[RSS]

Search the webSearch Hamilton Views
HamiltonViews
March 29, 2024, 01:43:31 am
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
 
   Home   Help Search Gallery Staff List Calendar Login Register  
Pages: 1 [2] 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
 11 
 on: August 01, 2008, 05:01:08 am 
Started by editor - Last post by WRCU2
The link posted above returns an error, page not found.

I seen the Mayor in person earlier this summer when he addressed some folks over WSIB. He didn't appear to me, to be a man with some kind of an agenda. However, we're living in the "Times of the Signs" and everybody is looking for one. We all wish to make the right decisions and perhaps the Mayor is being surrounded with experts to do just that.

I don't know what else to say without first reading the article that was made reference to, although I am reminded of a column I seen recently:

THE CASE FOR HANGING ERRANT PUBLIC OFFICIALS
http://www.newswithviews.com/Devvy/kidd380.htm

 12 
 on: May 31, 2008, 05:32:33 am 
Started by WRCU2 - Last post by WRCU2
Don, I see you're trying to make a connection. Today there were 71 comments about unkempt medians and I still haven't bothered to read them. As you know, I did post a short comment in the Hallmark's blog that you provided a link for above. I see that Cal and MAW made an appearance there as well.

What I see is a city hall scrambling for some fast cash and cutting corners. We (Tracy and I) just learned a month ago that the previous owner of our home, which we purchased last year, was over $500 delinquent in the water bill. No problem, the city went directly to our mortgage lender for it without notice. Technically, this utility should not have been in arrears when the house transferred to us. We have no recourse except perhaps a long drawn out and expensive legal battle which is always a lose or lose-more situation.

The truth is that our city is just as broke as we are as individuals. Everyone is getting squeezed and we're all about to burst our pipes.

The trouble is that our leadership is not being upfront with us while the depression truly sets in. We're rationed falsehoods like this:

Flaherty: Canada not in recession
http://thespec.com/News/Local/article/378140

Quote
"There's some brightness on the horizon and certainly reason for confidence," he (Flaherty) said.

He also added that the rest of the economy is doing well with 120,000 jobs created in the first four months of 2008, wage increases at an annual rate of 6.2 per cent and corporate profits rising by 9.9 per cent.

His assessment was backed by Quebec Finance Minister Monique Jerome-Forget, and to a lesser extent by Ontario's Dwight Duncan.

The biggest deception is a faked annual wage increases at 6.2%, because unless you're a government employee on the taxpayers dole, the private sector wages have been flat lined for a couple of years. The Canadian Auto Workers accepted a wage freeze for the next few years. And because of this, consumer confidence is ultra low and people aren't buying anything. The banks are also feeling the squeeze:

Canada's big banks take earnings tumble
http://thespec.com/News/Business/article/378113

- The real reason for not cutting medians is not enough cash
- Something big requiring a superhighway's capacity is just up the road
- It is trivial to bury large capacity pipes during gigantic road construction
- In the business of water, plumbers are the masters
- The fastest way to Kansas, is to click your heels three times and say, "There's no place like home"
- Contrary to what we've been told, the future isn't friendly for little fishies.
- Carp are greasy but tasty like pork, that clings to yore fork.

So in knowing a little bit of what lies ahead, the question for us now is, what can be done to lessen the hurt and heighten the hope as we plunge into our forlorn future?

 13 
 on: May 30, 2008, 12:42:29 pm 
Started by WRCU2 - Last post by editor
Greg...
What is reflected here is the total inconsistencies within Hamilton's city hall, no one having an overall perspective; a grab bag of ideas floating in every direction
and no accountability. These issues continue daily, it's no wonder that Hamilton is in the state that it is...down the drain.
http://hallmarks.thespec.com/2008/05/down-the-drain.html

Such incompetence creates such mistrust making it almost impossible to develop any forward motion, a merry-go-around, like rats in a cage searching for food
and end up devouring themselves...Such realities have cost us millions in the past and it seems, the more things change the more they remain the same...


