Hi, Mississauga, we're back. Missed Tuesday's Budget meeting what with me being on The Rock and all.
Judging from Mississauga News' Joe Chin, I missed a good one. Seems Councillor Carolyn Parrish wants to fling open the Corporate iron-clad drapes and let some sun shine into the dark recesses of The Secret Society.
Imagine, suggesting Mississauga hire a "hired gun" to look into The Corporate Books. That call for a financial-ferret sure took long enough let me tell you --*woof* *woof* it's about way-over time.
So, since seeing is believing, allow me.
Video of the March 26, 2008 Budget Committee meeting where Councillor Parrish first raised the search-for-WASTE-issue. She suggested "fresh eyes" back in March but was poo-pooed (and yes, I meant that spelling) by Hazel McCallion.
MISSISSAUGA's CAROLYN PARRISH on OPENING MISSISSAUGA's BOOKS (1 min)
And here's WHY it's important to get a financial/operations "inspector" in there. Councillors are simply unable to see for all the Snow "fragmented" by the Corporate Silos...
MISSISSAUGA: SILOS inside a BIG CORPORATE ENVELOPE (2 min)
Hmmm... and wasn't this the same city whose mayor challenged Finance Minister, Jim Flaherty to come and inspect The Books and... (she surfs for the online MIssyNews... ah HAH!)
"I challenge him to come out to Mississauga and show us where we are not efficient and have not set money aside," she (Hazel McCallion) told The Globe and Mail.
Seems Carolyn Parrish is now "calling out" Hazel McCallion and Mississauga's "Efficiency Cabal"....
Signed,
The Mississauga Muse
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "It's almost inevitable that power corrupts. The head of the establishment, in this case, the mayor, surrounded by lackeys and eager acolytes intent on their own ascension, seldom is able to discern the subtle, imperceptible descent into arrogance and greed." --Royson James, Toronto Star
"Big Brother has his hand firmly planted in our back pocket – government revenues his lifeline; unaccountability his refuge." (Andre Marin, Ontario Ombudsman --June 27, 2007)
"We must employ every possible tactic to dissuade those who try to silence us with fear" ---The Mississauga News Editorial (2007-03-24)
Want (or worse, need) to learn more? Link to MISSISSAUGAWATCH.CA
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hellllllllllllllllllllllloooooooooooo MIssissauga --and especially Mississaugans from The Rock. The Mississauga Muse is blogging in from The Rock as we type. And quite The Rock it is.
Most people visiting The Rock visit The-Rock-kind-of-places like Gros Morne, L'Anse aux Meadows, Twilingate, any local Tim Hortons --you know... But not The Mississauga Muse (except for the Tim Hortons part).
We stayed overnight at the Gander Comfort Inn and Friday morning, one of the first people I stumbled into at the coffee line was this guy with a tag "Councillor [name] Municipal Symposium". No kidding. Like, really no kidding.
I asked him whether regular people could attend, and there was a pause (I'm used to this kind of pause, by the way) and then "No, it's just for..." and I'd already tuned out. Who, better than The Mississauga Muse, recognizes the first four words of a Municipal-Invitation-Only-Event?
La dee da
My husband and I stepped out the front door of the hotel and-- what can I say, I just attract 'em. A Corner Brook Municipal Enforcement vehicle! No kidding. Like, really no kidding.
A quick video-around the Dodge Ram, add The Pink Panther theme and--
Then we headed for the Gander Town Hall and I asked and received permission to videotape the Gander Council Chambers. Gander is celebrating its 50th Golden Anniversary this year. Oh! And if anyone has any photographs of Gander (especially the early days) they're eager to include 'em as part of their history.
As I was leaving they gave me one of their 50th Anniversary pins which I now sport on the red CANADA cap. Gander reminds me fondly of Mississauga before. (Yes, just "before")
Speaking of municipal government town halls, here's video from June 2007 and our own Mississauga City Hall --well, ok, my "office" at Mississauga City Hall. And who better to talk about my office than the man who created it, Mississauga Civic Centre architect, Michael Kirkland, speaking at the 20th Anniversary of The Big Yellow.
VIDEO: MISSISSAUGA CITY HALL ARCHITECT, MICHAEL KIRKLAND --ABOUT THE "UNFINISHED" CLOCK TOWER (2 min)
I see that the Mississauga News Editorial is about the potential sale of Enersource. Can't help but recall John Stewart's May 8, 2008 article, "City hires financial consultant to find out". This part:
"'We have not made any decisions and must allow this review process to take place in a responsible and respectful manner,' Mayor Hazel McCallion said in a statement. 'I want to emphasize once again how important it is that Council have all the facts before any decisions are made.'"
La dee da
MISSISSAUGASPEAK
"review process" Translation: "We get to pick the reviewer".
"in a responsible and respectful manner" Translation: "We get to pick the reviewer and specify how the review will be conducted."
"that Council have all the facts" Translation: "We get to pick the reviewer and specify how the review will be conducted AND reported."
Mississauga News Editorial, "Consult public on Hydro" Translation: "We get to pick the reviewer and specify how the review will be conducted AND reported behind closed doors IN-CAMERA."
As for the "all-the-facts"-information that finally reaches the public?
"The City denies access to"... La frikkin' dee da.
Signed,
The Mississauga Muse
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "It's almost inevitable that power corrupts. The head of the establishment, in this case, the mayor, surrounded by lackeys and eager acolytes intent on their own ascension, seldom is able to discern the subtle, imperceptible descent into arrogance and greed." --Royson James, Toronto Star
"Big Brother has his hand firmly planted in our back pocket – government revenues his lifeline; unaccountability his refuge." (Andre Marin, Ontario Ombudsman --June 27, 2007)
"We must employ every possible tactic to dissuade those who try to silence us with fear" ---The Mississauga News Editorial (2007-03-24)
Want (or worse, need) to learn more? Link to MISSISSAUGAWATCH.CA
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Got to appreciate the elegance of a letter of support that doubles as a conduit of complaint about the Ward 3 Councillor! So KUDOS, Mr. Waring! Here it is (note, I've corrected the spelling of my first name)
More needed
By: Harvey Waring
May 6, 2008 08:43 PM - Dear Editor:
Re: McCallion lectures critic on excessive e-mails, April 25 edition.
Good on Ursula Keuper-Bennett for attempting to lift the veil of secrecy that is becoming the norm for City Council.
The alleged excessive e-mails, for it is only the mayor's opinion as to what is excessive, is a further example of an insular Council. Furthermore, as the writer indicated, "my e-mails weren't being noticed anyway."
If the mayor cannot handle communications from the taxpayer, she could learn from the Ward 3 councillor on how to install a fire wall so she may also hide behind an electronic barrier, as the councillor has done.
Does one need any better example of a 'secret society' and why we need people like Ursula Keuper-Bennett.
I especially love this part, "she (the Mayor) could learn from the Ward 3 councillor on how to install a fire wall so she may also hide behind an electronic barrier, as the councillor has done."
Seems that Harvey Waring is a fellow-sufferer of the Conversation in the 21st Century folks (I wonder just how many others are out there?). Waring's lucky he just got blocked by a "fire wall".
There are citizens who are banned from access to Council by a Mississauga Corporate Security email --yes, really, Big Brother comes on with " I am your only City contact - not the City Manager, not the Mayor and Council."
Now THAT'S an "insular" fire wall! Speaking of The Corporate bedside manner...
The only true way to know what all the fuss is about is for the Applewood Tennis Club to drop down a Freedom of Information --something like, "All records, reports, documents, working papers, ESPECIALLY EMAILS relating to the incorporation of tennis clubs in the City of Mississauga. (should include "genesis" of the concept through to present). Request especially the emails of specific City staff that Applewood was dealing with in Corporate/Legal and Community Services."
