Haldimand "Petition on-line Update"

I have e-mailed my original blog to so many, I jammed up my e-mail! Thanks to all of you that have passed this information on to others.

Yesterday, I e-mailed my original blog to Premier Dalton McGuinty as a letter on his official site. The return e-mail stated; that someone would get in touch with me soon. Let's see if anyone calls!

As of 1:30pm today, there were 503 signatures on the petition on line "An Open Letter to Dalton McGuinty".

Please keep passing this information around, go to http://www.petitiononline.com/2509dp/petition.html

Thanks to all that have signed, Your voices are being heard.

Haldimand "On-Line Petition to McGuinty"

I feel absolutely "Helpless" in regards to recent issues in Caledonia. I am sure that many of you feel the same way.

It is time that our "Premier Elect" stop dead in his tracks, and prove to the people of Ontario that he is a "Leader". What will it take to convince this man that the "Public" is crying out to his government!

I have been very cautious on my blog regarding the Land Claims issues, as I have always felt that when I voice my personal opinions, I base them on the facts. As I am really not privy to all the facts, nor an expert, I have stayed away from the issue itself. One thing that I have spoken of is "NO VIOLENCE".

"ALL SIDES OF THIS ISSUE ARE FEELING HELPLESS"

I have started a "Petition on line". It is simple and sweet. An Open Letter to Dalton McGuinty. I know it will not solve the problem, but maybe, just maybe, we can send a Strong message to Dalton McGuinty that we need his leadership.

Please sign this petition on line by going to;
http://www.petitiononline.com/2509dp/petition.html

Pass this on Please! Please note that I have turned off the comments section on this, Thanks.

Haldimand "McGuinty vs Tory"

Well what a day I had today! I don’t know where to begin. So I will start with my stop in Hamilton.

I drove to Hamilton just after lunch to check out the McGuinty due on Upper Ottawa Street. I was not prepared with a sign, as I was just given heads up that he was going to be there. I had no idea what I was going to do when I got there, but I went anyway. Fortunately for me I ran into "two wonderful women" from Caledonia there. They were nice enough to share one of their signs with me. So I stood at the side of the road waving my sign while people honked as they drove by, I felt like I had done this before! A reporter from Quebec interviewed me, but I don’t think much will come of that!

Then I was off to Simcoe for the Toby/Tory due. One of the people that I met there today was Mike Q. the builder from Brantford. He had been to the McGuinty due as well…There was news coverage on CHCH TV, but I only got the last bit of the story. Apparently CHCH TV was threatened if they aired this clip that they would basically be banned from covering McGuinty’s campaign???? If anyone has more information on this and can elaborate, please do so in the comments.

The due today started off with a barbecue. I volunteered with the food table and had the chance to talk to a lot of people. It was quit enjoyable! It was also nice to see familiar faces from Dunnville, Hagersville and Caledonia there today.

John Tory showed up just before 6:00pm and a few hundred of us listened to his speech. I have never been to this type of event, and I can say that I was very impressed with John Tory’s down to earth attitude. I could go on and on about what he said, but I’m only going to touch on one thing that he said today that "I cannot get out of my mind".

"What message would we be sending to Mr. McGuinty if he was re-elected"?

"Well this is what I believe that message would be"

(1) It’s okay that 1 million people in Ontario still don’t have a family doctor, it was okay in 2003, and it will be okay in 2011!

(2) It’s okay that you have so far promised 27 Billion dollars, that you won’t keep, we won’t mind, you did it before!

(3) It’s okay that you turn your backs on us if you don’t want to deal with an issue that is too hot, we’ll let you ignore it, that’s what you have done in Haldimand/Norfolk!

(4) It’s okay we won’t ever make you "accountable" Mr. McGuinty!

(5) It’s okay with us that you have already given away over 32 Million dollars of our hard earned money without documentation, go-ahead give some more away we have more to give!

(6) It’s okay raise our taxes again, we can afford it we will just have to get a second job!

(7) It’s okay we are not asking you to be "open", "transparent" or "honest".

(8) And my Favorite one "It’s okay to lie, we accept that 100%!


Is this what we really want? If it’s not, then we all have a duty on October 10th, 2007! We have the power to stop this insanity!

