Why Don't Police Enforce the Safety Laws?
BOTH Police and TTC NOT Doing Their Jobs!
TTCnotices Official TTC Tweets Westbound 506 Carlton streetcars are holding near Bathurst due to a collision. (a tweet about 5:30pm on Monday, May 30)
.... So why is this meaningful?
Because about an hour and bit earlier, Monday May 30, I was on another westbound 506 Carlton streetcar when an expensive white car (Mercedes? Licence number 130XK129) 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.
Less than half a block on, a Toronto Police officer stood chatting with construction workers as he watched the car zoom past.
.... So why is this meaningful?
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? Licence number 130XK129) zoomed past the fully stopped streetcar, with open doors, almost hitting a passenger stepping off the curb to board..
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.
(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)
.... So what else about this topic?
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.
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
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.
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?
- Disgusted.
See also:
Paid Duty Policing Costing Taxpayers Millions
* Update : Mayor Ford takes on 'Handicapped Parking Issue' http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1013603--ford-wants-to-get-tough-on-handicapped-parking-violators
Monday, May 30, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Like a Dog With a Bone
Toronto Humane Society Continues to be Haunted by Tim Trow
Adjective like a dog with a bone:(simile) Stubborn; persistent; relentless; dogged
"A call to bar Mr. Tim Trow from holding office at the THS" ... someone started a petition to try to keep Tim Trow from getting his clutches back on The Toronto Humane Society Link to site. (349 names so far)
On Craigslist, there is a call for a peaceful demonstration against Mr Trow.Tuesday, May 31 at 4:30pm:
"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: http://saynototrow.webs.com/ 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. 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."
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 Killing them with kindness by Kate Hammer May 29, 2009 Link ), 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.
Disclaimer: I am running for the one of the five vacant positions, and have been recommended by the current board to its membership. There are four 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. * Update: here is a link to everyone and everything about the AGM. 18 people running now.
What is startling is the frenzy of activity going on. Mr Trow's own site http://timtrow.ca/ 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 ( LINK ) and various anonymous blogs and Facebook friend pages.
Suprising too, is the number of animal welfare blogs that continue to condemn his negative antics:
http://supportanimals.wordpress.com/ (used to be anonymous, public, recently marked private, but when I read it made all sorts of unsubstantiated claims)
http://socialmange.blogspot.com/ (Tim Trow has been making frequent mass mailings to the society's membership, even submitting his own revised, preferential - and confusing! proxy form)
http://animalfarm-selkie.blogspot.com/
http://saynototrow.webs.com/ Tells us that:
"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." The site also posts pictures (WARNING: graphic detail, disturbing!) of what was found during the investigations last year link
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: "Legal counsel for 28 years with the Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario" 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: "The animals need you and me like never before". Really ???
I hope media and the citizenry and everyone who really cares about animals pays very close attention to this dangerous man.
-----
* Update: On a lighter note, here is a video link to a confused dog "Dog's Own Leg Tries To Steal Bone" .... sometimes you just have to laugh.
---
* Update: 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 (Included 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
* Update: At least local community paper noticed someone Link
----
* Update: A couple of more mini news bits and blogs...
http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/05/29/urban-scrawl-humane-society-needs-involvement-now-more-than-ever/
http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/05/30/two-groups-battle-for-humane-society-board/
"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."
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.
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.
Adjective like a dog with a bone:(simile) Stubborn; persistent; relentless; dogged
"A call to bar Mr. Tim Trow from holding office at the THS" ... someone started a petition to try to keep Tim Trow from getting his clutches back on The Toronto Humane Society Link to site. (349 names so far)
On Craigslist, there is a call for a peaceful demonstration against Mr Trow.Tuesday, May 31 at 4:30pm:
"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: http://saynototrow.webs.com/ 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. 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."
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 Killing them with kindness by Kate Hammer May 29, 2009 Link ), 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.
Disclaimer: I am running for the one of the five vacant positions, and have been recommended by the current board to its membership. There are
What is startling is the frenzy of activity going on. Mr Trow's own site http://timtrow.ca/ 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 ( LINK ) and various anonymous blogs and Facebook friend pages.
