Bacio basico is ‘curse remover light.’ When a woman kisses both cheeks of a man cursed with nomenticar, the memory erasure of the curse is lifted. The man will now remember the name of the woman who has kissed him on both cheeks. This command basically nullifies nomenticar.
Dan Rather, former CBS newsbroadcast fame, co-writes a daily blog that political followers will enjoy. The link to the site: –> STEADY
His latest piece is about Donaly T**** , the possibility his winning the 2024 presidential election and the possible impact on American democray. Here is what he wrote:
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Donald Trump can win the 2024 presidential election.
That is not to say he will win, or even that he is likely to win. But it is, at this point, a distinct possibility.
For millions of Americans, this reality is a source of unbridled euphoria. They can’t wait to vote for this man a third time. They chant his slogans, flock to his rallies, and inundate social media with a fervor that verges on the messianic.
Of course, the idea that Trump could be president again, and what that would mean for the future of our republic, fills millions of other Americans with existential dread — and disbelief. How can this be after all that we have seen and know? How can someone facing dozens of serious criminal charges — including ones pertaining to his attempt to destroy America’s constitutional order — still command enough support to be anywhere near the presidency again?
The national chasm that the man has deepened — and how and why — is the biggest political story of our times. We need to understand and grapple with what led us to this moment. At the same time, we have no choice but to try to reckon with the implications of Trump’s electoral prospects.
At Steady, we are not fans of horse-race political coverage, particularly this far out from an election. Fifteen months might as well be a millennium in terms of how much can change. So our instinct was not to dwell on the banner headlines sparked by a recent New York Times poll that showed President Biden and Trump in a statistical tie.
These polls have more caveats than a cell phone service contract. Nevertheless, when you look at the big picture, we end up with the conclusion with which we started today: Trump can win.
We have discussed extensively within the Steady community what a Trump victory would mean for American democracy: at minimum a catastrophe, at worst a death knell. And with that conclusion, it is understandable that his resilience in the face of everything that should disqualify him could lead to despair among Democrats, like-minded independents, and even anti-Trump Republicans. Why is this country still where it is today? Why do so many remain in the thrall of this con man? Why do his obvious excesses not prove fatal to his political prospects?
It’s been eight long years since Trump descended his escalator and announced his campaign for president. Eight years during which this country itself has descended — into vicious political divisiveness and attacks on our democratic freedoms. Many hoped the 2020 election would break the fever. But it hasn’t. And that can be exhausting, if not downright debilitating.
The difficult truth is that in order to defeat Trumpism, America will have to defeat Trump again with votes. While he faces a litany of legal peril in state and federal court, these cases may not be completely resolved for years, especially when one factors in the appeals process. A verdict at the ballot box will have to come first. (Although some legal scholars and historians wonder whether the 14th Amendment, which bars anyone who has engaged in insurrection from holding government office, could apply in this case.)
Ultimately, the country will have to say once more that Trump is a loser and those who follow his lead will lose as well. This is what will be required to extricate America from the quagmire of our current vulnerabilities.
There is a chance Trump could lose in the Republican primary, but at this point that seems unlikely. If you squint you can potentially see some vulnerability in Iowa polls, and the campaign is hemorrhaging money as his legal bills mount. We are also in uncharted waters. We’ve never had a candidate having to bounce back and forth between a campaign and court. Will that take a toll on his support? In the past several years, wishful thinking has so often yielded disappointment.
The probability is that Trump will be the Republican standard-bearer in 2024. And, for those who seek to defeat him, this means that their efforts should move to full-throttle immediately.
As exhausting as it may feel to those who have been in the political trenches battling Trumpism for years, the immediacy of the struggle persists. The efforts that led to a repudiation of Trump in the 2018 midterms, to his defeat in 2020, and to the disappointing results for his acolytes in 2022 must be renewed for 2024. This includes local organizing, especially in battleground states, canvassing for votes, volunteering, and fundraising.
One of the lessons of the Trump years is that our democracy is fragile, and particularly precarious during this current era. But this is also a key lesson of our history. When you consider where we started — the gulf between the rhetoric of “all men are created equal” and the reality of our nation at its founding — we can see proof of the fight it has always taken to make America more free and secure.
We had a bloody civil war. And then a civil rights movement to defeat Jim Crow. Women couldn’t vote until the second decade of the 20th century. Still the fight for racial justice and women’s rights continues. As does the fight for Native rights, LGBTQ+ rights, labor rights, and so many others. Democracy is not a spectator sport. But for anyone who may be discouraged, our national story contains a string of victories for those who believed the United States could be better.
America’s political landscape has always included those who would divide us, diminish us, and desensitize us to the urgency of equality and justice. Sometimes these forces seem to lie dormant, but in our short history they have risen often. And when they do, courageous and committed Americans have banded together to defeat them in ways that ultimately strengthened our nation.
There is a lot of evidence that Trump would lose once more. But it’s not a given. The hard work to make America “a more perfect union” continues and is dependent upon enough Americans who care.
Source: Dr. Andrea Wilkinson
Bacio morte is a not-to-be-played-with action. Best translated as the “kiss of death,” any husband married to an Italian woman caught kissing a woman on the lips will be in serious trouble with his spouse. His wife may now resort to the very serious and grave malocchio curse dooming the fellow to serious bad luck from this point forward.
It is highly recommended that men avoid this type of kiss at all costs as there is no reasonable explanation that can be offered to the affronted wife.
BOOK LAUNCH – POETRY LOVERS…
You are invited to join me to welcome my book to the world 
FYI: LIMITED SEATING
REGISTRATION via Eventbrite:
https://www.
Please share the news with poetry lovers who might be interested.
I’m very grateful to the Consulate General of Romania in Toronto, specifically to Madame Consul Oana Raluca Gherghe, for generously accepting to host my launch, and to Professor Dr. Crina Bud (Glendon College) for agreeing to present the book. Many thanks also to the League of Canadian Poets and Toronto Arts Council, which funded the launch.
“Praying to a Landed-Immigrant God / Rugându-mă la un Dumnezeu emigrant” is Diana’s seventh collection of poems and her first book published in Canada. It is published by Jordan Fry and designed by Priscilla Brett (Grey Borders Books, Niagara Falls, ON).
The poems written in Romanian during her first 13 years here, co-translated with Adam J Sorkin, testify to Diana’s journey at the crossroads of postcommunism and postcolonialism, hope and anxiety, “love in exile” and loneliness.
The book ends with “Deflowering English,” in Romanian and English, and in 7 more languages, exploring the relationship of Finnish, Persian, and Russian immigrants to English vs. the “deflowering” of other imperial languages, Dutch, French, German, and Spanish, elsewhere.
The book is now available in print and as e-book at https://greybordersbooks.
NOTE:
1. Information source: City of Pickering (pickering.ca)
2. “Brenner Disclosure Statement“ corrected and updated.
UPDATE:
Investigation started: –> DURHAM NEWS
[pdf-embedder url=”http://www.szpin.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/West-Shore-Skate-Spot-Community-Mural.pdf” title=”West Shore Skate Spot Community Mural”]
It is important to make a plan for your digital legacy and include that in your estate planning.
__________
A followup article -> DIGITAL ASSETS
____________
Sources:
1. “Life After Death: Secure Your Digital Legacy Before You Die,” Julie Jargon. Wall Street Journal
2. https://dig.watch/updates/saskatchewan-ca-introduces-fiduciaries-occess-digital-information-act
3. TD Wealth Insights, Demetrios Dovolos, demo.dovolos@td.com
4. 
newsletter
Granny’s 10 top tips for saving $$$:
For a detailed description of Granny’s tips, CLICK –> GRANNY
Durham Police Services has an interesting and informative service, ‘Interactive Crime Map,’ that displays crime hotspots based on your selection of type of crime.
The criteria for the map below was “AUTO THEFT.“
Users can choose various aspects to show what they are interested in seeing. You can choose:
Click —> CRIMES
Many people are frustrated with their weight reduction efforts. A new set of drugs available by injection are available. They are classified as GLP-1 drugs and Ozempic is one example of them.
To read the full article, click —> HEALTHLINE: OZEMPIC
Kudos to Mayor Ashe on his denunciation of the HATE crimes vandalization of the LGBT+ crosswalks in Pickering.
It is sad and also a cause of anger that such despicable vandalism happens in our community. The City is working hard as demonstrated by Mayor Ashe’s address at eliminating such acts of vandalism. There are no words that can affect a change with these kinds of vandals, no community responsibility, no respect for people or their property. These are reprobates with no place in our community.
We all must be vigilant in trying to spot these kind of assaults to our community.
Mr. Mayor, we hear you. We thank you and we will do whatever we can to help you to eliminate this form of HATE in our community.
___________________
If you see something which should be reported, call the Durham police at the displayed number.
<—–
Your gmail records can be really improved with this great extension…
Simple Gmail Notes by BART Solutions.
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The extension tool allows you to write notes about any gmail you have inside the gmail itself. This means you can write an explanation, a notation, a reminder, any note inside the gmail for future reference. An excellent tool for adding useful information to gmails.
[If you are not familiar with Extensions, learn more about them by using the “Topic” search box on my website. There are many various extensions available for doing a variety of actions in your computer work. You really should try them out.]
I keep telling the City of Pickering, “Keep it simple” but they still don’t get it. Am beginning to wonder about where the “simple” lies with the City.
My research, my work, my experience with teaching adults reinforces one thing about information: “If it isn’t presented simply, it isn’t going in.” I keep telling the City that in regard to their massive web site but the message falls on deaf ears.
______________________
APPLE is one of the most successful companies in the world.Apple says about design. The company has a market cap of $3.02 TRILLION. So they might know something about marketing and selling. The City of Pickering is selling: services, information, events and activities and it is doing a messy selling job.
Read what APPLE says about design and promotion. The City of Pickering doesn’t have to listen to me. It isn’t!
Design Philosophy and User Experience
Apple’s design philosophy can be summarized in one word: simplicity.
From the design of its software to its hardware, and indeed, its packaging, the goal is to make complex technology accessible, intuitive, and aesthetically pleasing.
This philosophy was famously encapsulated by Steve Jobs’ statement that:
“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”
[Interesting what he said, isn’t it.]
Nowhere is this ethos more evident than in the design of Apple’s packaging. Here, simplicity reigns supreme. Apple’s boxes typically consist of a lower base and an upper lid that fits snugly over it, offering an almost seamless unboxing experience. The high-quality, rigid cardboard material ensures durability, while the white, minimalist aesthetic speaks volumes about the product inside.
Every detail is meticulously considered, from the placement of the product image on the box to the arrangement of the accessories inside. Even the absence of traditional packaging elements, such as visible tabs or creases, is deliberate. These choices serve to create an uncluttered and premium feel, mirroring the seamless, user-friendly experience of the Apple products themselves.
In fact, one could argue that the unboxing process serves as a precursor to using the product. Just as Apple’s software guides the user intuitively, the packaging eases the user into the product experience. The box opens smoothly, the product and accessories are arranged logically, and setup instructions are clear and minimal.
This attention to detail in packaging design reflects Apple’s overarching design philosophy. It’s about creating a user experience that is not just functional but delightful. It’s about turning the ordinary into something extraordinary. And this is a big part of why people hold onto Apple packaging. The box, like the product it once held, stands as a testament to the design values Apple espouses, a physical embodiment of a philosophy that prizes simplicity, functionality, and beauty.
Will the ever get the message. I can’t say it any more simply.
Recently, we published a primer about INFLATION. The Fraser Institute, a Canadian think tank, writes in depth analysis about Canada’s economy.
It has stated that the growth of government debt in Canada since the 2008/09 recession and the fiscal challenges it poses for the federal and provincial governments. The author explains the purpose of the article, which is to examine the debt levels across Canada, compare the differences among the provinces, and quantify the burden of debt for Canadian citizens. The author also provides a summary of the main findings, such as the doubling of net debt in 15 years, the variation in debt-to-GDP ratios and debt per person among the provinces, and the consequences of interest payments on public finances.
___________________________________
A site visitor has added their perspective:
Canada’s national debt has doubled in past 15 yrs.
Debt in Ontario is almost $60K per living person.
(Factor that by the fact that abt 60% of the population is working and paying taxes and the debt per taxpayer is closer to $100K per person.)
Debt continues to increase as all levels of government continue to run annual deficits.
(Consider the cost to finance the debt will increase with the higher interest rates.)
E. Ford
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For more detail, read —> 
[pdf-embedder url=”http://www.szpin.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AUG-2023-Newsletter.pdf” title=”AUG 2023 Newsletter”]
We’re too high on the list Mr. Mayor!
| RECORD | CITY | ’22 TAX RATE | AVG HOME TAX | TAX 500K Home | TAX 1m Home | TAX 1.5m Home |
| 1 | Toronto | 0.63% | $6,908 | $3,160 | $6,319 | $9,479 |
| 2 | Markham | 0.65% | $8,273 | $3,225 | $6,450 | $9,675 |
| 3 | Richmond Hill | 0.67% | $8,834 | $3,353 | $6,707 | $10,060 |
| 4 | Vaughan | 0.68% | $8,545 | $3,414 | $6,828 | $10,242 |
| 5 | Milton | 0.70% | $7,258 | $3,517 | $7,035 | $10,552 |
| 6 | Oakville | 0.73% | $10,893 | $3,662 | $7,323 | $10,985 |
| 7 | Burlington | 0.78% | $8,810 | $3,898 | $7,796 | $11,694 |
| 8 | Aurora | 0.78% | $10,636 | $3,900 | $7,801 | $11,701 |
| 9 | Newmarket | 0.81% | $10,397 | $4,053 | $8,106 | $12,159 |
| 10 | Halton Hills | 0.82% | $7,905 | $4,092 | $8,183 | $12,275 |
| 11 | Caledon | 0.82% | $8,239 | $4,106 | $8,212 | $12,318 |
| 12 | Misssissauga | 0.83% | $8,192 | $4,149 | $8,297 | $12,446 |
| 13 | Brampton | 0.98% | $9,840 | $4,904 | $9,808 | $14,712 |
| 14 | Pickering | 1.10% | $10,809 | $5,506 | $11,012 | $16,518 |
| 15 | Ajax | 1.12% | $10,816 | $5,582 | $11,164 | $16,747 |
| 16 | Waterloo | 1.13% | $8,088 | $5,659 | $11,318 | $16,977 |
| 17 | Kitchener | 1.14% | $8,025 | $5,706 | $11,411 | $17,117 |
| 18 | Ottawa | 1.15% | $7,142 | $5,723 | $11,446 | $17,168 |
| 19 | Whitby | 1.15% | $11,369 | $5,735 | $11,471 | $17,206 |
| 20 | Guelph | 1.18% | $9,590 | $5,919 | $11,837 | $17,756 |
| 21 | Cambridge | 1.23% | $9,006 | $6,163 | $12,326 | $18,489 |
| 22 | Hamilton | 1.25% | $9,839 | $6,226 | $12,452 | $18,679 |
| 23 | Barrie | 1.25% | $9,154 | $6,274 | $12,548 | $18,822 |
| 24 | Oshawa | 1.33% | $11,074 | $6,628 | $13,256 | $19,884 |
| 25 | Niagara Falls | 1.35% | $8,615 | $6,730 | $13,460 | $20,190 |
| 26 | Orangeville | 1.35% | $10,603 | $6,765 | $13,530 | $20,296 |
| 27 | Kingston | 1.40% | $8,902 | $6,997 | $13,994 | $20,990 |
| 29 | St Catharines | 1.42% | $8,965 | $7,077 | $14,154 | $21,231 |
| 28 | London | 1.42% | $8,239 | $7,112 | $14,223 | $21,335 |
| 30 | Peterborough | 1.49% | $10,349 | $7,457 | $14,914 | $22,372 |
| 31 | Sudbury | 1.59% | $6,934 | $7,952 | $15,903 | $23,855 |
| 32 | North Bay | 1.62% | $6,486 | $8,096 | $16,191 | $24,287 |
| 33 | Sault Ste. Marie | 1.63% | $5,197 | $8,171 | $16,341 | $24,512 |
| 34 | Thunder Bay | 1.65% | $4,890 | $8,243 | $16,486 | $24,729 |
| 35 | Windsor | 1.85% | $10,060 | $9,269 | $18,538 | $27,806 |
Because older people have special nutritional requirements, it is essential to emphasize nutrient-dense foods in such their diets.
