This Just In!

[SuzzieQ]

I got this reply from a friend in response to my question about attending a city meeting.

”No, I've given up on Kingston. The democratic process doesn't work here. Basically, the way I see it, there are certain members of council who have their own agendas. They have formed alliances to support one another's causes and don't seem to give a f*** what is good for the city or what their constituents want/don't want, as long as it keeps them winning elections. It all seems rather dirty and crooked and I want no part in it. Therefore, I've decided Kingston is not the place for me and am in the process of modifying my career goals to get out of here sooner rather than later. So much for their efforts to retain more, well educated young people. If they want to play god with the power they've somehow 'earned', go for it, but count me out. I'm done caring about anything Kingston related. Let them drive it into a ghost town of a hole (pot hole) where the downtown businesses suffer because their 'vision' lacked cohesion and allowed stratification of consumer dollars left, right and centre while also burning a giant hole in taxpayers' pockets. I'll have long since sold my house and gotten out of here before property taxes reflect Harvey's Folly(ies). Not my problem. I'm done. “

From Councillor MacLeod-Kane:
I don't often response to everyone-however-if this person has a double MA in psychology and education, do they not take english in this degree, personally I find his language offense! No lose to Kingston. :-)
My response to her:
“I don't have a university degree and I use the computer to help with spelling, grammar and syntax. I checked the person's response and found no errors.However, your comment had several errors in it.

“I don't often response (respond) to everyone-however-if this person has a double MA in psychology and education, do they not take english (English) in this degree (?), personally I find his language offense (offensive)! No lose (loss) to Kingston. :-)"

Councillor, your response shows a disregard for the economic health of the city. The home owning taxpayer earned more than double the national average and spent their money in Kingston. Now that consumer is lost as a contributor to the local economy. We need to take the "I" out of politics and remember that you are elected representatives.
I guess if the shoe fits....”

Her response:
Guess that is why I don't respond to e-mail, and the spelling check on this comptor is not working, thanks for pointing that out.

[Dogma]

I can only comment, that the country sides councilor, has been noted for her marginal graspe of English.

Mayor Rosen has corrected her English many times in council.

Her use of (local slang) is from the culture she grew up with. Some say its "local" speak, some look at it as ignorance.

Remember a lot of the locals worked the farms in the area, and school was not a priority in haying season.

Many also got jobs at Alcan eventually, shift work, when the farm was not active. Back then you needed a grade 10 to get by!

Times have changed. But, habits do not.


Having local assets (farms) may slow their reality check.

[Lydia]

I find it every interesting that what Joyce has stated in her reply is EXACTLY what the majority of people I have spoken to in the Northern Part of the City, In the Western Side of the city, and also INSIDE the city feel.

She might not have the educated ways of discreet. She at least is transparent. Don't look now folks, but she isn't the only person on council who believes exactly the same thing.

People might not speak the way others are use too, however, take a look at WHAT she is saying and then judge for yourself.

Personally, I don't care what others think about this city. I agree that there certain are councilors who vote with others only to get their own agenda fulfilled.

I much prefer a FARMER over a ""SUPPOSEDLY PROFESSIONAL COUNSULTANT" who could not give a dang about this city except for his/her pay check. I find that the '"FARMER"" at least know the word HONESTY.

Do i think that her way of speaking is professional, okay, No. However it was honest. Does that mean she needs to leave? I would prefer her over the last representative who looked was the "Sleeping Giant"

[Lydia]

At first I thought this was funny.... Then I realized the awful truth of it.


Be sure to read all the way to the end!

Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table
At which he's fed.

Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for peanuts
Anyway!

Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.

Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.

Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid.

When he's gone,
Do not relax,
It's time to apply
The inheritance tax.

Accounts Receivable Tax
Airline surcharge tax
Airline Fuel Tax
Airport Maintenance Tax
Building Permit Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Death Tax
Dog License Tax
Driving Permit Tax
Environmental Tax (Fee)
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment (UI)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Gasoline Tax (too much per litre)
Gross Receipts Tax
Health Tax
Hunting License Tax
Hydro Tax
Inheritance Tax
Interest Tax
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Mortgage Tax
Personal Income Tax
Property Tax
Poverty Tax
Prescription Drug Tax
Provincial Income and sales tax
Real Estate Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Retail Sales Tax
Service Charge Tax
School Tax
Telephone Federal Tax
Telephone Federal, Provincial and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Water Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
--- and in 2010 the HST

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?


Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was one of the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had a large middle class, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What in "Hell" happened? Can you spell 'politicians?'

I hope this goes around CANADA at least 100 times!!!!! YOU can help it get there!!!!

GO AHEAD - - - be a CANADIAN !!!!!!!!!!