Suprising too, is the number of animal welfare blogs that continue to condemn his negative antics:
http://supportanimals.wordpress.com/ (used to be anonymous, public, recently marked private, but when I read it made all sorts of unsubstantiated claims)
http://socialmange.blogspot.com/ (Tim Trow has been making frequent mass mailings to the society's membership, even submitting his own revised, preferential - and confusing! proxy form)
http://animalfarm-selkie.blogspot.com/
http://saynototrow.webs.com/ Tells us that:
"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." The site also posts pictures (WARNING: graphic detail, disturbing!) of what was found during the investigations last year link
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: "Legal counsel for 28 years with the Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario" 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: "The animals need you and me like never before". Really ???
I hope media and the citizenry and everyone who really cares about animals pays very close attention to this dangerous man.
-----
* Update: On a lighter note, here is a video link to a confused dog "Dog's Own Leg Tries To Steal Bone" .... sometimes you just have to laugh.
---
* Update: 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 (Included 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
* Update: At least local community paper noticed someone Link
----
* Update: A couple of more mini news bits and blogs...
http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/05/29/urban-scrawl-humane-society-needs-involvement-now-more-than-ever/
http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/05/30/two-groups-battle-for-humane-society-board/
"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."
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.
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.
* Update: Sorry, I seem to have neglected an important reference to what the Tim Trow fuss is all about... here is a LINK 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 why our justice system failed to prosecute.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Running for Election - Again
Toronto Humane Society Elections are coming: May31
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.
Tim Trow might recall me looking something like this back when I was protesting his reign over the THS:
* Update: Surfing for latest information on Toronto Humane Society on twitter and came across this link:
Day in the Life of an Animal Care Worker. Also, in recent news this: Day in the Life: City Animal Care Officer. And in related news: Pet Police Knocking on Doors ...
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....
I am a candidate running for election to the board of the *new* Toronto Humane Society. My name is Ken Wood.
The 123rd Annual General Meeting of The Toronto Humane Society will be held on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 6 p.m. at 11 River Street Weblink is HERE
There are 15 seats on The Toronto Humane Society Board of Directors; five are up for election at the 2011 AGM. Directors are elected by the membership and serve for a three-year term.
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: here , here , here , here , here , and here.
If any of you reading this are members, please support me. 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.
This is my bio:
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.
Tim Trow might recall me looking something like this back when I was protesting his reign over the THS:
----
Day in the Life of an Animal Care Worker. Also, in recent news this: Day in the Life: City Animal Care Officer. And in related news: Pet Police Knocking on Doors ...
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....
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Councillor Language Proves Bias
OBJECTIONABLE LANGUAGE BY COUNCILLOR PARKER
Just saw this at 10:00am April 27th on Twitter:
goldsbie Jonathan Goldsbie Parker just used the phrase "another way to skin the cat." I'm guessing that's not one he picked up in the Legislature. 11 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply
This must have been at Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (2010-2014) meeting April 26, 2011 - 9:30 AM - Meeting 3 whose members are: Mark Grimes, Mike Layton, Denzil Minnan-Wong (Chair), John Parker, Gord Perks, David Shiner
This is something that the Licensing and Standards Committee (2010-2014) whose members are:
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.
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.
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.
---
I have filed a complaint with the city's Integrity Commissioner, for all the good it will probably do. sigh.
Just saw this at 10:00am April 27th on Twitter:
goldsbie Jonathan Goldsbie Parker just used the phrase "another way to skin the cat." I'm guessing that's not one he picked up in the Legislature. 11 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply
This must have been at Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (2010-2014) meeting April 26, 2011 - 9:30 AM - Meeting 3 whose members are: Mark Grimes, Mike Layton, Denzil Minnan-Wong (Chair), John Parker, Gord Perks, David Shiner
This is something that the Licensing and Standards Committee (2010-2014) whose members are:
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.
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.
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.
---
I have filed a complaint with the city's Integrity Commissioner, for all the good it will probably do. sigh.
Friday, April 22, 2011
"PEOPLE LIKE YOU..." says the TTC
PEOPLE LIKE YOU ...
No, its not a compliment that I received today, it ended in an arrest by Toronto Police, 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.
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.
... But this is not about the police, who just did their jobs as a cog in the system.
This is about the Toronto Transit Commission and how customers are considered second class freight by (some) arrogant drivers. Since this record will no doubt be used in my upcoming court case, and because I believe in truth, here are the details:
1. I walked to the corner and waited at the northwest corner for the College streetcar. There were already about 20+ people there.