Some examples of healthy foods that are good for seniors:
Fruits and vegetables:
Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Dark, leafy greens, such as spinach and kale, are high in minerals, including vitamins K, A, and folate. The antioxidants and phytochemicals found in colorful fruits and vegetables, such as berries, oranges, carrots, and sweet potatoes, promote overall health. Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower, are high in nutrients and chemicals that can help prevent chronic disease.
Lean sources of protein:
Protein is essential for older people to maintain muscle mass and strength. Choose skinless poultry, fish, eggs, lentils, and tofu as sources of lean protein. Include plant-based protein sources like lentils, quinoa, and beans to provide diversity and promote a well-rounded diet.
Whole grains:
Whole grains are rich in complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. Whole wheat, brown rice, oats, quinoa, and whole grain bread or cereals are good choices. Whole grains help keep blood sugar levels stable, improve digestive health, and provide long-lasting energy.
Healthy fats:
Healthy fats are essential for brain function, nutrient absorption, and general well-being. Include avocados, almonds, seeds, olive oil, and fatty shellfish like salmon or sardines as sources of healthy fats. Omega-3 fatty acids derived from fish or plants may improve heart health and cognitive function.
Dairy or alternatives:
Dairy products or fortified milk substitutes can provide key minerals like calcium and vitamin D, which are crucial for bone health. Low-fat or fat-free dairy products, fortified plant-based milk, or calcium-fortified alternatives like soy or almond milk are also good choices. The probiotics found in yogurt can help with gut health.
Hydration:
Hydration is important for the elderly, as aging can decrease the sensation of thirst. Encourage them to drink plenty of water throughout the day and add hydrating foods like soups, smoothies, and water-rich fruits like watermelon or cucumbers.
Vitamin and Mineral Supplements:
Based on individual needs and insufficiencies, consult with a healthcare professional to determine if particular vitamin and mineral supplements are required. The supplements should be taken in conjunction with a healthy diet and as prescribed by a health care expert.
In conclusion, a nutritious diet for seniors should include fruits and vegetables, lean protein sources, whole grains, healthy fats, dairy or substitutes, water, and perhaps vitamin and mineral supplements. This well-balanced strategy provides critical nutrients to support overall health, the maintenance of muscle mass, bone health, and cognitive function.
Points to remember:
_______________________________________________
Source: QUORA Digest
The Prime Minister, like many politicians, blows a lot of hot air while Canadians suffer economically.
OTTAWA CABINET MINISTERS, JULY 2023
| MINISTRY | Name | MINISTER |
| AGRICULTURE | LAWRENCE | MacAULAY |
| CITIZENS’ SERVICES | TERRY | BEECH |
| CROWN-INDIGENOUS RELATIONS | GARY | ANANDASANGAREE |
| DEFENCE | BILL | BLAIR |
| DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, PERSONS w DISABILITY | KAMAL | KHERA |
| ECONOMIC DEVELOPEMNT SOUTHERN ONT | FILOMENA | TASSI |
| EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, PRES. KING’S PRIVY COUNCIL | HARJIT | SAJJAN |
| EMPLOYMENT | RANDY | BOISSONAULT |
| ENERGY n NATURAL RESOURCES | JOHNATHAN | WILKINSON |
| ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE | STEVEN | GUILBEAULT |
| FAMILIES, CHILDREN | JENNA | SUDDS |
| FINANCE | CHRYSTIA | FREELAND |
| FISHERIES | DIANE | LEBOUTHILLIER |
| FOREIGN AFFAIRS | MELANIE | JOLY |
| GOVT LEADER IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS | KARINA | GOULD |
| HEALTH | MARK | HOLLAND |
| HERITAGE | PASCALE | ST-ONGE |
| HOUSING, INFRASTRUCTURE, COMMUNITIES | SEAN | FRASER |
| IMMIGRATION | MARC | MILLER |
| INDIGENOUS SERVICES, ECON DEV NORTH AFFAIRS | PATTY | HAJDU |
| INNOVATION, SCIENCE & INDUSTRY | FRANCOIS-PHILIPPE | CHAMPAGNE |
| INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT | AHMED | HUSSEIN |
| INTERNATIONAL TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | MARY | NG |
| JUSTICE, ATTORNEY GENERAL | ARIF | VIRANI |
| LABOUR AND SENIORS | SEAMUS | O’REGAN |
| MENTAL HEALTH n ADDICTIONS | YA’ARA | SAKS |
| NATIONAL REVENUE | MARIE-CLAUDE | BIBEAU |
| PRAIRIES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & CDN NRTHRN DEVELOPMENT | DAN | VANDAL |
| PRESIDENT, TREASURY BOARD | ANITA | ANANDA |
| PRIME MINISTER | JUSTIN | TRUDEAU |
| PUBLIC SAFETY | DOMINIC | LEBLANC |
| PUBLIC SERVICES & PROCUREMENT | JEAN-YVES | DUCLOS |
| RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | GUDIE | HUTCHINGS |
| SMALL BUSINESS | RECHIE | VALDEZ |
| SPORT | CARLA | QUALTROUGH |
| TOURISM | SORAYA | MARTINEZ FERRADA |
| TRANSPORT | PABLO | RODRIGUEZ |
| VETERAN AFFAIRS | GINETTE | PETITPAS TAYLOR |
| WOMEN AND GENDER EQUALITY | MARCI | IEN |
The cabinet shuffle by Trudeau can be explained by just one person, Trudeau. Why, who in what position, why some MPs were not named, why certain ones were put into the specific position? Who knows…only Trudeau.
At least he cannot be accused of sexism: 19 Males, 19 Females (excluding JT). As for the geographical spread: ON-16, QUE-12, MAN-1, NFLD-2, NB-2, NS-1, BC-3, AB-1, PEI-1.
Is there rhyme or reason to this shuffle? No way. Political insanity? Maybe.
FOLLOW UPs
Mozzarella:
Mozzarella is a soft white cheese with high moisture content. It originated in Italy and is usually made from Italian buffalo or cow’s milk. Mozzarella is lower in sodium and calories than most other cheeses. Mozzarella is a soft cheese that’s lower in sodium and calories than most other cheeses. It also contains probiotics that may benefit your immune system.
Blue cheese:
Blue cheese is made from cow’s, goat’s, or sheep’s milk that has been cured with cultures from the mould Penicillium. It is typically white with blue or gray veins and spots. The mould used to create blue cheese gives it a distinctive odour and a bold, tangy flavour. Blue cheese has distinctive blue or gray veins and a tangy taste. It’s a good source of calcium, which may promote bone health and help prevent osteoporosis.
Feta:
Feta is a soft, salty white cheese originally from Greece. It’s typically made from sheep’s or goat’s milk. Sheep’s milk gives feta a tangy and sharp taste, while goat’s-milk feta is milder. Because feta is packaged in brine to preserve freshness, it can be high in sodium. However, it is typically lower in calories than most other cheeses. Feta is a Greek cheese that’s higher in salt but lower in calories than other cheeses. It also contains CLA, a fatty acid linked to changes in body composition.
Cottage cheese:
Cottage cheese is a soft, white cheese made from the loose curds of cow’s milk. It’s thought to have originated in the United States. Cottage cheese is a fresh, clumpy cheese that’s loaded with protein. Adding cottage cheese to your diet can help keep you full and may support weight management.
Ricotta:
Ricotta is an Italian cheese made from the watery parts of the milk of cows, goats, sheep, or Italian water buffalo that are left over from making other cheeses. Ricotta has a creamy texture and is often described as a lighter version of cottage cheese. Ricotta is a creamy white cheese that’s loaded with protein. The high-quality whey found in ricotta may promote muscle growth and help lower blood pressure.
Parmesan:
Parmesan is a hard, aged cheese that has a gritty texture and a salty, nutty flavour. It’s rich in calcium and phosphorus, which may promote bone health. Parmesan is a low-lactose cheese that’s high in calcium and phosphorus. It may promote bone health.
Swiss:
As the name suggests, Swiss cheese originated in Switzerland. This semi-hard cheese is typically made from cow’s milk and features a mild, nutty taste. Its signature holes are formed by bacteria that release gases during fermentation. Swiss cheese originated in Switzerland and has a mild, nutty taste. It is lower in sodium and carbs compared to other cheeses.
Cheddar:
Cheddar is a widely popular semihard cheese from England. Made from cow’s milk that has been matured for several months, it can be white, off-white, or yellow. The taste of cheddar depends on the variety, ranging from mild to extra sharp. Cheddar is a popular cheese from England with a wide range of tastes. It is a source of vitamin K2, which is important for heart and bone health.
Goat cheese:
Goat cheese, also known as chevre, is a tangy, soft cheese made from goat’s milk. It’s available in several forms, including spreadable logs, crumbles, and varieties made to resemble brie. Goat cheese, also known as chevre, is a tangy and soft cheese made from goat’s milk. It is lower in lactose and contains proteins that may make it easier to digest.
Source: 
This leader sees that he can do anything he wants without being accountable. He cannot be voted out of office until the next election which may be in 2024.
Read his next example of CRONISM and CORRUPTION —> Dog FORD
This is either insanity to the extreme or absolute nonsense by a corporation. BELL is looking to trademark the ‘Bell Blue.”
Corporations are either insane in their corporate policies or they are recognizing that the Canadian federal government is a near useless entity.
For the full story, CLICK —> BELL
Ever feel there just aren’t enough hours in the day?
Writing is a full-time job. However, every writer has many ancillary tasks to do: editing, reviewing, promoting, publishing, and researching. These tasks take time and energy and deflect you from your primary work, writing. Consider using some assistance services such as this one.
Focus your energy and your efforts on your primary work, writing, not on secondary tasks that take your vital attention away from where it should be.
Writing services we can provide:
Contact Richard for more information: zippyonego@gmail.com
John Weiss is a writer, artist, and former police chief with twenty-six years of law enforcement experience.
He holds a master’s degree in criminal justice administration and his work appears in The Guardian, NBC News, Simplify Magazine, Becoming Minimalist, Mr. Feelgood, Good Men Project, and elsewhere online.
John is the author of “What Life Should Be About: Elegant Essays on the Things That Matter,” and “An Artful Life: Inspirational Stories and Essays for the Artist in Everyone.”
He lives with his family in Nevada.
Sign up for John’s free Saturday Letters here.
Learn more about John’s books here.
_______________________________________
Richard adds…
Weiss is a serious writer and philosopher about life. I enjoy reading his blog from time to time as he writes his thoughts about life, living it, family and the world around us.
I eat an apple every day. Too bad I eat much more as I continually whine about weight gain. But an apple as my late afternoon supper seems to help me manage the weight gain. It’s a struggle, particularly as an arthritic hip obviates much more than a casual Fermo walk nightly.
Here’s my take on eating apples….
Read the full article –> APPLES
Site visitors may think we have something personal against Doggie Ford. Not true. Our gut feeling just makes us feel this politician is our own version of an American ex-president. Both men are bullies, corporate bureaucratic bulldozers, political ruffians and rogues. Ford may be worse as his is in power. He avoids making outright policy statements if he can, but he is not averse to reversing his promises at the drop of a hat. He tolerates no disagreement and if need be, he will mute anyone in the party that might have the slightest divergent view with the “king.”
Here’s his latest (7-21-23) erosion of the power of local governments:
‘Democracy is completely thrown out the window’: How Doug Ford’s push for more housing is fuelling fears for the future of local government: Read the full article at —> No democracy
Ingredients
Directions
Shingles is a viral infection wished on no one. In Ontario, the double dose vaccine is available is free for certain ages.
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Wonderbrands groundbreaks giant operation in Pickering:
Doggie Ford and Mayor Kevin Ashe dig in at the groundbreaking ceremony.
Councilors Robinson, Butt, Brenner, Cook, Nagy and Mayor Kevin Ashe along with Wonderbrand owners Tejus and Ojus Ajmeera at the ground breaking ceremony.
Read the full story at —> WONDERBRAND
New York Times journalist, David Wallace-Wells, writes a very enlightening and exciting piece regarding our being on the edge of phenomenal breakthroughs in medical innovation.
The summary of the article:
Read the full article –> Golden Age
Ingredients1 large egg
1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice (from 1/2 a lemon)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 medium clove garlic, minced
1 cup (240ml) vegetable or canola oil
Kosher salt
Place egg, lemon juice, and mustard in the bottom of cup or jar that just fits the head of your immersion blender. The egg/lemon juice mixture must reach the blades for this to work (see note). If the mixture does not reach the blades, double the recipe before attempting.
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Note: It is imperative that the jar you use be just slightly larger than the head of the immersion blender, and the egg/lemon mixture must be in contact with the blades of the blender before you switch it on for this to work. The head of the blender must be firmly planted against the bottom of the jar until the mayonnaise starts to come together. If you can’t find a jar the right size, double the recipe in order to increase the starting volume of the egg/lemon mixture.
If your mayonnaise is watery, that means it has not emulsified properly. Let the mixture settle and separate, then try blending again.
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TESTED
Excellent in many ways:
Taste can be customized to your preferences, saltiness, spiceness, tanginess….just modify the amounts of salt, pepper, mustard and lemon….and you change your mayo noticeably and easily.
Volume: make a little, make a lot…you control it by amount of oil, number of eggs, etc.
Practical: it only takes 1-2 minutes to prepare, total. easy peasy. Just as if you unscrewed the cap to the store bought. A breeze easy recipe
1% ers – Hard to believe but this includes many of us.
99% of those born between 1930 and 1946 (worldwide) are now dead.
If you were born in this time span, you are one of the rare surviving one percenters of this special group.
Their ages range is between 77 and 93 years old, a 16-year age span.
You are the smallest group of children born since the early 1900’s.
You are the last generation, climbing out of the depression, who can remember the winds of war and the impact of a world at war that rattled the structure of our daily lives for years.
You are the last to remember ration books for everything from gas to sugar to shoes to stoves.
You saved tin foil and poured fried meat fat into tin cans.
You can remember milk being delivered to your house early in the morning and placed in the “milk box” on the porch.
Discipline was enforced by parents and teachers.
You are the last generation who spent childhood without television; instead, you “imagined” what you heard on the radio.
With no TV, you spent your childhood “playing outside”.
There was no Little League.
There was no city playground for kids.
The lack of television in your early years meant that you had little real understanding of what the world was like.
We got “black-and-white” TV in the late 40s that had 3 stations and no remote.
Telephones were one to a house, often shared (party lines), and hung on the wall in the kitchen (no cares about privacy).
Computers were called calculators; they were hand-cranked.
Typewriters were driven by pounding fingers, throwing the carriage, and changing the ribbon.
‘INTERNET’ and ‘GOOGLE’ were words that did not exist.
Newspapers and magazines were written for adults and the news was broadcast on your radio in the evening (your dad would give you the comic pages when he read the news).
New highways would bring jobs and mobility. Most highways were 2 lanes (no interstates).
You went downtown to shop. You walked to school.
The radio network expanded from 3 stations to thousands.
Your parents were suddenly free from the confines of the depression and the war, and they threw themselves into working hard to make a living for their families.
You weren’t neglected, but you weren’t today’s all-consuming family focus.
They were glad you played by yourselves.
They were busy discovering the postwar world.
You entered a world of overflowing plenty and opportunity; a world where you were welcomed, enjoyed yourselves.
You felt secure in your future, although the depression and poverty were deeply remembered.
Polio was still a crippler. Everyone knew someone who had it.
You came of age in the ’50s and ’60s.
You are the last generation to experience an interlude when there were no threats to our homeland.
World War 2 was over, and the cold war, terrorism, global warming, and perpetual economic insecurity had yet to haunt life.