[Dogma]

There is a reason for everything....and in this case someone has to pay for social services.

And in this case, we did not have: Health Care, CPP or old age security..100 years ago!

I do not prefer to go back to the "good old days", where most citizens
had no social service supports..especially when we had 2 world wars, a depression and several major recessions that left millions without any money or health care support!

These universal supports are paid through "value added taxes".

This is nothing new.

If you want to really understand what these taxes do for us all, I suggest you visit a hospital, water treatment plant or air & food inspection agency to see why people (in Canada) are not dieing from TB, tuberculosis, or small pox these days!

[Lydia]

Dogma, you are correct. There is a reason for everything....and in this case someone has to pay for social services.

100 years ago we didn't have Health Care, CPP or old age security. These came about due to people uniting together and forcing the politicans of those days into doing the MORAL thing to do so that people no longer are considered SLAVES.

You and I do not prefer to go back to the "good old days", where most citizens had no social service supports. Taxes are there for that exact purpose.

However, keep ths in mind that hamonizationg of taxes isn't the problem. The problem we will be facing is this: NECESSITIES OF LIFE will now be TAXED where previously this was not the case. Here in Canada there was only ONE TAX right up to the 60s or 70s ( exact years i am totally unsure of)

If we really want to know what these taxes do for us, then why are we going back to the OLD ANCIENT HARMONIZED TAX. instead of keeping things the way it is today? I know why the government wants to harmonize things. It certain isn't for the average citizen's sake or for hospital, water treatment plant or air & food inspection agency to see why people (in Canada) are not dieing from TB, tuberculosis, or small pox these days

They are strickly harmozining tax so that BUSINESSES can show on their RECORDS that the cost of goods and services are lower and we are more competitive with other countries services.

This tax has nothing to do with OUR BENEFIT AT ALL.

So Sorry Dogma, while I can agree with you on why taxes are there for our good. I have to be suspecious of why we are going back to ONE TAX.

I do want to wish you and your family the best in the New Year 2010 and I want to let you know, I do enjoy arguing with you on issues.

You are a hoot and I firmly believe that you are just not as nasty as people think. In fact you are just a torment and you do it for the same reason I do it. lol lol

Happy New Year:):):)

[Dogma]

Lydia - Happy New Year to you.

I agree that one could be suspicious these days regarding any mention of taxes, harmonized or not. I believe Canadians are now at a point that between municipal, federal and the "re-assessment of ones real estate" taxation levels has truly undermined our faith in Government to manage "our taxes", let alone these recent added expenses.

Europe has had, as have several provinces in Canada the harmonized tax for some time. I see no added burden (or definitive proof of a tax grab) in the long run to harmonizing 2 already taxes on one receipt.

So, what is the issue? You just wish to see two (2) numbers instead of 1?

To me it is easier for all to have one "standard" receipt showing one tax.

And the logic is so... from manufactures through to consumer.

What is the big deal? I must be naive or silly not to get your and others "outrage to this standardization" process.

Is not standardization good?

[Lydia]

Thank you Dogma, I agree with you COMPLETELY that Harmonization of the two taxes is EXCELLENT. ONE figure not TWO.

That is not the problem or issue that is upsetting people.

What is upsetting people, (ME) is that the government IS NOT TELLING PEOPLE the complete story.

Anyone thinking that it is only a matter of two figures on a receipt is missing the bigger picture.

When they harmonized taxes in Nova Scotia, they did so by TAXING EVERYTHING INCLUDING NECESSITIES OF LIFE, ie. Food, Shelter, Utilities, which were NOT TAXED BEFORE. In so doing raised their taxes not lowered the cost of living.

If however, the GOVERNMENT would say "We will keep the items that are NOT TAXABLE NOW from being taxed and We will only COMBINE THE TWO TAXES INTO ONE FIGURE, then everyone would be complete for it.

Everyone except the STORE KEEPERS that were FORCED to buy new Cash tilts to accommodate the present two taxes. Hopefully those same STORE KEEPERS never throw out the old cash registers and can go back to the older way of doing things.

How do i about about this. MY MOTHER'S STORE WAS FORCED TO BUY NEW cash registered in order to bill people correctly.

So my friend, the history of creating two taxes out of one and now going back to combining two taxes INTO one is one i am very familiar with.

DO you know what items are going to become taxed where they were not before?:)

[Dogma]

Lydia -

It is untrue that the harmonized tax - will increase or tax "the basic necessities" such as grocieries, rent, shelter, prescription drugs or childrens cloths or books. Infact; these items are NOT taxed AT ALL!


