A LETTER TO COUNCIL THAT WILL NEVER BE REPLIED TO

To the council of the municipality of North Perth
To be used as a complaint against the RED Funding
It is again with great disappointment that I read the agenda package and see that North Perth is only Listowel. The streetscape redesign for North Perth was to include Atwood, Monkton and Listowel and in the agenda package it appears that the RED funding  applied for the redesign will only be for Listowel. Downtown Listowel receives many improvements and is always decorated,  and lets not forget the thousands of dollars spent on those spectacular crosswalks that were installed in downtown Listowel and paid for by everyone in North Perth
I think it is time that the Municipality of North Perth quit playing favourites with Listowel and start thinking of North Perth as a whole, which includes all  the other communities and look at improving what needs to be improved. Atwood and Monkton are always getting the short end of the stick and that needs to end, they are part of North Perth!!!!!!! If the Municipality wants to apply for funding to improve the main streets of North Perth it should be all of North Perth......not just Listowel. I disagree with applying for funding for North Perth if it does not include the other communities, no matter what the reasoning is.

HAPPY RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS DAY

I HOPE EVERYONE TAKES SOME TIME TODAY TO DO A RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS FOR SOMEONE. I THINK THAT THESE WONDERFUL ACTS OF KINDNESS SHOULD BE EVERYDAY, SO IF YOU CAN NOT DO IT TODAY, THINK ABOUT DOING IT TOMMORROW, OR THE DAY AFTER, BUT JUST DO IT. IT WILL MAKE OUR WORLD A MUCH BETTER PLACE TO BE

HOW I AM COPING

E coli water, sewer gas inhalation and 2 bacterial infections. And lets not forget the undue stress caused by the Municipality of North Perth, while living in Atwood and I am still here.
It has been awhile since I have posted and it has mainly been due to my health issues. I have been suffering for many years from the side affects of all the above and everyday is a new challenge. I have seen a Doctor and that was just a waste of time and has made me even more cynical about our health system. Test after test and still no diagnosis as to why I am so sick or anyway to make me better. I thought that was what a doctor did. What a waste of time and tax dollars. I know what is wrong but the doctor has no idea. I am severely allergic to certain foods and not the usual foods, and I have chronic fatigue, or as I like to say, just tired of being sick.( oh and i forgot, painful arthritis) I can sleep for 16 hours a day but usually force myself to  to try and stay up and do what i can. My immune system has gone haywire and it seems certain foods as allergens and goes on the attack mode to get rid of it anyway possible. Many days spent sleeping on the bathroom floor because it is closer, not very comfortable, but closer. I have lost over 30 pounds and some hair and no longer have the strength to do most things that i could do before without effort . Some days I can barely walk up the 3 flights of stairs to my apartment and I do not go out alone in case I have a spell. I have turned to the health food industry for some relief and have totally changed my diet to the most boring food anyone should be forced to eat. I have found some relief from some supplements and protein powder. I try to avoid anything I know will cause a reaction which begins within 24 hours and lasts for a week. But living without pizza in so hard for someone who is now addicted to watching cooking shows to see all the foods that I can not eat.  I no longer remember what is like to be normal and eventually will come to the realization that this will be my life. What a harsh reality....... but it is now my reality

NORTH PERTH FACES HIGHER COSTS FOR AUTOMATED WASTE

The new automated waste and recycling collection program could cost North Perth more than expected.
The Bluewater Recycling Association plans to withhold Waste Diversion Ontario funding from its member municipalities to cover high capital implementation costs.
North Perth Environmnetal Services Manager Mark Hackett suggests a slight bin increase may be neccessary to cover the estimated $89,000 dollar shortfall.
Hackett cautions Council has not made a decision but instead deferred the issue until more information is gathered. North Perth implemented the new automated waste  and recycling program back in the spring.
Some Council members have already expressed opposition to a user fee increase so soon.

ELMA LANDFILL SECURITY

Recent vandalism and theft incidents at the Elma Landfill Site (Atwood) are prompting North Perth to take action.
There will soon be close to $6,700 worth of security upgrades including the installation of video surveillance equipment and motion detectors. Some members of Coucil are so incensed that staff have been directed to find out if it is legal to electrify the perimeter fence.
Manager of environmental Services Mark Hackett estimates the total amouont of damage caused by vandals so far is at least $25,000. He adds thefts of diesel fuel and an attempted break in to the scale house are the most recent occurrences.
North Perth officials are hopeful the security improvements at the Elma Landfill Site will deter criminal activity and maybe  result in the apprehension of the culprits.

NORTH PERTH SENIORS HOUSING WORKING OUT

The acquisition of a seniors housing development  in Listowel seems to be working out for North Perth.
The municipality took over the Perth Adult Life Care Residence Project known as Perth Meadows a year ago. The intenetion was to provide financial stability by taking advantage of the municipalities ability to borrow at a favourable  interest rates over the long term.
Council has now authorized a 25 year, 3.65 per cent amortizing debenture in the principal amount of $5.5 million from Infrastructure Ontario.
Councilor Warren Howard suggests it is a solid business decision and stresses no tax dollars will be used. He explains the funds will be paid back as the units sell.
The project includes 18 currently occupied town houses and 36 unit seniors apartment complex.
North Perth officials indicate it is over a third full, there are frequent expressions of interest and a professional real estate team is now involved.

GRAHAM PLEADS GUILTY TO FRAUD

Graham pleads guilty to fraud and will respond to seven other charges at sentencing
A former employee of the Perth Community Futures Development Corporation has pled guilty to scamming the non-profit organization out of over half a million dollars.
Johm-David (JD) Graham appeared in Stratfords Superior Court last Friday (Sept 21) and entered a guilty plea for one of eight charges of fraud against him.
According to the facts read aloud in the courtroom, Graham, over a five-year period between 2006 and 2011, defrauded Community Futures of $521,852 by creating false loan accounts and depositing the money into his own financial accounts.
The Perth Community Futures Development Corporation, which today operates out of Stratford but previously had its head office in Perth East, provides business services and financing to start-ups and entrepreneurs in Perth County.
Graham was acting as the organizations lending manager at the time of the fraud.
Defense lawyer Henry Van Drunen says his client will respond to the outstanding seven charges- all but one of which is for fraud over $5000- at his sentencing hearing on Monday Dec. 3.
Graham was previously found guilty of fraud by the Ontario Superior Court in a civil lawsuit in February and ordered to pay Community Futures over $763,000.
Graham currently works at P Lovers Eco Lifestyle on Ontario Street in downtown Stratford. The business is owned by his wife Susan.

by Jeff Heuchert
Stratford Gazette

NORTH PERTH COUNCIL HAS TWO FACES

IT WAS ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT THE MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH PERTH IS GIVING THE RECREATION COMMITTEE, WHO ARE TRYING TO GET A NEW REC COMPLEX IN NORTH PERTH, THE GO AHEAD BY GIVING THEM MONEY IN THE AMOUNT OF $4 MILLION DOLLARS, TO HELP MAKE THIS REC COMPLEX A REALITY. THE FULL COST IS ESTIMATED TO BE$11.3 MILLION DOLLARS. THEY WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THE PROCESS AND WITHIN A FEW YEARS THE TAXPAYERS OF NORTH PERTH WILL HAVE A NEW FACILITY AND A NEW HIGHER TAX BILL TO GO WITH IT.
THE SHOCKER OF THIS IS THAT MANY ON THE PREIVOUS COUNCIL WHO WERE FOR THE REC COMPLEX, INCLUDING THE PREVIOUS MAYOR, WERE ALL VOTED OUT BY THE TAX PAYERS OF NORTH PERTH.
THE OTHER BIG SHOCKER IS THAT MANY NOW SITTING COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR WERE VOTED IN BY THE TAXPAYERS OF NORTH PERTH BECAUSE MANY WERE AGAINST THE REC COMPLEX.
IT HAS BEEN NO SHOCKER TO ME THAT IT WOULD COME TO THIS AS COUNCIL HAS BEEN QUIETLY GIVING THIS COMMITTEE MONEY FOR CONSULTANTS, SURVEYS AND HAVE BEEN FORMING COMMITTEES WITH OUT THE TAXPAYER KNOWING. AND HAVE ALL ALONG KNEW THAT THIS WOULD GO THROUGH EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE VOTED IN BECAUSE THEY AND TAXPAYERS WERE AGAINST IT.
NEVER CEASES TO MAZZ ME THAT A VOTED OFFICIAL CAN SAY ONE THING AND DOES ANOTHER AND TO HECK WITH WHAT THE TAXPAYER WANTS.

RECIPE FOR A HAPPY DAY

1 cup of friendly words
2 heaping cups of understanding
4 heaping teaspoons of time and patience
pinch of warm personality
dash of humour
Measure words carefully. Add heaping cups of understanding; use generous amounts of time and patience. Cook on the front burner, but keep temperature low; do not boil. Add generous dash of humour and a pinch of warm personality. Season to taste with spice of life.
Serve in idividual molds.
from the Canadian Kinette cookbook circa 1979

MORE WASTED MONEY IN NORTH PERTH

No New North Perth Smoking By-Law
Thursday, August 16, 2012 5:21 am
Smoking in North Perth's public outdoor areas will not be further restricted at least for now. After considering a few options including a complete ban in designated areas or setting a distance limit, Council has decided not to make any changes.Mayor Julie Behrns explains, "Some of them, certainly because of the inability for the municipality to enforce them, are really not the best efficient use of time for either our by-law enforcement officer or our OPP. "The discussion was sparked by sporadic calls to staff from residents expressing concerns with smoking in public entrances, parks and recreational facilities.Staff indicate there have been a few specific complaints involving smoking during community outdoor events involving children. As a result, there was a request for a new Smoking By-Law.North Perth's Mayor indicates the municipality is supportive of community groups who do not wish to allow smoking at planned events. Behrns states, "Any group hosting any event if they choose to sign it as 'Smoke Free' and advertise it as 'Smoke Free' we certainly would encourage that."Behrns stresses, "Certainly we are going with the Smoke Free Ontario Act and as well we do have a North Perth By-Law 120 that regulates smoking in some facilities etcetera."According to a staff report, 60 Ontario municipalities have enacted By-Laws regulating smoking in outdoor public places

TRAFFIC STUDY IS A WASTE OF MONEY

North Perth Councillor - Traffic Study Is a Waste of Money
Wednesday, August 15, 2012 12:26 pm
Just how to address local parking and traffic issues is causing some friction on North Perth Council. A staff recommendation to retain Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited to complete has been narrowly approved. Supporters feel expert advice is necessary to ensure the most effective solutions are found. Four councillors disagree and David Ludington is among them. WE just threw $67,00 dollars away as far as I'm concerned. He later adds, "I drive those roads everyday the same as everybody else. We don't need to do a $67,000 dollar study to use common sense."He suggests public works staff are aware of local traffic patterns and potential improvements because they travel the road system everyday as well. In his opinion, with a very minimal amount of paving there could be a truck by-pass all around Listowel. A staff report indicates the consultant will examine traffic patterns in North Perth to determine which roads should be improved to handle higher traffic volumes including a potential truck traffic by-pass. It further suggests a stop sign review as well as a policy for stop sign control will be involved. The parking study component will specifically examine issues in downtown Listowel.