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.
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.
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 "What's the holdup?"
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 "Let's just get moving" and turned to walk away.
6. Driver says "If you don't like it, get out and take a taxi". 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.
7. It may have been at this time that I said was was only the worst thing that I could have said: "Oh, go to hell"... or it may have been later, since the driver continued to escalate and bait me.
9. The driver then said 'Get off my bus" 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.
10. Driver then says "Its' PEOPLE LIKE YOU who are the problem..." 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.
11. I inform the driver I would be filing a complaint, and the driver says "Go ahead, I won't lose my job over a complaint". 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.
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.
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.
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.
15. TTC control soon comes over the bus speakers and announces the bus out of service and told all passengers to exit.
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.
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.
18. I get off bus 2 and get back on bus 1. Now 2 buses are out of service. This is ridiculous.
19. Police have still not arrived (I am standing up for what I believe is an impotant issue, having to do with human rights * more on this at end of this post), so
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
30. NOW... bus number 4 pulls up and I am invited to board by the police.
31. As I go towards the bus, the bearded TTC Supervisor feels compelled to come to me and say "You know, it's PEOPLE LIKE YOU that cause all the problems...." He goes on to say, "My job is to protect my people from PEOPLE LIKE YOU"
...I thank him for giving me a title and sweet soundbite for the whole incident and its deeper meaning:
.... Someday People Like You.... can quickly become PEOPLE LIKE ME ....
I am looking foward to my day in court.
----
* 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 some 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).
Still, the customer deserves some respect, don't you think?
---
* Update: 8:50pm Friday - I checked the TTC website for the bylaws, since I was charged as "Failed to leave premises when directed Trespass to Property Ac 2 (1) (b). "
----
TTC bylaws make no direct mention of this, other than possibly:
3.24 No person, unless otherwise authorized, shall loiter in or on TTC property.
... Is this what I am being found guilty of ?
3.25 No person shall cause a disturbance or act contrary to the public peace on TTC property, including but not limited to:
a) urinating, expectorating or defecating, except in facilities specifically intended for such actions;
b) using profane, insulting or obscene language or gestures; ...Is the word 'hell' profane?
c) behaving in an indecent or offensive manner;
d) shining any type of light at an operator of a TTC vehicle or any other passenger;
e) fighting; or
f) behaving in a manner which would interfere with the ordinary enjoyment of persons using the transit system. ... A wonderful 'anything else we can think of' catchphrase?
----
The Trespass to Property Act says: R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER T.21
Trespass an offence
2. (1) Every person who is not acting under a right or authority conferred by law and who,
(a) without the express permission of the occupier, the proof of which rests on the defendant,
(i) enters on premises when entry is prohibited under this Act, or
(ii) engages in an activity on premises when the activity is prohibited under this Act; or
(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,
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).
------
* Update: 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:
Comments: 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.
Date and Time of Event (yyyy-mm-dd): 2011-04-22 03:45 PM
Employee Badge Number: unknown
Employee Description: Young, female driver
Gender: Female
Vehicle No.: 1626
Run No.: 506 Ossington
Licence Plate: I have a photo
Route name and/or Number: 506 bus eastbound
Vehicle direction of travel: East
Location of Occurrence: College and Lansdowne
Reference Number #52481
----
Note: I have also emailed TTC Chair and Councillor Stintz and cc'd my local Councillor Ana Bailao.
No, its not a compliment that I received today, it ended in an arrest by Toronto Police, 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.
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.
... But this is not about the police, who just did their jobs as a cog in the system.
This is about the Toronto Transit Commission and how customers are considered second class freight by (some) arrogant drivers. Since this record will no doubt be used in my upcoming court case, and because I believe in truth, here are the details:
1. I walked to the corner and waited at the northwest corner for the College streetcar. There were already about 20+ people there.
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.
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.
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 "What's the holdup?"
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 "Let's just get moving" and turned to walk away.
6. Driver says "If you don't like it, get out and take a taxi". 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.
7. It may have been at this time that I said was was only the worst thing that I could have said: "Oh, go to hell"... or it may have been later, since the driver continued to escalate and bait me.
9. The driver then said 'Get off my bus" 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.
10. Driver then says "Its' PEOPLE LIKE YOU who are the problem..." 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.
