Saturday, April 28, 2012
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!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
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?
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch without doing anything.
ALBERT EINSTEIN
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
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
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
Friday, April 13, 2012
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.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
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."
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."
Friday, April 6, 2012
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
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
Thursday, April 5, 2012
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
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
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
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