I'd love to drop that one down but my Freedom of Informations are currently maxed-out. Come to think of it, because there's no such thing as being too suspicious of The Corporation, if I were the Applewood Tennis Club, I'd also FOI "All records (especially emails) pertaining to the Applewood Tennis Club for the past [time] years." (That FOI might cost in search and severance time but it'd potentially make for one fine corporate-colonoscopy...)
CLOSED POVERTY MEETING
Don't know how many readers have been following the Peterborough Poverty meeting.
Posted By NICOLE RIVA/Examiner Staff Writer
Posted 1 day ago
The provincial Liberal Party Tuesday defended its decision to hold closed-door meetings about poverty reduction amid harsh criticism from opposition leaders and some Peterborough politicians.
The first session of the province’s committee on poverty reduction was held Monday in Peterborough. The invite-only meeting, led by Children and Youth Services Minister Deb Matthews, was attended by about 24 people, mostly members of the Mayor’s Action Committee on Poverty. The second session was held Tuesday in Cobourg.
Yesterday I was given the heads-up that video from that Poverty meeting had been posted to YouTube.
Now if I were those Poverty activists and I really wanted to know how the Peterborough mayor organized that Invitation-Only Poverty Town Hall meeting, why, I'd drop down a Freedom of Information and-- :-)
While we're on videos, found a terrific one on Big Brother and video surveillance.
Big Brother (CCTV) is watching YOU by faintstarlite
That's it. For the record, Mr. Waring is correct. There's every indication that it is an "insular" Council and there is a "veil of secrecy". But what only Freedom of Information can confirm is that under that "veil of secrecy" is one impressive jaw-dropping virtually-impenetrable fortress-bunker mentality. (Fortunately the operative word is "virtually").
P.S. For the record (and it's an important one), citizens can thank Donald Barber for the brilliant Freedom of Information wording, "All records, reports, documents, working papers, ESPECIALLY EMAILS relating to..." If you believe The Corporation also has videotape on you, FOI those too (but you have only five days max retention for that)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "It's almost inevitable that power corrupts. The head of the establishment, in this case, the mayor, surrounded by lackeys and eager acolytes intent on their own ascension, seldom is able to discern the subtle, imperceptible descent into arrogance and greed." --Royson James, Toronto Star
"Big Brother has his hand firmly planted in our back pocket – government revenues his lifeline; unaccountability his refuge." (Andre Marin, Ontario Ombudsman --June 27, 2007)
"We must employ every possible tactic to dissuade those who try to silence us with fear" ---The Mississauga News Editorial (2007-03-24)
Want (or worse, need) to learn more? Link to MISSISSAUGAWATCH.CA
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By some measure, Toronto's government watchdogs have more bark than bite. Viewed another way, some are toothless or rubber-toothed. At best, the four agencies or individuals established to assure citizens that their city and its politicians function at the highest ethical levels have experienced teething problems.
That's to be expected. The city is breaking new ground on a number of fronts – thanks to recommendations and actions stemming from the $20 million computer leasing inquiry.
But the stakes are so high that council must be relentless in its drive toward public accountability and transparency."
"accountability and transparency" PUH-LLLEASSSE!
James continues:
"Now, in power, the mayor wants to hold more private meetings, something Bellamy warned against."
What? Liberals passed the Bill 130, Amendments to the Municipal Act that allows for more closed meetings and *gasp* we now find that "the mayor wants to hold more private meetings"?
Mr. James should see how many times Mississauga Council has shuffled in-camera for the new Bill 130 closed meeting "Educational/Training Sessions" provision. According to the Act, even "How-to-Unfold-and-Refold the Corporate "Success in the City 2007" Glitzy-Glossy Pamphlet" qualifies as a Bill 130 closed meeting "training session."
Then there's this neat part about the hiring and firing of the Toronto city manager, James writes:
"If the mayor hires and fires the city manager, as he wishes, the position becomes a political appointment and the civil service is politicized."
"hires and fires"... hmmmm...
So who hires, pays the salary of, and fires the City of Toronto Integrity Commissioner, Mr. James? Explain please, how the Toronto Integrity Commissioner isn't just a city employee hired by the city to investigate itself.
"It's almost inevitable that power corrupts. The head of the establishment, in this case, the mayor, surrounded by lackeys and eager acolytes intent on their own ascension, seldom is able to discern the subtle, imperceptible descent into arrogance and greed."
Hey, Torstar sweetheart! Miller's only been Mayor of Toronto since November 2003 --not even five years yet, Mr. James.
Just imagine what being "surrounded by lackeys and eager acolytes intent on their own ascension, seldom is able to discern the subtle, imperceptible descent into arrogance and greed" does to someone who's been mayor for decades.
or Mayor for Life!
It's gettin' bad --I've now reached a point where I see the words "accountability and transparency" and just want to HURL. Like this profound visceral reaction.
Neither accountability or transparency exist.
(To Ontario Municipalities, The Province, The Feds --Quit LYING to us about "accountability" and frikkin' "transparency" and QUIT TREATING US LIKE YOU'RE TREATING US!)
Speaking of the Bogus-"accountability and transparency"... Toronto, again.
TORONTO CITY CLERK and FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
Seems the City of Toronto wanted to "permanently cut off (Freedom of Information) access" to watchdog-activists because (you ready?)...
"because (City of Toronto) fears that the information may be used to shame it into action."
"shame it into action"?! PUH-LLLEASSSE!
"Shame it into action"--we're talkin' an Ontario municipal corporation here. You can't "shame" them into action --except risk-minimization-a**-covering-damage-control-action.
Forget "Shame it into action" --the best a citizen-watchdog can hope for is to give fellow citizens' a heads up. As in, "Hey, heads down, don't step in THAT!"
Either way here's the Freedom-of-Information-related news wire from the CNW Group.
TORONTO, April 17 /CNW/ - Ontario's Information and Privacy Commissioner has ruled that Toronto's City Clerk was wrong to permanently cut off access to the FOI system for anti-billboard activists.
"I have not been able to file a Freedom of Information inquiry for 16 months," says Rami Tabello, coordinator of IllegalSigns.ca, a grassroots group that fights illegal billboards. "This decision entirely restores my rights to research the legality of signs."
The City Clerk argued on appeal that her decision to permanently suspend access to the FOI system for IllegalSigns.ca should be upheld because IllegalSigns.ca portrays city staff in a negative light and because IllegalSigns.ca used the FOI process to advocate for a new signs by-law. "The Clerk's reasoning is unfair, undemocratic and contrary to the principles of open government," says Mr. Tabello. "This ruling means that a government cannot withhold information because it fears that the information may be used to shame it into action."
The City Clerk's determination that IllegalSigns.ca's FOI requests for 110 billboard permits were "frivolous and vexatious" was belied last week at the Licensing and Standards Committee, which received a Staff Report concerning IllegalSigns.ca's FOI-driven complaints. The report indicates that the City has initiated prosecutions against 101 illegal billboards and has revoked 84 invalid billboard permits.
A section of IllegalSigns.ca called 'Audits of By-Law Enforcement' came under fire from the Clerk's Department, which printed out copies of web postings and submitted them as evidence to the IPC that the web site portrayed enforcement staff in a negative light. "The City processed over 500 of our FOIs for billboard records. It was only after our web site launched that they refused to process any more," says Mr. Tabello.
The attachment to this release contains highlights of the April 10 decision, which is available on IllegalSigns.ca this morning.
Highlights of the Information and Privacy Commissioner's Decision:
"... to find that a request is "for a purpose other than to obtain
access" and thus "frivolous or vexatious" on the basis that the
requester may use the information to oppose actions taken by an
institution would be completely contrary to the spirit of the Act,
which exists in part as an accountability mechanism in relation to
government organizations." Page 17. Para. 2.
"The City submits that it believes that the appellant is filing the
requests for the purpose of obtaining a policy change with respect
to the City's sign by-laws and enforcement procedures for illegal
billboards. " Page 9, Para, 4.