At the moment, businesses may not deduct the PST from the cost of materials and other products they buy; instead, they pass the cost along to consumers. But under harmonization, businesses may claim tax credits for those purchases, which some estimates suggest could save them $3-billion a year.
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce believes a fully blended system would cost consumers approximately $905 million in additional sales taxes per year, while the GST and PST bill for companies would fall by $1.6 billion annually.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses says harmonization will save business $100 million a year in reduced red tape.
Businesses will save a further $500-million a year on the costs of administering a single tax instead of two, according to the budget documents.

[Lydia]

Sorry Dogma, Until the Government tells us (the people) that items that are not taxed NOW will not be TAXED or inceased after this Harmonized process takes place, I won't believe a word they say.

Dogma, I HAVE family in the Maritimes and they are paying taxes on items they didn't before they Harmonized.


Taken from http://www.vancouver-real-estate-direct.com/HST/rentals.html

Story Highlights
• The question of whether there is BC HST on rent is a tough one. There is no direct BC HST on Vancouver rents or any other rental rates in the province. However, the implications of the BC Harmonized Sales Tax on rents goes far beyond this simple answer.
• The BC HST on rent question is two fold: The effects of the harmonized sales tax will affect both renters and landlords/property owners, albeit in different ways.
• For the renter, BC HST on rent is a non-issue, but the cost of living goes up with the B.C. HST on utilities, household goods, appliances, products and other living expenses.
• For the landlord or property owner, the BC HST applies to all goods and services needed to operate, maintain, renovate and run a rental property in British Columbia and Vancouver.
• Ultimately, even though there is no BC HST on Vancouver rents, the affordability of renting, home ownership, and rental housing investing will decrease significantly.



Taken from http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/681763

The Liberal government that introduced the tax in Nova Scotia was, by 1999, relegated to opposition with just 11 of the 52 legislature seats, partly due to consumer anger over the higher cost of gasoline, home heating fuel, electricity and other goods.

The sales tax on such items had more than doubled, to 15 per cent from seven per cent, because the harmonized tax applied to everything that had previously been covered by the GST, including many items which had been exempt from the provincial sales tax.

[Dogma]

Will household expenses rise?

Yes, although the province says it will offer $10.6 billion worth of tax relief over the next three years:


Cash payments of up to $1,000 for in 2010 and 2011 for families earning less than $160,000 a year.
A new permanent $260 refundable sales tax credit for low to middle-income adults and children.
An enhanced refundable property tax credit for low and middle-income homeowners and tenants.
New homes under $400,000 would be exempt from the new blended tax.
$1.1 billion in personal income tax cuts

P S - you families NEW cash register - is a business expense and can be written off against profit, or a companies taxation level.

Europe has a higher VAT tax AND fuel and living expenses are much higher!

[Lydia]

I agree Dogma, Government says there will be offsets. Now My question is where are they telling the people what items will be exempt from this Harmonized Tax?

Thank you for letting people know a little more. I still want a detailed list which I doubt is available to us.

Remember Dogma, I AM A LADY AND I AM NEVER WRONG. I might be incorrect but never ever wrong :D:D

Come on share more info on what will be except.

[Dogma]

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/bsnss/tpcs/gst-tps/gnrl/txbl/menu-eng.html

[Lydia]

Sorry Dogma, this won't do it.

the HST has not as yet come into affect. Are you telling me that here was never a PST?????

However, this is an interesting site. Let's wait and see if this stays the same in July 2010.

:confused:

[Dogma]

Ontario Harmonized Sales Tax (HST)

It is proposed to combine the 8% Ontario sales tax and the 5% GST into a single 13% value-added sales tax that would be federally administered, starting July 1, 2010. There are some made-in-Ontario components proposed:


Books, children's clothing and footwear, diapers, children's car seats and car booster seats, and feminine hygiene products would be exempt from the 8% provincial portion of the tax.
Purchasers of newly constructed homes under $400,000 would not be subject to an additional tax burden. Buyers of new homes valued between $400,000 and $500,000 could claim a proportional rebate.
New rental housing rebate, similar to the enhanced new housing rebate, for new residential rental properties.
Up to $400 million in one-time sales tax
unting systems.
rovincial portion of the Approximately $40 million a year would be allocated to support destination marketing in Ontario tourism regions once these are established.


Additional point-of-sale [ (http://www.taxtips.ca/gst/onhst.htm#)


Print newspapers
Qualifying prepared food and beverages that are ready for immediate consumption and are sold for a total price of not more than $4.00



Used vehicles purchased privately (not from an HST registrant) would still be subject to a retail sales tax of 8%.


As part of the proposed sales tax reform, cash payments would be provided to Ontario tax filers, in each of June and December 2010, and June 2011.