 14 
 on: May 28, 2008, 06:50:08 am 
Started by WRCU2 - Last post by WRCU2
I chose not to post this to Hallmark's blog because of a potentially bad word and as of this posting here, I haven't read a single one of the 38 comments accumulated since yesterday:

http://hallmarks.thespec.com/2008/05/a-median-matter.html#comments

I would've been commenting on the Mayor's pitch to allow Hamilton's highway medians to go fallow with this article:

http://thespec.com/News/Local/article/375540

=============

Since Mayor Fred Eisenberger is wily in some things, should we allow medians to fallow wildly of green things? Perhaps he can sense what's wallowing amok alongside the embankments of the controversial superhighway fustercluck (thanks Ryan). He defended the idea of forming a local stakeholder committee by saying. "I don't think it's an attempt to have one message. It's an attempt to understand what all the messages are."

http://thespec.com/News/Local/article/375508

It's ashame council doesn't wish to share in his wisdom and portent. There is a bright side to these Under-Naturalized superhighway projects and Public Works should pay better attention to their WM tending. Maintenance requires Way Much more than just bending and trending.

In a future glance towards wildflower and treed medians, tall enough to swallow our own littering display, one can glimpse the subject of vibrant peak oil sketches by budding Canadian artists someday. Many years down the road these canvassing works could fetch millions for the action blocking catch quirk pavilions:

http://thespec.com/News/Local/article/375535

Unfortunately it seems, without a clear understanding of what all the messages are, toll collectors will continue to reap as tole painter's spray cans become all the more cheap amongst Hamilton's most irreproachably sheepish of peeps.

http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/23/2364.asp

 15 
 on: May 13, 2008, 06:46:47 am 
Started by WRCU2 - Last post by WRCU2
Clostridium Difficile has now surpassed two other common hospital infections -- MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) and VRE (vancomycin-resistant enterococcus).

http://thespec.com/News/Local/article/353528

This is a problem being experienced by elderly patients admitted to hospitals world wide. In the UK it is responsible for one death every hour. It contributes to the deaths of four times as many people as MRSA. It is being called a SUPERBUG.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7361150.stm

Another superbug is cause for typhoid (spotted fever) and ironically, if one looks in the dictionary between typhoid and typhus there will be found the word, typhoon. In many ways the affects of C. Difficile are just as catastrophic as these deadly formed wind storms also known as hurricanes and cyclones. Try to find either Clostridium or Difficile in the common dictionary and you'll be at a loss for words, C. Diff. is a scientific term that I believe closely resembles Crap Ridding Difficulty or Colon Difficulty. This is probably how and where our bodies try to dispose of the bacteria (through waste excretion) and consequently where the bug thrives. Because of the battle it wages in our gut and entrails, our uptake of water and nutrients is diminished and we will become lethargic.

I am not a medical professional and cannot cure diseases or infections. I can however assure people that these kinds of superbugs, in the ranks with HN51 Bird Flu, SARS and their ilk, are being battled daily, by the dedicated men and women in the health care industry. It is not their fault these microscopic hooligans find their way into our hospitals and clinics. These nasty nano-scum hang out on the skin of healthy people and even animals we come into contact with every day. This particular bug has been around since the days of the dinosaurs, the problem is that the bugs are mutating and multiplying in biblical proportions much like wind storms and waves. We often have little warning and defense against such mega-storm movements across the globe when they arrive in their elemental force of an ill manifest nature. It is our environment and it is not just going to go away with a new designer pill, stronger soap or a higher bill to cope. But we can ease the suffering in the aftermath with love, hope, charity and walking a straighter narrower path with the Holy Sprit's clarity.

We are all to blame for the blood spilled on our soils that feed, the poisons sprayed into our air breathed and the pharmaceuticals laid to rest in our waters that bleed. Is it any wonder the elements are gathered, agitated against us and our seed? How can we, from this debauchery be freed? Where is the gallant steed that wisps us away from peril in our times of greatest need?

Can anyone pray Jesus Christ come hither and Godspeed!

Comments Welcome

 16 
 on: May 11, 2008, 11:51:33 am 
Started by editor - Last post by WRCU2
Donald, this is only the beginning of our trials and tribulations. Today it is Flamboro as seen through the eyes of Hamilton's due processed residents. Tomorrow it will be the whole world's borough as heard through the cries of our modicum towards insensitiveness.