"The City's submissions appear to suggest that it believes the
appellant is submitting a large number of complicated requests
for the purpose of gathering information to portray the City in a
negative light on his web site." Page 14, Para. 4.
"Contrary to the City's suggestions, I find that the appellant's
behaviour supports his position that he seeks access to the
information he requests for reasonable and legitimate grounds;
specifically, to review the legality of billboards posted around the
City. The fact that he subsequently used the information to file
complaints about illegal billboards or to support his view that
signage by-laws and enforcement procedures should be revised,
does not alter the fact that his purpose for filing he requests is to
gain access to the requested information." Page 10, Para. 4
"In my view... the requests made by the appellant were made for
a genuine purpose. The appellant is involved in an organization
that investigates whether certain billboards posted in the City are
illegal. Only by examining City records obtained through access to
information procedures can the appellant determine whether or
not a billboard is illegal and, if so, subsequently file a legitimate
complaint. I cannot agree that the appellant's reasons for seeking
access to the information he requests or the uses to which he puts
that information once he receives it are either illegitimate or
dishonest, however disadvantageous they may appear to the City."
Page 16, Para. 2.
"I do not accept that, based on the type of information sought, it
is a particularly onerous or complicated task for the City to locate
the responsive records." Page 13, Para 6
Can you imagine? Sure Ontario's Information and Privacy Commissioner ruled in the watchdog-activists' favour. Still. That's 16 months that the City of Toronto was successful in keeping the watchdog-coordinator from filing a single FOI.
What? Somehow he's gonna get those 16 months back?
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY RELATED
I attended the opening of the Peel 35th Annual Juried Show on April 30th. Donald Barber invited me. His portrait, painted by Mississauga artist, Laurie Kallis, had been accepted for display.
In the same room, on the opposite wall was another painting --this one of Mississauga City Hall called, "Allegory of Good Government". I'm a bit of an artist myself kind of, but I have to say the painting of a skateboarder layin' down one impressive maneuver off the steps of Big Yellow --like, totally confused me.
I investigated on Saturday --videotaping the courtyard of Mississauga City Hall.
At the first southwest Corporate "NO RIDING" sign and tucked away from the Panny, Zoomy and Tilty sweep of the two Corporate Pelco video surveillance cameras, I got the strong unmistakeable whiff of something definitely not-tobacco-y...
Signed,
The ("Concert Tickets" was just my way to get "Sudbury" to read this far down) Mississauga Muse
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "It's almost inevitable that power corrupts. The head of the establishment, in this case, the mayor, surrounded by lackeys and eager acolytes intent on their own ascension, seldom is able to discern the subtle, imperceptible descent into arrogance and greed." --Royson James, Toronto Star
"Big Brother has his hand firmly planted in our back pocket – government revenues his lifeline; unaccountability his refuge." (Andre Marin, Ontario Ombudsman --June 27, 2007)
"We must employ every possible tactic to dissuade those who try to silence us with fear" ---The Mississauga News Editorial (2007-03-24)
Want (or worse, need) to learn more? Link to MISSISSAUGAWATCH.CA
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Note: This Blog entry has been modified slightly since its initial 11:25:56am posting because Donald Barber re-sent his comment from yesterday into today's Comment section.]
Seems like The Donald lobbed in a complaint about The Toronto Sun's editorial cartoon (also below) to Toronto Police! Then looks like he sent a Letter to the Editor off to The Toronto Sun as well.
In his comment below, Mr. Barber wrote, "As Canadians we know that there is a law for the rich and a law for the poor." I want to go on record today in order to agree with Barber's rich/poor statement. I'll go so far as to say that even Freedom of Information is for the rich and cut off at the ankles for the poor.
Which leads me to what I wanted to write about today --just drop down a kind of "temporal stamp" for April 29, 2008.
Readers may recall my January 3, 2008 Blog where I outlined my MISSISSAUGAWATCH New Year's Resolutions. Now this is totally coincidence but --unknown to me, as Donald Barber was penning his complaints to the Toronto Police and Toronto Sun, I fulfilled one of my New Year's Resolutions.
As of this morning, three Ontario municipalities and one from another province have a wide-spectrum Freedom of Information request submitted. For the record, one (in Ontario) refused to accept email or even FAX and requires citizens to *yaaaaaawwwnnn* use snailmail and a postage stamp. I'll be going to the post office as soon as I "publish" today's entry.
"Resources will also include Freedom of Information format-questions that we've found successful for you to drop down on your municipality in order to peer behind their Corporate Mask."
This FOI (actually several --costs to be negotiated) involved select "format-questions" (widely-successfully field-tested at the City of Mississauga) that not just "peer behind the Corporate Mask" but fling windows wide-open into how a particular municipality treats its citizens. (And believe me, once the curtains are wwwhhhipped away, the sunlight can be blinding.)
Prediction. (The Mississauga Muse sticks her neck out...) I predict that when this is over, the Freedom of Information people at the City of Mississauga will come out head and shoulders above the other three Ontario municipalities and maybe even the out-of-Province one. I say this because it's tough for me to even think of a way that our Missy FOI people could be more conscientious. But we'll see.
Time for: MY BIG BROTHER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION POEM
Mirror Mirror on the Wall
Who's the evil-est empire of them all?
The End.
Stick around Missy boys and girls --we're in for one enlightening ride here.
Yep. Donald Barber (below) wrote:
"As Canadians we know that there is a law for the rich and a law for the poor."
I suspect that this Freedom of Information multiple-municipality field test begun today will confirm that:
"Access to General Records through Freedom of Information in Canada is for the rich/affluent. As for the poor --foggeddabbouddit!"
[UPDATE: April 29, 2008 11:36: WOW! That was FAST! I just got a long distance call from one of the three Ontario municipalities. Chalk an A+ up to that city for response time let me tell you!]
Anyway, here's --
YESTERDAY'S BLOG --UP FOR ONE MORE DAY
Hey there. Mississauga.
Got an email from Donald Barber yesterday giving me one crabby heads up.
Regular readers might remember The PotHole Poet who sent Mississauga Councillor Pat (Mississauga Crime Prevention Association) Saito a poem about potholes that included a suggestion that one be dug large enough to drop her in. He was arrested.
"Councillors should be hanged, one a day, at noon, in Nathan Phillips Square. Charge admission. We'll net enough money to pay off most of our civic bills."
OH THE FUROR! The Dumping on James!
Donald Barber's email with the message header "Injustice" began with "Here is pure injustice", then he tossed me yesterday's Toronto Sun Editorial cartoon.
I mean look at it!
With "CAUTION BE SURE THAT COUNCIL CHAMBER IS FULL BEFORE DETONATION"
Now THIS should be interesting --any fallout, I mean.
There's also this from our MissyNews weekend online edition.
Despite admitting to owning a restricted and unlicensed handgun, John Snobelen will not have a criminal record.
Noting that the former Mississauga MPP and Ontario cabinet minister made a "foolish mistake" by continuing to possess the weapon and not disposing of it, Justice Steve Brown granted Snobelen, 53, an absolute discharge today in Oakville court."
What if it had been just any 53 year old white guy who committed "two firearms-related offences." and "made a "foolish mistake" by continuing to possess the weapon and not disposing of it"?
What if it had been just any 53 year old black guy who committed "two firearms-related offences." and "made a "foolish mistake" by continuing to possess the weapon and not disposing of it"?
What if it had been just any Youth who committed "two firearms-related offences." and "made a "foolish mistake" by continuing to possess the weapon and not disposing of it"?
As for the question, "What if it had been just any Black Youth who committed "two firearms-related offences." and "made a "foolish mistake" by continuing to possess the weapon and not disposing of it"? we needn't ask.
I'm reminded of an email I received from Hazel McCallion (Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2007). Yes, over a year ago now.
"In any event, please be advised that the City treats all its residents fairly regardless of language or ethnicity."
Yes yes --and so do all municipalities in the Province of Ontario. After all, they are mature, responsible --and above all, accountable governments.
