals, and Obstruction of a Peace Officer (3 counts).<br />
<br />
• Romeo Bernadino will be charged with Conspiracy to Commit and Indictable Offence (2 counts), Cruelty to Animals, and Obstruction of a Peace Officer (3 counts).<br />
<br />
• All of the above, as well as the THS Board of Directors, are also being charged with five counts of animal cruelty, a provincial offence under the Ontario SPCA Act<br />
<br />
The charges stem from an investigation that was launched in early 2009 in response to allegations of animal cruelty. The OSPCA conducted the investigation with the help of private investigators from The Investigators Group under the authority of the Ontario SPCA Act, 2009. Under the Act, the OSPCA is responsible for enforcing animal cruelty statutes in Ontario. It is also responsible for overseeing animal welfare shelters such as local humane societies.<br />
---<br />
A completely new board was elected after the courts ordered it (Tim Trow was playing fast and loose with proxies, notices and correspondence to ensure he stayed in power as long as he did).<br />
<br />
We thought Tim Trow was gone for good.<br />
<br />
The old board resigned en masse in April, 2010. Toronto Sun article reports: "Justice David Brown put the THS on notice, warning it’s the third time in less than 25 years that the courts have had to deal with complaints against the Toronto society. “I emphasize the need for continued vigilance and diligence by the THS, its board, staff and members, in reforming their animal care practices,” Brown said."<br />
<br />
A new board was elected in May, 2010.<br />
<br />
Then - on August 16, 2010 all charges were dropped! <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2010/08/16/humane-society-charges-dropped589.html">CBC news story</a> - due to technicalities and irregularities in the search: "Ultimately, the Crown has concluded that the lawfulness and execution of these warrants were seriously flawed to such an extent that the Crown would be unable to successfully tender the evidence seized during these searches," the prosecutors wrote.<br />
----<br />
<br />
SO.... what does all this have to do with today?<br />
Well, I got this friendly letter in the mail from my old pal Tim:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcvxZSJDzDnVtMyXFQE_2G7h88cQ9qcv61AxaeAtxaZJi0v-4smVxW3Kbr_HP0qlHj0V68OFSDf7D8csqsM93wDuIrM8SVsGiexSdZjf4TitK8_9hkpJSpMGXM1dR_J2vRsvfEohIzXji/s1600/TimTrowpage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcvxZSJDzDnVtMyXFQE_2G7h88cQ9qcv61AxaeAtxaZJi0v-4smVxW3Kbr_HP0qlHj0V68OFSDf7D8csqsM93wDuIrM8SVsGiexSdZjf4TitK8_9hkpJSpMGXM1dR_J2vRsvfEohIzXji/s320/TimTrowpage1.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUR8bb-WWH4GqkPp20mdL2XoHlIO9kWtxg_Hh4Ku4x5iyjmgZqEnaNWuDR2Kh4xKnUw9zw7cRMp7AFn-eaFBBOrKPacS7A1612sVAdj5KA2wOQRb4_oZc3j9Rp9N0UemC3aSfuPAUhsCd-/s1600/TimTrowpage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUR8bb-WWH4GqkPp20mdL2XoHlIO9kWtxg_Hh4Ku4x5iyjmgZqEnaNWuDR2Kh4xKnUw9zw7cRMp7AFn-eaFBBOrKPacS7A1612sVAdj5KA2wOQRb4_oZc3j9Rp9N0UemC3aSfuPAUhsCd-/s320/TimTrowpage2.jpg" width="248" /></a><br />
Perhaps hard to read, but it goes on...and on about how terrible the new board is (they are not) and seems to be advocating for support to return him to his previous dictator position. Here is a <a href="http://timtrow.ca/letter.htm">link</a> to the content of the letter.<br />
<br />
Now, <strong>how did he get my address?</strong> I was a member several years ago and only took out membership again last fall after the new board was elected. Isn't this abuse of personal information, since Tim is no longer in charge? (I have an inquiry in to THS).<br />
<br />
Oh how I wish Tim could simply be rejected for "poor character" like <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/969073--would-be-lawyer-rejected-by-ontario-s-law-society-for-poor-character">this story</a>.<br />
<br />