Only your generation can remember a time after WW2 when our world was secure and full of bright promise and plenty.
You grew up at the best possible time, a time when the world was getting better.
More than 99% of you are retired now, and you should feel privileged to have “lived in the best of times!”
If you have already reached the age of 77 years old, you have outlived 99% of all the other people in the world who were born in this special 16-year time span. You’re a 1% ‘er”!
Criticizing and condemning seem easier than complimenting and congratulating. However, our local pols deserve some patting on the back, some praise and some lauding.
Why you ask?
Walk in their shoes awhile. Endless meetings, infinite numbers of events to attend, innumerable documents and minutes to read. One wonders…can how much more they can pack into days that are already longer and fuller than 24/7.
Our councilors are doing more than just yeomen’s service. They are here, there and everywhere. No matter the event, if it’s public, one or more councilors will be in attendance. These politicians recognize that seeing is as important as being seen, if not more so. They are present and accounted for at any and every public event. In the rain, early in the morning, late in the day…they are there! Tired, hungry, beleaguered…they are there!
Getting the word out is a challenge and difficult demand. Worse, though the councilors are meeting the demand, the constituents need to respond They need to read the material, heed the messages and respond to the invitations to attend. The councilors are working hard to get the word out, meet their constituents, hear their worries and anxieties and respond to constituent criticisms. More locals need to become motivated and participate in municipal political engagement.
Consider just some of the endeavours the councilors have launched in trying to bridge the communications gap between constituents and the council.
The majority of councilors have had, and continue having Town Halls, giving constituents opportunities of engaging with councilors. Some councilors have even cohosted their town halls with local leaders in order to better engage the community. The Town Halls have been productive and positive gatherings without fail. The earliest one seems to be the death knell of past such endeavours, the last of confrontational and truculent public meetings, now a norm of the past. Subsequent town halls have risen to higher levels of productive discussions and friendly parlays of differing views. Thankfully, the days of verbal embattlements seem to be behind us.
It is difficult to specifically pinpoint why or how the atmosphere of these town halls changed: new councilors with new attitudes, gender shift of council, youthful change of council, more open-mindedness, leadership mentality shift? No matter, the important impact is that these town halls have been successes in terms of engagement with the community. Now it is incumbent on the community members to respond. More constituents would benefit greatly from more participation.
Councilors are increasingly recognizing the importance of communication with constituents in more ways than just town halls. Some councilors are producing newsletters with explanations, analyses and examinations of issues in their constituency. Marvellous works written by the candlelight fueled by midnight oils. Be aware, these councilors have limited staff assistance, usually, the few service assistants they have are shared with other councilors. So creative pieces are personally written, pieces that are comprehensive and detailed covering current issues and constituency anxieties. Councilors are demonstrating their involvement in the community beyond just cursory policy announcements.
The changing council is showing new directions. These present councilors are demonstrating a willingness to dive into the deep end, to engage in sensitive and delicate issues. This is a courageous move as it opens councilors to more criticism and castigation. However, these councilors are willing to engage in tough issues, air opinions, and expand views not for argument’s sake but to open the doors to more discussion and greater considerations. The repercussions can be divisive and polarizing but they are affirmations that democracy is alive and well here, in our city.
To a person, from Mayor Ashe to each councilor, kudos and appreciation. Each of you is doing the best job you believe you can do and we recognize that. More importantly, we appreciate it.
More power to you, Mayor Ashe and Councilors Brenner, Butt, Cook, Nagy, Pickles and Robinson.
A great alternative to those old-fashioned and less-healthy beef burgers.
1 medium lemon
1 small bunch fresh dill, divided
1 medium shallot
1 (1 1/2-pound) side of salmon or 1 1/2 pounds salmon fillets, skin removed
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, divided
1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard, divided
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 small clove garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
4 brioche buns
1 ounce baby arugula (about 1 packed cup)
Who doesn’t enjoy carrot cake!
This recipe takes about 20 mins of work. The long time is waiting for it to cool before icing it.
Ingredients
Cake:
Frosting (optional):
Instructions
Easy Cream Cheese Frosting (optional):
Town Hall (Ward 1) REPORT
Ward 1 Councilor Maurice Brenner cohosted a Town Hall meeting with Paul White, President of the Fairport Beach Neighbourhood Association at Frenchman’s Bay West Park on July 12.
Perfect weather, an ideal summer evening, an inviting setting and an informative and engaging Town Hall.
The agenda
The Brenner aim with this Town Hall was to engage the community and provide community-related news to the participants in attendance. Success!
The two items of discussion were:
Frenchman’s Bay West Park Implementation Plan
Arnold Mostert, manager, City of Pickering, Landscape & Parks Development, examined and discussed the City’s “Implementation Plan” for Frenchman’s Bay West Park. Mostert’s presentation covered many aspects of the plan for this waterfront park.
The presentation included details relating to:
Councilor Brenner emphasized that the park is a publicly-owned facility the city intends to develop into all-year-round use.
Ward 2 Councilor Mara Nagy, one of the guests attending the Town Hall, announced two events being planned for the ‘off-season months,’ a “Fall Fling” event for two weekends in October and a “Winter Wonderland” event for mid-winter.
Audience guests queried issues regarding parking and homeless persons relating to the park to which Councilor Brenner responded specifically and with clarity. Parking would be regulated with designated areas and city permits, with no plans for greater expansion unless necessary. As to possible use by the homeless, he described how the one incident so far was managed by the city with sensitivity and appropriate care using social service professionals to ensure the individual was treated properly and respectfully and the situation was resolved.
To the question of open fires in the park and on the beach, Brenner emphasized that the bylaw forbids the use of any open fires. Bonfires and flamed barbecues are specifically banned. He stated that Durham police regularly patrol the park both during the day and evening to ensure that it is being used properly.
Fairport Beach Association: History and Endeavours
Paul White, president of the Fairport Beach Association, and the second presenter at the Town Hall, examined the history and endeavours of the Fairport Beach Association.
The Fairport Beach Association is a neighbourhood alliance of interested local residents volunteering to work on the development and continual improvement of the public aspects of the area. It has been an ongoing and active operation for many decades and is involved in a variety of community endeavours: food banks, land donation for public use, monetary donations to regional hospitals, financial support of the city animal services department, and more.
White emphasized that the 100-year history of the area has seen it transition from being cottage country to its current use as a publicly owned and popularly used recreational facility.
As Brenner underlined, the city is indebted to these neighbourhood associations, particularly the Fairport Beach Association, for such passionate dedication to the ongoing development and improvement of living in the City of Pickering.
The Town Hall was a pleasant evening of information dissemination, commentaries and opinions expressed by local residents. The setting was idyllic, the weather ‘made to order.’
Councilor Maurice Brenner and President Paul White are to be commended for the particularly informative and engaging evening.
The next Town Hall, (subject to confirmation) will be held Sept 25 at the Chestnut Community Centre of Pickering.
Planning a ROAD TRIP holiday this year?
Given the cost of a vacation by air, by ship, or even by bus if it is available, may be very expensive given these inflationary times. A ROAD TRIP may be an alternative vacation consideration.
Every province has some great road trips, so you do not have to travel long distances nor spend a lot of money to enjoy a nice vacation.
To read an excellent source for road trip ideas, CLICK —> ROAD TRIPS
Nearly 2 of every 10 families in Durham are seriously affected by inflation and the exorbitant profits earned by the Big 3 food retail chains.
Ask your MP, MPP, municipal councilor, what they are doing about it?
MP: Jennifer O’Connell, jennifer.oconnell@parl.gc.ca
MPP: Peter Bethlenfalvy, peter.bethlenfalvyco@pc.ola.org
PICKERING COUNCILORS:
Kevin Ashe, kashe@pickering.ca
Maurice Brenner, mbrenner@pickering.ca
Shaheen Butt, sbutt@pickering.ca
Linda Cook, lcook@pickering.ca
Mara, Nagy, mnagy@pickering.ca
Dave Pickles, dpickles@pickering.ca
Lisa Robinson, lrobinson@pickering.ca
Ingredients
Directions
REVIEW
Easy to prepare, straightforward list of ingredients easily found in most pantries.
This was an easy to make recipe producing a very nice pudding cake. Tasty and light. A bit heavy in the egg, sugar and milk department, otherwise, acceptable with its moderate caloric hit.
A dessert suitable for the family and likely to be a hit with all. Not so suitable for guests as it is a kind of ‘plain Jane’ desert but nice tasting.
A dessert worth repeating.
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Repeated the recipe for guests as part of a summer bbq….fabulous. Light, lemony, tart and not too sweet….delicious warm fresh from the oven or cold after cooling for hours. Simply one of the best cake recipes anywhere. Unreservedly, a ‘keeper’ recipe.
The 5% interest rate increase by the Bank of Canada will impact the average Canadian who are in debt by about $500 per year. This will likely discourage Canadians from borrowing or purchasing on credit. This will seriously cool the economy, decrease sales across the buying spectrum and lead to greater unemployment.
Most likely, this will impact little on the profit line of Loblaw’s, Sobey’s and Metro where prices do not fluctuate but seem to increase endlessly. A difficult situation for the average Canadian.
Canadians caught between rock and a hard place without government assistance
Buying shares in food retailers seems to be an unchallenged path to monetary gain! In other words, our government is likely going to do nothing about this situation….question may be, what can it do?
“Steady” is Dan Rather’s steady take on the state of chaotic and complex world.
Rather is 91 going strong with the energy and vigour that belies his real age, 91. He writes a daily blog that comments and critiques the world and the USA.
An impassioned American, his critiques and analyses are engaging and captivating. One of his latest, “The MAGA Party” is a persuasive explanation regarding the popularity of T****’s large support. Read what he says. It is persuasive for certain.
—> STEADY (free version)
[We get no remuneration for promoting this blog. We promote it because we have found his opinions, criticisms and comments seem to be neutral and on target. He seems to be writing as a passionate American citizen worried about the direction his country is going.]
Nuclear emergency evacuation information/procedures
There was much foot-dragging in getting this valuable information updated and published for the safety of all of us.
Governments are exceptionally efficient at tax collection, tax invoicing and getting on you if they want something done by you. Action on their part, not so much.
AGEISM: old codger mistreated by local political big whigs:
We have been lamenting, complaining, whining, and more about the ‘foot dragging’ by the Durham Regional Council and secondarily, the Pickering Council in regard to the NUCLEAR EMERGENCY EVACUATION procedures for the residents of the region for months now…to no avail. I have been laughed at, dismissed like the boy crying ‘Wolf,’ deflected and even simply disregarded. My questions have been dismissed and rejected as fear mongering and old codger’s whining. I guess I don’t matter anymore. Doesn’t the safety of all our residents matter though?
The Durham Nuclear publications
The last time we dealt with the Durham Region Nuclear we focused on two people: one, a bureaucrat in the organization who likely has no power to affect change; the other James Kilgour, top dog at Durham Region Nuclear. Lots of discussion, lots of agreement, even home-delivery of their latest evacuation booklet, “At the Ready.”
We compared the new booklet with the earlier evacuation procedures booklet, “Are YOU? Ready.” The new version seems like a change for the sake of change, not improvement, no straightforward instructions. Somebody thought let’s update the brochure, so they made changes, in-house, without input from anyone outside of the Durham Region Nuclear organization. Talk about blinkers and the resulting brochure confirms this if you received one.
We deserve better
The residents of Durham need up-to-date instructions and information if a nuclear emergency should take place: where do we get updated information during the emergency? Radio station? Local TV? What are we to do during the emergency? Hunker down in the basement? Not go outside at all? Should we have supplies prepared in case of such an emergency? What about those iodine pills? What about our kids, grandkids, at schools? Spouses at work?
Chances of a nuclear are very slim, but still very real when you consider how old the Pickering Nuclear plant is. It was supposed to be mothballed a couple of years ago…but it is still operating and producing radioactive waste, stored locally in the plant as far as we know.
I have addressed a number of important politicians with my concerns but the squeaks coming from an old codger have fallen on deaf ears.
Here are the big whigs I have addressed to no avail:
Mayor Kevin Ashe, Pickering
Councilor Maurice Brenner, Ward 1, Pickering
Kevin Kilgour, CEO, Durham Region Nuclear
If this inaction by these government agencies and political big whigs bothers you, try your voice at Ph: 311
If it doesn’t bother you, then sleep well.
UPDATE: 4 SMR’s planned for Darlington. Full story –> DARLINGTON
What Is Parchment Paper – and Is It Safe for the Air Fryer?
Parchment paper might sound more like a tool for drawing than for the kitchen, but it is paper safe for the oven. Its most common use is in baking, providing a handy protective layer between the baking sheet and cookie or other confection for easy cleanup. It withstands pretty much all oven temperatures, so using it in an air fryer isn’t a big leap.
Parchment paper is safe to use with this appliance as long as a few precautions are observed.
How to Use Parchment Paper in an Air Fryer
First, be sure what you’re using is, in fact, food-grade parchment paper.
Next, check the maximum temperature restriction of the parchment paper, usually printed on the box. The air fryer should not be your testing oven. If the paper ignites, you’ll have quite a problem on your hands.
Cut the paper to the size of the bottom of your air fryer basket (best to cut it a bit smaller in fact, so air can circulate more freely.) Perforating and trimming the paper is even better, further assisting in air circulation, allowing any grease to drain away from food as it needs to, and making it less likely the paper will float around inside the unit.
If you’re preheating your air fryer, don’t add the parchment until afterward, when it can be weighed down by food, or it’ll fly about inside the basket, which can put it in contact with the heating element and burn it.
Parchment paper is good for food that might stick to the basket, like chicken wings, making clean-up a bit easier.
Parchment paper can be replaced to save waste and money by buying a silicone liner for air fryers. They’re reusable and dishwasher-safe.
Air fryers contain a circulating fan and very hot heating elements. Placing paper in that environment will always pose some sort of risk, so take every precaution and don’t leave it unattended.
Air fryers are becoming increasingly popular because they produce fried foods very much like the old-fashioned deep-fried foods we all love.
Benefits:
Disadvantages of air fryers:
Also read use of PARCHMENT PAPER
Buffalo Wings
YOU NEED
1 pound chicken wings, mix of drumettes and flats
Avocado oil
For the dry rub:
2 teaspoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons Korean chili powder
1 teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon ground fennel seeds
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the sauce:
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon sweet smoked paprika
½ ground turmeric
2 teaspoons kosher salt
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cup white vinegar
12 ounce bottle of hot sauce (we recommend Frank’s)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces
For service:
1 bunch thinly sliced green onions, just the greens
½ cup crumbled blue cheese (we recommend Point Reyes)
Blue cheese dressing
Serves 2.
TO DO
REVIEW: 8/10
Very good recipe: easy to make, very light if dinner was filling; buy proper ingredients rather than frozen (fresh whipping cream not frozen) or prepackaged where you are able;
light, tasty and low in calories, 100 cal/serving
Modifications I suggest:
1. use graham wafer crumbs and make your own shell, as thick as you like;
2. add lime juice or lime extract or grated lime to strengthen the lime taste.
Otherwise, this recipe is very easy to make and the taste is very nice, though I would prefer a stronger taste of lime.
Knowing what is happening in the community is important to every resident. However, most residents lack enough time or the capacity to keep up with current information.
The Representative Report card is an effort to keep residents up-to-date about their elected representatives. Click the rep to read our latest report for that representative.
[The information is the personal opinion of the site developer.]
JENNIFER O’CONNELL, (MP, Ottawa) 
KEVIN ASHE, (Mayor, Pickering) 
MAURICE BRENNER, (Councilor, Pickering)
SHAHEEN BUTT, (Councilor, Pickering) 
LINDA COOK, (Councilor, Pickering) 
MARA NAGY, (Councilor, Pickering) 
DAVE PICKLES, (Councilor, Pickering) 
LISA ROBINSON, (Councilor, Pickering) 
[The views here are the personal opinion of the undersigned and not necessarily those of the website management.]
Former Ajax mayor Steve Parish has made a number of worthwhile and valid cautions about the “Strong Mayors” policy in Ontario.