RELATED TOPIC: CHASING SHADOWS
On Friday, I went to the Burnhamthorpe Courthouse to drop down a Freedom of Information (FOI). I tried to FOI "All Trespass notices from 1998 through 2008 issued by the City of Mississauga" over at the Courthouse because I was told that to conduct such a search through the City Clerk's FOI Department would hit astronomical search and severance costs.
I figured that the Courthouse would keep searchable records.
But when the Courthouse guy began explaining how the records are kept there, it all sounded familiar. The data I needed was all on paper, I was told. The Court House guy explained how it was impossible to search for specific charges like Trespass. He gestured how they are just piles of tickets and--
I stopped him and asked, "Is this Mississauga? Is this (gesturing to the floor) in here City of Mississauga?" He said yes, it was City of Mississauga. (I felt like an idiot. I got fooled trying to FOI for records at the Burnhamthorpe Courthouse building because it had big letters with "ONTARIO" on it and I thought it was a Provincial Building. Get this, I didn't even wear my audio recording device for protection because I thought it was "ONTARIO").
All my hopes now hang on Peel Regional Police. Also on Friday, I submitted a Freedom of Information request at 22 Division with wording somethin' like:
"All records of ARRESTS made at the request/called in by the City of Mississauga from 1998 through 2008."
There'll be a lot of blacked-out personal information on the people arrested and there should be for their privacy. Still, Peel Police records are now my only way to chase shadows. (I refer to those arrested at the request of City of Mississauga as "shadow people". Donald Barber is one. So is Antonio Batista. How many are there over the past ten years? How many are Youth? Are there parts of Mississauga with more Arrest-Requests than others? So many questions.)
I had the same types of questions for those receiving PON's (Provincial Offenses Notices) but that area of investigation is now a Needles-in-One-Huge-Frikkin'-Bureacratic-Haystack-Dead-End. I'd have to be a millionaire to afford the search/severance time to follow that shadowy trail.)
It's not possible for regular people to Freedom-of-Information this stuff to even get some idea that their fellow-citizens are treated fairly by their own city governments. (I'm forced to conclude that this administrative "paper black hole" is pan-Ontario...)
Shadow People..."paper black hole"... thousands and thousands of dollars in FOI search time... No Soap Radio.
NO SOAP RADIO
Anyway, on the bright side, I'll be the first to admit-- No Soap Radio is an efficient way to run a Business.
I've only one response to No Soap Radio:
Mississauga's Councillor Pat Saito on: Openness and Accountability.
PEEL CHILDREN'S CHARTER OF RIGHTS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "In contrast to the local law enforcement agencies, Corporate Security provides a distinect difference in approach to providing a safe and secure environment within the community." --City of Mississauga Corporate Security 2003 Strategic Draft Plan
"Big Brother has his hand firmly planted in our back pocket – government revenues his lifeline; unaccountability his refuge." (Andre Marin, Ontario Ombudsman --June 27, 2007)
"We must employ every possible tactic to dissuade those who try to silence us with fear" ---The Mississauga News Editorial (2007-03-24)
Want (or worse, need) to learn more? Link to MISSISSAUGAWATCH.CA
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Got an email from Donald Barber yesterday giving me one crabby heads up.
Regular readers might remember The PotHole Poet who sent Mississauga Councillor Pat (Mississauga Crime Prevention Association) Saito a poem about potholes that included a suggestion that one be dug large enough to drop her in. He was arrested.
"Councillors should be hanged, one a day, at noon, in Nathan Phillips Square. Charge admission. We'll net enough money to pay off most of our civic bills."
OH THE FUROR! The Dumping on James!
Donald Barber's email with the message header "Injustice" began with "Here is pure injustice", then he tossed me yesterday's Toronto Sun Editorial cartoon.
I mean look at it!
With "CAUTION BE SURE THAT COUNCIL CHAMBER IS FULL BEFORE DETONATION"
Now THIS should be interesting --any fallout, I mean.
There's also this from our MissyNews weekend online edition.
Despite admitting to owning a restricted and unlicensed handgun, John Snobelen will not have a criminal record.
Noting that the former Mississauga MPP and Ontario cabinet minister made a "foolish mistake" by continuing to possess the weapon and not disposing of it, Justice Steve Brown granted Snobelen, 53, an absolute discharge today in Oakville court."
What if it had been just any 53 year old white guy who committed "two firearms-related offences." and "made a "foolish mistake" by continuing to possess the weapon and not disposing of it"?
What if it had been just any 53 year old black guy who committed "two firearms-related offences." and "made a "foolish mistake" by continuing to possess the weapon and not disposing of it"?
What if it had been just any Youth who committed "two firearms-related offences." and "made a "foolish mistake" by continuing to possess the weapon and not disposing of it"?
As for the question, "What if it had been just any Black Youth who committed "two firearms-related offences." and "made a "foolish mistake" by continuing to possess the weapon and not disposing of it"? we needn't ask.
I'm reminded of an email I received from Hazel McCallion (Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2007). Yes, over a year ago now.
"In any event, please be advised that the City treats all its residents fairly regardless of language or ethnicity."
Yes yes --and so do all municipalities in the Province of Ontario. After all, they are mature, responsible --and above all, accountable governments.
RELATED TOPIC: CHASING SHADOWS
On Friday, I went to the Burnhamthorpe Courthouse to drop down a Freedom of Information (FOI). I tried to FOI "All Trespass notices from 1998 through 2008 issued by the City of Mississauga" over at the Courthouse because I was told that to conduct such a search through the City Clerk's FOI Department would hit astronomical search and severance costs.
I figured that the Courthouse would keep searchable records.
But when the Courthouse guy began explaining how the records are kept there, it all sounded familiar. The data I needed was all on paper, I was told. The Court House guy explained how it was impossible to search for specific charges like Trespass. He gestured how they are just piles of tickets and--
I stopped him and asked, "Is this Mississauga? Is this (gesturing to the floor) in here City of Mississauga?" He said yes, it was City of Mississauga. (I felt like an idiot. I got fooled trying to FOI for records at the Burnhamthorpe Courthouse building because it had big letters with "ONTARIO" on it and I thought it was a Provincial Building. Get this, I didn't even wear my audio recording device for protection because I thought it was "ONTARIO").
All my hopes now hang on Peel Regional Police. Also on Friday, I submitted a Freedom of Information request at 22 Division with wording somethin' like:
"All records of ARRESTS made at the request/called in by the City of Mississauga from 1998 through 2008."
There'll be a lot of blacked-out personal information on the people arrested and there should be for their privacy. Still, Peel Police records are now my only way to chase shadows. (I refer to those arrested at the request of City of Mississauga as "shadow people". Donald Barber is one. So is Antonio Batista. How many are there over the past ten years? How many are Youth? Are there parts of Mississauga with more Arrest-Requests than others? So many questions.)
I had the same types of questions for those receiving PON's (Provincial Offenses Notices) but that area of investigation is now a Needles-in-One-Huge-Frikkin'-Bureacratic-Haystack-Dead-End. I'd have to be a millionaire to afford the search/severance time to follow that shadowy trail.)
It's not possible for regular people to Freedom-of-Information this stuff to even get some idea that their fellow-citizens are treated fairly by their own city governments. (I'm forced to conclude that this administrative "paper black hole" is pan-Ontario...)
Shadow People..."paper black hole"... thousands and thousands of dollars in FOI search time... No Soap Radio.
NO SOAP RADIO
Anyway, on the bright side, I'll be the first to admit-- No Soap Radio is an efficient way to run a Business.
I've only one response to No Soap Radio:
Mississauga's Councillor Pat Saito on: Openness and Accountability.