HYDRO UNO

Service address Third carton behind the Arena
Billing date Yesterday DUMMY

Letter from the power company (aka The -Company- In- Power)
This letter was stuffed into the envelope with my electric bill this month....
Dear H1 CUSTOMER,
Hi ! Hope you are having a nice summer! How are you survivng this heat? You liking the air conditioning? Good thing we are NOT in India, eh! Can you believe it?...Power grid went down for days !
Just a little note to let you know we understand your feelings regarding recent price hikes for hydro service. Especially the huge increase you have seen since having your Smart-Meter installed .....(LOL)
We make no apology for the misinformation you received regarding this new technology, or for breaking our promises. C Mon , honestly, you did not really think your bill would go down, did you?
When you re-elected Ol Dalt..... we thought you had forgiven all of us too, for the years of fiscal mismanagement and bungling over at the former Ontario Hydro....and you know , since adopting the HST, we no longer have a consistant cash flow from the Provincial Sales tax to work with......and we have to get money somewhere! So the pass-through rates for Ontario Hydro Bankruptcy Fund (Debt Retirement Charge) are set to increase again......Cause....We just can not help ourselves. LMAO
And, you really, DO deserve it don t you!
But hey! Don t sweat it.... we know we are a big company and in possession of all the power, so you will pay what we tell you to pay, you have no choice. We have it, and you need it. So sad, too bad. Sucks to be you!
HAVE A NICE DAY! and keep those cheques coming!
Your Local Power Company President,
DEWY CHEATOM
CHEERS

WHAT IS FAIR IN NORTH PERTH......NOTHING

WELL......HERE IS SOME OF THE THINGS THAT PROVE THAT THERE IS NOTHING FAIR IN NORTH PERTH.....
A BUILDING ON MAIN STREET IN ATWOOD APPLIED AND RECEIVED A PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT A BATHROOM ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF A COMMERCIAL BUILDING. THE SECOND FLOOR USED TO BE A DANCE HALL BACK IN THE DAY AND IT IS NOT ZONED FOR RESIDENTIAL USE. AFTER AN ENQUIRY BY ME IT WAS FOUND THAT THIS BATHROOM NEVER RECIEVED A FINAL INSPECTION BY THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT OF NORTH PERTH. IF THEY HAD DONE THEIR DUE DILIGENCE IN THE BEGINNING THEY WOULD HAVE QUESTIONED THE NEED FOR THE BATHROOM ON THE SECOND FLOOR, BUT NO THEY JUST LET IT GO AND WHEN THE BUILDING INSPECTOR WAS QUESTIONED BY ME THEY REALIZED THAT THIS AREA WAS BEING USED AS A RESIDENTIAL AREA WHERE THE OWNERS WERE LIVING. WERE THEY CHARGE AND FINED LIKE I WAS..... NO. SOMEHOW I DO NOT FIND THIS FAIR THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO DO WHAT I WANTED TO DO LEGALLY WITH MY PROPERTY AND THEY GOT AWAY WITH IT WITH OUT SEARCH WARRANTS, STOP WORK ORDERS, ORDERS TO COMPLY, COURT DATES AND MASSIVE FINES. JUST NOT FAIR.
ANOTHER BUILDING ON MAIN STREET ATWOOD HAS BECOME THE PROPERTY OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH PERTH DUE TO BACK TAXES OWING. DID THE MUNICIPALITY PUBLISH ALL THE TAX INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET FOR ALL TO READ.........NO. ALTHOUGH THEY DID PUBLISH MINE WHEN THEY WERE TRYING TO TAKE MY PROPERTY. AGAIN I JUST DO NOT THINK IT IS FAIR THAT THE MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH PERTH PICKS AND CHOOSES WHEN OF IF THEY ARE GOING TO BE FAIR AND THIS IS JUST NOT RIGHT OR DEMOCRACY.

MAN CHARGED IN ALLEGED VOYEURISM INCIDENT AT LOCAL MALL

AN ATWOOD MAN IS CHARGED WITH VOYEURISM FOLLOWING ALLEGED INCIDENTS AT KITCHENERS FAIRVIEW PARK MALL.
POLICE SAY THEY WERE CALLED TO THE MALL MONDAY AFTERNOON BY LOSS PREVENTION OFFICERS AFTER RECEIVING COMPLAINTS OF A MAN ATTEMPTING TO LOOK UP WOMANS SKIRTS.
POLICE SAY THE MAN IS ALSO ACCUSED OF USING HIS SMART PHONE TO TAKE UP SKIRT PHOTOS OF WOMEN.
A 31 YEAR OLD MAN WAS ARRESTED.

STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES IN NORTH PERTH

A 45 YEAR OLD MAN WAS CAUGHT STEALING CORN AND MONEY FROM A ROADSIDE VENDOR THIS PAST WEEKEND NEAR MONKTON.
PERTH COUNTY OPP OFFICERS LOCATED A MALE MATCHING THE DESCRIPTION OF THE SUSPECT, RIDING A BICYCLE AWAY FROM THE THEFT LOCATION ON HIGHWAY#23 ON SATURDAY. THE MALE WAS FOUND IN POSSESSION OF A LARGE NUMBER OF CORN COBS AND A POCKET FULL OF CHANGE.
THE MAN IS FROM THE MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH PERTH AND HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF THEFT UNDER $5000, TWO COUNTS OF POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY UNDER $5000, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH AN UNDERTAKING OR RECOGNIZANCE AND WITH BREACH OF PROBATION ORDER.
HE WAS HELD IN CUSTODY AND IS TO APPEAR IN STRATFORD COURT ON MONDAY JULY 30TH.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

THERE ARE ONLY THREE CHOICES IN LIFE......
GIVE IN, GIVE UP OR GIVE IT ALL YOU HAVE GOT

GREEN HYPOCRISY, THY NAME IS TORONTO

THIS IS A LETTER TO THE EDITOR FROM THE SATURDAY STRATFORD BEACON HERALD, BY LORI GRIFFIN OF PORT ELGIN

SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, I STARTED A PETITION TO ASK THAT INDUSTRIAL WIND TURBINES BE PLACED ALONG THE GTA SHORELINE FROM HAMILTON TO OSHAWA.
THERE ARE SEVERAL REASONS WHY THIS WOULD MAKE SENSE.
A) THE GREATER TORONTO AREA IS THE BIGGEST POWER GLUTTON IN THE PROVINCE
B)IT IS HOME TO THE LOUDEST ADVOCATES FOR THE GREEN ENERGY ACT
C)THE COST OF TRANSMISSION OF THE POWER WOULD BE GREATLY REDUCED
BUT THE BIGGEST REASON IS BECAUSE THE REST OF THE GREAT LAKES SHORLINES HAVE ALREADY DONE THEIR FAIR SHARE WITH THOUSANDS OF INDUSTRIAL WIND MACHINES APPROVED AND INSTALLED SO FAR.
I EMAILED THE PETITION AND MY IDEA TO ALL MAJOR NEWS SOURCES IN THE PROVINCE, FROM RADIO TO TELEVISION, NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES. NO SURPRISE, THERE WAS NARY A MENTION OR PRINTING OF MY LETTER OR IDEA BY ONE SINGLE TORONTO NEWS OUTLET.
SOME GROUPS WHO CLAIM GREAT CONCERNS ABOUT OUR ENVIRONMENT THAT I HAVE CONTACTED INCLUDE: ENVIRONMENT DEFENCE, CAW(CANADIAN AUTO WORKER UNION, SPECIFICALLY KEN LENWENZA AND HEALTH AND SAFETY CO ORDINATOR KEN BONDY) AND ALL LIBERAL MPPS FROM THE GTA. ALL OF THE ABOVE ARE TORONTO BASED. AGAIN THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE FROM ANY OF THEM. WHEN IT COMES TO MCGUINTY S GREEN ENERGY ACT, THEY FELL STRANGELY SILENT WHEN ASKED TO PUT THEIR MONEY WHERE THERE MOUTHS ARE.
I HAVE SPOKEN DIRECTLY TO MANY PEOPLE LIVING IN THE GTA. THEIR STANDARD RESON FOR NOT SIGNING THE PETITION IS BASED ON THIS MIND BOGGLING PIECE OF NON SENSE THERE IS NOT AS MUCH WIND ALONG THE GTA SHORELINE AS THERE IS ALONG THE OTHER GREAT LAKES. MY COMEBACK TO THE PATHETIC EXCUSE IS THAT SOMEONE NEEDS TO LET ALL THOSE SAIL BOATS IN THE TORONTO HARBOUR KNOW THIS STUNNING BIT OF NEWS.
THIS IS THE WORST KIND OF HYPOCRISY WHERE PEOPLE ARE SO OBSESSIVELY DEVOTED TO THEIR GREEN ENERGY ACT CAUSE THAT THEY BECOME OUTRAGED AT ANY DEBATE OVER THE ISSUE. IF YOU DARE TO SAY THAT RURAL ONTARIO IS INUNDATED ENOUGH WITH THESE INDUSTRIAL MACHINES THEN YOU ARE IMMEDIATELY LABELLED A NIMBY.. A TRAITOR TO THE PLANET....YOU HATE THE EARTH AND MOST OF ALL, YOU HATE OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO SACRIFICE WHATEVER IT TAKES TO SAVE THE PLANET. THIS IS HARDLY THE CASE. WE JUST THINK IT IS TIME FOR THE GTA TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE.
PERHAPS RURAL ONTARIANS WOULD NOT FEEL AS IF THEY VE BEEN RELEGATED TO THIRD CLASS STATUS IF THE BIGGEST ENERGY HOGS IN THE PROVINCE TOOK ON THEIR FAIR SHARE OF THIS GREEN ENDEAVOUR.
YET THOSE EXACT SAME PEOPLE WHO SPEW THEIR VITRIOLIC NIMBY ACCUSATIONS AT US ARE THE FIRST ONES TO RUN FOR COVER WHEN YOU ASK THEM TO PUT UP OR SHUT UP.THESE ARE THE GREEN HYPOCRITES

GRAHAM HEADING TO TRIAL

GRAHAM HEADING TO TRIAL
BY JEFF HEUCHERT, STRATFORD GAZETTE

THE STRATFORD BUSINESSMAN ACCUSED OF SCAMMING A LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION OUT OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IS HEADING TO A TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY.
JOHN-DAVID GRAHAM (JD) GRAHAM APPEARED BRIEFLY IN ONTARIO PROVINCIAL COURT MONDAY MORNING WHERE HE PLEADED NOT GUILTY. HE IS SCHEDULED TO APPEAR IN STRATFORD SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE ON FRIDAY SEPT. 21.
GRAHAM IS FACING EIGHT COUNTS OF FRAUD STEMMING FROM HIS TENURE AS LENDING MANAGER WITH THE PERTH COMMUNITY FUTURES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (PCFDC), A NON-PROFIT THAT PROVIDES BUSINESS SERVICES AND FINANCING TO ENCOURAGE ENTREPRENEIRSHIP AND NES ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES.
HE WAS PREVIOUSLY FOUND GUILTY OF FRAUD IN A CIVIL LAWSUIT AND ORDERED TO PAY THE PCFDC OVER $763,000.
GRAHAM OPERATES P LOVERS ECO LIFESTYLE ON ONTARIO STREET WITH HIS WIFE SUSAN.