With the price of everything skyrocketing and our wages in stagnate
In come the tax men carrying bigger offering plate
We bicker over gambler's fool wasted money spent
Yet soon we will ask where has this crowd gone went
With so much uncertainty in the world around us now
Struggling to make ends meet not knowing best how
While our leader's chests bleat
Still they squeeze on the teat   
Of our withering cash cow.

I'm gonna be taking a backseat on municipal affairs. There are too many snub nosed folks in need of some severe humbling up there in la la land. When they come down to earth to sit in the dust and ash with us regular folk, a real dialog can begin and our city will win.

Until then in sackcloth I spit and I grin.

 17 
 on: May 08, 2008, 11:52:59 am 
Started by editor - Last post by editor
Re:Tax tiff: Up in arms in Flamborough
The Hamilton Spectator
(May 8, 2008)

 
In silence, surrounded by anger, in the presents of Hamilton's leadership with regards
To a 10% tax increase of Flamborough the residents were left carrying the load with
Acrimonies from councilor Whitehead, " that the residents of Flamborough are confused
And blinded with misunderstanding; reinforcing his ego that we, City of Hamilton, made the
Right decision in levering the 10% tax on Flamborough; followed by the Mayor Fred Eisenberger
Placid remarks that we are, the City of Hamilton, far better off together than being separate
Distinctions....
 
As the meeting ended most left with further bitter distain towards the perceived dictatorial
Leadership of the City of Hamilton, licking their wounds without a touch of salt to flavor or
Soften the cold realities of their 10% tax burden.
 
By all accounts a tragically missed opportunity by the City, since amalgamation, not only
To demonstrate leadership but to facility a perceived disparity between Flamborough and the
City of Hamilton. In reflection it's little wonder that Hamilton remains so divided, whether
it's regarding the downtown redevelopment, airport, or the development of infrastructure,
Including updating the local transportation system.
 
A City divided against itself, without leadership when small comprises on the over all landscape
Could help unify, like spreading the returns from the Slots, Flamborough downs, over a five year
period into the purse of the City's pocket. As a resident of Flamborough, I understand that
sooner or later that equalization of the tax base is a necessary reality, Though considering
The under pinning of this situation there are no winners, in the short term Flamborough will
seeming carry the burden of 10% tax increase but the resentment and the negativity will be
further ingrained; including the negative energy towards the City of Hamilton that will be expended.
In summary the final words of Mayor Fred...."Flamborough you have not been forgotten"
The question will Flamborough forget?
 
Comments welcome!

ham_editor@yahoo.ca




 18 
 on: April 28, 2008, 08:25:12 am 
Started by editor - Last post by editor
Flamborough, Hamilton Ontario, tax increase close to 10 per cent

(this means war) follow the following link for the pre-amble

http://hallmarks.thespec.com/2008/04/this-means-war.html#comments

Perceptions, Myths and History

Reconciliation is mitigated through substance and understanding, a bridge that need
to take into account the sense of solitude and pride that Flamborough's community
perceived, true or false, a standard of fiscal and moral integrity far above what they
perceived that had been practiced in Hamilton.

Waterdown's population was tightly tied to agriculture, values that were closer in-tuned
with the whole of Flamborough. In their historical perception the City of Hamilton, though
a neighbor, was that the City of Hamilton political arena was tied too closely to bosses of
crime syndicates. That corruption and financial decay was mitigated through such ties and
as a result only certain groups were the benefactors of political and tax basses decisions.
Where as Flamborough perceived themselves as being more homogenous to the whole
community. Though this being factual, to work as neighbors through the process at the time,
Regional Government from which the amalgamated centers like Flamborough did benefit
financial from Hamilton; yet the perceptions true or false Flamborough maintained a strong
distain for the way Hamilton was managed. From the outside looking in Flamborough saw the
decay, while it retained it's self a small affluent bedroom of Hamilton and Burlington. Cleaner
and brighter without heavy industry and only a touch of light criminal activity.