Eligible families with of less than $160,000 would receive 3 payments totalling $1,000.
Eligible individuals who earn less than $80,000 would get 3 payments totalling $300.
To qualify for the 2 payments in 2010, a 2009 tax return would have to be filed.
To qualify for the 2011 payment, a 2010 tax return would have to be filed.
All changes are subject to legislative approval.

Proposed General Transitional Rules for Ontario HST

Transitional rules are required to determine which tax - the existing Retail Sales Tax (RST) or the Ontario component of the HST - would apply to transactions that straddle the July 1, 2010 implementation date.
The HST will generally apply to prepayments starting on May 1, 2010, for goods and services that will be provided after Jun 1, 2010.
Some items addressed in the proposed HST transitional rules:


http://www.taxtips.ca/_themes/simple/taxbul1.gifFuneral services - HST will not apply to funeral services where the contract is entered into before July 1, 2010.


http://www.taxtips.ca/_themes/simple/taxbul1.gifTransitional RST inventory rebate for residential contracts - A rebate will be available for RST embedded in construction materials purchased before July 1, 2010, but used in residential property contracts on or after July 1, 2010.


http://www.taxtips.ca/_themes/simple/taxbul1.gifSubscriptions to newspapers, magazines and other periodical publications - HST will not apply to subscriptions paid before July 1, 2010.


http://www.taxtips.ca/_themes/simple/taxbul1.gifPassenger transportation services - HST will generally not apply to round-trip journeys that commence before July 1, 2010.


http://www.taxtips.ca/_themes/simple/taxbul1.gifFreight transportation services - HST will generally not apply to the cost of a freight transportation service performed on or after July 1, 2010 if the service is part of a continuous freight movement of goods that begins before July 2010.

[run2010]

The level has been a $4.00 for a long time. Time to update it to reflect current cost of living

[Lydia]

I agree with you on this one that $4.00 should be an amount that does reflect the cost of living.

Take a look at this one for your discussions while you run for Councilor. I think this will be a topic that will come your way.

You are on the right track with your website and your ideas. I also agree with you that the next council will need to be a little less Green. I agree with you when you said the Greens would have us all back in canoes for transportation if they could BAN us from using our cars. (Sorry for changing the topic here)

I do think however, that HST will be a topic of concern once it is implemented even th0ugh Dogma and I seem to disagree a bit on this. He isn't total INCORRECT. lol lol.

[Dogma]

They said when the Euro came to be...that prices would be exactly converted from the countries retail original price. It ended up not so.

An apple worth 1 dollar was now $ 1 Euro = $ 1.50.

They never lowered the cost. to = .68 Euros...for you accountant types!

Welcome to the real world Canadians!

[Lydia]

:):):)

Wow, we DO AGREE lol.

Look guys, I am not again the creation of ONE TAX and everything gets paid from that.

I HATE TAXES but that is my right as a citizen of this country. However, we need to pay for services and unfortunately that seems the only way to cover everyone's or almost everyone's necessities.

One Tax, One wallet to pay for it. Hopefully that wallet has enough to cover the bill. :D:D:D

[run2010]

Lydia - I think discussing the $4 tax free limit for food in coucil is more for a different level of government. Local talk would be mainly symbolic. If I am missing something let me know

[Lydia]

I totally agree with you it is another level of government that needs to deal with this issue. However, as you have noticed there are councilors that don't deal with DISTRICT matters on Council. We refer to them as Greens because rather than dealing with issues affecting their districts they have supported the other LEVEL of governments instead of accomplishing what they need to do in their district.

They know who they are and so do we. You might have to work with them and you never know when this issue will be brought up again especially when it starts to affect people's abilities to pay taxes.

[Dogma]

RUN2010 -

I agree with you that HST is a Federal and Provincial issue, and really has no bearing on how this effects our community in the near future. Infact; over the next 3-4 years there will be no impact what so ever, because of the rebates and implementation time as indicated. Which is most of your council agenda.

There is also NO tax increases on 95% of our current system. The 5% to me is just what one would call overdue. And will be offset by a "standardization" of collection. Which in this country is well overdue.

I would suggest you stick to your platform, of attracting "quality" business to Kingston, Third Crossing funding, and maybe to spend your energy now on getting better known.. the Chamber of Commerce, Boys and Girls Club and Queens....would be a good start. To attend Cogeco 13, on a local public debate night...inwhich they do each election. Scott Meyers is the GM, contact him asap.

Then you can be at least "identified then respected" as a concerned and practical candidate with substance. If you require any support in doing so, I would be happy to consider offering to support your campaign, handing/ delivering fliers etc.

Good luck and stick to your platform.