Update: Here is the <a href="http://timtrow.ca/">link</a> to his new website: "created to help the animals".<br />
Yeah, right. <strong>More likely created as a revenge vehicle by this seriously screwed up guy.</strong><br />
---------<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: red;">Update:</span></em></strong> From a Toronto Sun story March 18, 2011 ...<br />
Continuing Toronto Humane Society dogfights have resulted in the latest CEO’s axing — not just from the job, but from the beleaguered agency.<br />
<br />
Garth Jerome’s dismissal prompted two volunteer board members to quit in protest, the Toronto Sun has learned. Sources said Friday the new board appointed Jerome, a well-respected, well-liked veteran THS biologist, as an administrator last summer.“He did his best, but was not an experienced supervisor,” one source said, adding Jerome was required to dismiss several employees.<br />
<br />
Instead of him getting another THS job, he was replaced by an interim CEO., Board treasurer Ian Wintrip and member Garnet Siddall then quit.A permanent CEO’s appointment is expected at the society’s annual meeting May 31.<br />
<br />
Siddall said “the trigger” for her resigning was “the decision by the board to terminate Garth’s role.“I had been working closely with Garth on a project and felt that he was doing his level best to make the THS a better place,” she wrote in an e-mail, adding “he could have had a future there.”<br />
Siddall and 10-month president Michael Downey cited confidentiality for not disclosing reasons for Jerome leaving.<br />
<br />
In a February release announcing interim CEO Christopher Barry’s appointment, Downey said “over the last three years, we have gone through incredible change,” so the board decided the THS needed “a new management.”Jerome, who Downey said he met recently, “is doing very well” and is helping interim CEO Christopher Barry with undisclosed projects.He denied rumours of the 25,000-square foot River St. facility being for sale.Jerome was not expected at home until late.<br />
<br />
Almost one-third the THS’s members resigned after an Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals raid in November 2009 in which then-THS president Tim Trow and chief veterinarian Steve Sheridan were arrested.Accused of animal cruelty, their charges were dropped last August.Other employees were barred, but some returned while the OSPCA ran the facility, where animal numbers were reduced. <br />
<br />
Several staffers were dismissed after a new board’s election last May, led by OSPCA supporter Linda MacKinnon, who campaigned as part of the small Association for the Reform of The Toronto Humane Society.MacKinnon, who referred an interview request to Downey, was described by sources as combative and unpopular with many employees.<br />
<br />
One source said disgruntled members are trying to get Trow re-elected. New THS bylaws are expected to be announced March <a href="mailto:ian.robertson@sunmedia.ca">ian.robertson@sunmedia.ca</a><br />
-------<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: blue;">Update:</span></em></strong> National Post article April 5th <a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/04/05/ex-president-of-humane-society-set-for-return/">Ex-President of Humane Society Set for Return</a><br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: red;">Update:</span></em></strong> Toronto Start article April 5th <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/article/969821--former-toronto-humane-society-president-decries-new-board">Former Toronto Humane Society President Decries New Board</a>Ken Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034183103226510871.post-40756491419880252202011-04-03T10:48:00.009-04:002011-04-03T11:39:47.569-04:00Closing the Election Campaign<strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">My Campaign Literature From the Election Campaign</span></strong><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Someone suggested I should have posted my campaign literature on the blog, as a kind of record of why I was running and what ideas/issues I had hoped to have an impact on. Here they are:</span><br />