Agreed, democracy is being eroded when one-third of the votes passes the motion.
The possibility of cronyism is real with appointment to positions of responsibility on committees by a strong mayor.
The risks and dangers are there. However, some safeguards are still in place to give the electorate some feeling of security.
Firstly, we have a free press and journalists who are responsible, dedicated and intelligent. They report the transgressions of poor governments, expose political chicanery and unmask tainted governing leaders. The free press needs to be appreciated as defenders of the public and champions of society.
Next, there is a set term of office and if we believe the politician is failing in being a responsible person, we vote them out of office, never to see that light of office again, ever. That is a powerful tool and every politician has that reminder nagging at them whenever they vote on a motion and speak about an issue. Democracy still exists and works in our country, in our province and in our municipal governments.
Finally, the other safeguard is less concrete we should remember is more gossamer. Parish may be crying “Wolf,” when there is no wolf. We voted for candidates who we believed, to be honest, trustworthy and sincere politicians. We should also believe that these people are people of morals and principles. Once we elect these people, we cannot switch to doubting them unless there is evidence to prove otherwise. We have to believe we were voted for the right people, and that they were sincere in their campaign promises and statements. We have to believe that the good is foremost in these people, not malevolence and evil. Perhaps this gossamer safeguard smacks of naivete but I would rather believe first before criticizing and castigating too soon and maybe wrongly.
We have to believe the political leaders we elected are good people and we need to trust they will act the way we believe they should. They may trip and fail at times, as our own children do but do we reject the child for an instance of failing or wrong? Can we cut an adult the same slack adopting a “let’s wait and see attitude” before casting rock-hard aspersions?
I respect Parish’s views fully as I should. He was a mayor of which many in Ajax were proud and supportive. However, I feel there is more to the story. I want to hear more!
Richard Szpin
naive…bad fiath
These comments were copied from material submitted to “The Editor” of Durham News (Media) and are presented here for the benefit of residents interested in the topic. The comments were written by Steve Parish, former mayor of Ajax). We invited interested residents to submit their opinions and comments. [Submissions may be edited for length and/or possibility of offense.]
* * * * * * * COPY * * * * * * *
To the editor:
As a former longtime mayor and as a citizen with a lifelong interest in municipal governance, I must express my concerns with the granting of strong-mayor powers by the province.
The stated purpose of granting these powers is to expedite the provision of housing and presumably to cut red tape. There is absolutely no evidence that this will happen. Supplying housing stock is much too multifaceted to be solved in such a simplistic manner. And the granting of these powers might create divisions on council that could slow progress on this file. Granting the mayor sole authority to appoint the municipality’s chief administrative officer is particularly troubling. Arguably, there is nothing more important to the success of a city than the professional competency of its chief administrative officer and management team. What is to stop a strong mayor from appointing a political crony who lacks those skills? The input of professional HR staff and a majority of council is essential in doing this right.
And what about that minor detail called democracy? Local government has always been where government is close and subject to popular will. Not anymore, when one-third of council can call the shots. And what if you have an autocratic or incompetent mayor? No check on that risk. Mayors are truly strong because they have good judgment, leadership skills and the ability to build and keep consensus and unity on council. This gets results on all fronts. And sadly, it cannot be created by legislation. It requires what all democratic institutions need — an engaged and informed electorate.
Steve Parish
Former mayor of Ajax
The PICKERING-UXBRIDGE Conservative Electoral Association hosted a TOWN HALL recently, July 5, in Pickering.
ANNA ROBERTS, MP, King-Vaughan, and Shadow Cabinet Minister for Seniors was guest speaker.
The approximately one hundred attendees had the opportunity of putting questions, criticisms and issues to Roberts.
Their questions covered a wide range of topics relating to seniors:
Roberts managed all questions well with personal anecdotes about her family and immigration to Canada as background support to the responses. She was a bank executive before her political career and therefore handled financial questions best.
She acknowledged the lack of affordable homes and retaining homes in times of serious inflation were issues that the Conservatives were studying and planning policies.
Municipal councilor Maurice Brenner added clarifying information about the Malvern project which split mortgages into house and property divisions. Homeowners paid for the home first and once paid for, then payments would be redirected to the property mortgage. Mara Nagy, councilor from Ward 2, also attended the Town Hall.
The Town Hall was a relaxed and informative one as attendees understood many of Roberts’ replies were based on hope and intent. The Conservatives need to become the government of Canada to launch these hopes and plans.
Likely the greatest benefit of the evening was the Conservative Party demonstrating its strong desire to hear the concerns of local constituents. Thus, this Town Hall.
The man behind the scenes, Anthony Yacub. A promising young politician whose career becomes more developed and refined with all the behind-the-scenes work he does for the PUCDA (PICKERING-UXBRIDGE Conservative Electoral Association) in the region.
He deserves recognition and acknowledgement from the local party execs and the participating constituents for his boundless effort and dedication.
211 non-emergency service to access social services, programs and community supports. The free and confidential service can be accessed 24 hours a day, in more than 150 languages, by phone, chat, text, and web.
311 non-emergency phone number for DURHAM REGION services for such issues as reporting potholes, requesting city services, and finding information about city events and programs.
411 Canada-wide service system providing phone numbers of registered users. The service is not free, charging $1.00 in Canada.
511 service for real-time traveler information. The service gives drivers up to date highway and roadway information in the province.
611 Bell Telephone service to report phone service problems. A voice prompt guides you in what to do and how to do it.
711 is a service for hearing and speech impaired.
Information updates forthcoming…soon.
811 is a free health information and advice phone line.
911 accesses emergency response services. An operator will ask “AMBULANCE, FIRE or POLICE” to which the caller responds for the service they need. USE THIS NUMBER FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY.
Zounds! Zowie! Flying cars? Eeyikes!
They’re about to hit the retail market. 2025 is the launch date. Jettisons here we come.
See full story: FLYING CARS
It has started, the destruction of journalism as we know it.
Artificial Intelligence tolled the first peals. As more and more writers explore and experiment with AI, its viability becomes a real concern. AI can produce near-professional and acceptable-quality articles within the blink of an eye. What took a writer hours to create and compile, AI produces in seconds.
It didn’t take long for the destructive power of AI to have effect. Staff layoffs have begun.
Compound the problem of AI with the storm about to hit the Canadian news media with the opposition posed by Google and META. The two digital giants threaten to strangle all Canadian news publication if the Canadian government enacts Bill C18 (The Online News Act) that would legislate news users, republishing the news, will have to pay compensation to the news sources. Google and META refuse.
The repercussions of the above have begun.
First, it began with layoffs by the Bell Network where 1300 writers and news broadcast staff received termination papers: BELL LAYOFFS
Now, National Geographic, long-time global publisher of popular social and nature stories has initiated its first-ever massive layoff of writers: NTL GEO
Where and when the next chop take place?
Since first publication of this commentary, TELUS Telecomm ROGERS have stepped into the fray planning of cutting jobs. TELUS offered severance packages to almost 2,000 employees in May. ROGERS has issued employment statements that are ambivalent: plan to eliminate duplicate and redundent jobs due to its merger with SHAW but states it will increase thousands of jobs in western Canada. Corporate double speak?
Powers and DutiesThe Mayor has special powers and duties under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001 S.O. 2001, c. 25 and in accordance with O. Reg. 530/22 and O. Reg. 580/22. These powers include the ability to:
*The Mayor may choose to delegate these specific powers and duties.
The Mayor is required to exercise these powers in writing and make them available to the public, subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Mayoral decisions to date are available below.
The following provides a more detailed overview of the legislative framework governing the Mayor’s special powers and duties under the Municipal Act, 2001 S.O. 2001, c. 25 (Section Part VI.1)
BILL 3 – Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, S.O. 2022, c. 18 – Bill 3,
Under the legislation the mayor receives additional powers byond those as set out in the Municipal Act, 2001 S.O. 2001, c. 25.
BILL 3, STRONG MAYORS (Building Homes Act), 2022, S.O. 2022, c. 18
Bill 3 provides the Mayor, as head of Council:
Council can pass resolutions to amend the budget within 30 days subject to veto by the Mayoral. However, the Council may override a mayoral veto with a two-thirds majority vote after which the resulting budget is “deemed” to be adopted by the municipality.
Bill 39 – Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022, S.O. 2022, c. 24 – Bill 39
Reading is active escapism, not passive as TV is. Your mind wanders as you read, pause and think. Here’s a book that will not only make you pause, but will make you appreciate your own life, more than you can imagine…
UKRAINIAN SCORPIONS:
A Tale of Larceny and Greed,
Ronald M. Derrickson
If you are like me, you have been watching the current war in Ukraine with interest and fear. Having lived in a Canadian area populated with many Ukrainians, I have only the utmost respect for their work ethic, gardening skills and culture. It has been puzzling to me as to why NATO has avoided allowing Ukraine to join this organization. So, it was fascinating to learn about Canadian Native Chief, Ronald Derrickson’s new book. The title, “Ukrainian Scorpions” is based on the old fable of the scorpion and the frog.
As the story goes, the scorpion hails a frog on the riverbank and asks him to take him across.The frog is suspicious and say, “If I let you on my back you will sting me and I will drown,” The scorpio says no, no, he will not sting him because he needs the ride across. So the frog agrees, but halfway across, the scorpion stings him. The dying frog says, “You said you would not do it! But the scorpion replies,” It’s your fault, you knew I was a scorpion when you took me on your back. It’s who I am. It’s in my nature.” And in the end, both the frog and the scorpion drown in the river.
This non-fiction book outlines, Derrickson’s business opportunity in Ukraine from 2018 to 2022 and its eventual bankruptcy. While the information is quite convoluted, it is a contradiction to the positive media profiles of the War in Ukraine and an excellent explanation as to why NATO is cautious about endorsing Ukraine.
Well worth the read.
I too am an immigrant as is my husband and my entire family for that matter. I love and appreciate this country, especially after having spent my career travelling all over the world.
Janice F
Airline staff person
Mayor Ashe has made a public statement explaining his “Use of Strong Mayor” powers.
Budget
The mayor will:
The Strong Mayor Powers give the mayor power to:
This explanation fulfills the requirements by law of providing written notice to Council, the Clerk, CAO, and the public that he will follow the requirements as outlined in the Act.
Powers delegated back
The mayor will delegate back to the Chief Administrative Officer:
The above delegations are being made in writing as per requirement under the Act and posted for the public.
Mayor Kevin Ashe
(signed)
[Artificial Intelligence assisted in the creation of this summary.]
You should also read:
My Canada…
As an immigrant, I’ve never taken for granted the many benefits and freedoms of living in Canada, and the miraculous chance to evolve into an internationally published English-language writer, scholar, and translator. Transitioning from postcommunism to postcolonialism has indeed brought me great wonders but also equally great [if not greater] burdens of all kinds, becoming a white settler included. Happy Canada Day!
Professor Diana M.
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I’m celebrating CANADA DAY, full out, with the same passion and pride as I always.
I fly the Canadian flag at the front of my home to show I am a proud Canadian.
For nearly eighty years, I have been able to live a safe and secure life here. I have made a good living working in my chosen profession, education, and I have been able to live wherever I wanted.
Canada is not a country without problems. I recognize life is difficult for some Canadians who struggle day-to-day, economically and maybe socially also. But I believe our governments at all levels are doing the best they can to make life better for all of us.
Our history has included turbulent times with undesirable people, an inescapable factor in the development of any nation. However, we have had and continue having political leaders dedicated to improving whatever they can.
The good about Canada outweighs the bad. I celebrate the good.
I am celebrating Canada Day. My Canadian flag is raised with pride and passion. Canada is the greatest country in the world and I am proud to be a Canadian.
To paraphrase another leader, “Vive le Canada libre!”
Richard Szpin
Google has announced that it will block Canadian news content from its search engine in Canada after days of negotiations with the Liberal government hit an impasse over its recently passed online news bill. The Online News Act passed last Thursday and would force platforms like Google and Meta, Facebook and Instagram’s parent company, to strike deals with Canadian media publishers for sharing, previewing, and directing users to online news content. The Liberals say the law is meant to end tech titans’ dominance of the digital advertising market, stating that in 2020, both platforms took in more than 80 per cent of Canadian online advertising revenues as the country’s journalism industry faced hundreds of closures. Under the new framework, platforms would face financial penalties for failing to comply with the legislation.
Dan Rather, retired CBS NEWS broadcaster, writes a regular blog called, STEADY and as June was PRIDE month, he writes an excellent commentary relating to inclusivity. Though it is aimed at Americans, the message it conveys should be heeded in Canada too.
Read RATHER’s column in regard to inclusivity at INCLUSIVITY
The tempest surrounding the LGBTQ+ community continues to percolate in Pickering.
Councilor Robinson’s opposition to raising unique group representative flags, namely the PRIDE flag, at the Durham Board of Education and public places continues to percolate throughout the political council.
In response to Councilor Brenner’s motion to rescind Robinson from the Community Safety and Well-Being Advisory Committee, Councilor Robinson resigned from her position on the committee.
The entire flag waving issue, with its many side facets, has boiled down to a polarization of the municipal council into those who support recognition of the PRIDE community in opposition to the Robinson faction of not individualizing any particular community group.
The issue continues to simmer. Meanwhile, Ward 3 Councilor Shaheen Butt has replaced Robinson on the Advisory Committee.
Importance of Vitamin D for Seniors
Our bodies undergo numerous changes as we age, and maintaining good health becomes increasingly important. One crucial element in this pursuit is ensuring an adequate intake of essential nutrients, and vitamin D is a standout player on this stage. Known as the “sunshine vitamin,” vitamin D is especially vital for older adults, as it offers many benefits to support their overall health and well-being. We explore some of those important aspects below.
What role does Vitamin D play?
Vitamin D is a unique nutrient that acts as a hormone in the body. Its primary function is to facilitate the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, two minerals that are vital for maintaining bone health. Adequate vitamin D levels are essential for building and preserving strong bones, which is particularly critical for older adults who are more susceptible to osteoporosis and fractures.
Vitamin D has been found to play a crucial role in other bodily functions beyond bone health. It supports the immune system, promotes muscle strength and coordination, and contributes to cardiovascular health.
Sources of Vitamin D:
The most natural source of vitamin D is sunlight. When exposed to sunlight, the skin synthesizes vitamin D from cholesterol. While sunlight is an excellent source of vitamin D, it is crucial to balance sun exposure with sun safety.
We can also get Vitamin D from the foods we eat. Dietary sources of vitamin D include fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, fortified dairy products, fortified cereals, and egg yolks. However, obtaining sufficient vitamin D through diet alone can be challenging, especially for older adults with specific dietary restrictions or reduced appetites. In such cases, vitamin D supplements are often recommended to ensure optimal levels.
How do I know if I am getting enough Vitamin D?
To determine whether you have adequate vitamin D levels, it is essential to consult with your healthcare provider. They can perform a blood test to measure your serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, which is the most accurate way to assess your vitamin D status. Based on the results, your healthcare provider can guide you on the appropriate dosage of vitamin D supplementation or provide lifestyle recommendations.
Vitamin D plays a vital role in promoting healthy aging for older adults. From supporting bone health to strengthening the immune system and reducing the risk of various diseases, this sunshine vitamin is a true asset. Read more about it in our resources below.
City of Pickering Receives Seniors Active Living Centres Grants
The City of Pickering is celebrating seniors throughout the month of June. What better way to do that than to accept not one, but two Seniors Active Living Centres’ (SALC) Grants from the Ministry of Ontario, to assist with program operating costs and minor upgrades at both East Shore Community Centre and George Ashe Library and Community Centre.
Across Ontario, there is a network of almost 300 Seniors Active Living Centre programs, supported by the province’s investment of more than $14 million dollars. Seniors Active Living Centre programs offer a wide variety of activities which can include fitness, healthy lifestyle and wellness classes, recreation, and social activities, and learning opportunities such as financial management, elder abuse prevention and volunteer opportunities.
