Wednesday, April 11, 2007
I'm goin' home ...
If I can't be PM... then I'm not playing your stupid game ! Opportunistic ....(insert adjective here).
Monday, April 9, 2007
Who decides ?
Looks like the decision to buck the trend and keep the Smiths Falls Police, instead of contracting the service to the OPP was wise ....
Arnprior has lost control of number of officers required for the town, and therefore cost.
"....without a satisfactory explanation of a proposed $600,000 yearly cost increase or modification of terms to suit council's contention the town requires a maximum complement of 14 officers, not 17 as the OPP insists."
The provincial police's subsequent proposal took staffing from 14 to 18 and annual base cost from $1.5 million -- with the town providing a building and support staff -- to $2.1 million a year over five years.
Arnprior has lost control of number of officers required for the town, and therefore cost.
"....without a satisfactory explanation of a proposed $600,000 yearly cost increase or modification of terms to suit council's contention the town requires a maximum complement of 14 officers, not 17 as the OPP insists."
The provincial police's subsequent proposal took staffing from 14 to 18 and annual base cost from $1.5 million -- with the town providing a building and support staff -- to $2.1 million a year over five years.
G&M article today
Some great exposure in one of the national papers today ... with some new details.
Layoffs force Smiths Falls to 'reinvent' itself
Nearly 200 e-mail inquiries about alternative uses of the Hershey plant have reached his office since February, Mr. Staples said"
A small number of those e-mails are worth pursuing, and we plan to do that in conjunction with the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade," he added. "When one door closes, another opens -- that's been the history of the town."
Layoffs force Smiths Falls to 'reinvent' itself
Nearly 200 e-mail inquiries about alternative uses of the Hershey plant have reached his office since February, Mr. Staples said"
A small number of those e-mails are worth pursuing, and we plan to do that in conjunction with the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade," he added. "When one door closes, another opens -- that's been the history of the town."
Friday, April 6, 2007
Remembering Vimy ..
WHY CANADA WAS THERE:
"Not for love of battle, not for lust of conquest, not for greed of possessions, but for the cause of honour, to maintain solemn pledges, to uphold principles of liberty, to withstand forces that would convert the world into an armed camp; yea, in the very name of peace that we sought at any cost save that of dishonour, we have entered into this war."
- The Right Honourable Robert Laird Borden
Watch the ceremonies .... and remember them. I'll be thinking of my great-grandfathers who served with the CEF & British Army. And especially my great-great-uncle who gave his life in the dying days of the war, gassed liberating France.
May we never forget.
"Not for love of battle, not for lust of conquest, not for greed of possessions, but for the cause of honour, to maintain solemn pledges, to uphold principles of liberty, to withstand forces that would convert the world into an armed camp; yea, in the very name of peace that we sought at any cost save that of dishonour, we have entered into this war."
- The Right Honourable Robert Laird Borden
Watch the ceremonies .... and remember them. I'll be thinking of my great-grandfathers who served with the CEF & British Army. And especially my great-great-uncle who gave his life in the dying days of the war, gassed liberating France.
May we never forget.
RELATED: Neo has a post about Vimy here ... Look for links to download attestation (sign-up) papers from any member of the CEF ... In the comments I included links to the "Lest we Forget" project and you can follow a regiment through the war.... My great-uncle's Attestation papers are below .... you'll notice he was illiterate (signed with an X) ... and I love this (from pg B) "not subject to fits"
Mark your calendar's
... for May 5th. This Fall's provincial election comes to the new LFLA riding. Well, not really, but that's when our new MPP will be elected.
The contenders include Brent Cameron, Randy Hillier and my personal pick for the job, Jay Brennan.
Jay is a former businessman from Smiths Falls, and is currently executive assistant to Lanark Carleton MPP Norm Sterling. Solid business and political experience... in my mind, a slam dunk.
Especially considering the competition. I'm predicting a Hillier win, but in my opinion this would be a mistake. This is a perfect example of what I mean ... when Hillier announced his candidacy, I came across this little tidbit ... I wasn't going to mention it, but (and this is important) he put this on his website, so he's got to be proud of it ....
In the recent past under Hillier's direction the Landowners have:
-Opposed Clean Water Act and threatened to 'detain' officials protecting water sources;
-Opposed the Greenbelt and protection of 1.8 million acres of green space;
-Shot a deer dead, named it Leona (after then Environment Minister Leona Dombrowsky), then e-mailed graphic photos to the Premier and Minister of Natural Resources David Ramsay;
-"Pushed a police officer with a front-end loader, and almost dropped its bucket on the officer's head." (Ottawa Citizen, March 24, 2006);
-Opposed meat inspections and try to sell uninspected meat;
-Decried government support of "Quebec, Native, Arts, Homosexual, Urban and Multi cultures" while "stifling, suffocating and controlling... independent rural culture".
Is this really who the people of our area want representing them in the Provincial Legislature ?
Ummmm ... No Thanks.
One more reason not to nominate Hillier ... NEVER elect the guy the other side wants to win !!