GREAT BOOK TO READ

A GREAT BOOK THAT I LOVE TO REREAD THAT REALLY EXPLAINS ALOT OF THINGS INCLUDING MOSQUITOES IS A BOOK BY CANADIAN AUTHOR JOHN BRYDEN CALLED DEADLY ALLIES CANADAS SECRET WAR 1937-1947. IT WAS PUBLISHED IN 1989 BY MCCLELLAND & STEWART AND ALTHOUGH MY PAPERBACK IS SLOWLY FALLING APART I CONTINUE TO GO BACK TO IT ON MANY OCCASIONS AND JUST CAN NOT BELIEVE WHAT HE HAS REVEALED AND HOW QUIET IT HAS BEEN KEEP. IT IS A GOOD READ FOR SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO KNOW MORE ABOUT CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WARFARE AROUND THE WORLD DURING THIS TIME. IF YOU FIND THE BOOK, ALTHOUGH A LONG AND SOMETIMES DRY READ, PICK IT UP AND EDUCATE YOURSELF ON WHAT HAPPENED DURING THOSE YEARS. IT MAY SURPRISE YOU

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

ALWAYS DRINK UPSTREAM FROM THE HERD . GLAD SOME OF YOU ARE STILL READING THE BLOG. AND ALL COMMENTS ARE WELCOME

GRAHAM HEARING ADJOURNED FOR THE THIRD TIME

Jeff Heuchert, Stratford Gazette
Stratford businessman John-David (JD) Graham was back in court Monday morning where he had his case adjourned for the third time in six weeks.
Graham, who operates P’Lovers Eco Lifestyle on Ontario Street with his wife Susan, is facing eight counts of fraud stemming from his tenure as lending manager with the Perth Community Futures Development Corporation (PCFDC).
He was previously found guilty of fraud in a civil lawsuit and ordered to pay back over $763,000 to the PCFDC.
Graham is scheduled to appear back in Ontario Provincial Court on Monday, July 23 at 10:30 a.m. It’s expected at that time he will either enter a plea or a trial date will be set.
Justice Kathryn McKerlie granted Graham the additional four weeks for him to retain a lawyer.
She suggested, however, that there would be no more adjournments, adding, "It’s time to move this matter forward."
Graham continues to have to abide by a lengthy list of bail conditions, including that he not have contact with or enter the place of residence or work of a list of individuals who could be called as witnesses in a trial

THIS IS JUST FUNNY

DEAR REVENUE CANADA ( or whatever your current name may be )
Enclosed and or attached you will find my 2011 tax return showing that i owe $3,407.00 in taxes.
Please note the information in the attached article from the Toronto Globe and Mail,dated November 12, wherein it is recorded, The Canadian Department of National Defence is paying $171.50 per hammer, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada has paid $600.00 for each toilet seat on its icebreakers.
Therefore i am enclosing four(4) toilet seats- valued at $2,400.00- and six(6) hammers- valued at $1,029.00- which i secured from Canadian Tire bringing my total remittance to $3429.00.
Please apply the overpayment of $22.00 to the HELP THE STEPHEN HARPER GOVERNMENT DEVELOP A CONSCIENCE FUND,as duly noted on my return.
You may do this poignantly, by sending them one (1) 1.5 Philips Head Screw-please see the aforementioned article from the Globe and Mail detailing how the Department of Public Works pays $22.00 for every 1.5 Philips Head Screw they use. One 1.5 Philips Head Srew is enclose for your convenience.
It has been a pleasure to pay my tax bill this year and I look forward to paying it again next year

Sincerely
TAXPAYER

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

HAPPY FATHERS DAY. TO ALL MY READERS WHO HAVE A FATHER, GIVE HIM A BIG HUG TODAY. SOME OF WISHED WE COULD HUG OUR DADS.

NEW TO NORTH PERTH

THE MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH PERTH HAS CREATED A NEW WEBSITE AND IT IS UP AND RUNNING TODAY. LETS HOPE IT IS EASIER TO NAVIGATE THAN THE OLD ONE WHERE INFORMATION WAS NEVER AVAILABLE.

MY APOLOGIES TO READERS

AGAIN I HAVE BEEN MISSING IN ACTION. I AGAIN TEMPTED FATE AND WENT OUT FOR MY BIRTHDAY DINNER. DUE TO MY SEVERE FOOD ALLERGIES, THAT I NOW HAVE DUE TO CONTAMINATED WATER, I HAD A SEVERE REACTION. THE MEAL THAT I HAD MUST HAVE BEEN CROSS CONTAMINATED WITH SOMETHING I AM ALLERGIC TO AND I HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY ILL FOR THE LAST WEEK. THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME I TEMP FATE, AS NOW I HAVE TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE I NOW GO INTO ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK. I AM FEELING MUCH BETTER AND WILL SOON BEGIN POSTING ALL THAT IS INTERESTING.

WHAT A RIDE

IT WAS ON MAY 29 1962 A GIRL WAS BORN, WHO CAME INTO THE WORLD WITHOUT A MANUAL. SHE HAS HAD MANY CHALLENGES AND HAS STOODS HER GROUND THROUGH MANY ISSUES, AND WILL CONTINUE TO. SHE IS VERY PROUD TO SAY THAT SHE IS HAPPY TO HAVE MADE IT HALF WAY THROUGH THE RACE, WE ALL CALL LIFE. SHE IS SLIDING INTO HOME WITH A BODY TIRED BUT WELL USED, AND A GLASS OF WINE IN ONE HAND AND CHOCOLATE IN THE OTHER.............. AND SCREAMING WHAT A RIDE. BRING ON THE NEXT 50 YEARS.....I AM READY...CAN NOT BE ANY WORSE THAN THE FIRST 50, EXCEPT I AM RUNNING LOW ON WINE AND CHOCOLATE. CHEERS ALL I AM 50 AND NOT DONE YET..... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME.

HYDRO ONE NETWORKS......

WELL AS SOON AS YOU THINK THAT ONE DOOR CLOSES AND ANOTHER OPENS.......... YOU REALIZE YOU SHOULD HAVE SLAMMED THAT LAST DOOR....REALLY HARD. AS SOON AS THE ISSUE WITH HYDRO ONE, WAS WHAT I THOUGHT FINISHED, AND CALMNESS HAD TAKEN OVER AND LIFE CONTINUED......... AS ALWAYS, IT THEN WILL GET YOU, MURPHYS LAW AND ALL. A LETTER APPEARS IN THE MAIL, FROM A COLLECTION AGENCY FOR MONEY YOU OWE HYDRO ONE FOR HYDRO THAT YOU DID NOT USE. THIS SITUATION WAS SUPPOSED TO BE CLEARED UP AND THE BILL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ZERO, AFTER I GAVE THEM THE METER, THAT THEY CLAIMED I WAS HOLDING FOR RANSOM. I GUESS SOMEONE FORGOT TO FOLLOW THROUGH AT HYDRO ONE AND SENT THIS BIIL TO COLLECTIONS. AFTER A LOVELY TALK WITH THE ONTARIO ENERGY BOARD MY COMPLAINT WILL AGAIN BE LOOKED INTO AS HYDRO ONE TOLD THEM THAT THE SITUATION HAD BEEN RESOLVED. I HOPE THIS TIME IT IS AND I GET MY SECURITY DEPOSITS BACK. IT ALWAYS PAYS TO BE .............THE GOOD PERSON.......YOU THINK

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

A POLITICIAN IS A FELLOW WHO WILL LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE FOR YOUR COUNTRY

WELL PUT ELMIRA ADVOCATE.......HELLO NORTH PERTH

Advocating for citizens of Woolwich Township with regards to the environment, groundwater, surface water, drinking water and contaminated industrial sites.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
　
EFS-Plastics Inc. IS LEAVING ELMIRA
This story ran in the Waterloo Region Record last Saturday May 12/12. The title was "Bye-bye to the big cities". The sub title of the story was "Cool reception from Kitchener, Waterloo prompts business to expand in Listowel". Despite this being an allegedly green business which recycles plastics, my initial thought upon seeing this article was good riddance to bad rubbish. This however I must admit was strictly a personal reaction. I've met the owner and am unimpressed with him. Throughout this story is the claim that because this business uses a high volume of water it was causing difficulty at the local sewage treatment plant. This makes no sense at all. Uniroyal/Chemtura used to use vastly increased volumes of water in their processes and any problems they caused the Elmira STP were due to the quality of their effluent, not the volume. Similarily I heard a year ago plus that there were quality issues with the effluent from EFS Plastics. This information came indirectly through informal channels from Woolwich Township. I would characterize the source as sometimes reliable. Having seen the operations of EFS Plastics I was quite surprised at the claim of effluent problems. As described in the Record's article, they wash the incoming plastics. Obviously food containers shouldn't have serious issues. Ah I just had a brain wave. I saw pre washed plastics coming in from the Region of Waterloo. Is there any chance that this pre-washing operation was transferred to EFS ? Also I saw plastic oil bottles. Again somebody somewhere has to wash all the oil out of these bottles before they can be ground up and recycled. The other possibilty may have to do with the centrifuge system they use to seperate the plastics by weight and density. The ground up plastics are put into a large vat filled with rotating water and the plastic pieces settle out at various levels in the water. Is it possible that all the plastic is not sucessfully removed from the water prior to discharge to the sewers? In a nutshell I'm not buying the excuses in this article that EFS's large water useage is a factor in their difficulty locating in Kitchener-Waterloo. Look at the huge industries and factories in K-W that are now closed. Their water useage would absolutely swamp EFS. EFS are a tiny little plant on Union St. across from the old Varnicolor Chemical site. Perhaps Listowel/North Perth might want to double check and be certain they are going into this with full knowledge, up front.

MY MOTHERS DAY SUCKED........

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL THE STRONG WOMAN WHO RAISE WONDERFUL CHILDREN WHO MAKE OUR WORLD A BETTER PLACE TO BE. MAY ALL MOTHERS HAVE A GREAT DAY, you all deserve it

BUCKET LISTS

AS READ ON 570 NEWS GARY DOYLE TALK SHOW
MICHELLE
MY BUCKET LIST
ON THE TOP OF MY LIST IS TO GET HEALTHY AFTER 2 YEARS OF ILLNESS AND TO GET THE MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH PERTH TO MAKE THINGS FAIR AND EVEN AFTER CAUSING ME TO LOSE MY HOME, MY BUSINESS AND MY RETIREMENT INVESTMENT.

MR SCOTTS COMMENTS ON DECISION

IT IS FOUR STRIKES AND YOU ARE OUT.
JUSTICE KENNEDY WANTS THIS TO PROCEED TO TRIAL ASAP OF WHICH I AM VERY HAPPY ABOUT.
DESPITE OUR EFFORTS TO SETTLE WITH THE MUNICIPALITY THEY HAVE CONTINUED TO WASTE TAXPAYERS MONEY ON LEGAL COST AND HAVE AGGRAVATED THESE CIRCUMSTANCES AND INCREASED MY OPPORTUNITY FOR PUNITIVE DAMAGES

PRESS RELEASE

THE LAWYERS FOR THE MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH PERTH BROUGHT A MOTION BEFORE THE HONOURABLE JOHN C. KENNEDY AT STRATFORD MAY 1, 2012 WITH A VIEW TO HAVING THE ACTION BROUGHT BY RON SCOTT DISMISSED. THIS IS THE SEPERATE ACTION AGAINST THE MUNICIPALITY AND SEVERAL OF ITS MEMBERS OF COUNCIL. AT THE HEARING THE MOTION WAS DISMISSED. THIS WAS THE FOURTH MOTION BROUGHT ON BEHALF OF THE MUNICIPALITY ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THE MATTER DISMISSED. THIS MATTER IS TO REFERRED BACK TO THE JUDGE WHO MADE DECISION IN THE THIRD MOTION FOR AN APPOITMENT SO THAT CLARIFICATION OF THAT ORDER CAN BE MADE

FROM A WISE MAN

POLITICS....... FROM THE LATIN POLY..... (MANY).........TICS (BLOOD SUCKING INSECTS)

ANOTHER BRAIN TEASER

WE HANG THE PETTY THEIFS AND APPOINT THE GREAT ONES TO PUBLIC OFFICE. Makes you think

JUST FOR LAUGHS

THE THING ABOUT POLITICAL JOKES IS ...................THAT THEY GET ELECTED

HOROSCOPES

MY HOROSCOPE FOR THIS WEEK SHOULD HAVE SAID

HOLY CRAP GIRL

YOU MADE IT TO THE END OF THE WEEK

GOOD FOR YOU

WAKE UP CALL NORTH PERTH

RUMOUR..................THERE IS A RUMOUR CIRCULATING THAT A PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH PERTH IS WRITING A BOOK ON THE SHENANIGANS THAT IS NORTH PERTH. WHAT A GREAT READ THAT SHOULD BE. I GUESS I WILL PART OF IT....................YOU THINK!!!!!!!!!!!