Today, the Minister for Seniors & Accessibility, the honourable Raymond Cho, along with MPP and Minister of Finance, Peter Bethlenfalvy, were on hand to bring greetings and share these announcements to the Pickering community.
East Shore Community Centre will see additional fitness program supplies, new furniture and a game table to complement existing programs at the site. The George Ashe Library & Community Centre will see lighting upgrades in the main hall where much of the active and passive programming takes place. Additionally, registered programs at both locations will continue to be offered at a reduced rate, in effort to make them affordable for adults 55+.
The City of Pickering is extremely grateful for the opportunities these grants will provide seniors in the community, helping them to remain active, have a place to participate and engage in informative and fun, quality programs.
[pdf-embedder url=”http://www.szpin.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Buffalo-Wings-Recipe.pdf” title=”Buffalo Wings Recipe”]
Happy Canada Day!
Celebrate safely!
There will be a Canada Day celebration at Pickering’s Kinsmen Park. Fireworks will conclude the celebration there. 7:00 -10:00 pm
The Pickering City Council Meeting, June 26, seemed to be a “town hall,” in that, its atmosphere was a constant near boiling over the edge. The atmosphere was kept from becoming more volatile and vitriolic because of the strict maintenance of order by the chair, Mayor Ashe. Nevertheless, the threat of contents boiling over was nearby throughout the meeting.
The focus of the meeting was primarily on the LGBTQ+ community. Nineteen delegations made presentations at the meeting, 13 of which dealt with the LGBTQ+ and the polarization stemming from the Councilor Lisa Robinson’s flag raising incident at the Durham School Board.
Rather than deal with each delegation in detail [The full minutes can be accessed at Pickering.ca ], this report will try to convey the atmosphere and an overview of the council meeting.
Council and community divided over support for Councilor Robinson
Delegations opposed to Councillor Robinson outnumbered her supporters, 8-5.
The opposition delegates arguments were based on equity and support of the LGBTQ+ community. They represented a range of community groups from social to religious to Pflag. The tone taken also ranged from objective and neutral to assertive and emphatic.
The supporters of Robinson or her views found basis in protection of children arguments, views taken by parents with gender identification instances, the division of council, and freedom of expression.
Mayor Ashe at times had to invoke moderator regulations to calm the growing assertiveness of some delegates, but for the most part, delegates were respectful of the council meeting rules and the council members.
There were a number other issues on the meeting agenda: air quality toxicity, bylaw amendments.
For the most part, council members merely listened and absorbed the delegate information. However, a number of times, Councilor Brenner took pains to underline that he had no connection with the delegations’ initiatives. His point was that the initiatives were constituent-based rather than originating either with him or his office.
For the most part, delegates were respectful of the council members and focused on presenting their case. Very few deviated from this attitude. One cleric presented an anti-Robinson case that bordered on being a homily, but the universality of his message was accepted by the majority of meeting attendees.
Emotional presentation was unavoidable in a few cases. Afterall, the major issue of support or opposition to the LGBTQ+ community is an emotionally-intense and very volatile subject.
[The following is the EDITORIAL opinon.]
Issues relating to the LGBTQ+ community are loaded with emotion and passion. The result has polarized and divided the City’s councilors. Councilor Robinson seems to be isolated in her position of opposing singling out any one group at the expense of other community groups. The councilors’ motion to rescind Councilor Robinson from the Safety and Well-being committee seems to imply she is to being punished for her position. [Councilor Robinson resigned from the committee of her own accord.]
The majority of the residents who are interested in council affairs and who follow its work, may be disappointed with the effect these social issues have had on council unity. Regardless of which side one supports, the disappointment may be that our political leaders seem unable to compromise and empathize with each other. Senior councilors who should be leading the way to collaboration, compromise and corroboration have abrogated their responsibility. They seem to have yielded to an emotional battle determined to assert that their view should dominate and win. Such an atmosphere can only bode ill for the future unity of the Pickering City council.
Are the homeless justified in their fear and anxiety over local police
forces in Toronto and Durham?
Recently, an accounting about an incident involving the homeless described the police officers as arrogant, aggressive, and antagonistic when interacting with the homeless in Frenchman’s Bay West Park. The homeless found the officers to be aggressive in manner and intimidating in their interaction with the homeless. This kind of behaviour is heard too often from people interacting with the local police, often enough to suggest there may be a systemic problem.
Repeatedly, police are described as being overly aggressive in dealing with the homeless, communicating with them in a very authoritative and overbearing manner. These situations are difficult to corroborate as descriptions by homeless people can be tainted, subjective and biased based on past experiences. However, with so many repeated descriptions, the possibility that the police may be overly aggressive with the public should not be dismissed.
Police in uniform, dressed in their typical defensive and standard gear, can be intimidating just in appearance alone. Add in when officers identify themselves in aggressive and assertive ways, they become forces of fear and intimidation to the people with whom they are dealing.
There are too many incidents as above to dismiss the possibility that the police force has systemic bigotry and bullying problems.
The local police forces may be aware of these public fears and may be addressing the issues. However, the public knows nothing about how the police forces are addressing the problem. Are they even addressing the problem?
When hearing about a homeless incident on the walkway overpass crossing the 401 in Pickering to which the suggestion was made to phone 911, an executive of DARS, (a local social assistance group) quickly rejected the suggestion explaining the aggressiveness of the local police as a feared but too common occurrence. If this is true, the local police forces need to deal with this systemic issue post haste.
The view the police want to project is one of care and assistance, peaceful regulation and resolution of problem incidents occurring in public. The police should not be feared. The police should not be seen as bullies or even worse, as threats. If the local police forces are not dealing with this negative image held by many in the public now, they should be.
I know there have been some questions and concerns in the broader community with respect to Members of Council travelling out of the country during the holidays. I want to assure residents that I was at home in Pickering, and I will not travel while we continue to battle this pandemic.
That said, I have only recently been made aware that a couple of Councillors did travel outside of Canada over the holidays. While neither I, nor the City of Pickering, have authority over individual Councillors and their personal travel decisions, I did take the opportunity to speak to these individuals today and express my concerns, which are shared by a number of constituents.
While there is nothing legally prohibiting them from travel, I acknowledge that there are heightened expectations for those in elected positions. I am not going to name these Councillors, because I feel the onus is on them to take personal responsibility for their decisions. Namely, they should address the situation in a forthright and timely manner with our residents.
Mayor Dave Ryan
Good day, everyone!
Both Traditional and Self Publishing services look different for different Authors.
Self Publishing has seen dozens, if not hundreds of technology companies join in to the industry, with no regulations on quality of services offered.
Traditional Publishing is looking for Authors with existing audiences and guaranteed sales, but offering fewer services than ever before.
Where do you fit, and with whom?
This article will help!
https://www.friesenpress.com/blog/2020/5/14/why-chris-humphreys-is-going-indie
I’ve linked to our blog, with many more insightful articles on the industry.
*Please note, I am a Publishing Consultant with FriesenPress and this is not an official release from our company.
Hello Richard,
In response to your March topic–“women”–let me tell you about a recent lecture series we heard. BALL–Bluewater Association for Lifelong Learning recently sponsored a series of six lectures. The general topic was “Women in Academics” & each lecture was presented by an expert in her field. Some of the topics were: astronomy; degeneration (a condition found both in people on prolonged bedrest & astronauts living in space); Anne Innis Dagg (the Giraffe Lady) amongst others. Check with BALL on line for the next series on AI & it’s effect
Hi Richard:
I always truly enjoy your newsletters. They are chock full of such interesting tid-bits. And I love the fun graphics they always make me smile. And you are so supportive of authors. Your Book Shoppe is a neat component of your newsletter. And speaking of authors I’m sharing your newsletter this month with all of the members of the Courtney Park Writers I’m sure they will enjoy it. We have 28 members. I have been Chairing this group for over 12 years and if you are interested I wanted to invite you to attend one of our live meetings. We meet outdoors in the summer. You could attend a meeting, as a guest if you like. Let me know on this and I’ll send you our next meeting announcement for July or August, whatever works best for you. We have just published our first anthology called “Crazy Cove,” and 22 of our members have participated in it sharing their written work. Would it be okay if I send you a brief synopsis of our book and the front/back cover, for you to post, as well? Please advise me on the process. I’m a good friend of Sheila Tucker’s, she is also one of our anthology editors. So keep doing what you’re doing, it certainly works well.
The Reflections Garden is a public space for visitors to enjoy quiet moments of peaceful reflection. Located in the northeast corner of Esplanade Park, the garden is a city landmark that includes sensory plantings, accessible seating, a shaded structure, and playable musical instruments.
Visitors can reflect on the impact of COVID-19 on our community resilience, and on those who passed away. Visitors can relax, reflect and remember others while listening to peaceful music.
A surprisingly calm place to visit in the city centre, quiet, meditative and very calming. The garden is more than just commemorative. It is a place that can be an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, a place to sit and enjoy some moments of tranquility and peace. The park in which the Reflective Garden is located is surrounded by metal sculptures that give the park a joyful and playful atmosphere that makes it feel like a space to restorative place that raises one’s spirit to heights of calm and joy. Visit and enjoy!
Fermo visited the garden and loved playing the musical instruments. These percussion instruments are almost addictive in their attraction and entertaining diversion. Playful and fun…try them for yourself!
An OUTSTANDING read, unequivocally!
Dear Mr. Woods,
Your detective novels are adult male comic books: lively, entertaining and occasionally even esoteric as a reader plays super sleuth trying to discover who is the “butler” of this novel’s crime.
I have only read four of your works, three of which I label as forgettable, books perfectly suited for a sandy Caribbean beach.
“Chiefs” on the other hand, is a literary gem, a near masterpiece in my opinion. The development of the story over nearly 50 years is masterful, displaying creative expertise comparable to the very best of crime writers. A reader familiar with your other works might miss your renowned protagonists, Stone Barrington and Holly Barker, but Chiefs is not a novel of that ilk. It is a story of racism and bigotry, of class and social stratification, of family bonds and professional responsibility. This novel must have set the bar for your future ones, set so high with this masterful work, that I seriously doubt you could write a better book.
“Chiefs” has magnetism, on the one hand holding the reader’s attention with an inescapable grasp, on the other, the chiefs trilogy allows readers suitable mental pauses avoiding any onset of boredom. A simply ploy that works well.
Each of your lead characters, Will Henry Lee, Sonny Butts, or Tucker Watts, lives by clear principles and values. The reader inevitably cheers for two of the characters, jeers at the other. Will Henry is untrained and totally inexperienced in police work but his life as a caring family man spills over to his professional work where he soon earns the respect and trust of his community. Crimes committed near his rural Georgian community become the priness’ pea under his mental mattress, obstacles to any peace of mind for this policeman. His demise, such a surpise, such a sad ending to so strong of an opening segment.
Next up, Sonny Butts, increasingly more abhorrent with each well written page. We dislike him as a law enforcement officer, but you set the hook with Sonny’s discovery, uncovered somewhat by the first chief. Sonny is a polarization of opposites: his inner core, an authentic police officer; his outer shell, an unscrupulous racist and amoral womanizer. Sonny almost redeems himself to every reader as he follows up his suspicions. Then he too is abruptly removed from the story.
Critics may suggest that the plot twists and turns are too simple, too obvious, too predictable. They miss your novel’s intent. It isn’t a simple mystery novel, a piece for readers to play the guessing game of “Who done it?” This book is a socio-cultural portrait of the southern United States a half century ago, a region of overt and blatant racism, prevalent and deeply embedded everywhere in the ‘Old South.” The novel’s initial setting is the early seventies United States where bigotry and prejudice ruled the day. American society has barely inched the socio-democratic bar a notch toward real equality today, nearly fifty years later. Every night, the television news confirms we have scarcely eked past where we were then. American society is still colour blind, as are many other countries politically, economically and socially dominated by whites. Your book artistically captures a verbal portrait of that anachronistic and unacceptable society and era.
Many readers undoubtedly celebrate the hiring of Tucker Watts, the last of your law enforcing trio. The cell scene with Tucker and the drunken Pieback was captivating. Some critics may be justified in reviewing that final segment as requiring super mental agility and very strong powers of recall to keep the story straight and the plot clear. This is like counting angels on the head of a pin, quibbling, Mr. Woods. The count matters not; the existence of the angels matters. Your novel captures that essence, it has the soul, it is a whole chorus of angels.
Eight years in the writing, incredible that dedication. Other writers show similar commitment to their art, Donna Tartt, “The Secret History,” a prime example, ten years in the works. However sir, I do not compare you to her. I would compare you to another well-known American writer, Harper Lee (To Kill A Mockingbird). She too wrote about the hatred and bigotry in the American south. Her work has been recognized as the first literary masterpiece in the portrayal of American racism. Your work should be viewed as the second.
I recognize that I am talking about a book that was written more than thirty years ago, but your characters, your story and your portrait of American social solidification is timeless.
Congratulations !
How to age gracefully.
Here are some tips from Dian Griesel, PhD:
healthline: WellnessWire
Ultimately, “a life well-lived is defined by owning the fact that every year of life is important, and they all accumulate to help us become who we are,” says Griesel. “Aging gracefully –– being graceful in any aspect –– is not about demanding it from others. It starts with owning it ourselves and believing our worth in our hearts.”
Way to go Ma BELL!
Bell cuts off seniors: Lastly on the Bell front, Global News has a story on a 95-year-old Toronto senior who had his landline phone service cut off by the company for several days. With no cellphones, the man and his wife were left without any method of communication. Bell, it turns out, had transitioned the couple’s home from copper wire to a fibre optic connection, but nobody bothered to tell them it was happening.
For the full story, click –> BELL
Walking After Eating: Benefits and Downsides
www.healthline.comhealthline.com
The positive effects of exercise on health have been proven time and time again.
In recent years, a growing trend in the health and fitness community has been to take a short walk after each meal to yield various health benefits.
Potential benefits
Exercise is associated with many positive health benefits. This includes walking after eating, which has some unique benefits of its own.
May improve digestion
A major potential benefit associated with walking after eating is improved digestion.
Body movement can aid your digestion by promoting stimulation of the stomach and intestines, causing food to move through more rapidly.
In addition, low to moderate physical activity after eating may have a protective effect on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
In fact, it has been shown to prevent diseases like peptic ulcers, heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticular disease, constipation, and colorectal cancer.
May help manage blood sugar levels
Another notable benefit of walking after eating is improved blood sugar management.
This is particularly important for people with type 1 and 2 diabetes — conditions that impair blood sugar processing — because exercising after eating may prevent excessive spikes in blood sugar, thus reducing the amount of insulin or oral medications required.
A 2016 study in people with type 2 diabetes found that light walking for 10 minutes after each meal was superior to walking for 30 minutes at any one time for blood sugar management.
While post-meal exercise is particularly impactful for those with diabetes, others can benefit from its blood-sugar-lowering effects as well.
May reduce heart disease risk
For decades, physical activity has been linked to heart health.
More specifically, regular exercise may lower your blood pressure and LDL (bad) cholesterol, while also reducing your risk of a stroke or heart attack.
One study suggests that several small bouts of exercise throughout the day may be superior to one continuous bout of exercise for lowering blood triglycerides, a risk factor for heart disease.
You can mimic this pattern by taking 5- to 10-minute walks following your main meals throughout the day.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise at least 5 days per week, and simply by completing three 10-minute walks per day following meals, you can easily meet this guideline.
May promote weight loss
It is well known that exercise plays a major role in weight loss in combination with a proper diet.
To promote weight loss, you must be in calorie deficit, meaning that you burn more calories than you take in.
Walking after meals could bring you closer to reaching a calorie deficit that — if consistently maintained — can aid in weight loss.
May help regulate blood pressure
Walking after meals may also help regulate blood pressure.
Several studies associate 3 daily 10-minute walks with reduced blood pressure levels.
Several 10-minute walks throughout the day appear to be more beneficial for lowering blood pressure than one continuous session.
Another study in sedentary individuals found that starting a walking program can reduce systolic blood pressure by as much as 13%.
Based on current data, participating in walks after meals might have a potent blood-pressure-lowering effect.