11. I inform the driver I would be filing a complaint, and the driver says "Go ahead, I won't lose my job over a complaint". 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.
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.
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.
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.
15. TTC control soon comes over the bus speakers and announces the bus out of service and told all passengers to exit.
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.
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.
18. I get off bus 2 and get back on bus 1. Now 2 buses are out of service. This is ridiculous.
19. Police have still not arrived (I am standing up for what I believe is an impotant issue, having to do with human rights * more on this at end of this post), so
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
30. NOW... bus number 4 pulls up and I am invited to board by the police.
31. As I go towards the bus, the bearded TTC Supervisor feels compelled to come to me and say "You know, it's PEOPLE LIKE YOU that cause all the problems...." He goes on to say, "My job is to protect my people from PEOPLE LIKE YOU"
...I thank him for giving me a title and sweet soundbite for the whole incident and its deeper meaning:
.... Someday People Like You.... can quickly become PEOPLE LIKE ME ....
I am looking foward to my day in court.
----
* 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 some 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).
Still, the customer deserves some respect, don't you think?
---
* Update: 8:50pm Friday - I checked the TTC website for the bylaws, since I was charged as "Failed to leave premises when directed Trespass to Property Ac 2 (1) (b). "
----
TTC bylaws make no direct mention of this, other than possibly:
3.24 No person, unless otherwise authorized, shall loiter in or on TTC property.
... Is this what I am being found guilty of ?
3.25 No person shall cause a disturbance or act contrary to the public peace on TTC property, including but not limited to:
a) urinating, expectorating or defecating, except in facilities specifically intended for such actions;
b) using profane, insulting or obscene language or gestures; ...Is the word 'hell' profane?
c) behaving in an indecent or offensive manner;
d) shining any type of light at an operator of a TTC vehicle or any other passenger;
e) fighting; or
f) behaving in a manner which would interfere with the ordinary enjoyment of persons using the transit system. ... A wonderful 'anything else we can think of' catchphrase?
----
The Trespass to Property Act says: R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER T.21
Trespass an offence
2. (1) Every person who is not acting under a right or authority conferred by law and who,
(a) without the express permission of the occupier, the proof of which rests on the defendant,
(i) enters on premises when entry is prohibited under this Act, or
(ii) engages in an activity on premises when the activity is prohibited under this Act; or
(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,
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).
------
* Update: 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:
Comments: 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.
Date and Time of Event (yyyy-mm-dd): 2011-04-22 03:45 PM
Employee Badge Number: unknown
Employee Description: Young, female driver
Gender: Female
Vehicle No.: 1626
Run No.: 506 Ossington
Licence Plate: I have a photo
Route name and/or Number: 506 bus eastbound
Vehicle direction of travel: East
Location of Occurrence: College and Lansdowne
Reference Number #52481
----
Note: I have also emailed TTC Chair and Councillor Stintz and cc'd my local Councillor Ana Bailao.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Disturbing News About Political Campaigns
Do Any of These News Stories Make You Mad Enough to Vote?
"...political parties are exempt from Canada’s privacy rules, 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.” Email to MP Lands Woman in Campaign Database
"In its findings, the poll says “Canadians’ primary reaction to the English debates was annoyance. “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).” TV Debates Annoyed Canadians
"the Conservative Party is facing an allegation of election tampering 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 illegally filmed voters and then tried to snatch away the ballot box, a great big election no-no." Elections Canada Rejects Tory Bid to Quash Student Votes
“I was told the RCMP had done a screening 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. " Another Student Barred from Conservative Party Rally ... "The Royal Canadian Mounted Police admitted Wednesday that the phalanx of officers assigned as the Prime Minister’s bodyguards overstepped their bounds to enforce Harper’s closed-to-the-public re-election bid. 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." RCMP Implicated in Harper's Closed to Public Campaign
...And this posting from the Junction Triangle website :
"(Mario) Silva at Digin
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 currently makes $170,000 per year 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.
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.
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 Clean Train Coalition. 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 he didn’t know why he wasn’t at the rally. 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?
When asked about his attendance and voting record in the House of Commons (67 absences I believe) 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 Mr. Silva got more agitated and started yelling at Mr. Cash and the woman who asked the question. 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."