FROM THE CAMBRIDGE ADVOCATE

Something for Everyone!
Apr 17th, 2012 By waycat Section: Humour and Satire, Posts and Recipes by Waycat

I changed my iPod’s name to Titanic. It’s syncing now.
When chemists die, they barium.
Jokes about German sausage are the wurst.
I know a guy who’s addicted to brake fluid. He says he can stop any time.
How does Moses make his tea? Hebrews it.
I stayed up all night to see where the sun went. Then it dawned on me.
This girl said she recognized me from the vegetarian club, but I’d never met herbivore.
I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. I just can’t put it down.
I did a theatrical performance about puns. It was a play on words.
They told me I had type-A blood, but it was a Type-O.
PMS jokes aren’t funny; period.
Why were the Indians here first? They had reservations.
We’re going on a class trip to the Coca-Cola factory.
I hope there’s no pop quiz.
I didn’t like my beard at first. Then it grew on me.
Did you hear about the cross-eyed teacher who lost her job because she couldn’t control her pupils?
When you get a bladder infection urine trouble.
Broken pencils are pointless.
I tried to catch some fog, but I mist.
What do you call a dinosaur with an extensive vocabulary? A thesaurus.
England has no kidney bank, but it does have a Liverpool.
I used to be a banker, but then I lost interest.
I dropped out of communism class because of lousy Marx.
All the toilets in New York’s police stations have been stolen. The police have nothing to go on.
I got a job at a bakery because I kneaded dough.
Haunted French pancakes give me the crêpes.
Velcro — what a rip off!
A cartoonist was found dead in his home. Details are sketchy.
Venison for dinner again? Oh deer?

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch without doing anything.

ALBERT EINSTEIN

CONNECTIVITY CAN BE REAL EQUALIZER FOR COMMUNITIES

"How you gonna keep themdown on the farm once they've seen Paris". - First World War Song
When the boys came back from the First World War there was a concern at farmhouse kitchen tables that men returning from Europe would have no interest in returning to milking cows or guiding a plough.
For rural Ontario, including small towns or cities like Stratford and Listowel, the war is long over, but that same sort of mindset is still at play.
There's still a concern that young men or women have to move to places like Waterloo, London or, more likely, Toronto to pursue modern, big- time careers and vocational greatness.
But, according to Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) co-founder Robert Bell, that's not always the case now as being able to connect to anywhere in the world via high speed Internet means companies don't have to set up in Toronto or other major urban centres.
The RBD server centre is a good example of that. The massive facility was pursued by over 100 communities, but RBC chose Stratford. Without high-speed access to the rest of North America, however, Stratford would not have made the long list let alone have been the successful suitor.
Bell said here this week that high-speed digital access to the rest of the world serves as a great equalizer and puts Stratford, or any place with high-speed Internet, on a level playing field with big cities - even Paris.
So the young career-minded person, for the first time in history, can have it both ways.
You don't have to suffer through a two-hour commute along 400 series highways, pay $50 a day in parking or worry about walking to the parking garage after dark.
And for those of you who consider Stratford or other communities near here ideal places to raise a family, you don't have to make a choice anymore.
You can work where you grew up and while still having access to the rest of the world and feeling comfortable with your kid's school and with them playing road hockey in front of the house. You can still enroll them in minor sports for less than $5000 a year (unlike Toronto). And parents can walk around the river, walk downtown for dinner or bike to their kids soccer game or farmers market.
Additionally, the broadband high-speed world means local businesses and employers have the same access to technology and connectivity as their big city competitors.
There's no reason for companies to hightail it to major urban areas to be on par with their competitors or expand. That will help to keep jobs here and also help the corporate tax base.
So that historic dilemma for individuals and companies - I would love to stay here but think I have to go to Toronto - no longer exists. Who said progress is bad?
john.kastner@sunmedia.ca

GRAHAM RELEASED WITH STRICT CONDITIONS

Stratford business JD Graham was released from custody after a bail hearing on Friday with bail set at $20,000.00 and strict bail conditions. He is not allowed at either of the CFDC offices or contact any of the employees or Board members or witnesses in the case. Other conditions of bail include that he must reside at his home and he will have a strict curfew and is only allowed out after curfew if he is with his surety. He must be present within 5 minutes if police attend his residence and report to Stratford police every Wednesday. He also must surrender his passport and must not leave the province of Ontario

SAD DAY

In memory of a lost soul whose life ended on Wednesday. May you rest in peace Ron Scholl. You were a good friend and will be missed by many.

GRAHAM ARRESTED FOR FRAUD

EXCERPTS FROM THE STRATFORD BEACON HERALD

Stratford businesman John David Graham, 46, was arrested Thursday abd charged with seven counts of fraud over 5,000 and one count of fraud under 5,000, said Pert County OPP.

Graham was taken into custody and was scheduled to appear in Stratford bail court Friday at 10 am.

Police said the arrest was made as a result of an extensive investigation into financial improprieties of a former employee of the Perth Community Futures Development Corporation in Milverton.

Graham, who also goes by the first name JD, was earlier this year subject of a court action for fraud brought bt Community Futures.

The suit resulted in Graham being ordered to pay the corporation 763,000.

IT' S THE NORTH PERTH WAY

EXCERPTS FROM THE STRATFORD BEACON HERALD

WILLIAMS SHOCKED
Dave Williams was on his way to the Listowel Cyclone's year end team photo session when we spoke to him last Friday, two days after he was canned by the team. This after the Stratford native guided the Cycs to their lone Cherrey Cup title in 2004-o5 and to another appearance in the Midwestern final in 2010-11.
"It came as a shock, getting the call from (president) Don Annett telling me my services were no longer required," Williams said. "The toughest thing for me was that no reason was given. If they're upset that we lost in the first round this year, or whatever the reason is, I'd like to know."
"I fully understand it's the nature of the business that coaches are hired and are likely to be fired. I accept that. But I feel that with what the team accomplished during my time there, I should have at least been given courtesy of knowing why."
Former Guelph coach Jeff Flanagan has been hired as the Cycs new coach.
Williams spent time recently in Texas, where his brother and former Culliton Denis is bench boss of the Amarillo Bulls of the North American Junior Hockey League. The team opened a divisional semifinal against the Odessa Jacalopes last night.
Williams, a guidance counselor at Listowel District High School, says he has no plans to follow his brother down south.
"I'm more than happy with my day job," he said. "Coaching is something that I love to do and hopefully another opportunity becomes available some day."

SOMETHING FOR NORTH PERTH TO THINK ABOUT

ANOTHER GOOD EDITORIAL
By John Kastner
Stratford Beacon Herald
UPSETS BY FIREFIGHTERS DECISION ? NO ONE CARES

One wonders if Stephen Raymond, the arbitrator that ruled in favour of the Stratford firefighters, had any idea what his decision would mean in dollars and cents (or sense ).
He probably could have guessed, and the informed source thought the total bill for one-time retroactive pay increases and one-time retroactive retention pay would come around $1.5.
The actual figure was $2.75 million and, according to city officials, there is no way Raymond would have known what the number was or even come close. It took the city's payroll department weeks to do the math.
So, we know he didn't know what the figure would be, so the better question might be : Did he care ? Given that he doesn't live here or pay taxes here and won't be impacted by his historic burden on the taxpayers, the answer is probably not.
And given that he will now be the darling of firefighters unions across the province who are looking for an easily swayed arbitrator the increased business will surely be welcomed.
Taxpayers in Stratford, whether they be residential, business or corporate, are not so lucky, as this decision will have a lasting impact on the community when it comes to services the city can provide and the sort of place we call home.
Just think of what the city could have done with $2.7 million.
And, keep in mind, this lottery-sized payout is just the thin edge of a wedge.
Dispatchers at the police station will ask for retention this year and, given the precedent at the fire department, they will get it. There is no sense in the city going to arbitration- been there, done that, just pay.
Also, the Major League Baseball-sized pay increases will take their tool forever, adding dozens of firefighters to the next Sunshine List and the next one ............and the next one.
The extra tax burden on the taxpayers who are already paying more property tax than people in neighbouring communities notwithstanding, the other ramifications are that many forward- thinking ideas in a forward -thinking city will now be shelved, probably forever.
So, when people come forward with an idea for bike trails or sky trails or splash pads or any other sundry initiatives, the sales job just got a lot tougher because there is a lot less money.
Cities pleaded with the province to change the arbitration process so that arbitrators would not use a wide brush for all communities. Cities wanted arbitrators to take into account the communities ability to pay and that the impact a decision has on a community be considered.
The reality is no one in a position fo influence cares what impact the multimillion dollar decision will have on Stratford. The arbitrator sure doesn't care, the province doesn't care enough to change the system, the people who negotiated on behalf of firefighters and went to the wall on the retention pay obviously don't care.
So the message from all of the above to cities and by extension, taxpayers is pretty clear-----you can't afford this Not my problem!
john.kastner@sunmedia.ca

MY THOUGHT FOR TODAY.......

Thanks to my municipality........

I AM SICKER THAN I COULD EVER HAVE IMAGINED.

SO BROKE THAT I WANT TO CRY.

AND ANGRIER THAN I EVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE

SOME DAYS THINGS ARE JUST NOT FAIR.

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS

Life............

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways -Chardonnay in one hand -chocolate in the other- body thoroughly worn out screaming WOO HOO , What a ride

POINT OF VIEW - ANDREA DEMEER STRATFORD BEACON HERALD

JAMES FORCES SPOTLIGHT ON CANCER OF CHILD ABUSE
If there is a blessing to be received from the life of Graham James it is this: As a garden-variety monster he committed a commonplace crime and received a typical sentence, but because of how and where he choose his prey, because of who his victims were and ultimately because of their courage in coming forward, James unwittingly gave spark to a rare maistream discussion in this country on the epidemic of sex assualt and child abuse and tohe related dysfunction of our criminal justice system.
Leave it to Canadians.
These are issues so depraved, so fathomless, we would dearly prefer not to think about them at all, thank your very much.It would take the sullying of our national sport to force us to sit up and take notice . So be it.
Last week James was committed for two years in prison for the long-term sexual abuse of teen hockey players under his charge.
Preceived as lenient, the sentence fueled outrage. The judge in the case has received death threats. The minister for public safety is calling on the Manitoba Justice Department to carefully its case for appeal.
That s all very understandable. Jame s crimes are among the worse we can imagine and two years is a woefully inadequate sentence.
Yet for the many survivors of sex abuse and assault in this country, and the police and prosecutors who investigate, it is pretty much another day at the office. Rape, incest and the violation of trust are generally followed up with a slap on the wrist.
Comparitively, a two year sentence for sex crimes can be thought severe.
Consider the following: The federal Justice Department tracked 2,854 cases of child sex exploitation in Canada (2002-03) while noting most of these crimes are never reported.
During the tracking period, conviction rates for child sex abuse, child prostitution and child pornography were 38.5%, among the lowest in adult court. Of those found guilty, more than half received probation or a conditional sentence.
Thanks to James, the nation is focused on the cancer that is child sex abuse like never before. It is an opportunity to take awareness and outrage and use them to force stiffer punishments for the guilty- and greater understanding of support of the innocent.

DON'T SAY YOU CAN'T....SAY YOU'LL TRY

Although I continue to try and find resolution with my municipality with regards to my issues with my property , I seem to get the same reply. The inability of resolving the issues without the court system. It really is to bad that people can not take responsibility and step up and make the right decision. Sad statement for our communities when even our municipal governments can not take the high ground. This is the latest answer to requesting my municipal government make things fair and even. A wise man that I know once said, don't say you can't.....just say you'll try. Another municipal letter full of BS, especially when my last request to speak in front of council was approved and then declined at the last minute. Still will not let me speak..............I wonder WHY??????????????