PEEL CHILDREN'S CHARTER OF RIGHTS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "In contrast to the local law enforcement agencies, Corporate Security provides a distinect difference in approach to providing a safe and secure environment within the community." --City of Mississauga Corporate Security 2003 Strategic Draft Plan
"Big Brother has his hand firmly planted in our back pocket – government revenues his lifeline; unaccountability his refuge." (Andre Marin, Ontario Ombudsman --June 27, 2007)
"We must employ every possible tactic to dissuade those who try to silence us with fear" ---The Mississauga News Editorial (2007-03-24)
Want (or worse, need) to learn more? Link to MISSISSAUGAWATCH.CA
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Information is power, and it looks like City Hall wants to keep a little too much of it under wraps.
Ursula Keuper-Bennett, a very vocal and often pesky critic of the powers-that-be at City Hall, was stopped cold by Mayor Hazel McCallion Wednesday when she started to ask yet another of her frequent questions of City Council.
McCallion, it seems, is getting tired of hearing from Keuper-Bennett, who openly admits she frequently sends emails to City officials asking for access to information from in-camera meetings.
No doubt Keuper-Bennett's constant quest to uncover hidden truths is a source of annoyance for the powers-that-be at City Hall and, according to McCallion, an unnecessary waste of taxpayers' dollars.
Still, as a Mississauga resident and taxpayer herself, doesn't she, and other Mississauga residents, have a right to know what business the City is conducting on her, and our, behalf?
A pest she might be, but without watchdogs like Keuper-Bennett scrutinizing the actions of politicians and civil servants — at all levels of government — what would happen to public access to information?
Like a dog with a meaty bone, Keuper-Bennett is unlikely to give it up just because she's been verbally slapped by the mayor.
Nor should she.
The mayor is right: Keuper-Bennett is costing taxpayers a bit of money every time she submits an FOI (freedom of information) request.
But it's money well-spent.
At what cost, information?
Whatever the price tag, it's worth it."
THE MISSISSAUGA MUSE is grateful to THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS
And I mean MEGA-GRATEFUL!
I would like to "write back" to the MissyNews and use my Blog to hold the conversation. Here goes:
The editorial called me:
"a very vocal and often pesky critic of the powers-that-be at City Hall."
Thank you for noticing, MissyNews! I'll add "very vocal" and "pesky" to my MISSISSAUGAWATCH SUCCESSES 2008 Report! I just wish the "the powers-that-be at City Hall" wouldn't provide me with so many issues and opportunities to be "very vocal" about!
The editorial stated that I "frequently" send:
"emails to City officials asking for access to information from in-camera meetings."
Actually NONE of my frequent emails related to in-camera meetings. As I've previously stated in my Blog, in-camera meetings aren't even on my radar. Why should they be when Mississauga Council's "open" "public" Council meetings are such hush-hush "Now let's do this professionally" affairs?
Important By-laws and Policies are pro forma'd and the people watching on Rogers will only hear, "By-laws 15 through 20? Anyone move? Second? Passed."
or:
"Move to accept the Audit Committee report dated March 17, 2008? Seconded? Passed. Item 6..."
Now this is the part that kills me.
"No doubt Keuper-Bennett's constant quest to uncover hidden truths is a source of annoyance for the powers-that-be at City Hall and, according to McCallion, an unnecessary waste of taxpayers' dollars."
"unnecessary waste of taxpayers' dollars" The thing people really need to know about Mississauga is that there's about 1/10 truth (or almost truth) and 9/10 Neglected-to-Mentions that you need to drop a Freedom of Information on.
McCallion Neglected-to-Mention that I pay $5.00 for each Freedom of Information (FOI) request. I also pay 25 cents for each page of photocopy.
But the vital part that McCallion Neglected-to-Mention is that when the FOI staff review a request and feel it requires more search time than is reasonable (and the FOI staff is truly generous in what it defines as "reasonable") I get charged.
Search time costs $7.50 per 15 minutes or $30.00 an hour. I have a January 2008 (non-seminal) FOI that I was forced to abandon because of fees totalling $305.00 which included $180 for an estimated "6 hr at $7.50/15 min" search time and a "severance" charge for "30 pages at 2 min. page at $7.50/15 min. (Severance is when they BLACK OUT what they don't want you to see. What's severanced is actually the part you really need to know about)
As for McCallion's comment about Accountability being a "waste of taxpayers' money".... see today's video.
The MissyNews editiorial states:
"Like a dog with a meaty bone, Keuper-Bennett is unlikely to give it up just because she's been verbally slapped by the mayor."
It's not really a "meaty bone" that I've sunk my jaw into. A meaty bone was never my target. Suffice to say that not even our Peel Regional Police Jaws-of-Life can release my locked-in-clamped-down-teeth from the Corporate right cheek.
Here's why--and I keep comin' back to this quote from our Ontario Ombudsman, Andre Marin:
"This is a downright embarrassing situation for Ontario. All is not well in the MUSH sector, yet Ontario is dead last of all provinces in providing independent oversight of these institutions. Millions of Ontarians are at the mercy of a special kind of Big Brother – the hospitals, the long-term care facilities, the children’s aid societies and the like are cleverly guised as “private entities” and deemed off-limits to proper checks and balances.
Big Brother has his hand firmly planted in our back pocket – government revenues his lifeline; unaccountability his refuge. Ontario is, shamefully, a “have-not” province in this regard. "
Yep. Freedom of Information confirms that "Big Brother has his hand firmly planted in our back pocket – government revenues his lifeline; unaccountability his refuge."
And The Mississauga Muse has her teeth firmly (and intractably) planted in Mississauga Big Brother.
SPEAKING OF BIG BROTHER
When I spoke to MissyNews reporter Joe Chin, I told him how I regretted that I wasn't equipped enough for this Quest for Accountability. Fear of Public Speaking. Anxiety Disorder when cornered. Not swift on my feet... I told Mr. Chin the thing is that Missisauga Council benches are empty save for me. That if I don't Custodiet Ipsos Custodes there's no other "Public".
SLOOOOOOWWWW AND STEADY...
Just to show how long it sometimes takes me to Get It --like in GET-IT GET IT...
Yesterday, I attended an excellent content-rich seminar on "The Paedophile, the Predator and the Bully" presented by Peel Regional Police. It was mainly a presentation for parents on how they can protect their youngsters but believe me, that Peeler seminar held lessons for citizen-watchdogs as well.
I grinned knowingly when Constable Dave Burton of the Peel Police Technical Crimes Unit cautioned parents about their kids' demands for computer "privacy".
Constable Burton warned:
"Privacy breeds secrecy." Yep...
Burton also provided parents with practical techie oversight mechanisms to help monitor and protect their kids --Google, IP-Look-up, Reverse Look-up, Who-is, Google Maps and I thought, "WHOA! COOL! I use all that right now to keep tabs on Big Brother!"
But the WAYY-COOL-"You can search THAT on the Net?" revelations happened when Constable Burton taught me a pile of new Net-navigation investigative stuff!
But that isn't even the best part of the day. Peel Police gave us a lot of brochures and even a souvenir Peel Regional Police blue pencil. Now I told you that I'm slow-on-the-take, but get this.
A new Big Brother discovery --and it took the re-emergence a couple of days before, of the Mississauga Transit Enforcement "302" car for me to really GET IT.
OK, so --I'm intent on the Burton techie-lecture, glancing down on all those brochures with the Peel Regional Police logo and on them and then
BLIINNNNNGGGGG --THE LIGHT WENT ON.
Regular readers will remember how I crabbed about Mississauga Corporate Security using Dodge Chargers to look like our Peel Regional Police. Stupid me, so focussed on the same make of car ...the same colour White.
It took from November 16, 2007 when I first saw a Mississauga Transit Enforcement Dodge Charger until yesterday (yes, yesterday's Peel Regional Police seminar) to notice the uncanny *tsk-tsk* similarity between the Mississauga Transit Enforcement crest and our Peelers!
Security guards types do that a lot -- faux-bogus police uniforms, faux-bogus-fake police cars, faux-bogus-fake-knock-off police sunglasses...
