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Hasn’t changed one bit
Dalton, that is. Dalton McGuity, the former premier of Ontario and, in my opinion, the worst premier this province has ever had to tolerate.
It took everything in me not to hurl the nearest object at the television when he testified at the gas plant (fiasco) hearings two days ago.
There he sat, smarmy as ever, thinking we’re all stupid enough to believe his lies all over again. For the first time ever, I actually felt a pang of pity for unelected premier Kathleen Wynne who had admitted earlier the cancellation of the plants was indeed’ politically motivated.’
With typical McGuinty cowardice, he tossed Wynne under the bus. Squirming and avoiding a barrage of direct questions from both the Tories and the NDP (it was a lovefest for Liberal party Daltonites who did everything short of physically kissing ass) one of his first ‘answers’ was that he did it for the children.
I used to think the man was delusional… Now it’s been confirmed. Dalton must live in his own spherical world, as if someone blew bubbles and he evolved solely from the slimy solution.
The word, moron, inevitably comes to mind every time I think of the political coward who prorogued the legislature because the flames were lapping at his backside and he wanted a quick and dirty escape.
I watched almost all of his testimony, that too-familiar smirk still lining his face as he evaded the questions regarding his conduct, his honesty, his “integrity” and his actions.
When it comes to taking blame, Dalton is nowhere to be found.
After all the lies, scandals, boondoggles, fiscal waste and squandering, how anyone in this province thinks that McGuinty and the Liberals have done a worthy-enough job to be re-elected is simply beyond me.
That ‘Revenue Tools’ Woman
Revenue Tools Wynne with her mentor, Dalton.
I don’t seem to have the energy these days to rail against the Ontario Liberal Party as I once did. Truly, how much time can be spent writing about more lies, scandals, exorbitant debt and deficit figures, boondoggles (remember E-Health, ORNGE?) and ‘politically motivated’ schemes to ‘move’ gas plants for the sake of a couple of Liberal seats in the legislature?
Seat-savers, as Kathleen has realized much later than the rest of us, are never as appealing when you read the fine print, whether it be in the airline business or the business of swindling the electorate.
But then the electorate didn’t vote for Kathleen – only the Ontario Liberal Party was entitled to that privilege.
Kathleen Wynne, that ‘Revenue Tools Woman’ who inherited – and contributed to – the collective fiascos of her predecessor, Dalton-I’m-Outta-Here-McGuinty, was so swept up in the campaign to be the first female and ‘openly-gay’ premier, discussing such important matters as pant suits or dresses, that she neglected to see the writing on the wall that the rest of us saw aeons ago.
Didn’t take a brain surgeon and all that…
So, now she sits front row, centre, evading questions as only a politician can, convinced the electorate just might buy the fact that she knew nothing, NOTHING at all, about that dirty gas-plant business.
I was almost expecting to hear her deny it was really her signature on the documents, weren’t you?
And where’s Dalton in all this? Will he magically appear, as he magically disappeared before proroguing the legislature when the flames started lapping at his backside? Will he take the blame and allow Revenue Tools Wynne to move along with the ‘new’ OLP?
Dalton take the blame?
Just a minute… Ahahahahahahahahaha!!!
I don’t think Wynne, with all her expertise in double-speak, can weasel her way out of this one.
Of course, if she follows precedent, she could fan the flames and prorogue the legislature, but that would be a copycat procedure and it was, after all, pulled out of the hat just recently.
On the other hand, it’s going to be an interesting couple of months to see exactly how this all plays out with the real electorate. It will also be interesting to see how the teachers’ unions, the OLP’s strongest foes just weeks ago, align themselves in the next (hopefully soon) election. We know how they voted three times this past decade. Let’s hope their collective memories aren’t as short as we think they are.
Ms. Revenue Tools just might find herself tossed to the curb, or at least tossed Dalton’s way.
Have nails?
A strange title for a post, but this past week I’ve hauled out the barrow, the shovels, the adored navy blue (and Queen Mary 2 anointed) Hunter boots (even the ugliest-you’ve-ever-seen army-green ankle-high Hunter boots) and all and sundry gardening tools from the depths of the garage, cobwebbed and hidden underneath winter tires stacked precariously in that months-long untouched ‘seasonal corner’ where stuff is unceremoniously shoved.