Ms. McTaggart,We have repeatedly reapomded to your demands, both through regular correspondance, emails, and telephone conversations. CAO Snell and Clerk Berfelz are Officers of the Municipality of North Perth, as such, they do not have a pecuniary interest in any of your issues. As, this is not a matter before the courts we do not have a lawyer or mediator assigned to a case that does not exist.All members of the general public have the opportunity to appear before open Council (there is criteria to be followed) to present any issue. This must be coordinated through the Clerk's department for the next available time slot.Regards,Mayor Behrns

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn' t supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it' s harder every time. You' ll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You' ll fight with your best friend. You' ll blame a new love for things an old one did. You' ll cry because time is passing too fast, and you' ll eventually lose someone love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you 've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you ll never get back.
DON T BE AFRAID THAT YOUR LIFE WILL END , BE AFRAID THAT IT WILL NEVER BEGIN
anonyous

STRATFORD TOURISM ALLIANCE HAS RATHER ODD SALES PITCH

ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW
BY JOHN KASTNER
THE STRATFORD BEACON HERALD
The role of the Stratford Tourism Alliance is to promote tourism and convince people near and far that this is a great place to visit.
The alliance is a partnership of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, the City of Stratford and the city's tourism sector. This collaboration replaced Tourism Stratford, which had been a city department.
Bringing in the stakeholders as partners makes sense, but to suggest everyone is on the same page is a stretch. It s clear the partners are using more than one song book.
Case in point - the annual Stratford swan parade. The Tourism Alliance wanted to ramp up the event and bring in bleachers, more glitz, gimmicks and pomp and circumstance.
The City Beautification and Environmental Awareness Committee disagreed, a standoff ensued and the committee opted for the KIS approach ( Keep It Simple ), and so the swan parade will be a lot like it has been for the last 20 years.
Bagpipes, tons of people and swans.
Then, last SaturdayThe Beacon Herald published an article about sports tourism, and in the article Tourism Alliance executive director Eugene Zakreski made some statements that irked the City Centre Committee.
To paraphase, Zakreski was somewhat dismissive of sports tourism and said that the mandate of the Tourism Alliance was to go after clientele that is " looking to spend a good deal of money" and "willing to spend a higher price".
The City Centre Committee was so miffed it sent out a media release to counter Zakreski s remarks and pointed out that tourists who only buy a newspaper or coffee werre also very welcome.
Zakreski, whose job is to sell Stratford as a destination for touristss, also took a swipe at Stratford s inventory of resturants and hotels.
"I think sports tourism is an excellent opportunity, but we have our challenges in terms of infrastructure, particularly places to stay and places to eat," Zakreski was quoted as saying in the article.
Well, that's an odd thing to say for the guy who is supposed to be singing the praises of the city and especially its hospitality and tourism sector.
And if there aren' t enough hotel rooms, or resturants or the right kind of hotels and resturants, one assumes that good old fashioned capitalism would kick in.
If Zakreski and the Tourism Alliance were bringing so many people here that there really was no place to eat or no place to stay, hotels wouldn t be converted to seniors' homes and new resturants would be opening up to handle the crowds.
The tourism alliance should be less picky about the sort of tourists we attract and if it brings so many tourists, whether it be sports tourism or anything else, that new resturants open and hotels have to be built, so be it.
There are lots of different and successful sales pitches, but to imply we only want tourists who are not worried about price and that there is no room at the inn and not enough good place to eat is rather a new approach.
And not a very good one.
john.kastner@sunmedia.ca

PROPERTY RIGHTS DON'T COUNT IN NORTH PERTH

WITHOUT PREJUDICE
MARCH 17, 2012
FOR COUNCIL MARCH 19, 2012
TO THE COUNCIL OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH PERTH
RE: BY-LAW 32-3012
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT I AM TOTALLY AGAINST THIS BY- LAW WHICH GIVES MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES , MUNICIPAL BY LAW OFFICERS AND MUNICIPAL BUILDING INSPECTORS THE RIGHT TO ENTER ONTO PRIVATE PROPERTY. THE MUNICIPALITY IS STRETCHING IT'S AUTHORITY AND REALLY HAS NO AUTHOURITY TO PASS THIS BY LAW. THE RIGHT OF ENTRY UNDER THE PROPERTY STANDARDS LAW THROUGH THE BUILDING CODE IS TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF PROPERTY OWNERS AND THE MUNICIPALITY HAS NO RIGHT TO TAKE THAT AWAY. YOUR MUNICIPALITY ALREADY GOES AGAINST THIS RULE OF LAW AND HAS TRESPASSED ON MY PROPERTY MANY TIMES.
"THE ADOPTION OF THE SAID BY LAW WILL RELIEVE THE MUNICIPALITY FROM HARM AND LIABILITY"
AS A MUNICIPALITY YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF YOUR EMPLOYEES AND YOU ARE JOINT AND SEVERABILY LIABLE FOR ANY OF THEIR ACTIONS WHILE WORKING FOR THE MUNICIPALITY. THIS IS NOT A LEGAL BY LAW THAT THE MUNICIPALITY CAN PASS OR LEGALLY ENFORCE AS IT INFRINGES ON PEOPLES RIGHTS TO THE QUIET ENJOYMENT OF THIER PROPERTY. THE COUNCIL OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH PERTH NEEDS TO DUE FURTHER RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE AND DUE DILIGENCE BEFORE THIS BY LAW IS PASSED. MY COMPLAINT AGAINST THIS BY LAW IS TO BE GIVEN TO COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION FOR MONDAY MARCH 19 2012.
SHERRIE MCTAGGART

EXCERPTS FROM THE BY LAW THAT SHOULD MAKE EVERYONE QUESTION WHAT IS GOING ON IN NORTH PERTH AND WHO WANTED THIS BY-LAW AND WHY ?????
" A right of entry By-law allows for an officer/employee to enter onto private property for the purpose of inspection or collection of information. This By-law will blanket all municipal By-laws that have been adopted under the Municipal Act for example pools, sewer use By-law or control of dogs. This By-law is different from our Property Standards By-law and it's right of Entry. Right of Entry is only granted for Property Standards under the Building Code Act and only concerns that specific By-law. Without this By-law the municipality may be liable to tresspassing with the possbility of employees and officers being charged. The adoption of the said by-law will relieve the Municipality from harm and liabilty"
SOME of the highlights that again should concern North Perth residents.
Maximum fine for obstructing an employee of North Perth to follow this By-law is $100,000.00. Excessive I think.
"Officer" means a By-law Enforcement Office, Police Officer, Chief Fire Official or designate. Animal Control Officer, or all Municipality of North Perth employees including any agents or contractors working on behalf of the Municipality authorised by council to enforce a provision(s) of any Municipality of North Perth By-law, provincial satute or federal statute."
INSPECTION POWERS
FOR THE PURPOSE OF AN INSPECTION, AN OFFICER MAY:
- require the production for inspection of documents or things relevant to the inspection
-inspect and remove documents or things relevant to the inspection for the purpose of making copies
-require information from any person concerning a matter related to the inspection; and
-alone or in conjuction with a person possessing special or expert knowledge, make examination or take tests, samples or photographs necessary for the purpose of the inspection.
NO PERSON SHALL OBSTRUCT OR ATTEMPT TO OBSTRUCT ANY OFFICER OR OTHER PERSON WHO IS EXERCISING A POWER OR PERFORMING A DUTY UNDER THIS BY-LAW OR ANY OTHER MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH PERTH BY-LAW. Remember if you do you face a maximum fine of $100,000.00
ACTION ON MY COMPLAINT FROM THE COUNCIL MEETING LAST NIGHT
AS QUOTED FROM THE TOWN CLERK TODAY IN AN EMAIL
"THE BY-LAW WAS DISCUSSED IN GREAT LENGTH LAST EVENING. COUNCIL DID NOT PROCEED WITH THE BY-LAW AS PRESENTED.
COMMENTS OR QUESTION ARE ENCOURAGED

MOMENT OF SILENCE

IN MEMORY OF OUR FALLEN HEREOS

KEN REA AND RAY WALTER

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND ALL OUR NORTH PERTH FIREFIGHTERS NOW AND ALWAYS

HAPPY SAINT PATRICKS DAY

ANOTHER GREAT ARTICLE BY JOHN KASTNER FROM THE STRATFORD BEACON HERALD

FOR OUR MPP, BOSS'S ORDERS TRUMPED NEEDS OF RIDING
Try to imagine how Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece could, in good conscience, stand in the legislature last week and vote against Bill 11.
That bill, if passed, would see $80 million delivered to southwestern Ontario to help this area bounce back from the last economic downturn.
The idea of giving this area a hand was the braintrust of mayors from Stratford to Windsor who could not understand why other economically pummelled regions could get help from the province but this area couldn't.
With tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs gone- from places like Ford Talbotville to Fram in Stratford- southwestern Ontario mayors said something had to be done.
So, with Stratford Mayor Dan Mathieson as chairman, they banded together and made a collective pitch to the province. Their cry for help led to Premier Dalton McGuinty annoucing $20 million in each of the next four years for the Southwestern Ontario Development fund. (SWODF)
Getting that fund created was no small feat and is testament to co-operation between mayors and the province.
Unmoved, following orders from leader Tim Hudak, Pettapiece and the other Conservative MPPs voted against the bill.
Pettapiece rationalized the no vote by saying he wasn t convinced the money would help and went on to say, "Quite frankly, we can t afford it, he said, citing the Drummond report."
Well that' s a bit odd because in the same week Pettapiece again did what his boss told him to do and supported a Conservative motion regarding the Toronto Transit Commission. Hudak and the Conservatives want the province to build subways and above-ground transit for the City of Toronto.
The cost: $8.4 billion.
So we can't afford $80 million to help this riding, but $8,4 billion for the TTC is ok.
Let' s be clear. In fairness to Pettapiece, this nonsense at Queen' s Park is all about party politics
The Conservatives voted against the government, but Bill 11 passed second reading, so the money is still on track. And insisting that the province build subways and not above- and below- ground transit is pandering to Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, who is fighting his own fight with Toronto city council.
Pettapiece, as a new MPP, has no choice but to do what his boss says and vote the way he is told. Being forced to follow party lines is not a new phenomenon either.
Regardless, what happened last week was a bad couple of days for politcs in general and this riding in particular.
And the whole notion of "I will go to Queen s Park and fight for this riding" rings a bit hollow now.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CANNOT CHANGE
THE COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS I CANNOT ACCEPT
AND THE WISDOM TO HIDE THE BODIES OF THOSE PEOPLE
I HAD TO KILL TODAY BECAUSE THEY PISSED ME OFF
AND ALSO, HELP ME TO BE CAREFUL OF THE TOES I STEP ON TODAY
AS THEY MAY BE ATTACHED TO THE BUTT THAT I HAVE TO KISS TOMORROW
HELP ME TO ALWAYS GIVE 100% AT WORK.....12% ON MONDAY, 23% ON TUESDAY, 40% ON WEDNESDAY, 20% ON THRUSDAY, AND 5% ON FRIDAY
AND HELP ME TO REMEMBER............
WHEN I AM HAVING A REALLY BAD DAY
AND IT SEEMS THAT PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO PISS ME OFF
THAT IT TAKES 42 MUSCLES TO FROWN
AND ONLY 4 TO EXTEND MY MIDDLE FINGER AND TELL THEM TO BITE ME