<br />
<em>My First Attempts</em>, using the "Tree Guy" photo one of the newspapers published when I chained myself to a tree to save it from clear cutting during the Lansdowne narrowing fiasco in 2007 (you could say I fought city hall and - surprisingly - won!):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfUnDM3um_QCSFJd06JOu6daHthlzPq2sUjxu7oVCsdnqKvlO92uv6QMUuNDgHxE9tmvcpg9uOXCbWbg3it0PFFHjRZi-E1TLleVskB0T1kjsI7Ki-YEGeblUtg-m4kRqWmuz2yAwZdKH/s1600/CampLit0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfUnDM3um_QCSFJd06JOu6daHthlzPq2sUjxu7oVCsdnqKvlO92uv6QMUuNDgHxE9tmvcpg9uOXCbWbg3it0PFFHjRZi-E1TLleVskB0T1kjsI7Ki-YEGeblUtg-m4kRqWmuz2yAwZdKH/s320/CampLit0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><em>The business card I took to using....</em> ><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-FDQc5ak6sjl-qwcBLU5Tx-MKJWPvfDynCHOpajxAeS1l9enc2N6ysL_odQ41UIDFreUIuOoRCOhzG9kHrivOC4nfBUKi3mQ61lA7TLK5bTEUTiHvdvUybQZvXakk4LhMppxTM1gLUrU/s1600/BCARD1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-FDQc5ak6sjl-qwcBLU5Tx-MKJWPvfDynCHOpajxAeS1l9enc2N6ysL_odQ41UIDFreUIuOoRCOhzG9kHrivOC4nfBUKi3mQ61lA7TLK5bTEUTiHvdvUybQZvXakk4LhMppxTM1gLUrU/s320/BCARD1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyyyn2f8FOSGp1xEnZMLUTYiYt5sRV7fj0y3DH6nKxyO9drgQipUcgH4iPoHylFRwX20wxibOEUisTNKcm-0N_3XgcI5BsgDMyV09cf5-w9WPP0L4rmOI7jd6AYdC1PWSb4ojhuMVbdOc/s1600/CARDBACK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyyyn2f8FOSGp1xEnZMLUTYiYt5sRV7fj0y3DH6nKxyO9drgQipUcgH4iPoHylFRwX20wxibOEUisTNKcm-0N_3XgcI5BsgDMyV09cf5-w9WPP0L4rmOI7jd6AYdC1PWSb4ojhuMVbdOc/s320/CARDBACK.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Using the 'new me' photo</em>, after a $67 hairtcut, hair colouring and shave... I agonized over this decision to 'look normal' like other candidates, when why I was running was to represent the marginalized poor.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvBiBSaWZ_4nVN1WQx9lmuv1liI31ekpUgzjjO5JryqzkxiTxq68oQSssqCx5crb7rIavtxLQ0tuWimxK3q4DlX3CwantzmpgoQ8gYgnmMjDPZTmZeexvgphYihm-jJM3fVRMK6hmKXOH/s1600/FinalLit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvBiBSaWZ_4nVN1WQx9lmuv1liI31ekpUgzjjO5JryqzkxiTxq68oQSssqCx5crb7rIavtxLQ0tuWimxK3q4DlX3CwantzmpgoQ8gYgnmMjDPZTmZeexvgphYihm-jJM3fVRMK6hmKXOH/s320/FinalLit1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdS2tiHGFkRTDTiie5tpmUus-Vppl75zgYnM-c-dAx7yEhAEz-xP4TD0cZjDIoux6O1C6Af75ncPK4IO24M5DAaCCf4AXK-IdNpXVo0JM_zo4IBppjrfavs2yuhIfhsmqbPrTVSjOz9ECR/s1600/FinalLit2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdS2tiHGFkRTDTiie5tpmUus-Vppl75zgYnM-c-dAx7yEhAEz-xP4TD0cZjDIoux6O1C6Af75ncPK4IO24M5DAaCCf4AXK-IdNpXVo0JM_zo4IBppjrfavs2yuhIfhsmqbPrTVSjOz9ECR/s320/FinalLit2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<em><u>Text of the very first Pamphlet I Had Sent Out: </u></em> CONTENT !<br />
<br />
I am running as a candidate for Toronto City Councillor for our ward because I believe we need someone who not only listens to our residents but also informs them of city actions that concern them and consults before actions that affect us are taken. Please support me.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">THE ISSUES:</span><br />
<br />
* <strong>RESPECT FOR RESIDENTS</strong>: We need to consult more with people before actions are taken<br />
<br />
* <strong>TAXES and BUDGETS</strong>: We need to become better, smarter and more open at planning as a city<br />
<br />
* <strong>DEMOCRACY</strong>: We need more fairness in how we elect those who represent us. More choice. Term limits. <br />
<br />