I have yet to read a better summary of security types than the Toronto Star's Rosie DiManno:
"Ever run afoul of a private security guard? They're really bouncers in polyester, often failed police applicants and crabby about it.
Imperious authority, questionably assumed, afflicts many professions that operate under the rubric of managing and browbeating the public: Mall guards who think they're constables walking a beat, public housing wardens, arena security, concert toughs, as well as the legions of barroom bouncers and nightclub gatekeepers – 33,000 of those in the province, heretofore unlicensed and free from scrutiny in their excesses, a law unto themselves."
"free from scrutiny in their excesses, a law unto themselves." --Rosie DiManno, Toronto Star --Sep 01, 2007
echoes
"Big Brother has his hand firmly planted in our back pocket – government revenues his lifeline; unaccountability his refuge." (Andre Marin, Ontario Ombudsman --June 27, 2007)
and DiManno and Marin have inspired:
"Big Brother has POLICE ENVY." (The Mississauga Muse --April 27, 2008)
Photo: FREUDIAN "POLICE ENVY"
Embarrassing to *blush* admit that it took me five whole months to figure that Mississauga CREST-part out... Still. I figured it out, so this calls for a video!
Yesterday's "CRESTwwwwhoaaaa... ah HAH!" at the Peel Regional Police "The Paedophile, the Predator and the Bully" seminar inspired a temporal game of "Concentration"
The successful pairing of one 2008 "Budget" video clip with another from a June 20, 2007 talk by Michael Kirkland, architect of the Mississauga Civic Centre, provides hints as to why Mississauga might benefit from a citizen-watchdog motivated to FOI.
Ya might consider watchin' it several times. Like. You know. To Get It GET IT.
Video --MISSISSAUGA: SILOS inside a BIG CORPORATE ENVELOPE (3 minutes)
Thanks also to "Anonymous", Wayne Nagy, Roy Willis, Bright Snoop, Donald Barber and several supporters who email with real names.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "In contrast to the local law enforcement agencies, Corporate Security provides a distinect difference in approach to providing a safe and secure environment within the community." --City of Mississauga Corporate Security 2003 Strategic Draft Plan
"We must employ every possible tactic to dissuade those who try to silence us with fear" ---The Mississauga News Editorial (2007-03-24)
Want (or worse, need) to learn more? Link to MISSISSAUGAWATCH.CA
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Google Video has fixed its technical problems, so as promised, here is video of Selma Mulvey's April 9, 2008 presentation to Mississauga Council on behalf of the Dog Legislation Council of Canada.
In his Blog, Random Access, John Stewart called Mulvey's report as a, "a thoughtful presentation" that "pointed to research that suggests keeping dogs cooped up without much human contact for several weeks or months can have physiological and behavioural side effects, making dogs fearful and aggressive."
Here it is in its entirety.
MISSISSAUGA RAMBO's Fight to Reunite April 9, 2008 (25 minutes)
April 24, 2008 12:15 PM - A vocal City Hall critic has had her knuckles rapped for allegedly wasting the City’s time with her constant queries.
Ursula Keuper-Bennett was attempting to ask a question at yesterday's Council meeting when she was interrupted by Mayor Hazel McCallion.
“Practically every week I’m getting letters from you that I have to refer to (the legal department). It’s very time consuming...and it’s on the same issue all the time. There comes a time when it is costing the taxpayers money,” McCallion told Keuper-Bennett, who writes a citizen blog for The Mississauga News.
Keuper-Bennett admits to sending the City, which she slams as “a secretive, shadowy force that has no oversight or accountability mechanisms in place,” at least eight e-mails so far this year.
She also acknowledges regularly trying to ferret out classified data through the Freedom of Information (FOI) process.
“I drop six FOIs at a time,” said the former schoolteacher, who registered to run for Council in the 2006 election, but ultimately withdrew.
Keuper-Bennett said she began writing City officials with her concerns about one year ago at the request of McCallion, who didn’t want to deal with the queries at Council meetings.
“(McCallion) said to send them to the City solicitor, and she’ll be happy to answer. The reality is, they’re not happy to answer,” said Keuper-Bennett.
Though unrepentant, Keuper-Bennett said she’ll begin curtailing her e-mails. Instead, she’s hit on another tack: pen a “report” to Council. That way, it will be appended to the agenda for all to read. At least, that’s what she hopes will happen.
“My e-mails weren’t being noticed anyway,” she said.
As for being lectured by McCallion, Keuper-Bennett was conciliatory and understanding after re-viewing her videotape. She regularly videotapes Council meetings.
“I have to say that I was struck with how gentle she was in her tone of voice. It was all very reasonable and there was no attempt to intimidate.”
Well, there you have it. It's actually my first experience being written about for political reasons. I now know how it feels and I need to clarify a few points.
First, The comment that "I drop six FOIs at a time,” Actually, through negotiation with the Clerk's Office I'm allowed six FOI's being worked on at any one time. Big Difference.
When I get a result back, then I'm allowed to drop down one more FOI. I usually don't even date them --so there's no deadline for the City. A month, two, more --whatever, the reality is I'm lucky that they make those accommodations. I know what happened to Donald Barber and how he got cut off. They know it. I know it. And they know I know it.
Bottomline -I don't think that the legislators who envisioned Freedom of Information really had focussed and sustained citizen/media investigations in mind when they passed it. That kind of deep-down data collection takes years. And hundreds --possibly into the thousands of dollars that the requester needs to pay for staff search time and photocopying. But I'm in for the Folly Monty (and no, that's not a typo).
As I've stated repeatedly, I'm researching Ontario municipal governance --not just Mississauga. My primary interest is the 2001 Municipal Act and pretty well everything that's happened since. I'm In Search of Accountability --you know the "accountability" that former Minister of Municipal Affairs crowed about after the Liberals passed Bill 130? (Ask, Tim Peterson about it. He was there sitting with the Liberals at Queen's Park back in December 2006).
Mayor McCallion is right about the queries essentially being "on the same issue all the time." And those unresolved issues brought me up there yesterday to ask questions on behalf of dog owners since no other "Public" showed up.
I know I've mentioned this before too. I have an anxiety disorder --so going "up there" is extremely difficult for me. I get Stage Fright.
That's bad enough. Now imagine going up against a Canadian Icon who had this said about her.
Mr. John R. Baird (Nepean-Carleton) "I've got to tell you that I was elected to this place, and the best political advice I have ever received from a member of this Legislature came from Gerry Phillips, the Chair of Management Board. He said there are three people you don't mess with. You don't mess with Don Cherry, you don't mess with Mel Lastman and you don't mess with Hazel McCallion."
So if politicians are scared of McCallion, think how tough it is to go up there minus anxiety medication. There you have it. I still went up because there was nobody else.
I learned several important lessons yesterday though. #1 Lesson is about Perception.
"The Judge also believed that Mr. Barber did make some physical contact with the female security guard that day. He also believed that the guard might have 'honestly perceived a 2-hand push'. And 'given the atmosphere' --the emotion, The Judge concluded that Mr. Barber 'likely did utter those comments.' (One of which was an alleged warning to guards not to be behind his car lest they find themselves under it.)"
"honestly perceived"
Up to last night I didn't quite understand how two people can "honestly perceive" a single event with radically different perceptions. I needed my own "given the atmosphere" to finally Get It.
For example, Wednesday morning when I got up during Public Question Period and the Mayor began mentioning my emails to Council --too many, took too much of legal staff's time... I'm not good when that happens -- my brain seized.
I could feel myself getting --tough to describe, this feeling of "cornered."
ANXIETY HAPPENS
Perception Happens too. I backed away from McCallion, feeling grateful that I'd survived with just my eyebrows singed --at least that was my Perception.
Last night, I watched video of the exchange and for the first time I understand what Judge Blacklock meant about "honestly perceived."
Had you asked me as I was leaving Council yesterday if I'd felt squeezed, I'd have honestly told you "yes". I'd have been wrong. Fact is, my own videotape does not bear me out.