WIND ENERGY ISSUE IN ATWOOD

I just love this man writing..........enjoy the read

DON'T EXPECT THE WIND TO BLOW BOTH WAYS AT MEETING
A week from tonight there will be a big meeting at the community centre in Atwood to talk about wind energy.
If you are one of those people sitting on the fence when it comes to wind energy and are seeking impartial, unbiased objective data when it comes to windmills, this might not be the place for you. Let's be honest, the place is going to packed with wind energy opponents.
The "public town hall " meeting has been called by Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece who was elected primarily because of votes in rural areas of the riding where there is a significant anti-wind energy sentiment.
His positon on wind energy has been clear from the outset.
"When it comes to wind turbines, the McGuinty government has not been serious about consulting the public", Pettapiece said in a press release announcing the meeting.
"If they won't, we will.
Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson will also speak at the meeting. She is the Conservatives' critic charged with leading the opposition to the Liberals' Green Energy Act.
Nippissing MPP Vic Fedeli will also be at the meeting. He is the Tories critic for energy.
Talk about preaching to the choir.
Those opposed to wind energy have done a good job of organizing and there are citizens groups opposed to turbines in Perth East, West perth, NorthPerth and Huron East.
But there are pro-wind people out there.
There are farmers that have agreed to wind mills on their property. There are companies that are in the wind energy business and there are apparently way more studies that say wind energy is safe than there are that say it's a legitimate health risk, but they are drowned out by the wind opponents.
It's all well and good and politcally astute for the Conservatives to galvanize the wind opposition in this part of the country.
But no one, including the Conservatives, if they are honest, expects to hear both sides of the wind energy issue in Atwood.
Just as defeated MPP John Wilkinson declined to go to face a stacked deck during an all-candidates debate over wind energy issues in Arthur, those on the positive side of the wind issue will be no where near Atwood next Wednesday.
That is fine and those who have concerns about wind energy, whether those fears are real or imagined, and the politicians who have called the meeting, are fully aware of what this meeting really is.
It is a rally for those opposed to wind energy and a chance to bolster support for the politicians that have rode that opposition to office.
And, if you are one of those people looking for unbiased discussion and unfettered facts about wind energy, you can probably pass on the short trip to Atwood and not miss much.
by JOHN KASTNER
POINT OF VIEW
STRATFORD BEACON HERALD

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
STRATFORD BEAON HERALD
RE: CFDC SCANDAL
I HAVE BEEN READING WITH INTEREST THE ARTICLES IN THE BEACON HERALD WITH REGARDS TO THE MISAPPROPRIATION OF FUNDS BY JD GRAHAM FROM THE PERTH COMMUNITY FUTURES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. I TOOK OFFENSE TO A COMMENT MADE IN DONAL O'CONNOR'S ARTICLE ON THURSDAY MARCH 1 2012 "FRAUD LOSSES OFTEN DON'T GET PAID BACK".
THE COMMENT "RIGHTLY OR WRONGLY THEY DON'T PUT PEOPLE OUT ON THE STREET. AND I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THE COURT WOULD RECOGNIZE HERE IS THAT THE WINNERS IN THIS CASE ARE NOT PEOPLE. IT'S NOT AS THOUGH THEIR LIVES HAVE BEEN RUINED" HELLO..... THE WINNERS IN THIS CASE ARE PEOPLE. THEY ARE TAXPAYERS, BUSINESS PEOPLE AND REGULAR EVERYDAY PEOPLE AND $763,000.00 WOULD HAVE GONE A LONG WAY TO HELP PEOPLE TO BEGIN OR CONTINUE THEIR BUSINESS. THIS CASE HAS AFFECTED MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE PART OF THE CFDC AND IT IS SHAMEFUL THAT THIS HAS TAKEN PLACE AND PAYBACK IS A MUST. AND NO MATTER WHAT SHAPE THAT TAKES, THE MONEY MUST BE RETURNED AND IF THAT DESTROYS A MAN WHO DESTROYED ALOT OF PEOPLES LIVES THEN THAT IS PART OF THE PAYBACK. WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND AND SOMETIMES IT WILL BITE YOU.
LOUD APPLAUSE TO ALL "HONEST" BUSINESS PEOPLE. WE ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN BUT WE ARE A PROUD CREW THAT CAN FACE OUSELVES IN THE MIRROR AND SLEEP AT NIGHT. LETS MAKE THIS CASE IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO STOP IT FROM EVER HAPPENING AGAIN, BECAUSE IT DOES AND HAS AFFECTED PEOPLE.......... IN MANY WAYS.
SHERRIE MCTAGGART
STRATFORD

FRAUD LOSSES OFTEN DON'T GET PAID BACK

By DONAL O'CONNOR STAFF REPORTER
STRATFORD BEACON HERALD
Posted 4 days ago
Based on a Superior Court judgment handed down Feb. 23, Community Futures Development Corp. of Perth County stands to recoup about $760,000 from the Stratford businessperson who defrauded the taxpayer- funded company, but the question now is how much of this public money will materialize.
Under the law, a number of steps may be taken to enforce the court's judgment, but the responsibility for enforcement depends to a large extent on the creditor's determination to settle the score. Efforts aimed at recompense may include investigation of the debtor's assets, seizure and sale of the debtor's real estate and personal property and garnishment of wages.
The means a debtor may have to satisfy the court order also comes into play.
"We intend to pursue this to the full extent of the law and our ability and we'll see wherever it takes us," said Community Futures general manager Nigel Howard in response to a query from The Beacon Herald about the company's chances of recovering the missing funds.
As reported in The Beacon Herald Feb. 24, the court judgment in the Community Futures civil case named J.D. Graham, a former loans manager with the company, as debtor. Graham has more recently been a co-owner of the P'Lovers store in Stratford.
The broad range of circumstances that may be involved in this or similar cases makes it impossible to predict the outcome in terms of actual recovery of funds, but law professor Allan Hutchinson of Osgoode Hall Law School at York University said in an interview that in general there's a reasonably good chance of recompense.
Hutchinson noted wages can be garnished and liens put on personal property and the process can go on for a long time. But he pointed out as well that much depends on whether a person's property is in his own name, whether in a joint name or transferred to a partner.
One challenge is isolating access to particular monies lost in a fraud.
"In general they (Community Futures) are in the same position as any other creditor. The court has a lot of devices available, but they only work if the person has got the assets."
Hutchinson noted that sometimes people sue even though they might not get all the money back to send the message: "We don't tolerate fraud."
There probably are statistics on the degree of success in similar cases, but interpretation is difficult, he said.
"Remember, most cases get settled and that means people don't pay the full amount. They make some deals and compromise."
Although he declined to comment on the specifics of this case, Hutchinson said there probably would have been some deal arrived at about how the debtor intends to pay back what's owing. There are costs involved in the recovery process as well, but Hutchinson said that too is a responsibility of the debtor.
"Because if they put people through a lot of trouble then they have to pay for that cost as well."
The defendant would have likely already signed off on a sworn and registered document listing his assets, he said.
"Rightly or wrongly they don't put people out on the street. And I think one of the things the court would recognize here is that the winners in this case are not people. It's not as though their lives have been ruined."
"Even though the money should be paid back, this organization is still going to continue, the development corporation. And they can, after all, set this off as a business loss."
Hutchinson is associate vice-president and dean of graduate studies at Osgoode Hall Law School.
doconnor@bowesnet.com

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

If people ask me
I always tell them:
Quite well, thank you, I am very glad to say
If people ask me I always answer,
Quite well, thank you, and how are you today
I always answer,
I always tell them
If they ask me
Politely.......
BUT SOMETIMES
I WISH
THAT THEY WOULDN T

by A.A.MILNE

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

BEHOLD THE TURTLE..............HE ONLY MAKES PROGRESS WHEN HE STICKS HIS HEAD OUT.........................................

COURT ORDERS GRAHAM TO PAY $763,000

Court orders Graham to pay $763,000
Judge finds for Community Futures in fraud suit against former lending manager
By DONAL O"CONNOR, Staff Reporter
Stratford Beacon Herald
Posted 19 hours ago
The Ontario Superior Court has ordered Stratford businessman J.D. Graham to pay Community Futures Development Corp. of Perth County a total of $763,168 in connection with a fraud perpetrated against the company.
The amount includes special damages of almost $85,000 and costs of just under $96,000.
Graham was acting in a fiduciary capacity as a lending manager employed by Community Futures when the fraud was committed, Justice P.J. Flynn found in his judgment handed down today.
Graham, who has been an owner of the Stratford store P'Lovers Eco Lifestyle and who was an active member of the City Centre Committee, was not immediately available for comment.
Andrew Phillips, legal counsel for Community Futures, said the judgment marked "an important and very significant day" for the corporation.
"It is an organization that is not for profit and which works hard to support entrepreneurs in Perth County," Phillips said. "It's not a happy day but it's an important day for Perth CDC because the judgment demonstrates there must be accountability when the care and management of public money is involved."
In statements of defence filed earlier with the court, the owners of P'Lovers had denied allegations that P'Lovers benefitted from funds misappropriated from the development corporation. But Graham had admitted to breaching his fiduciary duties at Community Futures to obtain personal financial benefits from the corporation.
The development corporation alleged that more than $540,000 had been fraudulently diverted to its detriment and sought $1 million in recompense and damages.
P'Lovers continues to operate under conditions imposed by a court injunction.
The court judgment says as well that some of the proceeds of the fraud have been traced to the property known as 557 Albert St. and that Community Futures may continue the action against the defendants, Susan Graham and Planet Lovers (P'Lovers) Ltd.
There has been no judgment against Susan Graham.
doconnor@bowesnet.com

CITY COUNCIL DECIDES TO GIVE CAPITALISM A TRY DOWNTOWN

Free- market capitalism means small-city chic. And by the way, try to get along.
From time to time Stratford city council is in the difficult position of trying to serve two masters.
That was never more the casethan this week when the city threw open some food vending spots in Stratford that have historically been the sovereign ground of the current users.
For generations, Ken's French Fries has been selling its wares from a spot directly behind city hall.
For less time than that, Mr. Dog has set up shop downtown, overlooking Memorial Gardens, at the junction of Ontario, Erie and Downie streets.
This is not a food or resturant review but, to be honest, those two street food vendors have served ou downtown well, even through changes of ownership.
They sell good food (as in taste good, not necessarily good for you), evidenced by the lineups during peak periods.
And unlike downtown Toronto, where there is street meat every few feet, the limited number of vendors in Stratford is not intrusive and, if anything, these two vendors add to the catchet of our downtown.
Big cities would have no clue what we're talking about, but the leasing of the street-vending spots has been controversial.
On one hand, Mr. Dog and Ken's French Fries have managed to do what good businesses do and it is somewhat unfair that the market and clientele they have created are no being offered up to others.
On the other hand, however, the city has to embrace the principles of a free market capitalist system. Tenders for work should, for the most part, go to the lowest bidder and, by extension, spots for food vendors should go to the highest bidder.
So earlier this year the city threw open the bidding on the two prime locations and now there are three suitors for hotdog cart on Ontario St. They have been given a week to pitch why they should get the nod.
The city is committed to providing business stability and will sign a five-year deals sith the successful vendor.
As fate would have it Ken's French Fries is safe for another five years as there were no other applications.
So the city has opted for free market principles by opening up the spots but stopped just short of throwing the doors wide open.
In a decision that will protect the aforementioned catchet of the downtown, the city has said there will be just two food-vending street spots downtown.
There's no sense going overboard with this whole capitalism thing.