With changing times accompanied with economic realities the City of Hamilton was being crushed
with financial pearls. Part of another reality was Regional government was not that effective and
it was felt that changes needed to be addressed. Hamilton required more funds to operate including
the fact that it's infrastructure was, is, collapsing and the province by it's self could not, did not want
to rescue Hamilton through provincial funding. As a result with all the above issues, including others,
prompted the drive to save Hamilton through amalgamation.

Though the above is a summary it's only part of the issue. Considering the economic realities the
amalgamated Cities were also beginning to feel the financial pressures of a changing world. In
time, in order for small places like Flamborough to survive on their own, taxes would double or triple
or they would have to expand with an alarming growth to maintain their tax base at the time.

On a side note, with regards to Flamborough Slots, some have suggested that Flamborough was
the recipient of such by the generosity of Stony Creek and Hamilton...Firstly, Hamilton did not want
to allow such within it's City and Stony Creek could find a reasonable location for such...
to those who want to lay some platitudes for some future political grace need not apply...

As a result of the above, except the previous paragraph, the wedding between Hamilton and
Flamborough was predestined to be a difficult one. It was akin to young teen getting married
and their parents being rivals for years. Then you add the conflict of Flamborough being divided
into three; for many this was heart wrenching, for some it was like a divorce. Yet for others to
divide Flamborough was far better than being part of Hamilton. When you add insult to injury,
with the province conceding to a vote on the issue, a clear result was a no, followed by the
Province dictating amalgamation.

With this picture as a background it's easy to see why anything taken from Flamborough is
perceived as another slap in the face. Perhaps for many the transition is incomplete or maybe
there is some small hope this will be reversed. The sad reality is that, neither Hamilton nor the
Province has made any significant efforts to mitigate or to smooth out some of these difference.
Interestingly hanging on a neighbors refrigerator was a comment by Terry Cook, that had, "we
don't really want Flamborough" circled in red.

The truth is, for better or worse this wedding is over and in this Province there will never be
allowed a decree of divorce. Practically as time passed such ideas will be impossible and
financially intertwined. At the same time there needs to be some real accountability on the part
of the City of Hamilton. Moreover, the City needs to recognize the diversity and complexity of
this City and of it's divergent social background.  Moreover, if a distasteful pill is needed, a touch
of honey will make it more palatable. In the final analysis when all is said, would it be a greater
to be able the celebrate such a union as apposed to building constant resentment. This opportunity
speaks  loudly to the to the leadership of Hamilton and the Province including the residence of
Flamborough.



Comments welcome!

ham_editor@yahoo.ca





 19 
 on: April 21, 2008, 11:12:25 am 
Started by WRCU2 - Last post by WRCU2
Ah yes, the Hamilton Spectator has sunk to a new low of not only changing their Breaking News story from Sunday (when this was posted) to actually replacing the article originally located at the link I provided. How's THAT for a SLANT!?

I will attempt from memory to list the about face discrepancies:

Sunday

Chopper lost power
Victims extricated by area residents
Both victims airlifted to Toronto hospitals
Victims were in training exercise
10 feet above ground
Transport Safety Board is investigating

Monday

Wind gust caused pilot to lose control
Victims extricated by emergency personnel
One victim airlifted to Toronto hospital
Victims were joyriding
10 meters above ground
Transport Safety Board trying to piece together what went wrong

 20 
 on: April 20, 2008, 10:53:06 am 
Started by WRCU2 - Last post by WRCU2
As this town's million dollar assault against mother nature's clean-up crew, the gypsy moth, bemoans us ever closer to its D-Day sometime in May, many young winged commanders are retraining for the ultra low altitude maneuvers of that strategic mission. These urban commando'ss must be shown proper handling of the stick whilst carrying heavy loads of swishing liquids within the X-large unsteady tanks fitted on board. This combined with tree branches, poles, wires and antennas, means that certification for these precarious crop dusting sorties over more heavily populated areas requires a special rider's stamp of approval.

It is just such a challenging tutorial that may have put two in area hospitals recently when their chopper went down during training as the vehicle lost its power only ten feet above the ground.

Two in hospital after helicopter crash near Milton
http://thespec.com/News/BreakingNews/article/357071

Is it worth the risk?

Pages: 1 [2] 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Changing LINKS

View Stats

Affiliates
Search Engine Submission and Optimization Free META Tag Help Analyzer