Because spring has, at least officially, arrived.
So, after lugging bag after endless bloody bag of heavy black mulch from the local garden centre into the old van we keep for such efforts, scooping and spreading it over the dead stuff in between the daffs and hyacinths and tulips and pruned shrubs, my hands were filthy, even underneath the dollar-store gloves I wore for protection. My already uneven fingernails, blackened and stained (and one half-broken in that way that catches every fibre of every material one touches in a day) betrayed my dedicated efforts at cleanliness.
(I can’t honestly tell you, however, that it betrayed my efforts of cosmetic treatment at the local salon. Really, what would be the point at this juncture of the seasons when hands are deep in earth and pressing virgin roots into fertile soil? I’d fool not a soul.)
I stood in the garden in my muddied wellies (next to the rhubarb I didn’t think would survive the winter months) and stared at my nails and wondered about those women who regularly booked manicures like clockwork.
How did they manage to maintain such perfectly coiffed nails I wondered? How on earth (no pun intended…) could they sport such polish? Such shape? Such chipless ovals of loveliness day after day after day?
And I have wondered this same (inane) thought on so many occasions since the morning of the laying-of-the-new-mulch that it would be a rather maladjusted reflection if I made the admission.
Which, of course, I now have…
“You must book a manicure,” my daughter insisted. ‘And get a pedicure, while you’re at it,‘ was undoubtedly the next sage tidbit of counsel racing through her mind as the corners of her mouth turned in what I could only surmise was a hint of disgust.
Bloody twenty-somethings. I was your age once! Hey, listen up! I worked in an office and had to-die-for nails and was, as my west-coast lawyer friend, Sara, said just three weeks ago over seafood at the Oak Bay Marina, a ‘fashionista.’ Yes, my daughters might find this inscrutable morsel of certainty difficult to comprehend as they go about their ‘twenty-something’ days of work, (and work-outs) buying of new outfits and seemingly unending social events.
But during those (now heady) days I wasn’t going through such fifty-something chores like the ‘laying of the mulch.’ There was no tearing out of weeds, or snipping deadened bits of sweet woodruff to fill my mornings then; all I worried about was picking up my ‘fashionista’ clothes from the dry cleaners, purchasing expensive shoes at my favourite Victoria shoe shop and making plans for the weekend.
I was twenty-something once.
And don’t you forget it.
Of course, that was a very long time ago, but if Sara could remember those days, then I’ll use her recollections and unerring clarity to suit my purposes now.
Last night, I succumbed and cut my fingernails to a reasonable-for-gardening length. It’s of no use to spend money on salon manicures, however much I enjoy the undertaking. Though, I should add that I do indeed book manicures – and pedicures – when heading for vacations. I’m not completely unrefined, you see. Now that the seasonal laying of the mulch is fait accompli, I am on to painting, but soon, very soon, I shall book a mani and pedi, as they say in the trade. In the meantime, I continue to enjoy my gardens, watching the birds at the feeders, trudging through mud in my Southampton wellies, and raking up leaves from the neighbour’s oak that have taken residence on our property for some time.
Okay, scratch that last one…
Looks like JT will self-destruct | Editorial | Opinion | Toronto Sun
While the entire city of Boston went into lockdown, with the world watching, American law enforcement sought and caught the two suspects in the marathon bombings.
Meanwhile, north of the border, we have Justin Trudeau’s sentiment of ‘he must have been excluded’ excuse.
Read the following article and learn a bit about Justin’s other privileged dealings…
Looks like JT will self-destruct | Editorial | Opinion | Toronto Sun.
St Catharines Pets Alive
Please take a look at the website for St. Catharines Pets Alive. While the website is not completely launched at present, you can read the Constitution, By-Laws, Minutes and access the downloadable membership form.
This organization is a great asset for those dedicated to animal welfare in the Niagara Region and I encourage you to become a member, or make donations so that volunteers can better assist the animals in need.