BY JOHN KASTNER
STRATFORD BEACON HERALD

HYDRO ONE TURNS FAMILY FARM INTO HELLHOLE

GRAND VALLEY - A massive construction project by Hydro One has turned this small corner of paradise into a hellish nightmare.
Nestled close to the Grand River near Orangeville, Al and Kim Mournahan's 55-hectare family beef farm near Orangeville sits on prime agricultural land.
That peace was shattered when Hydro One moved in, expropriated four hectares of land and a working woodlot and put up six massive transmission towers for the new 180-kilometre, 500,000-volt transmission line that will bring power from the Bruce nuclear plant in Kincardine to a switching station in Milton.
Al's family has been farming here for four generations. When Hydro One said in 2007 they wanted to put up two towers, the family said no.
It wasn't until 2009 that the provincial government-owned utility came up with a price for the property - $4,200 an acre - plus $16,000 for the two-hectare woodlot, which was comprised of hundreds of mature maple and cedar trees.
The Mournahan's appraiser set the price at almost twice that.
"It was a managed woodlot that we were counting on for our retirement," says Al. The family rejected the offer, saying the land is worth more. "We turned down the first offer, but they just came in and built the towers," he said.
They didn't build just the two towers they'd originally asked for. They've built six monstrosities.
The family has so far received no money for the expropriation. The only cash they've received from Hydro One is $2,500 paid to them to allow surveyors onto their property for two years.
Hydro One originally offered them only $2 for the rights to have their trucks and workers stake out their land. Kim remembers a truck sitting locked and idling on their property all day.
The Mournahans already have a 550,000-volt line and two 30,000-volt lines on their property.
Al worries about stray voltage and health issues now they're getting another line.
"I've already had a heart attack and I have cancer already," he said.
Then there are the explosions used to fuse the wires together and helicopters that fly low over their property all day, every day.
As a QMI Agency videographer rolled on an interview with the family, the house shook with another explosion. They were told during January they'd hear sounds like a gunshot going off three or four times a day. This week, window-rattling explosions were still going on, scaring the livestock.
"One of my (cows) was literally trembling," Kim recalls. Several of their cows are pregnant and the family fears they may miscarry. The Mournahans have 19 purebred Highland cattle and some mixed breeds and showed them at the Royal Winter Fair last fall. Their Chesapeake dogs are scared, their horses skittish.
Before the woodlot was axed by Hydro One, they had plans to build a business taking wedding parties on carriage rides through the bush.
They'd even purchased a carriage from the U.S. When they asked for compensation, Hydro One turned them down, saying they'd made up the story - even though the carriage is shown in a photograph prior to the expropriation.
The family has been told they have to go to mediation and arbitration with the giant utility.
A spokesman for Hydro One refused to comment, saying their lawyers are in legal discussions with the Mournahans. Last week, Hydro One posted net income last year at $641 million on revenues of $5.47 billion - so they're not short of cash.
They're quick to hike our rates. Perhaps it's time to show a little heart.
christina.blizzard@sunmedia.ca

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

THE WOMAN WHO FOLLOWS THE CROWD WILL USUALLY GO NO FURTHER THAN THE CROWD. THE WOMAN WHO WALKS ALONE IS LIKELY TO FIND HERSELF IN PLACES NO ONE HAS EVER BEEN

ALBERT EINSTEIN

UPDATE TO THE ONGOING ISSUES WITH NORTH PERTH

The issues that I have with my Municipality are ongoing and supposibly we are in discussions about how to resolve these issues and it still makes me wonder. But alot of things make me wonder. Is it too much to ask for fair and even. A couple search warrants, a courtesy call to ask if I have a gun from the local police, the loss of my home, my business and my investment and I still wonder what is fair and even. And when it comes down to the end of all of it, all I want is fair and even. Is it it too much to ask ...................... please comment, all comments are welcome

HAIL TO THE FLU

To all the people who catch the cold, flu or whatever it is that is going around..... good luck. It is a miserable sickness that we can all get through with a good shot of Buckleys and a lot of sleep. And a hot todie does not hurt either, but from what I have found nothing helps, just wait to get through it. What does not kill us makes us stronger. And for whom ever made this horrible sickness.... may you get it and SUFFER like the rest of us

SOMETHING FOR NORTH PERTH TAXPAYERS TO CONSIDER

I enjoy reading the Stratford Beacon Herald daily and read with unbelievable interest an Editorial written by John Kastner. I will try to give you a view of what it included. Sorry Mr. Kastner but I am just on the learning curve with this computer and I am using your words but can not define them as quotes, have not figured out how to yet so assume all are quotes from your great article.
A task force in St Marys charged by the Mayor to take a hard look at the Stonetowns recreation costs has come back with some stunning suggestions. It says the town is in bad shape financially and that desperate times call for desperate measures. To that end the task force is saying the best solution is to close the brand new aquatic centre at the Pyramid Recreation Centre for at least 2 years. The task force concluded that the towns recreation budget is bleeding red ink and had a deficit of almost $2 million in 2010. The vast majority of the $2 million deficit - $1.3 million - went to the pool. According to the task force, closing the pool for 2 years would save $663,000 - and if you are questioning the math you are not alone. It is pretty much universally agreed that the primary job of government at every level is that it spends its taxpayers money wisely. Now, one can debate the initial decision to include a pool in the Pyramid Centre in St Marys. It was a contentious issue there and Stratford city council was faced with the same question when the Rotary Complex was approved. Stratford opted against a pool and given the dilemma in St Marys, many taxpayers here are probably saying thank heavens. That aside, the reality is that swimming pools are very expensive to build and even more expensive to operate and St Marys is not the first community to have buyers remorse. That is fine, but if the task of a municipality is to spend tax dollars wisely then how does mothballing a multimillion dollar facility figure into the equation. And what happens structually to a pool that is closed for 2 years. The fact is if you are in for a dime you are in for a dollar and once you go for the pool route and build it you are pretty much committed to running it. If it is true that St Marys can simply no longer afford to operate its pool, that is tragic and shame on the council that bit off more than the town can chew. But similarly, if the current council is just throwing in the towel and saying it is easier to close the pool than to find a way to make it work, it should hang its collective head as well. The job of council is to spend tax dollars wisely, and a public pool sitting empty is not only symbolic of a failure for a previous town council, but the current one as well.
Well written Mr Kastner
And North Perth taxpayers take notice of what he has written. The Municipality is in the process of deciding what it is pretending it can afford for a new recreation complex. The Municipality should be doing more research, not only into the costs of running such a huge expensive complex but whether the taxpayers can actually afford the long term affects. If they do not they will be in the same boat as St Marys and will have to hang its collective heads

Council looks at 7.5% budget increase

Tonight the Municipality of North Perth continues it long exhausting budget talks. Last week in the Listowel Banner in an article written by Andrew Smith, Councilor Warren Howard is quoted as saying "he suggested being a little tighter with this year's budget in light of the municipality's financial position." But Councilor Paul Horn responded by highlighting the importance of economic development and following through with the studies that are already paid for. Mayor Julie Behrns agreed with the need to improve the community as a whole".

For those of us that pay attention to municipal politics, like me, Councilor Howard is right on with his remark. The Municipality has extended itself to the end of the rope and financially is not really in a position where a tax increase would be even a dream, it is reality. Taxes will be increasing and by how much? Councilor Horn is correct to want all the expensive and useless studies put to use. Including the expensive and usless study to get the new arena that most people do not want ...:..........and why you say........ because no one can afford it. Get a grip North Perth.......my money tree is empty......that would be your tree too........ and it is empty!!!!!!!!

Just my opinion

A BLOG OF INTEREST

A very interesting blog, great reading by an interesting man. Check it out

http://waterlooregionadvocate.blogspot.com/

THE STORY OF HYDRO BILLS ENDS................

It all started with a renovation to my building in December of 2010. We decided to update the hydro and put in new outdoor services for both stores. We had an outstanding bill for hydro and they were getting ready to disconnect the hydro. So I let them, saving me the $195.00 disconnection fee. Renovations took place and due to circumstance beyond my control the renovation came to a screaming halt. The new services were outside instead of inside, the smart meter was disconnected from the building and there was no wire from the hydro pole to the building. No hydro at all, anywhere. Then the bills for hydro started coming in, estimated for hydro usage.
Which brings me to here. It has taken over a year and many phone calls to my hydro provider, oh heck, Hydro One, after what I have been through I will use your name, to finally get them to bring my bill down to zero after hounding me for the $1000.00 approximately that they said I owed for hydro usage at a property, that had no hydro.When I refused on several occasions to pay the outstanding bill bill they would send out a hydro crew with two men to disconnect the already disconnected hydro. Yes I was laughing in my head. I was also laughing when more hydro staff was sent out to make sure I was telling the truth when I repeated the story about no meter, no hydro, for the I do not know how many times. After months go by and I am still trying to get the bill corrected I am told that the bill will not be corrected until I hand over the smart/dumb meter. I was accused of holding it hostage and for some reasons I do not understand it is very important for them to get it back. After what seems like forever and many calls with Hydro One and frustration taking over I filed a complaint with the Ontario Enegry Board and within a month the issue was resolved. I felt that Hydro One had a contract with me to deliver hydro and for that service I would pay the bill. There was no hydro delivered so why should there be a bill. But it took me over a year and some really rude and nasty hydro employees and the Ontario Energy Board to get the issues resolved. Oh and the other laugh in my head was when Hydro One made an offer to cut the bill in half. SERIOUSLY..............
So yesterdays phone call from the very friendly Hydro One employee was the reason I stand my ground for what is right. My bill has been corrected which is all I wanted in the first place.
So the moral of the story is to stand your ground for what you know is the truth. As much as people do not want it to be the truth it still is
..

LETTER BY RON SCOTT - GREAT READ

http://cambridgeadvocate.com/archives/north-perth-has-become-nazi-germany/

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Thought for today is..........

There is book smart..........

AND THEN THERE IS SMART

SOMETHINGS JUST MAKE YOU WONDER..........

Mississauga resident banned from complaining to anyone but the mayor
Posted: 20 Jan 2012 09:24 AM PST
This ran in the Star……….. comments invited below
Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion has issued a directive forbidding a former resident’s association president from contacting anyone at City Hall but the mayor with her concerns, which range from bylaw violations to the city’s 311 service.
"The last time I checked, we live in a democratic country," said an incredulous Jean Overell, whom McCallion described as having been disrespectful to city staff while filing her numerous complaints.
　
Overell appeared at Wednesday’s council meeting seeking an explanation as to why she has been cut off from speaking to her own councillor, or anyone but the mayor’s office. She was first informed about the arrangement in mid-November, by the mayor. When she made a call to McCallion in December to air a complaint, she said, McCallion "bullied and intimidated" her for calling.
McCallion later told the Star: "It’s not bullying. I took a very strong stand."
"The policy that I put in place will remain, that you will call the mayor’s office," McCallion stated, after Overell asked how such an action could be taken. The mayor had said earlier that Overell’s calls to city staff and her ward councillor, Pat Mullin, were "far too numerous," kept them from dealing with other work, and that Overell’s behaviour violated the city’s Respectful Workplace policy.
Overell has made many complaints over the years, mostly about bylaw violations by construction work in her neighbourhood, where infill development has exploded.
She acknowledged to the Star that she had been "irate" with 311 operators a couple of times for not following through on her calls, but said, "I am always respectful when dealing with staff" and her councillor.
Mullin later told the Star that it was the mayor’s decision to deal with Overell exclusively. She said the unfortunate situation is due in large part to tension over constant construction that residents are dealing with.
"Wards 1 and 2 have had major impacts because of infill near residential streets. You will get five, six trucks at a time — you’re talking about established neighbourhoods," Mullin said.
"We have tried to talk to developers about not building on Sundays, not parking on streets. Builders have to understand that you can’t parachute into communities without abiding by the bylaws. I sympathize with residents. There are some streets in my ward where every house has been rebuilt."
That includes Overell’s street, which Mullin acknowledged has been "invaded" by an "onslaught" of development.
As to the heavy-handed action of cutting Overell off, "I have left it with the mayor," Mullin said. "I don’t do that ordinarily."
The councillor declined to comment on Overell’s conduct, even when told that Overell had complained Mullin wasn’t doing her job properly.
During council Overell said, "We need respect, not bullying at city hall. Is it city policy that residents are routinely banned from speaking to city hall and city staff?"
McCallion replied, "I was offering you a sort of deluxe service, to contact me and not call councillors or staff."
Since Overell isn’t legally compelled to follow the mayor’s instruction, McCallion was asked what would happen if someone else is contacted about a complaint. "You will have to wait for that decision," the mayor replied.
http://www.thestar.com/news/mississauga/article/1117901–mississauga-resident-banned-from-complaining-to-anyone-but-the-mayor

MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY AS I UNPACK

It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into doing it.
Watch out, I bite.
If I agreed with you we would both be wrong.
I could promise to be good ..................but why.
Do not blame me my evil twin did it.
Lead me not into temptation.........I can find it myself.
Believe in the beauty of your dreams.
A mothers heart is a garden of love.
A daughter is just a little girl who grew up to be a friend.
A son may outgrow your lap but never your heart.