Oh the BEAUTY of video! It sure cuts through "honestly perceived" and delivers only Reality. (at least if video is used properly...)
I still can't get over the gentleness in McCallion's voice. There's even a decent dose of "patience" dashed in there too. The contents of the video replay came as a total surprise given my heartbeat and clammy hands while up there.
Have a look for yourself.
MISSISSAUGA DOG OWNER VISITATION PROCEDURE (15 minutes)
(Click here to go directly to the clip on Google Video)
Like I said, I learned a lot about "honestly perceived" --and thought even longer. And I concluded that maybe this is it. I mean this kind of "honestly perceived" government --Municipal, Provincial, Federal-- works for most people.
The ones who it doesn't work for --society's casualities, well that's just Reality. Suck it Up.
Pockets of Poverty. 21 year waiting list for Affordable Housing. Escalating Gang Violence. Peel Police noticing more child abuse. Downloading. Uploading. Pooling. The 2001 Municipal Act. Bill 130. Local Authority Services. Zones of Immunity.
I told Joe Chin how tough it is to know --like in know-know. And how I envy the oblivious Mississaugan because I was one once --"La dee dah, I'm blessed because my government is watching out for me."
I think it was Queen's Park and the Bill 130 deliberations where I abandoned all Hope.
What I neglected to tell Mr. Chin is what a curse it is to be saddled with a mind that can't let a question go unasked.
Maybe someone can spare me months off my life (you think I really want to be doing this --sharing the same air as politicians?) and answer just one question for me, please.
"Zones of Immunity" --"How can this be?"
Like. How?
On the bright side...
GREAT NEWS! THE DODGE CHARGER "302" CAR IS BACK FROM REPAIR!
In today's article, Mr. Chin quoted me as saying that, “My e-mails weren’t being noticed anyway.”
Readers may recall that the Mississauga Dodge Charger Enforcement "302" car suffered a collision in mid-February. Well, it's back from repair --I saw it for the first time yesterday at the Square One Transit Terminal.
About emails. Two "hints" in this video made me realize that someone is definitely taking notice.
MISSISSAUGA DODGE CHARGER "302" ENFORCEMENT CAR RETURNS!
[UPDATE: April 25, 2008 9:25 pm. I received email today informing me that I had misinterpreted the space where the crest used to be on both the "301" and "302" Mississauga Transit Enforcement vehicles. The crests weren't removed to make the cars more Bill 159 compliant (made to look less like police cars). Rather, both vehicles are awaiting a newly-designed crest. Disappointing but what can you do?
I have removed the original video and will have a "remake" available shortly. Apologies for the error.]
UPDATE: April 25, 2008 11:51pm. Replacement now online]
As regular readers know, MISSISSAUGAWATCH does just that. OK, MISSISSAUGAWATCH tries to do just that.
About this time last year, I got my first Freedom of Information (FOI) back. It's time that Dog Owners saw thess FOI results because they have special relevance to the new Mississauga's (DRAFT) "Owner Visitation Procedures".
Here's an optical scan (checked for accuracy) of Mississauga Freedom of Information Request: 2007-0020.
"February 19, 2007
Re: FOI Request: 2007-0020
I am writing in response to your access request under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the Act) for the following information regarding City of Mississauga Law Enforcement Officers (Corporate Security):
1. Code of Conduct
There is no written formal code of conduct specifically for Corporate Security Officers. I am enclosing, however, copies of the following:
• Corporate Policy 01-03-07 (Employee Conduct - Standard of Behaviour)
• Corporate Policy O 1-03-02 (Employee Conduct - Conflict of Interest)"
Citizens should know that just because there's a policy in place --on paper, doesn't mean that Mississauga employees know about it, let alone follow it. I can't go into details just yet, please trust me on this for now. To continue:
"2. Public Complaints Procedures against Corporate Security Officers
There is no written formal public complaints procedure regarding corporate security officers."
Check out this email I recently received from Mississauga Director of Enforcement, Elaine Buckstein.
"From: "Elaine Buckstein"
To: mississauga_watch@yahoo.com
CC: "Elaine Buckstein"
Subject: Complaint form request
Good morning,
Thank you for your e-mail dated March 24, 2008 regarding registering a complaint against a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer.
Any complaints concerning officer conduct are received in writing, in the form of a letter from the complainant which outlines the details of the circumstances of concern. It should be sent to the officer's direct manager. Once received, the matter is dealt with following the Corporate Policy and Procedure for Employee Conduct, Standard of Behaviour."
Look at the date --March 2008. This means that the public complaints "procedure" for Animal Services (Enforcement) is the same as it was for Mississauga Corporate Security all these years.
It also means that a Staff Department gets to investigate itself.
Even this new "formal" Mississauga Corporate Security public complaints process rubber-stamped by the Audit Committee and Council (without anyone even seeing the actual complaint form) is no different from the old "Any complaints concerning officer conduct are received in writing" -"It should be sent to the officer's direct manager." Mississauga Corporate Security continues to investigate itself. So does Animal Services. So does Enforcement.
Should you, as a citizen, not like the "result" and seek Mayor and Councillors for assistance, all that happens is the Mayor and Councillors will thank you for raising the issue, tell you the City takes accountability seriously, and then refers your complaint right back to same "appropriate" Staff to deal with "appropriately".
Around this time last year, Mr. Antonio Batista was due up for trial because the poem (yes, poem) he wrote on Pot Holes was interpreted by Mississauga Councillor Pat Saito as a death threat.
I submit that 75 year old Mr. Batista wouldn't have gotten so-pushed-beyond-his-limit-mega-frustrated had Mississauga Mayor and Councillors cared enough to protect their citizens with a legitimate public complaints process.
Once Batista's letter to Mayor McCallion asking for help was blown off --not even replied to --he had no place to go. End of story.
As regular readers know, I've also documented Donald Barber's private hell as he too was buffeted around by City Security's bedside manner.
I'm telling you, Dog Owners --a visit to see your incarcerated dog at Mississauga Animal Services could lead to a protracted, stressful Their-Word-Against-Yours-Parade through the court system. You better know that going in. You can really "PAY" for a peek at your pooch.,
Returning to Freedom of Information:
"3. Expectations of Managers to ensure compliance to to ensure compliance by junior staff.
This would normally be handled through the Employee Performance Management performance reviews."
I dropped down another Freedom of Information requesting the Mississauga Employee Performance Management performance review process. Not only does a portion of the "review process" allow the employee to review himself, the procedure is the same one used for security guards, "The Manager" of those guards --and even such personnel, as caretaker-custodians.
Read on:
"4. Qualification requirements of Mississauga Enforcement Managers (Corporate Security)
I am enclosing a copy of job postings/descriptions for 2 positions in the corporate security area:
Allow me to show readers the "JOB SPECIFICATIONS (Requirements) of "The Manager", Security & Civic Center Operations" secured through FOI.
"JOB SPECIFICATIONS: (Requirements)
A degree in Engineering or Business Administration, or a graduate of a Community College program in a discipline related to Hotel/Building Management or the equivalent; with a minimum of 10 years experience and capability in managing the operations of a large building complex; dealing with tenants and the public, controlling labour, material and maintenance costs; planning, organizing, controlling and scheduling in-house and contract staff; preparing and presenting comprehensive computer reports; determining equipment and personnel requirements and training. Must have strong business and relational knowledge and skills, and an ability to communicate effective both orally and in writing."
One year two months later, I'm still trying to find evidence of "preparing and presenting comprehensive computer reports" through Freedom of Information. After all, it's only through "comprehensive computer reports" that a city as large as Mississauga can analyze trends, assess performance/deficiencies and direct training accordingly.
Back to Freedom of Information.
"5. Internal Audits (Checks-in-place) to monitor the entire Enforcement Branch regarding ethics and conduct.
There have been no audits of Corporate Security conducted by our Internal Audit Division."
A later FOI dredged up this result.