St. Catharines Pets Alive (SPA) is a registered non-profit organization run exclusively by volunteers. SPA is dedicated to building a No Kill community through community compassion.
Mission:
To promote respect for and humane treatment of animals;
To prevent cruelty to animals;
To rescue and promote adoption of homeless pets;
To return lost pets to and help keep pets with their responsible caregivers;
To promote a No Kill community in which no healthy or treatable animals are killed.Company Overview:
St. Catharines Pets Alive is run exclusively by dedicated volunteers. We are implementing innovative and progressive programs based upon the best practices of other cities who are No Kill or are in the process of becoming No Kill.
SPA aims to bring the community together to form a coalition of volunteers, foster care providers, rescue groups, and local businesses to implement those programs and services that have proved successful at ending shelter killing in roughly 90 communities representing some 300 towns and cities across North America.
General information:
Will you join our army of compassion by becoming a member?
Marineland: Living the Nightmare
It sickens me when the season for Marineland kicks in and the television and radio spots are played too many times with that jaunty jingle to entice the kids. In my mind that’s akin to luring unsuspecting children with tainted candy, for it’s that vulgar.
I suppose I loathe the fact that Marineland owner, John Holer hauls in his profits on the backs of massive marine life held captive in tiny swimming pools, forced to perform tricks for the amusement of unsuspecting children and their unenlightened parents, grandparents, guardians, etc. who think it’s just a wonderful day at the park.
On the other hand, you have the blatantly ignorant amongst us who don’t give a damn, and never will, about animal welfare. They’re a sad lot, and there’s much more I’d like to say about those types, but I shan’t for now.
Holer has the audacity to call it an amusement park. For me, it’s more a house of inconceivable horrors. What goes on behind closed doors and all that; frightening, alarming, dark… you name it. It’s disturbing, if not outright alarming.
The mere thought of isolating huge marine life in a swimming pool when they ought, rightly, and naturally, to be swimming freely in the oceans of the world is repugnant to me. And anyone so naive to think that Holer actually cares for these animals needs to give their head a shake and wake up to today’s realities.
I was mortified last year when I read that Niagara Falls, Ontario, mayor Jim Diodati frequents the ‘park’ and ‘takes his family there.’
It reminded me of that scene in the original Jaws movie when the mayor tried to reassure the seafront residents and tourists of his small town that all was fine and ‘shark-less’ in the crystal-blue waters. As he and his family plodded warily into the deep, you could see the lofty fool behind the act.
And is Diodati so foolish that he believes things are wonderful behind those metal fences at Marineland? Is he so slow-witted that he’s convinced we can’t see past his half-baked political schemes at play?
Diodati and Holer are both interested in one thing: Profit. And don’t make the unsophisticated mistake of thinking otherwise, because Diodati is that mayor in Jaws, folks.
Years ago, when my children attended Grapeview Public School in St. Catharines, year-end excursions were sometimes made to Marineland. I didn’t agree with the venue and pulled my children out of the trips on principle alone. The next year I asked why we had to patronize such a place, when children were being taught during the school year about animals in their natural habitat. It was hypocrisy, plain and simple. There were some who complained that I was being a spoilsport, though none of it was said to my face. (Gossips prefer it that way.) Luckily, many agreed with me and Marineland was pulled off the year-end list.
(Around that same time, I received a call from a friend of mine just east of Toronto. She wanted directions to Marineland. I didn’t give them to her, again, on principle, and spent the conversation trying to dissuade her from making the journey to Holer’s Hole. Never did find out if she heeded my advice, but I hope she did.)
Just a few weeks ago I contacted the District School Board of Niagara to ask whether or not Marineland was on the list of year-end trips for any of the DSBN schools. The director’s assistant didn’t know, but would find out, she advised; she’d never been asked the question before, apparently.
The call I received two days later informed me that there is no ‘rule’ against schools attending Marineland. Each year-end trip is decided upon by the principal and then either passed or not passed by the DSBN powers-that-be.
I found it a bit incredulous, to tell you the truth, and I told her so. In this day and age, with all the controversy surrounding this so-called ‘park’ surely, I said to the caller, you must have some guidelines in place.