MONDAY MORNINGS............

Happy Monday to all.......my day started with a phone call from the Listowel Ontario Provincial Police. Just what everyone wants....right or am I wrong. It appears that the Municipality of North Perth has made a frivolous complaint to the Police that this 5 foot 2 inch girl is threatening and could be somewhat deranged and could cause harm to the employees of North Perth because of some emails. Now is it that the EMPLOYEES are concerned they will get a paper cut if they print the emails or is it that sticks and stones will break my bones or that words will ALWAYS hurt me. Some of us know that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. SERIOUSLY NORTH PERTH HAS IT WORKED UP UNTIL NOW, I am still here and this did not help your situation any. Just shows that you think bullying works.......and bullys are just cowards.

WOW! !!!!!!!!

It is amazing to me, at 6:13 this morning the North Perth Advocate had it's 10,000 view. It is amazing to me, a small town girl, that people are reading what I put on the site. Thank you all for taking an interest in things I find that are interesting. Come back again soon for a whole new year of intersting stuff. And please feel free to comment on anything, I enjoy the feedback and it helps me to bring different ideas together in one place

Sherrie

NEW ARENA NORTH PERTH -SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

AS SEEN IN THE STRATFORD BEACON HERALD AND THE LISTOWEL BANNER

Stop the Arena Discussion
When is the Council of North Perth going to send a message to the Arena Committee with respect to understanding basic financial principles? This committee needs to be told if you don’t have the money you can’t spend it. But wait, all they have to do is keeping taxing the living hell out of us. There needs to be a taxpayer revolt or better yet, a clear direction to council to terminate this committee and it’s mandate.
The issue of the a new arena keeps coming to the forefront and various studies keeping costing us money when we know;
· We don’t need it
· We can’t afford it
· We can’t afford to maintain it.
And who is this proposed arena for? Council’s “New Complex Committee” believes they need it for the Listowel Cyclones .
North Perth is obviously too embarrassed to post their 2010 financial statements on the municipal website but based on the Financial Information Return (mandatory reporting required by the Provincial Government), North Perth now owes over $20,000,000. Yes, that is right folks 20 million dollars in short and long term debt. They only tax $7.5M annually and revenue sources like government grants are becoming as extinct as the dinosaurs. And if 2010 was less than stellar financial performance you can bet 2011 will be worse.
Let’s get this straight, the new arena is going to cost $17M plus pushing our debt and interest payments to their absolute maximum. This committee, is looking to us as taxpayers to pay the bill for something we as citizens will likely use once or twice a year or probably never. We have already built a Taj Mahal Fire Hall, new renovations to the municipal offices and now a new arena? If the existing arena needs fixing, then fix it!
The recent estimate is that it will only take $3M update our existing facility extending it useful life by15 to 20 years. It make me wonder how did we let the building and it’s facilities get in such poor condition. It makes me wonder if this was not scheme to force a new super facility onto the taxpayers?
What the community should be concerned about are the principles of transparency and accountability in a public meeting/forum not within a questionnaire that manipulates the public true feelings into distinct categories that fits the agenda of the New Complex Committee.
I seen have plenty of waste in our community over the past 5 years, but this is one project that this community doesn’t need and it can be stopped now. Council, look at your financial position and make a rational decision and terminate the discussion, planning or consultant report and this “runaway committee with respect to building a new arena.
Ron Scott

EDITORIAL BY SHANNON BURROWS -LISTOWEL BANNER

Wind energy issue will not blow over
January 11, 2012
The Listowel Banner has been carrying weekly editorial coverage recently on the local wind energy debate in the forms of interviews, photos, questions and answers and letters to the editor.Wind turbines are coming to North Perth and many folks don’t want them here. It’s time large companies stopped assuming this opinion is due to ignorance and began realizing it’s because these folks have, in fact, done their homework.They have to. Many feel they have no one to depend on but themselves when it comes to making the right decision about industrial wind turbines. Wind power companies and green energy proponents will say one thing, the government will say another, and industrial wind turbine opponents will say something different still.It comes down to this: many people want to err on the side of caution and say no to industrial wind turbines. It’s a good position to take in any arena where doubt lingers. One local farmer has come right out and said doubt has plagued him since he agreed to have a wind turbine, and now he regrets doing so. This newspaper does not claim to have the answers when it comes to wind turbines in this community. We’re striving to provide both sides of the wind energy debate, talking to those for and against, and giving both parties space on the front pages of our paper. But we must insist those questioning the development of large turbines here in North Perth are not even slightly as uneducated or fearful of change as many companies would have us believe.Look at a couple of common points discussed in the wind energy debate, such as the creation of low frequency noise (LFN).Information provided by www.yes2wind.com explains LFN: “All noise travels through the air in ‘wave-like’ movements. LFN has long wavelengths that can travel further than high frequencies and often sounds like a deep rumble. HGV diesel engines create a certain amount of LFN. Although some wind farms create LFN in certain conditions, expert investigators have concluded that it is barely audible, is far less than road traffic, and is not a health issue.”Yet, many would beg to differ.It’s documented that at least 30 Ontario families claim to have been forced from their homes due to adverse side effects caused by nearby wind turbines and namely, LFN. These kinds of contradictions are rampant throughout the wind energy debate, leaving the public at a loss as to whom they can trust. Would that many families opt to uproot and leave their homes simply to prove a point? Would they go to those lengths to maintain their stories? Seems unlikely.The Banner received a copy of a letter by Eric Gillespie, a Toronto lawyer, addressed to the minister of the environment, among others. In it, Gillespie claims the MOE’s media release, “Expert Report Confirms No Direct Health Effects from Wind Turbines,” fails to provide full and accurate disclosure of potential health effects. Gillespie illustrates his point by stating the release refers to an MOE backgrounder claiming, “The best available science shows there is no direct health risk from wind turbine noise.”But expert testimony provided during a 2011 Ontario Environmental Review Tribunal led the ERT to decide: “This case has successfully shown that the debate should not be simplified to one about whether wind turbines can cause harm to humans. The evidence provided to the tribunal demonstrates that they can, if facilities are placed too close to residents. The debate has now evolved to one of degree.”Is the province being negligent in its report? Was it an error? Or does it simply wish to bring an end to this long-winded debate? Which, by the way, isn’t about to blow over anytime soon. Either way, again, the public feels they must take it upon themselves to become educated on the subject in order to make the best choices.This may be a small community of regular folks, but they don’t hate change, progress or technology. They do love their land, families and good health. They are, rightly so, wary of anything that might compromise that. With all the evidence out there supporting cause for their concerns, how anyone can blame them is well beyond us. Invenergy Canada is hosting a come-and-go information session at Veky’s Jan. 11 and 18 in the morning. We’d be wise to attend.- S.B.

TO THOSE THAT KNOW ME

I continue to unpack and today is a great day, I have curtains and 19 episodes of Popeye,. I love marianne faithful and carol king is on repeat. Could not be a better day when music makes your day. Thank you, I am back for all that care and thank you for caring

THE ONE PER CENT SPEAK

A Letter From The One Per Cent
This ran on the Huffington Post…….. comments invited below
Ben Johnson
Toronto-based writer and performer
I’ve been asked by a representative from the infamous one per cent to deliver this letter to the 99 per cent and the Occupy movement protesters.

Dear 99 per cent,
On behalf of the one per cent, we just wanted to send you a sincere and heartfelt thank you for your recent efforts at the “Occupy” protests.
We, the wealthiest people in the world, are extremely grateful you took to the streets to get the word out about the insane lack of parity in wealth distribution in the United States and Canada, and we are glad that you gave the issue of corruption in the world’s financial markets a global stage.
No really, we are.
The truth is, yes, of course it’s pretty awesome being this wealthy. I’m dictating this to my personal assistant right now, who is riding shotgun while I’m speeding down the highway in my Ferrari throwing caviar out the window — I’m not even eating it! I bought this caviar just to huck it at other, lesser cars. What’s more, this is the only thing for which I use this particular car.
Sure, I’m living the dream now, but to level with you, before you guys started the Occupy movement, we were all just a little bit uneasy with the situation.
What I mean to say is, being able to buy and sell most of the other humans on the planet is great, but can you consider the relative unease that comes with amassing so much wealth and power, so quickly, so easily?
Put yourself in our shoes made from Iberian Lynx for a minute. It’s estimated that today we, the one per cent, control 40 per cent of the world’s wealth and that just 25 years ago, the corresponding figures were 12 per cent and 33 per cent. Surely, we all thought in this meteoric rise to history’s worst balance of wealth, someone, somewhere, would take notice and do something soon.
It’s been nerve-racking waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Yes, we still routinely gathered to laugh at the poor as we drank the world’s best scotches out of the hollowed-out skulls of endangered species, but it was not without the odd shaking hand or niggling doubt.
Once in a while, lighting one of the world’s finest cigars with flaming copies of corporate tax legislation, one of us would look around the country club, wave a diamond-studded sceptre, and shout, “Surely, it can’t be this simple to dupe so many people?! Some day they’ll come for us!”
And it really killed our buzz.
But now, thanks to your “protests,” we know we’re safe.
What I mean to say is that, thanks to your efforts, we now know there is absolutely nothing to fear and that we are comfortably entrenched as the ruling class.
Watching both the left and right wing media relegate coverage of your protests to short interviews with weird, fringe characters and watching how easy it was for the general public to simply ignore your efforts while they continued sucking down our corporate coffee-chain beverages and downloading music for which we pay artists a mere pittance, we breathed a collective Courvoisier-scented sigh of relief.
We dodged a real bullet.
Without a doubt your “movement” represented the largest potential threat to our ridiculously over-the-top well-being that we have ever had to face (sure, we had some anxiety when Obama was elected, but we’ve straightened all that out now).
I mean, the movement had real, scary potential. According to the communist information-sharing site Wikipedia, the Occupy movement started on September 17, 2011 and by October 9, protests had either taken place or were ongoing in over 95 cities across 82 countries, including over 600 communities in the United States. And yet…we’re still here, living large.
In fact, we’re hard pressed to find any unifying mission statements, any clear leaders within the movement, and, thankfully, any change in the situation you purport to be protesting at all.
Sure, the movement seemed like a big deal, but in reality, nobody really noticed.
Things are pretty much the way they were before.
So…thanks!
Before you guys, headlines like this one in the National Post revealing that Canada’s CEOs make an average worker’s salary in just three hours would have been met with shushes, attempts to oppress the news, and possibly even hostile takeovers of the news source just to raze the organization responsible.
But now, thanks to your impotent efforts, we know that no one really cares how wealthy we get. We’ve seen your efforts and have been reassured that our face-meltingly stupid levels of wealth — amassed in a time where an estimated 25,000 people die every day because of hunger — are safe.
Now we can read headlines like the one in the Post with open, public, and enthusiastic high fives (conducted of course by our butlers while we look on from comfortable seats atop our saddled albino elephants).
So we just wanted to say thanks. I mean we always knew we were virtually unstoppable, but it’s nice to be just a little more sure of ourselves.
Fight the power and so forth. We think it’s hilarious.
Sincerely,
The One Per Cent