May cause upset stomach
While walking after eating has very few associated negative side effects, there is one that should be mentioned.
Some people may experience an upset stomach when walking after eating, with symptoms like indigestion, diarrhea, nausea, gas, and bloating.
This can happen when food that’s been recently eaten moves around in your stomach, creating a less-than-ideal environment for digestion.
If you experience any of these symptoms, try to wait 10–15 minutes after meals before walking and keep the walking intensity low.
The best time to walk
Based on current data, the ideal time to walk appears to be immediately following a meal.
At this time, your body is still working to digest the food you have eaten, allowing you to obtain benefits like improved digestion and blood sugar management.
While walking after all your meals may lead to the most optimal benefits, simply taking a walk after dinner can be a great start.
How long should you walk?
Proponents of walking after meals suggest that you should start by walking for 10 minutes and then increase the duration as tolerated.
Keeping your walks to around 10 minutes lets you yield the potential benefits while preventing downsides like an upset stomach. Plus, this duration makes it easier to fit in the walks throughout your day without greatly affecting your schedule.
By completing three 10-minute walks per day, you can easily accumulate 30 minutes of daily physical activity.
Regulate the intensity
While you may think that if walking after meals is good, then jogging after meals must be better, this is likely not the case.
During the initial digestion process following a meal, you’re at an increased risk of getting an upset stomach if exercising too intensely. Thus, you should keep the intensity low to moderate — aim for an elevated heart rate without being out of breath.
A brisk walk at a pace of no more than 3 miles (5 km) per hour will allow you to yield the benefits while most likely avoiding an upset stomach.
Some people may react differently to walking after meals, so it is important to start out with a lower intensity if you’re not in the habit of frequent physical activity yet.
The bottom line
Here’s a diet recipe that is worth it in every sense, easy-to-make, low in cost, low in calories and tasty too.
BLUEBERRY DESSERT
Ingredients
Instructions
“We’re not paying for news we steal, so there!”
Meta and Google corporations have been using news from Canadian media without compensation for years. The Canadian government has finally drawn the line in the sand passing a law making it illegal to continue this practice.
Such a law has been passed in Europe and in Australia, two other jurisdictions with the cajones to go after the digital Goliaths. Europe has won their case in court penalizing one of the giants for millions of dollars, a titular sum for those corporations. Each company is worth billions of dollars. Nevertheless, the companies will no longer be allowed to use news from Canadian media sources without compensation.
Their reaction…
So how did those corporations respond? They have declared that they would no longer permit Canadians access to their news information. They would no longer post news from Canadian sources or allow Canada to access news sources they publish.
It’s about time!
Journalism is already in seriously bad condition, suffering mortal wounds inflicted by the Internet. Writers often find their material stolen and used by Internet companies without fair compensation or consideration for copyright infringement.
Arguably the days of old fashioned journalism are numbered. Whether they are or not, the writers, journalists, reporters who have created the original works are entitled to compensation when their work is used. Otherwise, this is outright plagiarism and theft.
Bill C-18
Bill C-18 forbids use of Canadian media based articles from being used by any digital corporation without fair compensation to the source.
Corporate bullying against a nation
It remains to be seen how successful the Canadian government will be in regulating how these Internet companies use material created by Canadian media journalists and preventing any future such larceny of literature.
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The June 23rd Brenner newsletter is presented in two forms: a link to the full version and a highlights only form displayed below.
Original newsletter, click —> FULL NEWSLETTER
below, the highlights version of Brenner’s eNEWSLETTER
[This is a summary of the newsletter. Any omissions/errors are mine. Richard Szpin]
SERVICES OVERLAP
Well, here goes…another class act. Dogg Ford first gives Mark Saunders a $200,000 a year job as Ont Science Centre advisor to Queen’s Park. Nice job if you can get….but first ya gotta buy a ticket to Ford’s special garden party. (sz105)
Next the host endorses Mark Saunders for mayor…not sure if you can be a pocket in someone else’s pocket.
Read Toronto Star report ROBERT BENZIE
Councillor Lisa Robinson, Ward 1, has been the center of some controversy in regard to a number of issues. She has received support from some on these issues and also faced some heated opposition to her views regarding them. (sz104)
Some of these issues were:
Issues raised at council meetings:
Councillor Robinson has made a public statement in regard to the above items. Her YouTube presentation can be accessed at –> STATEMENT
The statement is transcribed below:
___________________************
My colleagues will be bringing forward a motion on June 26th to have me removed as the head of the Pickering Safety and Wellbeing Advisory Committee for two reasons:
I want to make myself very clear. I represent all people fairly, honestly, and equally, not just the ones I’ve been told I must represent because of their need to virtue signal. Nor will I play into any kind of political posturing. As for the removal from the committee, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. When leaders do not want to make the hard decisions, they form committees.
Vote Patterns, 6:1
It is easier to blame a decision on a nameless, faceless committee than it is to take responsibility for that decision as being your own. It has become apparent by my 6 to 1 voting patterns on Council that I have critical thinking skills necessary to oppose views by asking questions.
When I have unanswered questions, if I think the wording is too vague, or if I think it is not inclusive of all, or if I believe that the passing of an agenda item has the potential to put people’s lives at risk or in danger, I will not vote in favor.
6:1 voting examples
For example, in a six one vote:
I’ve spoken to this numerous times about the continuous rise of inflation and the possibility of heading into a recession. People are having to choose between paying bills, putting gas in their cars, or putting nutritious meals on the table for their families.
Opposed to self-identification of delegations
Changing the policy when speaking as a delegation to not have, you have to state your address in an open forum, creating a safe space so you can speak freely and openly without any kind of fear of retaliation.
Transportation of toxic waste through Durham
I did have success with colleagues supporting my motion requesting the federal government to advise when toxic or hazardous materials are transported by trains throughout the region of Durham. So if an event was to happen, our first responders would be better prepared for the safety of you and this community.
These are just a few of the many ways I stand apart from the rest of my colleagues on council to put the safety and well-being of our community first. If my colleagues want to punish me or punish the constituents because I use critical thinking skills and I’m not following their narrative, it shows to their character, not to mine.
Self-removal from Safety and Well-bieing Advisory Committee
As I said in the beginning, committees are formed for the leaders that don’t want to make their hard decisions and it gives them the opportunity not to take responsibility for those decisions. For this reason alone, I wish to step down from my appointment on the Safety and Wellbeing Advisory Committee. That being said, I will continue to fight for the well-being and safety of all of our community.
I will continue to fight for children to have the right to feel safe when using vulnerable spaces. I will continue to fight for the seniors so they can stay in their homes and remain independent. I will continue to fight for the mentally ill and homeless to get the help that they need. And I will continue to fight to help keep costs down for our families and our taxpayers.
And I will continue with my commitment to bring forward your concerns and be your voice, no matter how controversial the topic may be. I will always stand by my belief that elected officials must remain neutral and that the duty of state neutrality be adhered to and upheld without favor and in respect to the law.
Everyone deserves to enter neutral public spaces that are free from discrimination and in which true freedom to believe or not to believe can be enjoyed by everyone equally. Given that everyone is valued equally, I want to thank all of you for your support that I’ve been getting and receiving from across Canada. And lastly, I want to thank all the veterans who served who continue to serve and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms that we all have today.
I’m Lisa Robinson. You’re Pickering Ward One city councillor.
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Mayor Ashe’s Official Statement on Strong Mayor Powers sz102
Pickering, June 16, 2023 – “Today, the Government of Ontario expanded strong mayor powers to 26 of the province’s large and fast-growing municipalities, including the City of Pickering and all of Durham’s lakeshore municipalities, in order to meet its target of building 1.5 million new homes by 2031.
The diverse housing needs of individual municipalities call for tailored tools and approaches, and the granting of strong mayor powers will empower us to achieve our new housing targets. I understand the responsibility that comes with this authority. I am committed to transparent and inclusive decision-making, and actively seeking input from all stakeholders prior to exercising these new powers.
Affordable housing is a fundamental right, and I am fully committed to taking decisive action. Through collaboration and meaningful dialogue with Members of Council, staff, residents, community organizations, provincial agencies, and the private sector, we will explore innovative solutions that meet the diverse housing needs of our residents.
Additionally, it is crucial that we continue to work towards the development of a long-term funding and service delivery model from the senior levels of government. As our population continues to grow, we must ensure that we have the necessary infrastructure and services in place to support our community effectively.
I also recognize the importance of balancing responsible development with preserving our neighborhoods and commitment to sustainability. We will ensure that decisions regarding housing are made with careful consideration for the overall quality of life in Pickering.
Pickering is slated to become Durham Region’s largest municipality, and together we will create a stronger, more inclusive, and affordable community for all.”
Kevin Ashe
Mayor, City of Pickering
THE GESTE OF EMPEROR DOUG FORD;
or, DOUGIE’S GRAND ADVENTURES
Fytte the First: Of Dougie in the Greenwood
Attend and listen to my tale
of a most crafty lord
and the bold, heroic deeds he plans:
his name is Dougie Ford.
Forth to the greenbelt Dougie drove
one merrie morn in June,
leading his troop of crony-men
and whistling a cheery tune.
Deep satisfaction Dougie felt
throughout his generous girth;
his hefty presence set a-tremble
the surface of Mother Earth.
His reign had brought the realm great blessings:
a few bland dollar beers,
bitchy stickers on some gas pumps,
and freedom from COVID fears.
As he descended from his carriage,
little bells on his shoestrings rang.
He hearkened to their sweet silver chime
and “tirra lirra” he sang.
The imperial crown that he seldom doffed
burned in the bright sunshine.
He gazed at the wide unspoiled lands
and said, “All this be mine.”
He looked upon this grand estate
with its trees and grass so green,
but his brow furrowed at the sight
of this fragile natural scene.
“Here is much money to be made,”
said Dougie to himself,
for he was fondest of politics
for profit and for pelf.
He thought of sky-scraping condo towers
and expressways running through,
bringing development and its treasures
(though not to me and you).
Yes, eco-fools may complain,
but the wise underling knows:
while commoners have indignation,
Dougie has Em-Zed-Ohs.
HERE ENDETH THE FIRST FYTTE
THE GESTE OF EMPEROR DOUG FORD
Fytte the Second: Of Dougie and King John
Dougie Ford, that puissant lord,
lived every day in clover;
but to be a lord in full, a lord
needs lords to be lord over.
Know too that when we speak of kings,
one size does not fit all.
Some kings (in rank of power) are large,
and some are rather small.
King John ruled as a middleweight.
He reigned in Hogtown City,
but he was not a mighty lord,
just the head of a committee.
John was a modest, cautious fellow
who didn’t like to shout.
He didn’t have many big ideas
in his mental bank account;
He didn’t care much about homeless folks;
and he didn’t want to pay
for anything but roads raised high in the sky
to give commuters free way.
John had some friends on the Hogtown council;
others he truly did hate:
those bad ones, they talked on and on
and did not cooperate.
King John wasn’t fond of Dougie either,
whom he found loud and crude,
till Dougie offered a proposition
to brighten John’s sulky mood.
Dougie would wave a magic wand
(he owned more than a few)
that would banish half of the city committee
and make John puissant too!
All the Emperor asked of John
was to be a friend to his cronies;
and if ever John had a scheme of his own,
Dougie might find him monies.
(Neither man needed to say aloud
that to Dougie, John would now grovel,
and when the pig shit needed shifting,
John would wield a shovel.)
But as boss and vassal hatched their plan,
to tragedy turns my song:
for the best-laid plans of pigs and lords
sometimes go all wrong.
{Here beginneth the tragic bit of the fytte.}
Some still remember those evil days
when plague ravaged the land,
and all wore masks against infection,
and gatherings were banned.
To spare our colleagues from disease,
many of us worked from home;
but faithful, dedicated John
in his office toiled . . . alone?
Well, though he should have been alone
as at kinging he persisted,
with certain crucial kingly tasks
he needed to be assisted.
John’s aide was a young and comely lass,
gracious in all she did.
Bewitched by her propinquity,
into Sin he slid.
Not the first was our King John
to fall because of Woman.
Knowing much of history,
its spirits I now shall summon:
There’s Adam, Samson, Agamemnon,
Parnell (the list goes on),
and our kinglet’s Biblical namesake,
poor old Baptist John.
(I could also paint the scene,
for I know the graphic details;
but as balladeer, not pornographer,
I’ll keep drawn all seven veils.)
Yet, secrets like John’s cannot be kept;
they’re bound to be revealed.
Gossips, reporters – they sniff about –
and of course some tipster squealed.
John’s wife was far from happy
when she learned about his fling.
Humiliation both public and private
can be too much for a king.
And so, to Emperor Dougie’s horror,
King John opted to quit.
His reign did end in ignominy,
and here endeth this fytte.
HERE ENDETH THE SECOND FYTTE
THE GESTE OF EMPEROR DOUG FORD
Fytte the Third: Of Dougie and Hogtown Place
Mourning the exit of (ex)-King John,
Dougie gazed at the harbour,
contemplating the water and ships
from a shady wisteria arbour.
A grand new project to take his mind
off the wreck of his plan –
that was what Dougie sought this morning,
as the waterfront he did scan.
He enjoyed wide views from his scentful
perch. He almost felt devotion
for this spot where Nature still claimed a place
at the edge of Hogtown’s commotion.
This park on an island in the lake
had a stage, and art, and trails;
his subjects came here to escape
the city’s loud travails.
Dougie had sat but an hour or two,
I’m sure it was not three,
when an idea flashed into his brain
and he slapped his thigh with glee.
A smile spread o’er his imperial face,
for he felt that surge of joy,
that mix of greed and vulgarity
he’d known since he was a boy.
He could transform this backward isle
and shape it to his vision
of a moneymaking tourist magnet,
a Mecca without any religion.
{Here is rendered ye vision.}
The Ford Casino, drenched in gold, its
parking lots filled with cars untold;
a world-class science museum
(and perhaps a nearby arboretum,
Nature being so pleasant, and all);
a theatre; a lecture hall;
courts for croquet and volleyball;
a retractably roofed water park;
a laser show to illume the dark;
a Hall of Mirrors, as at Versailles;
a great wheel, like the London Eye;
a wetland, stocked with alligators;
a guillotine, for the Empire’s traitors;
a marina, a spa, a golf course too,
and the relocated Hogtown zoo.
Every kind of exciting show
where all will pay great sums to go!
{As quick as it did come, ye vision fadeth.}
Dougie’s vision left him dizzy:
it had shown him quite a lot,
and he might need to refine it some
and to give it further thought;
In general, though, he loved the scheme
and its promise of heaps of money;
for to him and his cronies, money was sweet,
sweeter than dates or honey.
Yet the sweetest bit of his mystic dream,
despite all he dreamt before,
was this: a statue of himself
erected on the shore.
He towers over the city by day,
and beacons in spotlights at night,
a developer’s hammer in his left hand,
a moneybag in his right.
On his pedestal these words appear,
carved for all to see:
‘Bring your greed and your toadying, friends,
and your credit and cash to me.’
Dougie was helped to his limo as
his body felt weak in the knees; his
spirit was lost in the prospect of
the Colossus of Profitries.
HERE ENDETH ye FYTTE, NONE TOO SOON
THE APPARENTLY INTERMINABLE GESTE OF EMPEROR DOUG FORD
Fyte the Fourth: Of Dougie and Amalgamation
Late, late in the silent night
and everyone else abed,
Dougie, alone at a conference table,
scratched his imperial head.
He had laid aside his golden crown
and put on his thinking cap
so that he might focus his brainy power
on a most troubling map:
A map showing all the lands of his realm
and the zones of his various vassals,
and showing also why he faced
such constant political hassles.
The land was crosshatched with boundary lines
in a jumble of jurisdictions;
some of these borders were in dispute,
some were legal fictions,
And many of them overlapped
in a bureaucratic tangle
so confused as to make no sense
from any viewing angle.
The map displayed in a different shade
every locality,
like a chaotic patchwork quilt
infected with leprosy.