No, came the answer, but then she added, ‘We haven’t had any recent requests for Marineland.’
And there lies the dilemma: They’re not questioned, so Marineland remains.
Everyone’s a bureaucrat.
Mustn’t ruffle the feathers. Mustn’t step on anyone else’s toes in another department, wot?
Is anyone capable of thinking for themselves anymore? I ask you!
Our governments are no better. I have spent years trying to get through to our local (Ontario Liberal Party) MPP Jim Bradley about his party’s breed-specific legislation, but like his superiors, he seems thoroughly indifferent to animal abuse. When you’re dealing with the likes of former Attorney-General Michael Bryant, former premier Dalton McGuinty, and now unelected premier Kathleen Wynne, all of whom share the same outlook toward animals as Bradley, it’s a steep hill to climb. They either get it, or they don’t. And this indifferent lot, well, they just don’t.
Even Ontario Conservative Party leader Tim Hudak and NDP leader Andrea Horwath never speak up.
Animal welfare isn’t high on the list of any government, it appears – locally, provincially, or federally. They sometimes call animal lovers ‘extremists’ or other condescending names that place people who care deeply for the welfare of animals in the same bracket as the worst ne’er-do-wells. It’s unjust and it’s unfair, especially when men like Holer, who bring in the tourist dollars, are largely (deliberately) ignored until the media get ahold of it and public outcry is loud and clear.
Humans are a spineless species, really, when it comes to animal welfare, but luckily, there are some who do speak up, or do write, or prove their intent with actions. Unfortunately they’re cast as those ‘extremists’ if they’re vocally too loud.
In my book, I say, too bloody bad.
Port Colborne Feline Initiative Spring Fling Yard Sale & Bottle Drive
Please support Port Colborne Feline Initiative’s fundraiser at St. Patrick’s Church Hall, 123 King Street (at Victoria) Port Colborne, Ontario.
Friday, April 12 and 13, 2013 – Please click on PCFIs link above for more detailed information.
Come find your treasure and support a great cause! Friday night and Saturday we will have a fabulous selection of household items, yard and garden, small appliances, collectables, clothing, toys, books and more. CatSnips Famous Bake Table will be there with mouth-watering goodies that always sell out fast. Have gently used items to donate? They can be dropped off at church hall all day Friday starting at 8 am. Refundable empties can be dropped off any time Friday and Saturday up until 2 pm. Sorry, no advance storage or pick up available. For more info email us at pcfelines@live.ca
Ontario government’s message is clear: Drink up and start gambling | Ontario | News | Toronto Sun
Blizzard hits the target again with this accurate portrayal of Wynne-double-speak. (Gotta love Wynne’s term for taxes: ”revenue tools.”)
Yes, we “must have another conversation” about this, but making sure we follow Kathleen’s latest rule and have “a smile on our face” as we do so.
After ten years of this OLP crap, it’s time for change.
Ontario government’s message is clear: Drink up and start gambling | Ontario | News | Toronto Sun.
Sun News : A ‘drunk’ Ford, or a sober McGuinty?
They say you deserve the government you vote for.
Well, I didn’t, nor would I ever, vote for Dalton McGuinty, yet I was subjected to his indisputable incompetence for almost ten years.
Kormos v. The Lotus Eaters
The late NDP MPP Peter Kormos.
I was shopping in downtown Victoria Saturday when I checked my phone and read that Peter Kormos had died suddenly. It was headlined with bold, black lettering that read, ‘Breaking News.’ It was one of those moments where, no matter where you are, you let out an audible gasp, followed by utter disbelief.
I liked Kormos. I liked him because he had a backbone. I liked him because he thought for himself and he didn’t give a rat’s ass which politicians or political bosses he insulted if it were in the best interests of his constituents.
And that’s a refreshing breath of fresh air, especially in Niagara, where the word constituents becomes a dirty word the day after an election.
Unlike many politicians from the region, Peter Kormos frequently went against the grain and spoke up when he didn’t agree with party politics. In an area where there are so many smarmy, one-uppers who love to show up for photo ops cutting ribbons, or wearing hard-hats on a new construction site silently screaming ‘Look at me! Look at me!’ Kormos chose the higher, better road.