[Lydia]

Run2010, Holy Cow. DOGMA is giving you the EXACT information I already told you about 3 months ago. DOGMA must be getting older. lmao


Run2010, Dogma and I always agree to disagree on this platform. He has however finally scared me. I don't know if a Councilor of the city could have Dogma and ME on your team. (sshh don't tell him, but i think we can)

:):D:D

[run2010]

There are times when i have disagreed with Dogma and lately within the past few months I have started to agree with him more than usual lately. I know we will not always agree on everything. This holds true with everyone. Now that my name & picture have been published in the Whig and announced on radio I am slowly getting in the known category. Yes there is still lots of work ahead of me. I should be in Kingston This Week this week (that almost sounds wrong with the double this week). EMC did not get back to me. Personally I am happy with the article the Whig did on me. However, my job experience was shortened abit and he left out the part about my view on consultants. Now i have to start going to business in the area. One of the advantages of shift work.
I will be at the next city council meeting. I hope they do not screw up with the Poker Run.

One suggestion. For the subject lines could you add the topic after "This Just In" like " This Just In - HST"

And thanks Lydia and Dogma for your comments

Oh and for a chuckle here is a comment i received on my website.

http://kingstonelection2010.com/what-do-you-want-to-ask-me/comment-page-1/#comment-19

[Dogma]

I took a read of the comment by your commentator regarding "their" interpretation of whom one know, and does not know in this City, and with respect to Mark's "similar" platform items.

It is rather "Kingston" to suggest such things, when hear say seems to be the only information many here go by. (No matter how many publications have your "story" or platform published in it.)

Apparently Lydia seems to also embrace political souls as us, that are both opinionated, with a critical eye on politics, but also know how to make a lady (or voter) happy.

If you focus maybe on the woman's vote, (they also like nice ties) I am sure Mr. Gerreston and you could distinguish yourself through wardrobe during photo ops, and at baby kissing opportunities.


(Woman - They are always right..by the way)

[Lydia]

No No, Dogma, You got it wrong, "WOMEN ARE NEVER WRONG, they may be incorrect at times but never wrong" I'm not a right winger lol.

I read the comments as well Harold. I left commends of my own. Dogma, knows where I stand on Harvey. And dispite that we get along. Hell I would even say Harvey and I get along.

I don't see him and he doesn't see me. See we get along. :)

All kidding aside. I am totally about having Industry coming here and that means encouraging BUSINESSES to come here. Kedco does it's best and so does the Chamber of Commerce.

I am not an environmentalist because I believe most of them are full of crap. All they know how to do is BAN people but forget that most of us never listen to them or OBEY them.

[run2010]

One thing that I noticed is how one particular counciller ( not confermed) acts on the Whig forums. I am refering to Centution Falcon (is he a counciller). If he is, He has to go for sure. If you are in public light and call people names the way he does, that is entirely unprofessional. I wish the Whig would ban some IP address rather than just the user. There is one thing about being a true believer but another thing to do name calling.

[Dogma]

Left is the new right!

Who can tell these days. Everyone seems to be mad at something. And parties are middle of the road politically.

I agree the Whig's Centution Falcon seems rather brash and frankly rude.

I have my opinions, but I do not call people names, because if I do often enough they start calling me them right back!

"right" Lydia?

[Lydia]

Centution Falcon is a Councilor who support Green Party policies and programs. He is Ban Happy Environmentist. He does attend his Association's meetings regularly. However, rarely has he supported his Association's members views on council but has supported his Green Party's friend's agendas instead.:mad::mad:

He has encouraged people to come out to represent his district at various meetings

[Dogma]

Sorry do not know???????

Whom is it?

Lydia.

[Lydia]

Dogma, that is okay, let's say that who the person is a Councilor. That is enough to say. I do respect alias names and that people use them for reasons that I do respect despite not agreeing with them.

I also believe that people will vote them in and out despite whether they need the protection of an alias.

Alias are important due to projection of positions held by government workers whether they are elected or not. Also this allows views to be aired that otherwise would not be given otherwise.

Since I will never run for elections, never return to a working environment, I do not hold the same fears others have. I don't mind being called odd names or being disagreed with because I remember the sources. Therefore I don't use an alias.

However, Run2010 asked if Cent was a councilor. Since I know for sure I said yes.

[Dogma]

What councilor?

I won't tell! At least tell me if man or woman, older, younger...hair no hair

[Lydia]

Good for you Dogma, you described him to a tee. lol lol

NOW KNOCK IT OFF lol

[Dogma]

Huh?

No idea of what you are talking about...I guess it does not matter anyways, there is only 8 months left.

[Lydia]

Dogma, what else is new, I have confused YOU for the at least the last 4 years lol lol.