Haldimand "Welcome our new CAO".

I was very impressed with this week’s article in the Chronicle, by Karen Best. For the entire story visit http://www.dunnvillechronicle.com/webapp/sitepages/. For those of you that don’t receive this paper, the following are some excerpts that I found very interesting;

"Before he was formally on the job, Don Doyle planned to speak to Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Julian Fantino about policing in Haldimand County. Prior to a Toronto business golf function last week, the soon-to-be CAO said he would leave knowing where the OPP stands on policing the ongoing First Nation’s issue in the county".

I personally find this statement by Doyle as very "profound", as the soon-to-be CAO is certain that he is going to receive information that this county has been unable to achieve in the past. What would be interesting is what conversation would have taken place between Fantino and Doyle, as what legal information would Doyle actually been privy to receive from Fantino, as his position as CAO of Haldimand County does not start until October 2, 2007?

"In an interview with the Chronicle, he was open about his reasons for pursuing a career change. Toronto is a big machine that moves very slowly and is difficult to influence said Boyle".

Haldimand County is a much smaller "machine" than Toronto, but I am sure that we do not move and faster here than Toronto. Haldimand is also a very difficult place to influence as well, just ask some of the residents that live here.

"Attracted by Haldimand County’s spirit and the challenge of the First Nations issue, Boyle is preparing for his new job through research on the Internet including reading about the Six Nations and Haldimand County issues in the Chronicle".

No "pun" against the Chronicle, but newspapers don’t always state all the facts, neither does the Internet!

"As an outsider, Boyle was immediately impressed with the county’s potential in quality of life and eco-tourism. He envisioned linking all towns together in a trail network and stronger promotion of county assets outside the community".

I am interested in what he meant by "county assets outside the community"!

"After reviewing the county’s budget and reserve balance statements, he concluded the county was financially healthy".

I recall during budget deliberations in March, that Councilor Boyko had asked Karen General and Bill Pearce if Haldimand County was "financially viable? Staff said that they would do a report and come back in six months with the answer. I am not aware of any such report ever coming back to council. Councilor Boyko with his years experience, obviously asked that question because he had serious concerns, Boyle who has not even started his position yet, has confirmed that our "finances are just fine"!

"Over his career, he has had only two bad days but he can no longer remember what happened on them".

I am glad that Boyle seems to be a very positive individual, we certainly welcome that kind of attitude.

"Recently Boyle began searching for other opportunities. He applied for the St. Catherine’s CAO job but, when advised of the same vacancy in Haldimand, he withdrew his application and applied to the County".

This also goes to say for Boyle, that he must also be a very optimistic individual as well, most people would not have "pulled" an application unless they were optimistic of their chances at getting a position. We also welcome his optimism.

Don Doyle comes to us from Toronto, with a background in recreation. From 1995 to present Doyle has worked in the Parks and Recreation sector for the City of Toronto.

I would like to extend my welcome to Don Doyle, Haldimand County’s new Chief Administrative Officer. We could certainly use an individual with your talents and qualities in Haldimand County.

Haldimand "Signs.....Signs......Signs....."

Well here we go everyone, 30 days of speeches, flyers, door knocking, commercials, and signs, oh that’s right all those signs! It reminds me of a song…signs…. signs….everywhere……signs. Honestly for me, I would prefer to see an election "without" the signs, as I find it can get quite messy looking! Regardless, this is not my rule, so I also played the "sign game".

Can you tell that I have a "pet peeve" with signs?

As some of you know I ran in the last municipal election here in Haldimand County, and I know all to well of the antics that go on during a campaign period. One of which is my favorite, "the sign game".

The "sign game", I was accused of playing what is called the sign game. All my signs did adhere to the by-laws, and all my signs were on "private property". I will not say this for others that plunked their signs everywhere and anywhere! One election campaign sign was even posted at a graveyard site! I did not "loose" one sign during the whole election. So why was I accused of the sign game, well I will never know the answer to that question!