You see, around here, we’re ‘represented’ by politicians who wouldn’t recognize an original thought if it slapped them in the face and introduced itself.
From Liberal MPP Jim Bradley, who, in my mind, has been trudging along far past his best-before date, speaking in the same monotonous voice and repeating the same hackneyed phrases we’ve all grown sick and tired of, right down to the band of small-town wannabe-politicians that make up the capital M, capital F Me-First circle of incompetence at St. Catharines city council, it just plain stinks ’round here.
The late Peter Kormos stood out from the rest. A man of principle, he wouldn’t barter his beliefs like most politicians who prefer to lick the muddied boots of their superiors. Why, take Jim Bradley, for example. While he allegedly “understands” that many of his constituents don’t agree with the OLP seizing and killing dogs in this province, he is expected, I’m told, to “vote along with Mr. Guinty (at the time) and other senior” ignorant plods (my words) who apparently know better than any experts on the matter of the hideous and cruel breed-specific legislation.
Trying to get through to Jim Bradley is, well, akin to bashing one’s head against the proverbial brick wall. I imagine the man like a trained seal, performing best when Queen’s Park issues detailed and easy to understand how-to instructions, because Jim misplaced his cutting edge during that long winter of ’77.
I can’t imagine Jim having words or almost-fisticuffs with fly-by-night Dalton, or now, the unelected Kathleen Wynne, but Kormos frequently had words with his bosses. Just ask former NDP/Liberal flip-flopper Bob Rae who could neither tame, nor shut up, Kormos no matter how hard he tried. Unlike the rest, Kormos had steadfast beliefs, principles, and a conscience, and simply refused to compromise.
It also makes me speculate how Mr. Kormos would have voted last week on greedy Joe Kushner’s Motion for free food for everyone down at Church Street before the Me-First Circle of Incompetence begins at 6:30… right after prayers and a solemn vow to put the concerns and best interests of St. Catharines’ citizens at the forefront.
If it weren’t so tragically pathetic, there might be humour to be found.
Yes, the Ontario Lotus-Eaters Guild membership is growing by leaps and bounds.
Rest in peace, Mr. Kormos. You were one of the few with a conscience.
Part-time principles and ethics, or, the Free-Meal-Deal at City Hall
Yet again, comedy hour, or as one person described it, the ‘theatre of the absurd,’ kicked in again at its usual time this Monday evening at St. Catharines City council. (I found it amusing that I switched on channel 10 just as the prayer was being recited, with words to the effect of holding the best interests of St. Catharines’ citizens in the forefront.)
Amen, brother!
Oh, the irony!
Councillor Bruce Williamson, looking especially forlorn, rose with the world on his shoulders as he lamented that his conscience tormented him this past week regarding his vote last week regarding free ice time for two DJs at a local radio station.
I won’t get into the ins and outs of the ice time dilemma that allegedly – and dramatically – weighed so heavily on a few councillors’ minds after their initial previous vote, but it was remarkable to watch these gravy-trained councillors bandy about their, “I was wrong, please forgive me,” speeches.
Only Sir Michael Redgrave could have given a better performance.
I emphasize the word, performance, as none of these councillors admits to regrets voting in $4,000.00 for free, taxpayer-paid, catered meals, nor did they when councillor Mat Siscoe raised the issue again in comparison. (*The taxpayer-paid food Motion originated last week with councillor Joe Kushner. Interestingly, Professor Kushner is part-owner of a local restaurant in town and there he was, crying the proverbial blues that the politicos on Church needed tax money for their weekly meals.)
Hey Joe, YOU OWN A RESTAURANT!! You can’t spring for a few hamburgers once in a while on a professor’s and businessman’s salary?
Apparently, it’s good for senior staff (who are paid as high as $250,000.00 annually, as announced on CKTB last week) to discuss “important matters” with councillors.
I guess they all forgot they’re already being paid to BE councillors.
(I did mention the phrase, Theatre of the Absurd, didn’t I?)