However, all is good. I happen to like this council more than the last one. Hopefully, I'll like the next council better than this one.

I don't hate the councilors only the system under which they work. They are good people despite their ideas. Councilor's decisions never make things boring, no matter who's ideas are set in front of them.

Just think of it this way. No matter what their views, they are ALWAYS WRONG in someone's eyes. As Taxpayers, we love to dislike them. lol

Wow, Now I have really confused you.:D:D

[Dogma]

You can't please all the people, all of the time.

But, no - I do not prefer this council over last council.

Harvey got it right. It was time to shake things to their foundations! Accountability was NOT on any previous councils agenda. Neither Isabel Turner or Gary Bennett were ready to actually "get something done" to save "private sector" jobs, encourage / welcome business or build new community infrastructure.

Unfortunately like I have always said - Harvey inhereted many issues from the past (non doer councils)
or the "The Gong Show" they use to called.

I think Harvey and other business minded councilors came to council...(to help Kingston), but mainly due to"frustration" of inaction on many fronts in Kingston.

Previous councils in actions, interest groups and poor processes took Kingston into the maintaining mode, and rarely looking to their future needs.

The previous CEO was a good administrator. He moved Kingston into the 20th century at least...to bad he past away so early. Nice, nice man.

To much reliance on Government Institutions here for many citizens, and businesses for to many years made Kingston lazy, inflexible and stagnation set in. This resulted in generally 25 years behind the rest of the world...when things went south in 1996!

They lost 5000 local jobs (good paying jobs)
They relied to heavily on Government Institutions, which were being privatized, or moved.

They lost millions in their tax base, suddenly shrunk, and Gov't does not pay local taxes
Resident taxes started going up, almost 50% within 10 years!

And guess what! Now everyone only complains about (3) things: taxes, infastructure and good jobs.

Council was asleep at the wheel, for years.....and this past council did little but "ban things".

Any council could do that!

Harvey finally woke them up!

I will always appreciate at LEAST that from Harvey's rein.

[Lydia]

You make me soo angry. Yes, because I agree 100% fully with your posting above. I could not say it better.

Dogma, I agree. Darn you, I like better when we disagree Geez. :mad:

However, 50% of the previous council were over turned and this council is much better over THEM.

[Dogma]

Hmmm.......

I believe the last council members that did not return ...just did not run again. Beth Peters, George Sutherland, ....George Paterson did a great job....but moved on....
and Rick Downes for Mayor but lost.

Hutchison who won the Kingstown seat easily beat Mark Potter (a business type guy) in a mixed community of artsy, older and young family -gentrified area, that Downes had represented.

I believe the ones that elected council this past time needed a breather from the hectic "business" agenda Harvey and the previous council implemented.

I don't think Lydia you will see (a Harvey) type of agenda or council in the same period for sometime. This current and next council will not be as "hectic", and still focused on greeny issues. I predict the third crossing will not happen. Kingston will get more quality jobs, LVEC will started making budgets..and another environmental agenda will dominate council.

I will miss the previous Harvey council.....It sure made council night WAY more entertainment. And got things done!

[Lydia]

Hi everyone,

I have just been asked to "pass-the-word-along" to "everyone" that there will be a

MEMORIAL SERVICE (in English) .... for the POLISH PLANE CRASH VICTIMS

on THURSDAY, APRIL 15TH, at 6:30 p.m.

at QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY "BIO-SCIENCE CENTRE" AUDITORIUM

on BARRY STREET (between King St. and Union St. ... across from the Park)

Queen's University Chaplain and a Polish Priest will lead with:

Prayers starting at 6:30 p.m. ....

the "List of Names of all the Deceased" will be read aloud ....

"Poems" will be read in "tribute" ....

and a "Film" .... "Katyn" .... (where the massacre took place) ..... will be shown at the end of this Memorial Service for anyone wishing to remain to see it.

Please "pass-the-word-along" to anyone you think might be interested in attending this beautiful Memorial Service!

Many, many thanks from Lydia Knock in behalf of the Polish Community of Kingston.

[Lydia]

Graduation ceremonies for Royal Military College of Canada Class of 2010
More than 220 Officer Cadets of the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) will celebrate their graduation on Thursday, May 20 and Friday, May 21. The Class of 2010 invites the public to attend their very last days as undergraduates at Canada’s military university.

The 50 plus Master’s and Doctorate degree recipients would also like to invite the public to celebrate their milestone achievement.

Thursday 20 May, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. - Convocation Ceremonies, Kingston Military Community Sports Centre Field House - Commodore William Truelove, Commandant and Vice-Chancellor of RMC, will present graduating students with their Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate degrees. Honorary Doctorate degree recipients will be announced at a later date.