"...political parties are exempt from Canada’s privacy rules, 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.” Email to MP Lands Woman in Campaign Database
"In its findings, the poll says “Canadians’ primary reaction to the English debates was annoyance. “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).” TV Debates Annoyed Canadians
"the Conservative Party is facing an allegation of election tampering 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 illegally filmed voters and then tried to snatch away the ballot box, a great big election no-no." Elections Canada Rejects Tory Bid to Quash Student Votes
“I was told the RCMP had done a screening 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. " Another Student Barred from Conservative Party Rally ... "The Royal Canadian Mounted Police admitted Wednesday that the phalanx of officers assigned as the Prime Minister’s bodyguards overstepped their bounds to enforce Harper’s closed-to-the-public re-election bid. 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." RCMP Implicated in Harper's Closed to Public Campaign
...And this posting from the Junction Triangle website :
"(Mario) Silva at Digin
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 currently makes $170,000 per year 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.
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.
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 Clean Train Coalition. 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 he didn’t know why he wasn’t at the rally. 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?
When asked about his attendance and voting record in the House of Commons (67 absences I believe) 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 Mr. Silva got more agitated and started yelling at Mr. Cash and the woman who asked the question. 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."
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Tim Trow, Toronto Humane Issues Heating Up
Followup to this post HERE ...
Messy Times for Toronto Humane Society (thanks to Tim Trow)
Listening to CFRB 1010 am radio Jim Richards talk show today about 1:45pm
Tim Trow spoke and was asked some pointed questions, most of which he deflected or denied:
(tried to be exact in wording, but went something like this)
Host: What's this about? Are you wanting back in as President or are you just clearing your name?
Trow: Neither, just an effort to talk to members about the concerning things going on there, like closing the wildlife centre...
Host: But didn't that happen before the new board and changes, as a result of OSPCA investigations?
Trow: No, I don't know why they stripped it (really?)
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...
Trow: Yes in part, but also the crown prosecutor said that investigations prior to '09 had not sufficient evidence to prosecute..
Host: There were a number of allegations when you were there that the place was not well run...
Trow: The place was very well run. We were very, very full all the time and now there is just a trickle of animals...
Host: They said you're not a fun guy to work with...
Trow: I had the highest plurality ever in my last election....
(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)
Host: What about fundraising? I understand that Toronto Humane has had a tough time of it lately...
Trow: When I was there we did not have that problem, we took in $11 million...
Host: But the other side would say that's because you sullied the THS reputation?
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...
Host:: There were also accusations that animals suffered under your watch...
Trow: No, not true. Thats a terrible thing to say about someone who gives all their time to help animals...
Host: But there were charges you directed what to do with animals...
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.
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...
- end of interview -
Note: Marcie Laking, 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.
SADLY - Jim Richards speculated that perhaps she just hung up because she didn't like the way the interview was going....
I called the show and tried to comment on air but no dice.....
Messy Times for Toronto Humane Society (thanks to Tim Trow)
Listening to CFRB 1010 am radio Jim Richards talk show today about 1:45pm
Tim Trow spoke and was asked some pointed questions, most of which he deflected or denied:
(tried to be exact in wording, but went something like this)
Host: What's this about? Are you wanting back in as President or are you just clearing your name?
Trow: Neither, just an effort to talk to members about the concerning things going on there, like closing the wildlife centre...
Host: But didn't that happen before the new board and changes, as a result of OSPCA investigations?
Trow: No, I don't know why they stripped it (really?)
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...
Trow: Yes in part, but also the crown prosecutor said that investigations prior to '09 had not sufficient evidence to prosecute..
Host: There were a number of allegations when you were there that the place was not well run...
Trow: The place was very well run. We were very, very full all the time and now there is just a trickle of animals...
Host: They said you're not a fun guy to work with...
Trow: I had the highest plurality ever in my last election....
(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)
Host: What about fundraising? I understand that Toronto Humane has had a tough time of it lately...
Trow: When I was there we did not have that problem, we took in $11 million...
Host: But the other side would say that's because you sullied the THS reputation?
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...
Host:: There were also accusations that animals suffered under your watch...
Trow: No, not true. Thats a terrible thing to say about someone who gives all their time to help animals...
Host: But there were charges you directed what to do with animals...
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.
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...
- end of interview -
Note: Marcie Laking, 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.
SADLY - Jim Richards speculated that perhaps she just hung up because she didn't like the way the interview was going....
I called the show and tried to comment on air but no dice.....
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