Soon as Siscoe brought up the comparison, the others who voted to eat on the taxpayers’ dime preferred to look the other way, shuffle papers, or perhaps, like Basil Brush, take the dumb route; always a handy, if not reliable ploy when accompanied by a furrowed brow.
The low point came when Mayor Brian McMullan droned on about what wonderful efforts have been made for charities and helping those in need in the city. Of course, this was hypocrisy at its best, as Brian had just dined gratis just minutes before the meeting, courtesy of the taxpayers!
So, for goodness knows how long, there was much ado about Motions, amendments, policies, clarifications, veering from policies, and the ad nauseam what-are-we-voting-on questions… what-are-we-voting-on?? what-are-we-voting on??
Could the clerk please clarify…
Theatre of the Absurd.
I’ve written a letter to The St. Catharines Standard about the Free-Meal-Deal down at City Hall. Apart from the fact that it’s a deplorable decision right out of the Dalton McGuinty Playbook of Sly and Scandalous Deals, it’s nothing short of a definitive slap in the face to all those who go hungry in this city and this region. It’s a shameful, disgusting manoeuvre from men and women who can easily and readily afford to either eat at home, or spend $10. to pay for their own Monday night meal and not rely on many low income or financially struggling citizens in this area to pay city hall types’ restaurant catering bills.
Ms. Betty-Lou Souter and Community Care had better expect an exceedingly hefty handout from this greedy bunch of money-grabbing bureaucrats riding high on the city council Gravy Train.
What a complete embarrassment those councillors are who voted to use others’ monies for their enjoyment and satisfaction.
Niagara: Blemished by collective acts of moral turpitude
Hands in each other’s pockets.
Re: St. Catharines City Hall, Lincoln County Humane Society, Marineland, Niagara Falls, and the Ontario Liberal government (BSL).
It is now almost the end of March 2013 and I continue to write of acts of moral turpitude in the Niagara region, as well as Ontario (as it pertains to the OLP’s policy of seizing and euthanizing dogs.)
Frankly, I’m getting really bored writing the same schtick over and over again. The only reason I do is that if you stop reminding the public and the schmucks who are leading us up the proverbial garden path then the corruption continues. As one radio talk show host who emailed me this week wrote,
“…they do it because they can, because no one questions them.”
Quite a week here in small-town southern Ontario. No longer do you have to look to Hollywood for rancid political drama, one only has to look in one’s own backyard. In my case, St. Catharines city hall, the Lincoln County Humane Society over on Fourth and Martindale, and the cesspool known as Marineland in Niagara Falls.
This week, the Lincoln County Humane Society amended its already controversial by-laws. In a show that would rival an opening night performance of a Barnum and Bailey Circus, the directors arrived with a lawyer in tow and proxies in hand to overthrow the ‘extremists’ (read: animal lovers) who were apparently leading the way to the ‘…third coup attempt in twenty years.’
Hang on a minute while I stop laughing…
By the way, those same ‘extremists’ want to stop the high rates of euthanasia at the LCHS. The only attempted ‘coup’ that Strooband described was the one he led himself with the able and ready hands of city councillor Joe Kushner and LCHS Board president Anne Davidson.
At the end of the night, the amendments to the by-laws were passed. People who walked in as lifetime members, volunteers, donors, all walked out with nothing. Everything had been stripped from them by three or four directors who’d rounded up enough (come hell or high water) proxies to win the night.
If you understand the expression, ‘the carpet had been pulled out from under them,’ then you’ll have a clear idea of what transpired. Those lifetime members, volunteers and donors were sewered within a course of minutes. The only voting that exists now takes place by the directors, who also happened to vote themselves in for life, instead of a term of office… or two.
Sound like an ‘extremist coup’ to you?
More like the LCHS Barnum and Bailey Circus I mentioned earlier.
So, councillor Joe Kushner, yes, a city councillor, is allowed to pull these stunts under the blind eye of mayor Brian “Charlie McCarthy” McMullan, who, for reasons unknown to anyone with an ounce of intelligence, allows this to continue. He actually allows the official City of St. Catharines representative on the LCHS Board to run amok, while St. Catharines’ citizens are stripped of their rights to hold a membership to the local humane society, or any “open membership” as deemed by the City just weeks ago.