Thursday 20 May, 7:20 to 9:30 p.m. - Sunset Ceremony, RMC Parade Square – Officer Cadets will demonstrate some of the College’s oldest traditions through the Old 18 Historic Drill Team, the Sandhurst Military Skills Team, tae kwon do and fencing teams, the changing of the Colour Party, and dynamic performances featuring RMC`s own Brass and Reed and Pipe and Drum bands, as well as the Highland Dancers. Fireworks will conclude the evening.

Friday 21 May, 10 to 11:30 a.m. - Graduation and Commissioning Parade, RMC Parade Square – General Walt Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff, along with Environmental and Operational Commanders, will present graduating students with their Officer’s Commissions in the Canadian Forces. RMC Officer Cadets will display their foot drill and sword movements, and fire a ‘Feux de Joie’– a rifle salute performed by a 300-person guard with accompanying field artillery – all in honour of their graduating friends and fellow cadets. In addition, several aircraft will be performing fly pasts. The parade will end at the Memorial Arch, through which the graduates will march for the last time as Officer Cadets.

Visitors may also visit the RMC Museum, which will be open from noon to 5 p.m

[Lydia]

Hello folks, as you know there are two candidates (so far) running for the position of Councilor in this October 2010 municipal election. As I receive e-mails and documents from any candidate I shall share them with you because the Candidate has allowed me to do so. So folks, Let me start with the following postings.

[Lydia]

JEFF SCOTT
Candidate for Councilor for Countryside District

June 16, 2010

1794 Unity Road in Glenburnie
613 547 6906

Background information

Education: Urban Design, Urban Forestry and Carpentry

Previous work experience: Planner for Kingston Township. Planner-project Development Officer for Kinalea Development.
Presently working as a self employed carpenter making garden furniture

Previous political experience: Chair of the Rural Affairs Advisory Committee for the City of Kingston, Kingston Township Parks and Recreation Committee. Lemoine’s Point Advisory Committee.

Present Activity: Successfully petitioned Council to lower the speed limit on Unity Road from 80 kph to 60 kph

Charitable activity: He runs a voluntary tree planting program to plants large landscaping trees on school properties. He has worked with students to plant over 1,000 shade trees on 40 local schools.

Objectives as a councilor:

- Use my tree planting experience to help make Kingston a greener, healthier environment
- Work with the City staff to reduce the speed limits in our rural hamlets
- Stop the building of expensive recreation buildings to help keep taxes from becoming even higher
- Push for the construction of the bridge over the Cataraqui River so that we don’t have transports racing through the countryside every time there is an accident on the 401.
- Save the Rural Affairs Committee and sit on the working committees of council to give the Countryside residents a proper voice on Council

[Lydia]

Members of the Rural Affairs Advisory Committee and the Members of Council


There have been three meetings held to discuss the future of the Rural Affairs Advisory Committee and to look at its mandate. At the last meeting there was a discussion between Chairman Brian Tolls and Coucillor Bill Glover that got very close to the idea of why a rural committee was necessary. It was acknowledged that the rural area truly is different than the urban part of the City and that there was a unique rural lifestlye. This made me ponder the mandate for Rural Affairs.

The lifestyle in the rural area is quite different from the urban area. We live on large lots with our own sewer and water. We live and work on farms or have home occupations in our houses. We live on roads that carry a lot of mixed traffic. This rural lifestyle gives us a different perspective on what happens in this City. The word perspective is what makes this committee necessary. Every time the City Council considers an issue of concern it requires a rural perspective.

When the urban councillors debate an issue like the parking of commercial vehicles in residential areas they are thinking of suburban houses on 50 foot lots with a short driveway. When the urban councillors consider banning the parking of these vehicles in residential areas they are all thinking alike. Here is the problem of perspective. Many people in the rural area live on residential properties with large yards. Many of these people run their own business from their home and they have their commercial vehicles in their driveways. Many people in the country drive school bus which are also parked in their yards. A ban on commercial vehicles has a serious impact on the rural lifestyle.

When the urban Councillors consider allowing the raising of chickens in backyards they are again missing a rural perspective. Urban chickens are seldom given the same veterinary care as commercial flocks in the country. They harbour diseases such as avian flu which then infects commercial flocks. Millions of chickens and turkeys had to be destroyed in the Fraser Valley in just such a situation.

When the Urban Councillors considered the tree by-law that required a permit to cut down a tree they needed to have a rural perspective. My two acre property has hundreds of trees which I manage well. I cull trees to be used for firewood. I would be bankrupt if I needed a permit to cut down what I need.