In the end, I hope he gets the nomination. If so, he's guaranteed a seat. And with Hillier having a seat, we're all guaranteed a few good laughs. The man is just not a carny, he's the whole damn carnival.
The contenders include Brent Cameron, Randy Hillier and my personal pick for the job, Jay Brennan.
Jay is a former businessman from Smiths Falls, and is currently executive assistant to Lanark Carleton MPP Norm Sterling. Solid business and political experience... in my mind, a slam dunk.
Especially considering the competition. I'm predicting a Hillier win, but in my opinion this would be a mistake. This is a perfect example of what I mean ... when Hillier announced his candidacy, I came across this little tidbit ... I wasn't going to mention it, but (and this is important) he put this on his website, so he's got to be proud of it ....
In the recent past under Hillier's direction the Landowners have:
-Opposed Clean Water Act and threatened to 'detain' officials protecting water sources;
-Opposed the Greenbelt and protection of 1.8 million acres of green space;
-Shot a deer dead, named it Leona (after then Environment Minister Leona Dombrowsky), then e-mailed graphic photos to the Premier and Minister of Natural Resources David Ramsay;
-"Pushed a police officer with a front-end loader, and almost dropped its bucket on the officer's head." (Ottawa Citizen, March 24, 2006);
-Opposed meat inspections and try to sell uninspected meat;
-Decried government support of "Quebec, Native, Arts, Homosexual, Urban and Multi cultures" while "stifling, suffocating and controlling... independent rural culture".
Is this really who the people of our area want representing them in the Provincial Legislature ?
Ummmm ... No Thanks.
One more reason not to nominate Hillier ... NEVER elect the guy the other side wants to win !!
In the end, I hope he gets the nomination. If so, he's guaranteed a seat. And with Hillier having a seat, we're all guaranteed a few good laughs. The man is just not a carny, he's the whole damn carnival.
You wouldn't have to worry about such things ..
.... if you don't act like a skank.
Long waits, hassles at sex clinic
Capital xtra
It feels like a tongue twister to say what I'm there for: STI testing.
I feel like I've managed my sexual health risks well in the past, but that doesn't mean I'm not freaked out.
A month-long wait before an appointment plus three weeks waiting for results: who has the willpower to wait almost eight weeks when the urge strikes?
I'm just a little more concerned about the year it takes to get knee replacement surgery.
It highlights a simple fact: if ever there was a health service that should be administered quickly in a comfortable environment, it should be this one.
I'm thinkin' there are lots of troubles with our health care system to deal with before I worry too much about this one.
Pay for this kind of service yourself.
Long waits, hassles at sex clinic
Capital xtra
It feels like a tongue twister to say what I'm there for: STI testing.
I feel like I've managed my sexual health risks well in the past, but that doesn't mean I'm not freaked out.
A month-long wait before an appointment plus three weeks waiting for results: who has the willpower to wait almost eight weeks when the urge strikes?
I'm just a little more concerned about the year it takes to get knee replacement surgery.
It highlights a simple fact: if ever there was a health service that should be administered quickly in a comfortable environment, it should be this one.
I'm thinkin' there are lots of troubles with our health care system to deal with before I worry too much about this one.
Pay for this kind of service yourself.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Happy Hershey employee's
... and they're not in Mexico or India.
"It's almost Hersheypark happy in there"
Why, you may ask ???
Two words: Voluntary severance.
Even the company is happy .... with themselves.
LeRoy Zimmerman, chairman of The Hershey Trust, said the trust hopes all workers will be included in early retirement plans.
The Big Meeting is set to begin anytime now in Ottawa, let's hope at the very least a good package is offered to the Smiths Falls employees.
RELATED: First official word that some other companies have been looking at the plant.
Smiths Falls Mayor Dennis Staples says other company’s have expressed interest in the plant. He says keeping jobs in town is the bottom line and he remains optimistic because the community has a lot of great ideas, in addition to a valuable work force.
"It's almost Hersheypark happy in there"
Why, you may ask ???
Two words: Voluntary severance.
"For the most part, I think the people are very happy with what they're getting,"
Richard Stichler, 52, said the deal is good enough for him. He has 35 years at the plant, having started at 17. Single, with a daughter who graduated from college, he can work until the end of 2009 and collect the extra four years he believes the company is offering.
"I think I should be pretty well set," he said.
Even the company is happy .... with themselves.
LeRoy Zimmerman, chairman of The Hershey Trust, said the trust hopes all workers will be included in early retirement plans.
"I anticipated that they would hopefully be happy, because an [early retirement package] being offered to hourly employees is somewhat out of the ordinary," he said.
"And I would hope they recognize that, notwithstanding the hardship that these things cause to families."
The Big Meeting is set to begin anytime now in Ottawa, let's hope at the very least a good package is offered to the Smiths Falls employees.
RELATED: First official word that some other companies have been looking at the plant.
Smiths Falls Mayor Dennis Staples says other company’s have expressed interest in the plant. He says keeping jobs in town is the bottom line and he remains optimistic because the community has a lot of great ideas, in addition to a valuable work force.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Hershey Update
So ... The Big Meeting is on Thursday .... I'm eternally hopeful, but I have a funny feeling that we are going to hear a final closing date. Hershey met with the union in Toronto last week & told them the decision was final. The union presented a 5-year agreement for consideration.