Poor Dougie: he’d asked for a simple map
that indicated places
where he and his cronies could turn a profit
from vacant or underused spaces,
Where on symbolic moneybags
the scribe, artistically,
would paint a label: Heere there bee
financiall opportunitie.
But now, at last, he sees the problem:
his power is broken and scattered
by little people debating issues
as if their opinions mattered;
Little people in each little town
and littler neighbourhood
jabbering, stalling, and obstructing
his cronies’ greater good.
And as on this revelatory map
Emperor Dougie broods, he hears
a voice, as sometimes happens in
his foul and anxious moods.
What he hears is the passionate cry
of his own frustrated soul,
pained by its lack of godlike power
despite the imperial role.
Attend my words: our Emperor
has a creative mind
(though certainly not a pleasant one,
nor generous, nor kind),
And inspiration will often come,
almost before he’ll know it,
and transform Dougie from angry monarch
to strange and furious poet!
The voice in his ear said this,
in a nasty, venomous hiss:
Little people – I hate their guts,
stuffed like sausage with ifs and buts
rather than simply agreeing with me and
saluting and saying yessirree! Little
people, they squabble and natter, bawl
and squawl and chitter and chatter,
mumble and grumble, growl and howl,
grouse and gripe, snark and snipe,
and all this stupid pointless fussing,
sniveling, driveling, drooling, and fooling
is what those idiots call “discussing”
which is simply their getting in the way
of our progress and profits, and causing delay –
delay, delay, and still more delay . . . .
The voice did fade, just as dawn
lightened the eastern sky;
lightened as well was Dougie’s mood,
and brightly sparkled his eye.
For a way through his troubles was opened now
by his righteous, fiery wrath
as a magic charm, by wizard chanted,
through thorn-hedge clears a path.
Amalgamation was the key!
“O great imagination,”
he said, “I bless thee for that word,
that sweet amalgamation.”
He will break down the little burgs,
restructure and refashion
to a very few, much larger zones
obedient to his passion.
Over each new zone he’ll place
a loyal subordinate king,
a flunky who’ll agree with Dougie
on, well, everything.
On his map, with a Sharpie, happy Doug
new lines started to scrawl –
districts looking like giant amoebas
gobbling up the small.
But while he drew and hummed a tune
of gleeful gratification
and envisioned a future free of cares
thanks to amalgamation,
A troop of cronies fresh from the city
burst into the room
bearing news of grave import
and countenances of doom.
“Hogtown,” they said, “hath replaced King John,
and oh, such a sorry scene:
the new monarch is no friend of thine,
and this king . . . is a queen!”
When Dougie heard her name, he was
of his senses nearly bereft, he
could scarce believe Hogtown was ruled
by a woman – and a leftie.
His song in an instant became a lament,
a keen both high and shrill:
“May God help Hogtown,” he cried, and then,
“Yes, indeed. I will.”
Ah, gentle listener, learn from this tale
how sudden is Fortune’s turning. While
you gaze ahead at a fair prospect,
behind, your bridge is burning.
Will Dougie regain his cheerful faith
that rifts in his realm may mend?
Time – and further fyttes – can tell,
but here this fytte must end.
HERE ENDETH ye FYTTE, FINALLY COMPLETE
[Author unidentified]
Legislated bullying, thanks to Doggie Ford.
Doggie Ford has done it again…extended the power of bullying. Now more mayors in the province have the power to increase the number of Ford supporters. Machiavelli could take lessons from the master of Machiavellian maneuvering, Doggie Ford. He runs campaigns quietly, never making clear cut promises. He avoids making policy declarations unnecessarily. He mutes cabinet members to control the agenda. Other than Bethlenfalvy (Finance) and Jones, (Health), other cabinet ministers have been gagged. Know any of these: Calandra, Fedeli, Lumsden, Mulroney…worse, ever hear of Michael FORD?
Ethics, principles and values at Queen’s Park, history, thanks to Doggie Ford. What he wants, he does, he gets. Bully tactics work! Let’s extend them.
Strong mayors, supermen?
Thanks to Premier Wunderbar, the province now has 26 more potential bullies and included among them, Pickering’s Mayor Ashe? What does “strong mayor” mean?
Strong mayors have the power to ram through legislation with just 1/3 support. Is this not destruction of the democratic process? More than half of council was required for municipal policy making. Now, strong mayors can push their agenda through council with just thirty percent.
The powers of strong mayors
Strong mayors have the power to:
Consider those powers carefully, one by one. Councillors are being relegated to lesser positions when only a third of them are needed for any policy the strong mayor wants. These mayors control committees and crucial appointments. Could this be used to coerce uncooperative councillors? Vote my way or else you may never see political daylight again!
When criticized for eroding democracy in the province, government spokesperson, Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, defended the government, “empowering municipal leaders to give them the tools to get the job done…” and making “sure … that we set our communities up for success.”
Citizen’s recourse?
The voters of Ontario have no immediate recourse whatsoever with these political bullying tactics. The next provincial election is in 2026, a long time to remember the various political abuses being launched by Doggie. Now he extends this power of bullying to a large number of mayors in the province, grooming more sycophants, more ‘indentured’ supporters.
Some mayors have denounced the new rule
Some mayors have expressed concern with the new categorization questioning its meaning and its potential impact on municipal policy making. We wonder where Mayor Ashe stands?
Mayor Ashe and 3 councillors have the power to pass their preferred or selective policies. There’s an odour of questionable politics emanating from Pickering city hall. “Ashe and a third” equals policy makers. How long will it take for other councillors to get the point. Policy making becomes the Ashe-way or no way, very soon.
We would like to hear from you in regard to your new super status, Mr. Mayor!
Learn more about information sessions that can help you understand provincial taxes, tax credits and benefits.
Click –> Min of Fin
[The source for this information was the USA.]
YOUR tax money
The next time you hear a politician use the word ‘billion‘ in a casual manner, think about whether you want the ‘politicians’ spending YOUR tax money.
A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases:
Here’s a list of the taxes Americans pay (Canadian taxation is comparable):
STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
What on earth happened?
Politicians deserve holidays and getaway time from the pressure cooker of municipal politics. We wonder how they should get these breaks. As gifts from developers? As perks from lobbyists? As small tokens of a job well done? These are trying questions to consider.
Perhaps a certain expense level can be ignored: a bottle of wine seems small; a paid for lunch, minor; picking up the tab for a bar expense, negligible. These are undoubtedly are difficult considerations but at what point are they negligible and when should they not be ignored?
Every councillor likely receives many small tokens of appreciation, gifts of gratitude. Surely, these cannot all be lumped into a bin of duplicity and questionable conduct. However, there has to be a line drawn somewhere as politicians are in a position where they can receive gifts, token of appreciation with strings attached. The donor expects something in return and this moves us into questionable territory.
What is a ‘forgivable gift?’ Covering costs of a vacation? A holiday? Certainly politicians are deserving of such but the question bears repetition, at whose expense?
The MASTERS GOLF TOURNAMENT is a jewel of a sports event. The average price of a spectator’s ticket to the event is $5000. Attending this four day event, could easily cost a spectator over $10,000 exclusive of transportation costs.
It is hoped there is no reason to question Mayor Ashe’s attendance at the MASTERS. But the picture is unsettling.
We’ve complained before, at town halls, Ward meetings, to councilors. All to no avail, shut down and shot down even by councilors themselves, our political representatives.
This won’t help you sleep better
Pickering’s Nuclear Emergency Evacuation plan, last updated, 2015. Feel safe? The populaton of the city has increased tremendously. Road congestion is a serious problem in all parts of the city, at any time. Imagine the chaos if there were a nuclear emergency.
Whose responsibility is the safety of the people of Pickering?
What are the people of Pickering supposed to do if there is a nuclear emergency? When the question was put to a prominent councilor at a Town Hall, the response was evasive political bafflegab and deflective glibness. The question was never answered.
Questions about a nuclear emergency
There are many questions the City of Pickering municipal council and the regional council should be addressing without paddling the ball into someone else’s court. Take on the responsibility, find the answers, update the information and then, inform us, your constituents.
The citizens of Pickering and those who live in the at-risk geographical area should have updated information and clear instructions for their physical safety and for peace of mind.
Municipal leaders, what do you have to say about all this? Shouldn’t you be saying something, something positive and constructive? Shouldn’t you be more responsible for the safety and well being of your constituents?
Your constituents are listening!
[ Read the original notification made by City of PICKERING: —> TEST ]
An attack on the ‘king’ must be a mortal wound!
It is questionable that the provincial NDP can unseat the Conservatives. Horwath inflicted a serious blow, but not the mortal one. The jury’s verdict of Marit Stiles remains to be seen. Bonnie Crombie’s declared candidacy means a real contender has entered the provincial campaign for premiership.
Holding public office seems like a thankless job…and any perks attached to the position are questioned and scrutinized by the public like sharks swimming in blood-tainted waters.
Municipal councillors are offered ‘gifts,’ freebies by various sources, often with the claim that there are no strings attached. There’s no such thing anywhere, ‘no free lunches.’
Curious about Pickering council ‘gifting?’ The decision to receive is the councillor’s, along with the quantity to accept. The receipt various broadly from councillor to councillor but sources of these perks are less varied. The perks seem to come mostly from developers. This can be troubling for residents as only the naive can believe that a pair of Leaf tickets come with no strings attached.
To view a record of what Pickering council members have received is displayed in the following link. [This is public knowledge available as Disclosure Statements.]
This is a story for those who are dedicated to their cottages, their second homes that vy for home supremacy with their home back in the city.
Gail Aziz is a retired educational administrator with phenomenal recall, a photographic memory which served her well a couple years ago when she decided to write a book about her cottage. Actually, the book took a little detour and became the story of the construction of a road to her cottage.
The story begins in 1985. The Aziz family were about to cross a stormy Kawartha Lake to reach the cottage, built in Muskoka country with access by water only. As always it was a challenging boat trip but this time it lead to a new wrinkle. The light bulb illuminated in Larry Aziz’s head, family patriarch of the Aziz family. Let’s build a road to the cottage.
Once the initial shock of the idea subsided, discussions moved into the reality stage and thus Larroger Road was given birth.
The idea of building Larroger Road never eased into reality as truth be told, the cottage was isolated in the Muskoka wilderness. Trees, rocky terrain, swampland and no nearby road made the idea more an ideal than a possible reality.
The dream couldn’t be shaken. The more Larry verbalized it, the more real it became. More than a passion, it became a dedication.
Once Larry recruited a neighbouring cottage owner, Roger Smith, reality took flight and the dream actualization began.
Gail’s narrative was created as a legacy to her family and to all the families of the cottage owners that are part of the Larroger Road saga and whose cottages border the rustic road.
Her story is a very niche one, appealing to a small, concentrated group of cottage owners, just over thirty. So the book has very limited interest. It will appeal to this small group of cottage owners and possibly other cottage owners who have had similar dreams about their own cottages.
The Kawartha country region of this road
In 1985, this area was what politely would be called, backwoods. Isolated, accessible by plane and boat rather than by car. There were main roads but few secondary ones and none that made the area where Larroger Road was to be accessible.
Gail’s story unfolds as bumps and jolts along a wilderness trail.
Team Larry and Roger wrestled to get the road started, a Herculean task that few believe could be attained.
Unexpected obstacles impeded progress every foot of the way. Area municipalities with their regulations, government ministries from the Environment to Natural Resources. And the cottage owners themselves, particularly as construction costs became a reality and rose as these costs are wont to do. Greed and control on the one hand, profit and property access and right of way on the other. The challenges and difficulties never stopped.
Construction underway
By 1991 construction was well underway and the realities of the Muskoka region were constant challenges. Flora and fauna, new problems. These aspects of the Muskoka lands had to be respected, recognized and protected. Otherwise, various ministries would handcuff progress with regulatory demands to protect the environment.
Everyone wanted a piece of the action
From construction company owners to Indigenous people of the region, each wanted a say, and input as to how and what would be built. Some only saw dollar signs but others were authentically desirous of protecting the land as much as possible.
Geographic problems beaten
The Canadian winters and Canadian landscape were added problems. Winters were unpredictable but when spring thaws began, the constructed roadway became a nearly impassible quagmire of mud. An engineering problem was eventually resolved with culvert and drainage solutions.
Road completion in 1991
By the end of 1991, the road was completed but its travelability was very questionable. Nevertheless, the construction team and the executive of the Larroger Road Association, now known as the Larroger Muskoka Road Limited, popped the bubbly and celebrated. More obstacles faced the celebrants.
New bumps in the road, 1992-93
The road build never came easy, never smooth. From disagreements over rights of way to survey and boundary settlements and clarifications about property ownership. Regulatory obstacles by municipal, provincial and even federal authorities threw in more bumps, detours and delays. The road builders slogged on.
Each year, new bumps in the construction
Each year from 1993 forward, new obstacles appeared. The construction and building team became adept at overcoming playing whack-a-mole with each problem.
With so many whack-a-moles popping up, it was incredible that the dream kept moving forward inching closer and closer to reality.
In 2005, a sigh of relief blew down the road past all the cottage owners’ properties. The worst was over, the roadway completed.
A road such as Larroger Road in Muskoka is never really done. Mother nature, road users, changing regulations always presented new bumps in the road but Larroger Road is a success and complete.
Gail draws her book to a close with snapshots written by a number of the cottage owners along the roadway. They talk about the naming of sections of the road, the idiosyncracies of memorable spots along it and the memories they have of the early days when the area was more wilderness than accessible cottage country.
Trans Canada Highway, meh…
Larroger Road, there’s a story
The story of Larroger Road may seem inconsequential and insignificant to outsiders but to those who were involved in its construction, it was as monumental as the Trans Canada Highway was to other dreamers.
UPDATE: Is this an example of Ontario taxpayers getting their money’s worth or another example of the corruption in the Ford Govt?
Absolutely incredible!!!
Ford hired this guy to consult about Ontario Place, salary $170,000
He was to analyze, evaluate and update the possible future of Ontario Place which the Ford govt is renovating and remodeling.
Here’s his report as of Oct. 6, 2023:
NIL, NADA, NIENTE, RIEN
Amazingly blatant hypocrisy of some candidates:
Mark Saunders, ex-chief of police, has received more than just verbal support from Premier Doggie Ford. He has been appointed as adviser to the Ford government regarding Ontario place to the tune of almost $200,000 per year.
The epitome of political hypocrisy:
Saunders’ campaign platform promises ‘close scrutiny of current expenditures before expecting province or federal government funding.’ Guess he doesn’t read his own campaign stuff!
[pdf-embedder url=”http://www.szpin.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/JUNE-newsletter.pdf” title=”JUNE newsletter”]
The United States doesn’t have a monopoly on political clowns, though they have really its ridiculous ones. Politicas is a stage where political clowns can really shine. In the US, they are presidential candidates, in Canada, provincial premiers and mayoral candidates and these clowns are absolutely incredible! With more than 230 million eligible voters, any of them if born in the USA are eligible to run as president. And the Republicans found these two clowns. Unbelievable. Impossible. Truth is really stranger than fiction.
T**** has a track record of being a liar, misogynist, sexist, bully and worse. Yet, he is fast becoming the leader in the presidential race, 2024. Second in the running is another wacko, Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida. Are Florida’s that old, that senile that they cannot see this politician is of questionable sanity. First, to prove he is “the power” in Florida, he takes on Disneyworld. Then he restricts certain on books to be used in Florida schools. Now he defunds any Florida school that practices free speech, permits freedom of information and uses liberal policies dealing with the LGBTQIA+ community. Black students be damned. If they don’t like the racial policies legislated for their schools, leave.
Two clowns! These are the best candidates that can be had? A very sad situation for Americans and their political world.
Dan Rather, retired CBS journalist, writes an excellent commentary about DeSantis and this latest insanity of political policy in Florida.