* <strong>BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE</strong>: We need to make our city more pleasant to live in. Better parks like Dufferin Grove that allow community involvement. More accessible, low cost and reliable public transit. Bike lanes that share the road intelligently with cars. Respect for pedestrians. Cleaner air, electric not diesel trains. Protect housing for families and tenants. Build safer, more secure communities. Better animal control and pet bylaws. <br />
<br />
* <strong>POVERTY, HUNGER, HOMELESSNESS</strong>: We need to take more steps to reduce poverty, hunger and homelessness in our city. Too many of our neighbours are suffering. Many are working, but still poor. Food banks are being overwhelmed and are just a bandaid solution. There are still too many without a home. <br />
<br />
<em><strong>ELECTION and WARD INFORMATION</strong></em>: <br />
<br />
VOTING day is Monday, October 25, 2010. In the last election (2006), only 35% of eligible voters actually cast a ballot while city-wide turnout was only 39%. Please VOTE ! Election signs are not permitted until October 4 <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Did You Know?</span></strong><br />
<br />
- One-third of the households in our ward have an income under $30,000.<br />
<br />
- There are over <strong>180 languages spoken in Toronto</strong>. In our ward, <strong>less than 40% of the people said English was their mother tongue</strong>. <strong><span style="color: red;">25% of the ward speaks Portugese</span></strong>. Other languages include Spanish, Chinese, Italian, Vietnamese, French, Punjabi. We are, like the whole city, very diverse and come from different cultures <br />
<br />
I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT: Donations may be sent to: Ken Wood, 3-355 Lansdowne Avenue, Toronto Ontario M6H 3Y2. Maximum donation allowable is $750, but any amount is welcome. <strong><em>Receipts will be given and rebates up to 75% on donations over $25 will be refunded by the city within a year.</em></strong> You may also contribute goods and services. I also welcome volunteers to help with the campaign. Thank you for your attention. - KEN WOOD<br />
<br />
----<br />
<br />
It would actually be a good idea, it occurs to me, to have ALL candidates who are elected required by law to post their election campaign materials, complete with promises, so we can all hold the winners accountable !<br />
----<br />
<br />
As I posted in this blog just prior to voting day:<br />
<br />
KEN WOOD - I'll leave it to others to describe or remember me in this election.<br />
<br />
<br />
All I know is that when I first registered to run 20 minutes before we knew if Giambrone would run in the ward or for mayor, what I wanted was:<br />
<br />
1. To See Adam Giambrone out of office (Thanks, Adam)<br />
<br />
2. To have an impact on the issues and nature of the debate in the ward<br />
<br />
3. To offer a real choice to voters of someone truly independent<br />
<br />
4. To contribute to increasing voter response and turnout<br />
<br />
5. To test myself to see if I could be more than what I was<br />
---<br />
<br />
On the <a href="http://www.junctiontriangle.ca/node/902">Junction Triangle website</a> , I was happy to get this praise:<br />
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"<strong>Most Surprising Platform</strong>: Hands down this belongs to Ken Wood. His platform was the most detailed on municipal issues that relate to the average citizen. When Ken calms down and stops chaining himself to things he has some good ideas. I found that I agreed with almost all of his ideas to some extent and I encourage people to look again. If he stays focused on ideas then he has something to contribute via his blog. Special kudos for being basically the only candidate to state clearly that poverty is an issue and that not all ward residents have the relative luxury that I have. As well if we had a Hunter S. Thompson look a like award he would get it." By Scott D.Ken Wood, Ward 18 Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11652550764718624080noreply@blogger.com