Updated Apr 4/07 0930: More details on the meeting tomorrow .... don't be expecting any great news:
In a brief statement issued yesterday, Hershey spokesman Kirk Saville didn't offer many details about the meeting.
"We are focused on working with government and community leaders to assist our employees and the community with this transition," Saville said. "Beyond this, I don't have any details to share about the meeting."
Last Friday the Chocolate Maker's union ratified a deal, resulting in 650 layoffs in the two unionized plants in PA. 250 more announced today at the non-unionized plant.
Hershey announces India acquisition & product introduction.
Kirk Saville, a spokesman for Hershey's, said that the Indian joint venture doesn't have any impact on Hershey jobs in the U.S.
Uh-Huh
With unspectacular U.S. sales growth and more stateside layoffs on the horizon, Hershey is pinning its hopes that people in Asia will develop a liking for what a long-ago ad campaign called "The Great American Chocolate Bar".
Check this out ... Hershey's pissing people off in India already. Those guys really are smart...
Hershey leaves Amul with bitter taste.
“Hershey approached us with the proposal because they needed us more than we needed them. It is certainly not our loss. Whatever has happened, has happened for the good.” A senior Amul official, who did not wish to be quoted, was more blunt, “Hershey’s value system appears to be flawed"
RELATED: An opinion piece on Richard Lenny's performance :(
" A company can double profits with stagnant sales in a couple of ways. One way -- the Lenny way -- is to find efficiencies, increase productivity and fire people. That method can't work forever."
Updated Apr 4/07 0930: More details on the meeting tomorrow .... don't be expecting any great news:
In a brief statement issued yesterday, Hershey spokesman Kirk Saville didn't offer many details about the meeting.
"We are focused on working with government and community leaders to assist our employees and the community with this transition," Saville said. "Beyond this, I don't have any details to share about the meeting."
Last Friday the Chocolate Maker's union ratified a deal, resulting in 650 layoffs in the two unionized plants in PA. 250 more announced today at the non-unionized plant.
Hershey announces India acquisition & product introduction.
Kirk Saville, a spokesman for Hershey's, said that the Indian joint venture doesn't have any impact on Hershey jobs in the U.S.
Uh-Huh
With unspectacular U.S. sales growth and more stateside layoffs on the horizon, Hershey is pinning its hopes that people in Asia will develop a liking for what a long-ago ad campaign called "The Great American Chocolate Bar".
Check this out ... Hershey's pissing people off in India already. Those guys really are smart...
Hershey leaves Amul with bitter taste.
“Hershey approached us with the proposal because they needed us more than we needed them. It is certainly not our loss. Whatever has happened, has happened for the good.” A senior Amul official, who did not wish to be quoted, was more blunt, “Hershey’s value system appears to be flawed"
RELATED: An opinion piece on Richard Lenny's performance :(
" A company can double profits with stagnant sales in a couple of ways. One way -- the Lenny way -- is to find efficiencies, increase productivity and fire people. That method can't work forever."
Rural Ottawa High Speed
When it was announced last week that the City of Ottawa decided to go with Barrett it struck me as odd that they would choose a completely new provider over 2 other bidders with existing networks. These networks would likely only require a few improvements to provide seamless coverage, thus giving more bang for the taxpayer buck.
Storm Internet isn't takin' it laying down ..... In yesterday's Ottawa Business Journal, they let the City have it ....
"The unfortunate part is that it does create an unfair advantage," Mr. Williams said.
"Ultimately it's going to entrench a competitor in the heart of my territory. With the money the government has provided them, that is going to fuel their ability to compete, although that is not what the money was intended for. It's going to fuel their ability to throw money at what we have already done."
"We were in the process of expanding into the places that are affected and that's all been put on hold. I'm taking some grief for that because there are some people who were looking forward to it. But until I fully understand what the city is building through Barrett, I don't have a clear direction to take the company, at least with rural Ottawa," he said.
"Of course I'm concerned. But I know it wasn't the city's idea to give an unfair advantage to an alternate provider. We've been doing this all along without any support and we're still here. And we'll still be the guys doing it tomorrow."
Storm Internet isn't takin' it laying down ..... In yesterday's Ottawa Business Journal, they let the City have it ....
"The unfortunate part is that it does create an unfair advantage," Mr. Williams said.
"Ultimately it's going to entrench a competitor in the heart of my territory. With the money the government has provided them, that is going to fuel their ability to compete, although that is not what the money was intended for. It's going to fuel their ability to throw money at what we have already done."
"We were in the process of expanding into the places that are affected and that's all been put on hold. I'm taking some grief for that because there are some people who were looking forward to it. But until I fully understand what the city is building through Barrett, I don't have a clear direction to take the company, at least with rural Ottawa," he said.
"Of course I'm concerned. But I know it wasn't the city's idea to give an unfair advantage to an alternate provider. We've been doing this all along without any support and we're still here. And we'll still be the guys doing it tomorrow."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