To read Rather’s comments, click –> CLOWN GOV
Canada has a Barnum and Bailey political stage also. The provincial prremier performs a credible clown impersonation with his constant vascillation between logical platforms and policies to ones where he seems to totally ignore experts and citizens’ wishes. Then from the sublime to the ridiculous: hiring ex-Chief and Toronto mayoral candidate Mark Saunders as adviser regarding Ontario Place. Saunders, as police chief, expenditures rose, crime increased, policy changes went never materialized. Now, he is given a $200,000 a year job to advise the Ford government about Ontario Place. Is Saunders an engineer? A city planning expert? An entertainment guru a la David Mirvish? Maybe Saunders wears a different hat than a clown’s. He’s a magician…making all his credentials for this advisory job invisible. Or maybe the clown is Ford, pulling another trick out of his empty hat.
Incredible times we live in, not because such things did not happen in the past, but because the publication of such absurdity is instantaneous and ubiquitous. We see it everywhere, every day now! Amazing.
Life was simpler before. So it seemed, more joyful, more delightful, more pleasureful. Even Hollywood concurs that the old days were happier days. The entertainment center of the world is trying to return to those happier times by producing sequels based on past successes in hopes of repeating them. The remakes are poor copies of past gems. The latest CGI and AI technologies (Computer Generated Images and Artificial Intelligence) fail to bring back the excitement and energy of the original, simple stories made into simple entertaining productions.
Two notable examples…
Arnold Schwarzenegger, 75 years old, stars in a newly released Netflix’ series, Fubar, a remake of the very entertaining original, True Lies, co-starring Jamie Lee Curtis. Hollywood thought it could cash in on the popularity of the movie with a TV series. Poof! Wrong. The series never made it past season one, too glitchy, trying too hard to cash in on the simpler production of the original movie.
Fubar is another failed attempt at cashing in on the success of simpler times, simpler productions. It fails. The reasons are varied. Ageism may be one reason but more likely it is the yearning for the productions of the past, productions that were simpler, more direct and better written. A full review of Fubar may be best left for a detailed Internet review of the series. For now, best to say Hollywood is trying to recapture the success of simpler times and failing. Today’s society is trying to do the same.
Hollywood trying again.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was very successful. Entertaining, popularly successful, a very good movie with action, suspense, terrific stunt scenes and wonderful engagement.
Hollywood declares, “Let’s try it again.” Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the latest remake of the Indiana Jones success, dies on the vines. Read the reviews on the Internet lamenting everything from the second-rate CGI cinematography to the digital makeup do-over of its 80-year-old star, Harrison Ford.
Puleeeeze…at the risk of sounding ageist, Sean Connery, Roger Moore and even Daniel Craig recognized that Father Time cannot be ignored and retired from the role. Harrison Ford should do the same.
However, the point of all this is that the old times were simpler and are viewed as better times. There is much to accept and admire about the world today but the past seems more favoured. There was more of the positive things and less of the negative. There was more of people being engaged with one another rather than the social media polarization dividing our society as it has. There was more acceptance of contrary points of view rather than malevolent or violent reactions to it as today.
Wrong way, Jose?
We reminisce about those past times with so much enthusiasm and verve but are we doing it the best way? Rather than revisiting the past and lamenting it as history, can we revive those days? Can we find ways to compromise, collaborate and corroborate on issues, current problems and the way we live without resorting to extreme reactions, volatile verbiage and aggressive actions in response? Can we return to the gentler times where we said, “Yes sir, yes ma’am. That may have validity. Let me think about it.”
What do you think?
[ The TEST never occurred. The noticed below was published but the test was not carried out. Is this serious endangerment of the population in that people are publicly warned/notified of an imminent action by the authorities but it is never done? ‘The sky is falling! The sky is falling!”…wreckless endangerment of the public?
This should be a yearly test on a regular date, PUBLISHED for the welfare of everyone.]
From June 5 to 9, the City of Pickering will be testing its nuclear public alerting system during daytime hours, over five days. The test will consist of 34 individual short, five-second siren alerts.
On June 5, an auto dialer will call listed Durham Region landline phone numbers that are within 10 kilometres of the nuclear-generating stations. The calls will show as coming from 905-666-6291.
Learn how you will be alerted by looking up your address at durham.ca/AlertMap.
No action is required. In a real emergency, upon hearing the alerts, you must go indoors and tune into trusted local media outlets or government channels for further instructions.
For more information, visit durham.ca/NuclearPreparedness, or call 311.
Free Interactive seminars with local guest speakers.
All seminars are free. Registration is required.
Register in advance using the codes provided at pickering.ca/active.
Getting The Most From Your Healthcare Appointment
Thursday, June 1
10:00 am – 11:30 am
Activity code: 46516
Highly recommended for those attending medical appointments. This presentation deals with these aspects of medical appointments: what to do before, during, and after a health care appointment.
Cancer Screening
Tuesday, June 6
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Activity code: 46515
The Central East Regional Cancer Program team will provide education on cancer prevention.
Understanding Your Medication
Friday, June 9
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Activity code: 46517
This seminar covers topics such as: challenges and importance of medications, tips on taking medication and the importance of keeping a personal medication record.
Frauds and Scams
Presented by Durham Regional Police Services
Tuesday, June 13
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Activity code: 46513
Presentation by DRPS Constable Darryl Rice who is a dynamic, effective and very informative speaker. This presentation is one of the very best in arming oneself against Frauds and Scams. Constable Rice’s presentation is exceptional in its comprehensiveness and in its engagement. A not-to-be-missed presentation.
Understanding Food Labels
Presented by Home and Community Care
Thursday, June 15
10:00 am – 11:30 am
Activity code: 46518
Learn how to read food labels and find out what you can be doing to eat healthier.
Understanding Blood Pressure
Presented by Home and Community Care
Tuesday, June 20
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Activity code: 46519
Though everyone knows about Blood Pressure, few people are well informed about it. This presentation explains what blood pressure is, how it works, and tips on how to control it. A must-attend presentation for information about your health
Personal/Home & Travel Safety
Presented by Durham Regional Police Services
Tuesday, June 27
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Activity code: 46514
Presentation by DRPS Constable Darryl Rice, a dynamic and very engaging speaker. This presentation covers the vital aspects of Personal, Home and Travel Safety. It really is a presentation that will update you about living safely at home and away. A very important presentation reducing risks at home and while travelling.
Practical Planning for Your Health
Presented by Home and Community Care
Tuesday, June 27
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Activity code: 46520
We will be discussing how manage and maintain our health as we age.
Steak Marinades
Marinades will tenderize your steaks and make them juicier and more flavourful.
Try each marinade below. Save your favourite ones and then tweak them to your specific flavour tastes.
NOTE:
No matter which marinade you choose, be sure to let your steak marinate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to soak in and tenderize the meat.
Chicken marinades
A great way to add flavour and tenderness to grilled chicken.
NOTE:
When marinating chicken, it’s important to make sure that the chicken is completely coated in the marinade and stored in the fridge. You should also avoid reusing marinades that have come into contact with raw chicken to prevent cross-contamination. Finally, make sure to grill the chicken until it’s fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure food safety.
Can you name the NATIONAL LEADER of these countries?
Updating you on the names
Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky
China Xi Jinping
Italy Giorgia Meloni
Germany Olaf Scholz
France Emmanuel Macron
United Kingdom Rsihi Sunak
United States Joe Biden
Canada Justin Trudeau
Poland Mateusz Morawieck
Spain Adolfo Suarez
List of Toronto Mayoral CANDIDATES
[Candidates with * …click to get more information]
Abdulsalam, Bahira bahira@mayorfortoronto.ca
Acquaye, Emmanuel candidateemmanuel@gmail.com
Acton, Blake
Ahmed, Sharif sharif4change@gmail.com
Alam, Asadul
Allan, Gru Jesse office@gru4mayor.ca
Aly, Atef
Apostolopoulos, Dionysios
Atkinson, Darren
Atkinson, Jamie
Bailão, Ana info@anabailao.ca
Baking, Jose josebaking@gmail.com
Bankas, Ben
Beals, Claudette
Benway, Glen glenbenway@rogers.com
Bonilla, Eliazar
Bradford, Brad info@votebradford.ca
Brown, Chloe volunteer.cb4to@gmail.com
Buffey, Brian
Caesar-Chavannes, Celina info@celinaformayorTO.com *
Carrie, Mason
Chan, Roland voterolandchan@gmail.com
Charlton, Matti retromatti@gmail.com
Chevalier Romero, Danny
Chow, Olivia info@oliviachow.ca
Choy, Logan
Clarke, Kevin kevinclarkemayor@gmail.com
Climenhaga, Sarah info@votesarah.ca
Cohen, Gordon mayor@mayorgordcohen.com
Collins, Paul
D’Amico, Frank votedamico@hotmail.com
D’Angelo, Frank mrfrankdangelo@hotmail.com
Davis, Rob info@robdavis.ca
D’Cruze, Phillip phil_17us2002@yahoo.ca
Deb, Samson
Desai, Habiba votehabibadesai@gmail.com
Deville, Cory Cory@devilleparty.ca
Fenby, Simryn scfenby@hotmail.com
Forrester, Monica
Furey, Anthony fureycampaign@gmail.com
Furnival, Scott
Gamk, Isabella info@isabellafortoronto.ca
Gao, Feng tocitycoin@gmail.com
Gong, Xiao Hua gong4mayor@gmail.com
Goraya, Adil
Graff, Brian briangraff2023@gmail.com
Grosman, Ari grosmanari@gmail.com
Guglielmin, James
Gulyas, David
Hall, Thomas
Handjis, Peter peterhandjisformayor@protonmail.com
He, Heather heatherhemayor@gmail.com
Heaps, Toby
Hossain, Monowar Monowar@bell.net
Hunter, Mitzie info@mitzieformayor.ca
Igodan, Sheila
Irmya, Daniel
Jaffery, Syed JafferyforMayor@gmail.com
Jensen, Michael
Johnston, Patricia
Khan, Walayat
Korovitsyn, Serge
Lamoureux, Michael
Langenfeld, Kris Kris@MayorKris.ca
Lee, Rick
LeLiever, Mark
Letonja, John john.letonja@yahoo.ca
MacLeod, Norman
Mammoliti, Giorgio info@giorgiointo.com
Mann, Steve
Marshall, Cleveland
Matlow, Josh info@votematlow.ca
Mohee, Faizul Dr.Faizul.Mohee.2023June@gmail.com
Murphy, Bob
Nicula, Michael mayor@crimetransitinfrastructure.ca
Nowwarah, Jamil
Perruzza, Anthony vote@perruzza.ca
Ransome, John
Renée, DIONNE mycity@torontomail.com
Reodica, Willie
Rubino, Walter
Saccoccia, Chris chrisskyforchange@mail.com
Sanders, Lyall
Saunders, Mark https://marksaundersfortoronto.ca/
Schipano, Rocco schipanoformayor@gmail.com
Shusterman, Robert rob.shusterman@gmail.com
Singh, Joshua joshsingh4mayor@protonmail.com
Singh, Knia info@electkniasingh.ca
Singh, Partap Dua
Sivaneswaran, Raksheni raksheni4the6ix@gmail.com
Sniedzins, Erwin esniedzins@gmail.com
Srivastava, Sandeep Info@SrivastavaForMayor.Com
Straus, Meir meir4mayor@gmail.com
Tang, Weizhen
Toye, Mitchell
Tull, Reginald tullformayor@gmail.com
Tunney, Jeffery smallguycleaner@hotmail.com
Vadivelu, Kiri socialistmayor@kiri-vadivelu.ca*
Weenen, Jack jcwformayor@gmail.com
Wei, Yuanqian
Williams, Jody jody17Williams@gmail.com
Winter, John
Yan, Nathalie Xian Yi
Stephen Colbert, a late-night talk show host, stopped using the name “Trump” on air about 2 years ago. Brilliant, and does it ever anger T****. The X-president, X-man can barely utter the name Colbert without exploding into an angry tyrant calling the show the worst show on TV.
Well, we see Colbert’s point and fully agree with the idea. From now on, we are going do the same substituting “T***” for the X-man’s full name on our website.
This person does not deserve the respect or recognition of a human being. He is sexist, a misogynist, a bully, a liar, a thief, and much more. He has utterly destroyed the meaning of decency and propriety in our society today, and imagine, he held the highest political office in the world for four years demolishing and destroying ethics and morality in unheard-of ways. There was no such thing as ‘fake news’ before this man.
From now on, rather than use his name or type it out fully, we will substitute “T****” instead.
Recently, I read a piece by Dan Rather, a past CBS broadcast news anchorman, where he was nostalgic about the typewriter and the atmosphere it created anywhere where a writer was creating some piece of writing. Click: TYPEWRITER
Reading the piece reminded me of simpler times when being in a room where writers were working was a comforting and reassuring experience.
As Rather writes, the room in which the writer of the past created his work, clicked metronomically with the rhythmic clickety-clack of the keys tapping out words, the pace relative to the typing skill of the writer.
Remember all the sounds: the whir as you inserted the paper and turned the paten wheel; the clack when you pulled the lever to advance the paper for the next line of text entry; and then the click, click, click as you typed the letters. Such a reassuring sound. Each click confirmed that another letter was being added to the formation of a word, completing a thought in the writer’s head.
The pace was reinforcing, the click-clack confirming. The momentary silences in the pause of the typing were opportunities to develop the thoughts being created. A pause after typing a period gave one the chance to sit quietly and review, examine, revise, or continue.
What a reassuring workplace. The staccato clicks confirming that someone was writing, each click signalling that a thought was being developed, an idea was being put to paper. The clickety-clack in the room produced the feeling of a writer at work, productivity was being completed, ink was animating thoughts recorded forever on paper.
None of this is in today’s world. Technology has been replaced by silent swipes. Flat keyboards lack reassuring feedback from spring-baked keys. Entry is mere contact with the key symbol. No depression of the key, no click of reassurance. Nothing. Just silence.
The silence must be deafening. It must be an unwanted vacuum of no sound, something the young find intolerable or undesirable. They replace this objectionable aural vacuum with music, clamped to their ears with headphones, isolating them from any other invasive sounds that might interfere with their mental flow. Some eschew the headphones exchanging them for sound just filling the room, immersing them in a bath of musical murkiness.
Woe to return to those simpler times. A time when we weren’t swamped by a deluge of distractions, inundated with new input, flooded with waves of new data. A time when we dealt with one thing at a time, had time to think about it, to review it and examine it. A time for more consideration in a calmer, less disruptive atmosphere. Just the gentle clickety-clack of creativity confirming life as simpler, more relaxing, and gentler in those days of old.
Oh, to hear that typewriter again.
Durham Region Nuclear Emergency Procedures
The emergency procedures plan is out of date, published in 2018.
The councillors were notified of this at a Ward 1 Town Hall early in 2023. Nothing has been published about any notification.
The Region of Durham is likely responsible for creating and publishing evacuation procedures.
Nothing has been received as an update to the present time, May, 2023.
The Regional councillor sitting on the City of Pickering council is MAURICE BRENNER
Send Councillor Brenner an email with your concerns.
Copy and paste to your email app —> mbrenner@pickering.ca
Ontario Tech University has asked for concerned citizens to complete this survey:
May 10, 2023
City of Pickering received $4,230,279 as fourth-quarter payment from the Casino recently.
During OLG’s fiscal year, from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, Pickering has received $16,641,766.
Since the gaming site opened in July 2021, Pickering has received $24,484,059.
EDITORIAL: How does a WARD resident get current information from their councilor?
City Councilors
So I ask you, how does a WARD resident get information about issues and problems in their ward?
Some city councilors are responsible and committed to keeping their constituents informed about issues and problems in their wards. Others, not so much.
Councilor Nagy makes a commendable effort, irregular in submissions.
_____________________________________________________________
No message submissions updating their constituents.
Councilor Robinson may have justification as she has gotten herself into a quagmire with her public stand in regard to the recognition of individual groups in public displays. Whether she is right in her position is irrelevant here. Her Ward constituents still deserve to hear from her about current issues and problems in the constituency.
Councilor Butt is very disappointing in his lack of communication about Ward 3 news. Butt prides himself on being a people person with great social interaction skills. That may very well be, but there is no excuse for not keeping his constituents informed with published information.
We’re just saying….