What gives? Why is Kushner given free reign to act in such a manner that flies in the face of democracy?
Keep in mind that this is the same Kushner who introduced this past Monday’s Motion for free food (paid by St. Catharines’ taxpayers) for all councillors and all senior staff. The same Brock University professor Kushner, also part-owner of well-known St. Catharines restaurant, Cat’s Caboose.
And mayor Charlie McCarthy of the puppet dynasty, St. Catharines City Council, says and does nothing about all of this.
I’m just a’shakin’ my head, let me tell you.
And while we’re still shopping around in the corruption department, let’s head on over to that hideous cesspool, Marineland, in Niagara Falls.
Yet again, the mayor of Niagara Falls, Jim Diodati, who has stated in the media before that he patronizes Marineland with his family, prefers to do little to absolutely nothing about the place that also has Ontario traffic signs leading to the “attraction.” Diodati never fails to conjure up useless excuses when pressed on the subject of Marineland and its self-proclaimed ‘animal-lovin” owner, John Holer. In typical political fashion, both Diodati and Holer skirt the issues as best they can. In anyone else’s eye, the excuses are abysmal.
In a word, Diodati does nothing to help the animals in captivity at Marineland and, honestly, he never will, for he enjoys the $$ it brings to “Niagara Tourism.” God forbid we should lose tourist dollars at the expense of ocean mammals swimming circles in backyard swimming pools.
Another slap in the face to animal rights.
And while we’re still on the topic, let’s give unelected premier Kathleen Wynne a shout out for continuing Dalton McGuinty’s legacy of death to any dogs that resemble ‘pit-bulls.’ Not only do we have to contend with the LCHS here in St. Catharines, and the disgusting Marineland in Niagara Falls, we have an unelected premier who doesn’t have a clue about animal rights, nor does she care to. One of her biggest supporters, the spineless senior MPP Jim Bradley of St. Catharines continues to also willingly vote to euthanize dogs in Ontario. Bradley and Wynne, like McGuinty and Michael Bryant before them, are an embarrassment.
So there you have it, folks. Animal abuse and corruption – hand in hand in Niagara and Ontario at large.
And they call us the extremists!
Gotta end this week on a good note, and I am!
St. Catharines Pets Alive
After writing about all the warped, twisted, self-serving, and aberrant goings-on at St. Catharines City Hall and the Lincoln County Humane Society, I must tell you about the meeting I attended last evening that put everything into perspective.
St. Catharines Pets Alive is a new organization, brought about by wonderful (and I mean, wonderful) caring people with animals’ best interests at heart. There are no power-hungry types to be found here.
Last evening was the second meeting of SPA, held at Broadway Lights Dance Studio in north St. Catharines, which boasts not only fabulous dance programs, and has for years, but was generous enough to offer SPA part of its very expansive group of studios to host meetings. Thanks to owner, Beverley Blake, for her generosity and compassion for animals and allowing us to make use of her studios for our meetings in the interim.
Dr. Brad Davis, one of SPAs founders, along with Grace Pang, another founder, spoke in his clear, concise way, interspersed with humour, and brought us up to date on the latest happenings at SPA.
Unlike the Lincoln County Humane Society meetings, where no one is allowed to ask questions, or speak, or question the tactics of directors – or heck, vote any more – SPA encourages active participation. Some in attendance, shell-shocked by the rules and regs of the LCHS for far too long, were delighted to be able to participate freely in the meeting last evening.
Brad Davis is, and I don’t say this about many people, an inspiration when he speaks. He is engaging, he is encouraging, he is quick to acknowledge other people’s efforts. Grace Pang, not in the limelight at the meetings, is someone who works tirelessly for her beliefs and puts in countless – endless – hours of work on behalf of animals.
It is a pleasure knowing both Grace and Brad and I look forward, along with many others, to working alongside them and the other founding members for the welfare of animals in the Niagara Region.
The SPA website will be online soon, but I urge everyone to visit their Facebook page HERE for more information. The membership is growing fast and the organization is already a wonderful alternative to what we have been subjected to for far too long.