"4. Records of any committee/entity monitoring of assessing (Mississauga) corporate security.
There are no responsive records."
Ain't no one watchin' The Watchers!
Stay with me, Dog People.
From a recent FOI: email --Mississauga Corporate Security input into the revisions of what I now call "The Ban, Trespass, Arrest and Other" Policy (Bolded words appear in the original)
"Middle Page 5 change: ... the individual will be charged under the Trespass to Property Act. Following this same line on page 5 please add the following new paragraph:
Corporate Security will continue the common practise to issue a banning notice at their own discretion, and/or effect a trespass arrest if required. This is done at the time of an incident and is thus necessarily independent of any control or oversight from the Violence and Vandalism Committee. Corporate Security will proceed under all existing guidelines and laws."
When I dropped down an FOI requesting if anyone/any entity had done an analysis of bans/arrests issued by Mississauga Corporate Security, this is what I got back.
"Item 3
The Director, Facilities and Property Management (aka: Director, Corporate Security) has indicated that there is no record of any reports analysing the efficacy of bans/arrests from 1995 to the present. Therefore our decision is that there are no responsive records for Item 3."
Repeat -Ain't no one watchin' The Watchers! (Dog Owner-Visitors, this applies to you)
Now, finally, you're prepped enough for a sneak preview of Mississauga's... "CORPORATE REPORT: Animal Services -Visitation of Long Term Retention Dogs" due to be tabled at Council tomorrow.
Pay specific attention to Page 3, paragraph 4:
"Visits must be scheduled in advance, limited to thirty (30) minutes each, only one visitor at a time and restricted to the owner and immediate family, over the age of eighteen years. Visitors must be accompanied by a City staff member and at no time may the animal be removed from the building or the area designated for the visit. At the discretional [sic] of the supervisor, visitations may be denied or Corporate Security may be required to be present during the visit where staff believes a confrontation is possible or where the visitor is known to police."
Read again: "Corporate Security may be required to be present during the visit where staff believes a confrontation is possible or where the visitor is known to police."
Last thing for today because it's important. I've scanned the "DRAFT Owner Visitation Procedures MISSISSAUGA ANIMAL SERVICES" and am posting it right here. On the Net --where it's searchable, instead of tucked in some Corporate binder never to see the light of day.
I have bolded certain portions of the policy as a citizens' heads-up.
Visitation of DOLA animals has been implemented as of April 15, 2008. The following procedures are to be followed. There will be no visitation of animals that have been quarantined. Visitation may be denied or Corporate Security required to attend where staff believe a confrontation is possible or visitor is know [sic] to police.
Visitation is to be prearranged by the owner with the shelter supervisor. The shelter supervisor will offer time segments of one half hour per visit. Visits will be twice a month, and time may be divided if one or more persons from the family wish to see the animal. Only one person will be allowed to visit with the animal at any given time.
There will be no media permitted to any visits, and if the owner wishes to take personal photos, permission must be sought prior to proceeding.
Once the day and time have been established and the owner has arrived at the shelter they must first read and complete a Release Waiver and Indemnity form along with the Visitation of Long Term Retention Dogs form. The Shelter Officer must check that all information is correct and confirm identity with a valid drivers [sic] licence on these forms and initial, Provide the owner with a signed copy.
The visitor must sign in on the animals' personal sign in sheet. Ensure that the visitor correctly completes the sign in and the sign out when finished.
The DOLA room shall be prepared for a comfortable visit by ensuring that all dogs not being visited are placed in the outside runs. A chair is to be placed in the room along with treats that the shelter provides. Owners are not permitted to bring in any foreign food or treats for their animal to eliminate any diet issues, If the weather does not permit the other dogs staying outside for one half hour, then attemate rooms may be chosen by shelter staff to accommodate the visit.
All visitors must be escorted to and from the DOLA room, and must be supervised during the visit. The Shelter Officer is not to leave the visitation area or leave the visitor alone in the room. The Officer is to be aware of the visit at all times and must complete notes on their observations following the visitation. The Shelter Officer must then attach their notes to the animals [sic] file.
The Shelter Officer supervising the visit is not to interfere with the visit. Correction to the animals' behaviour is only acceptable if personal safety becomes an issue. Staff must refrain from personal comments as these cases are before the courts and anything that you say may jeopardize the existing case or result in you being subpoenaed to testify.
Shelter staff confronted by a visitor in the lobby, or on their way to the visitation room, are to direct any questions to the Shelter Supervisor.
Dogs are to be closely monitored in between visitations and any changes to behaviour or health must be noted in the animals file."
In my next Blog, I will translate the portions of the Owner Visitation Procedures that I've highlighted based on Freedom of Information results probing other Corporate Policies such as The Violence/Vandalism Policy, Video Surveillance Policy and yes, even the Respectful Workplace Policy that Commissioner of Corporate Services and Treasurer Brenda Breault explained... "incorporates provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code."
AND-- that's the very policy that Mississauga's City Manager will hail as a Corporate Achievement in tomorrow's Council Successes 2007 Report.
Here's MISSISSAUGAWATCH'S video report on The Corporation's "Respectful Workplace Policy" called:
Want (or worse, need) to learn more? Link to MISSISSAUGAWATCH.CA
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YIPPEEYAYS! It's that time of year again! In this Wednesday's Council agenda! YESSS!
"2007 Successes Report
Janice Baker, City Manager, will address Council with respect to the 2007
Successes Report.
Corporate Report R-4/Motion
CA.11.Suc"
I'm telling you people --the Corporate annual "Successes" Report is SUCH FUN! Especially if you're In-The-Know because you've got a raft of Freedom of Information documents on those Corporate Successes. And not to mention the In-The-Know that only sitting in on the almost-something-like-quarterly Audit Committee meetings can bring.
The Mississauga Successes 2007 indeed!
Check this out! --Time Travel to this time last year when MIssissauga City Manager, Janice Baker served up the...
MISSISSAUGA "SUCCESSES 2006" Report
(Click here to go directly to the clip on Google Video)
Love this part in the video:
"We've gone through a number of changes over the years with respect to the report. It started out more as an internal accountability document. But then us realizing the value of reporting each year on things that we've done to improve the economy, effectiveness and efficiency of the city and some of the great projects we have, we've really moved it to an external focus." (2006 Successes Report Janice Baker --Mississauga City Manager)
And there's this part in the video where Baker says that these annual Corporate SUCCESSES Reports are:
"...a nice way for citizens to see how others recognize the work that our staff and [Ed. wipes tears of laughter from eyes] Council have done." (2006 Successes Report Janice Baker --Mississauga City Manager)
But the biggest laugh happens at the 5 minute mark in the video --how Mississauga governance is
"...always wanting to ensure that our citizens understand that Accountability is very important to us." (2006 Successes Report Janice Baker --Mississauga City Manager)
OH MY! HAHAAAHAHAHAHAHHAAH... Yep. Can't wait til Wednesday to find out, how many "Trust, Quality, Excellence"s will be slung about by the City Manager. There's certain to be at least one "Leading Today for Tomorrow" (not counting the two "Leading Today for Tomorrow"s projected on both Corporate Council Chamber screens just to lend Irony to any Council proceeding.)
The Mississauga Communications Department are MASTERS.
AND SPEAKING OF REPORTS
Check out how Peel Regional Police handle their reporting to the Peel Police Services Board on public complaints. Really, you need to examine the remarkable contrast between reports presented by a public service versus those of a "child-of-the-Province"-corporation like The Corporation of the City of Mississauga.
People might also want to read the Mississauga News article on the Peel Police quarterly report on public complaints, "Complaints against officers down".
Watch the video for yourself as Peel Regional Deputy Chief Paul Tetzlaff uses such comforting words like "training" "professional standards" "heightened efforts" "continue to keep the matter in the forefront" and "keep reinforcing it at the supervisory level". Like, I said, public service.
PEEL POLICE SERVICES BOARD on: Public Complaints (080418)