Each Municipality has their own by laws on signage. These by laws are not only for elections, it is for "All" signage, eg; real estate signs, advertising signs etc. The strange thing that happens during an election, is that all of a sudden the by laws that have been in place, and have not been adhered to, are ever so critical, just because it is an election. So if Municipalities are going to remove election signs because they are in violation of the by law, they should remove "all signs" that are in violation of the by law!

My point that I am getting at here is the Provincial Election is in full gear, and all those signs are going to be appearing everywhere, whether you like it or not. Some where they shouldn't be! The big difference with a Provincial Election is the candidates rely on a lot more volunteers. And the truth be told, many volunteers put countless hours into helping out the candidates that they support. They are doing it out of passion and the belief that their perspective candidate will win the election.

Volunteers for each candidate are fully aware of the rules of the placement of election signs, but in saying that, some do sway a bit from the rules. The job of making sure that "all" signs are in their proper place at "all" times is up to each Municipality according to their by laws. The only request I have of the Municipalities is that they adhere to their respective by laws entirely!

Don’t change the rules because it is election time, it is for only "30" days.

Haldimand "Meet Toby Barrett and John Tory"

Well we are once again on the doorstep of a Provincial Election.

In my opinion this is a very important election, an election that could be a turning point for those of us that live in Haldimand/Norfolk. Our current "Premier Elect" has all but turned a blind eye to many critical issues that we face, and I can almost say with certainty, our current "Premier Elect" won’t be visiting us any time soon!

The proof is in the pudding as McGuinty in the last couple of months has been to Hamilton (a mere 20 minutes away from say "Caledonia") I believe "3" times, promising if "re-elected" millions of dollars in various "funding" ventures to the city of Hamilton. My question to our Premier, is Hamilton more important to you because their population is approx. 503,000 compared to Haldimand/Norfolk that has a population of approx., 110,000?

The way I look at things is that this current government is not the least bit worried about how we vote in Haldimand/Norfolk, as they believe that we cannot make a difference in the "Big" picture. Well my opinion is, they are wrong! "We can make a difference" by doing "one" simple thing. HAVE YOUR SAY AND VOTE!

Now for many of you out there, you have already made your decision as to who is going to get your vote on October 10th. For some out there, you are unsure, and will probably not decide until October 10th. For others, your faith and confidence in Politicians is all but gone, and you have already decided "not to vote". This is where I have concerns, please don’t give up, as if you do, and certain politicians depend on you to "give up", they actually win, don’t forget, their supporters make up the percentage of the votes that get them elected or re-elected!

Let’s put a real "spin" on this election, we need more than 56% of the people to decide how this province will run for the next "4" years. Get out and Vote, tell your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers to Vote! Together we can make "History", let’s get at least 80% of Haldimand/Norfolk out to vote! Imagine the message that would be sent!

So I challenge "you all" to take some time and come out to meet Toby Barrett and John Tory, this is your opportunity to get those answers right from the "horses mouth", no pun intended!

Wednesday September 12th, 2007 @ 6:00pm
Toby Barrett’s Campaign Headquarters
64 Queensway West (Hwy #3) Simcoe

Haldimand "Forensic Audit"

I haven't written anything for a while, as I have been on the streets of Dunnville collecting signatures for the petition that I started last week. This petition is once again asking Municipal Affairs to do a Forensic Audit of the Corporation of Haldimand County.

You won't need a coffee today, this is quick and sweet.

A very unusual thing happened on the holiday Monday. I found out today that a short dark haired women (unknown) picked up the petitions that were on the counter of the "Coffee and More" in Dunnville. This was not me or anyone on my behalf. So who would do such a thing, as to steal these petitions? We will never know. As of today the petitions are back at the coffee shop, taped to the counter, and will not be given to "anyone" but myself. So whoever did this will not get away with it again! It seems that someone is a bit nervous out there that we may accomplish this task.

I will be going to Caledonia the next couple of days and walk the streets there to collect signatures. There are many people out there that have petitions, so please ask around. We need the support if we are going to make this happen.

The following are some places that you can sign the petition in the Dunnville area;

Ramsey's Men's Wear, Dunnville

Mary Lou's Bulk Foods, Dunnville

Coffee and More Donuts, Dunnville (by the high school)

Harrison's Store, Rainham Rd and Haldimand Road 50

Thanks for your support Donna.