The late Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy now playing at St. Catharines City Hall
Charlie McCarthy with puppet-master Edgar Bergen
My neck is sore from shaking it in disbelief at some of the antics going on ’round these parts. Antics performed with all the polish of pros, those who’ve had years of honing their political skills and talking out of two sides of their mouths.
Crikey, where do I begin?
You want another rehash of greedy St. Catharines councillors acting like pigs at the taxpayers’ trough, another rehash of the Lincoln County Humane Society’s Board of Directors’ underhanded tactics collecting proxies to overthrow its dedicated group of dwindling members, volunteers and donors? Take your pick, folks, for we’ve got it all in St. Catharines, for the Gravy Train of Corruption is in full working order.
I send emails to our mayor, Brian McMullan, and his councillors, regularly asking for answers, but in typical fashion, only the usual councillors answer, though Dawn Dodge did write a detailed, “Thank you for sharing your thoughts.”
Hell of an answer, I know, but it wouldn’t live up to Kathleen Wynne’s expectations of having a “conversation with a smile on your face,” the new Liberal party motto. Much prefer Andrea Horwath’s retort, “How ’bout a little less conversation and a little more action?”
Can’t get either from St. Catharines City Council or the LCHS.
See, I can’t figure it out. Brian McMullan and Joe Kushner’s names keep popping up when it comes to both these entities.
If you’ve read the St. Catharines Standard article re: the LCHS AGM meeting Wednesday evening, you’ll see how twisted and absurd the entire process was. I was in Toronto at the time, but had a few people telling me about the goings-on. You can read the Standard’s article for yourself, because if I re-write it here, you wouldn’t believe me, anyway.
So, the bottom line, and one that I’ve been asking myself for months now, is, why is the mayor allowing councillor Kushner to remain on the LCHS Board as a City representative when everything just, well, stinks?
McMullan reminds me of Charlie McCarthy. It’s as if Edgar Bergen has come back from the dead and has his hand up McMullan’s jacket, only I see Joe Kushner playing the part of Bergen.
Any self-respecting mayor would have said something to the effect of, “Hey Joe, what the hell you playin’ at over there? Doesn’t look good, councillor. Some might call it, ‘conduct unbecoming.’”
But no, Charlie McCarthy allows this to continue.
If it weren’t so farfetched, it’d be creepy.
No.
It is creepy.
I’m almost embarrassed to write this post…
If you’ve been following this blog, you’ll know how ridiculous the fight has been to win memberships to the Lincoln County Humane Society.
Last evening, at the AGM, it became more ridiculous.
Using their preferred methods of one-upmanship, underhanded tactics and all ’round furtive dealings, the directors of the now emaciated board planned and planned and all went according to Hoyle. We now have “amended” by-laws that allow no one to vote except those board members. There are other changes, too, but that’s the straw, if you know what I mean.
See why I said I’m almost embarrassed to write this post?
The executive director, Kevin Strooband, called it, “… the third coup attempt in twenty years.”
Coup attempt??? What is this? The old Mission Impossible show?
Kevin, the only coup attempt was the one you pulled last evening at the annual general meeting, so now you get to alienate all those people who have volunteered countless hours, donated money, food and various items, and at long last you and your sidekicks, Anne Davidson and Joe Kushner can do anything you wish.
God help the animals in your “care,” but we’re going to do everything we can to try to save them despite your penchant for euthanasia over there on Fourth Avenue.
I am really at a loss for words, but I’ll mention this one last thing:
Shame on St. Catharines City Council and especially mayor Brian McMullan who could have yanked councillor Joe Kushner from the LCHS Board months and months ago for questionable dealings, but in typical McMullan style, he chose to look the other way.
Between the LCHS and the St. Catharines City councillors this week, it’s a dark time in this city’s history for ethics and morals.
Shame on all of you political cronies who use the system to your warped advantage.
You’re a disgrace.
(**Since the St. Catharines Standard newspaper site’s been down all day, here is a screenshot of what apparently ran in the news today. Click to see full size.)
Read it and weep…