When the Urban Councillors think of the Third Crossing the discussion always turns to the adequacy of the Lasalle Causeway. They completely ignore the 401. When there is an accident on the 401 thousands of transports and cars flood into the rural area. We are the detour route for the 401 until the third crossing is built. We have repeatedly been subjected to terrible traffic that either thunders by our houses or blocks our driveways.

When the Urban Councillors consider the problem of vehicles speeding through residential areas they think of speed bumps. Speed bumps don’t work in the rural area. We live on the same roads that are used for dump trucks, cement mixers, transports and commuters from South Frontenac. Speed bumps don’t work here and the speeding problems are much worse. A rural perspective is needed.

These five situations point out that the Rural Affairs Advisory Committee is a vital part of the City. It puts all Council actions in Perspective. It gives a perspective that the urban Coucillors do not have. It creates a way for the rural area to be heard on Council and for our perspective to be seen.

Let’s keep this important Committee and let’s make it work


Yours Truly,






Jeff Scott
Glenburnie

[Lydia]

Ontario Power Generation
P.O. Box 1000
Bath, Ontario
K0H 1G0

January 20, 2010


Hi Folks:

For the last three years I have been working with local school groups as a volunteer to help them plant shade trees on their school grounds. So far I have helped thousands of students to plant 500 3.5 metre tall landscape trees on 23 school grounds Including Bath Public, The Prince Charles and Napanee District HS. This project has been a great success with incredible participation and a tree survival rate of over 95%. This project has received widespread institutional support with endorsements from the Limestone District School Board, The KFL&A Health Unit as well as help from The City of Kingston and The Township of South Frontenac.

This year I will be working with 32 schools to plant 480 trees. They are enthusiastic to get started but we are coming up against financial constraints. The first is the fact that it takes time and money to dig and stake the trees. This is something that the School Board has been doing when the project was smaller. Now with the larger number of schools we are looking at the need to contract out the digging of the holes. The second is the fact that I am spending a great amount of time on this project. I currently prepare the tree plans, purchase and store the trees, contact all utilities, co-ordinate the planting and maintain and prune the trees. I have to take a month off of work to do the actual planting and I put a lot of mileage on my truck.

I would therefore ask if you would be able to financially support this project in any way. I would appreciate any help you may be able to offer.

Yours Truly




Jeff Scott

[Lydia]

Just in the Kingston Whig. I hope that anyone who want to attend this conference could do so and not just the business and university crowd. Anyone who deals with Poverty in any way or who is interested in this should be allowed to contribute to this conference. Who knows Kingston could be the first place to make a difference?

http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2799142
Make Kingston a more equitable place
News
Posted 6 hours ago
Starting today, many of North America's most dedicated social workers, community activists and researchers working on the subject of poverty are coming to Kingston.
In an effort to build a sustainable agenda for addressing poverty in the Kingston area, a range of experts have been invited to share their knowledge and experience with our community. But they do not come just to teach. The Kingston Poverty Conference has been organized to bring together people experiencing poverty, researching poverty and working against the effects of poverty to learn from each other.
This is monumental. Especially so, considering the effects of the recent economic crisis, continual cutbacks to social spending and pressures to conform via increasingly selective academic and research funding. Kingston is the urban centre for a region characterized by rural and aboriginal poverty, and counts among its impoverished a broad range of social groups. Our city is one of great economic and social divisions, strikingly visible as one walks north from Sydenham Ward's picturesque limestone mansions and heritage homes to Rideau Heights' subsidized and dilapidated rental housing.
Our city is not unique in such disparity. The intensification of poverty in recent decades has impacted communities across this country. As such it is the aim of this conference to pool experience and expertise to address the particular situation of Kingston and area, and to provide a precedent for poverty organizing in similar cities across Canada. By initiating a dialogue between researchers, social workers, community activists and people experiencing poverty in our local area, this conference will mark a powerful moment for Kingston and for poor people across Canada.
The discussions and workshops and keynote speakers taking place Oct. 14-16 will explore the history of poverty and poor peoples' activism in Ontario, as well as how discrimination based on gender, indigeneity, race, age and ability often intensify the division of wealth in Kingston.
With the aim of increasing accessibility and local participation, most events are free of charge. Free food, childcare and transportation are also being arranged for community members who wish to participate. Events are taking place across Kingston, including at the Kingston Frontenac Public Library, Artillery Park, Katarokwi Native Friendship Center, and Rideau Heights Public School.
In addition to those directly involved in putting this conference together, the contributions of more than 30 community, university and government organizations have brought this opportunity to Kingston. Come and share your thoughts and ideas on how to make our city a more just and equitable place. This conference is for you.
Timothy Luchies Kingston