MISSISSAUGA --AWARDS plus a Christmas break HEADZ-UP (Mississauga Musings)

HEADZ UP MISSISSAUGA!

Anyone who's read the paper --errum... surfed to the Torstar and MissyNews online, will know about the kerfuffle regarding The Corporation of the City of Mississauga dropping down $50,000 in what is almost certain to have been a two-city "competition" at the World Leadership Awards.

Mississauga paid a $6,500 registration fee to enter "Mississauga Presents Swim to Survive Program" in the Education and Development of the Young. (Now this is a city that cares so much for its Youth that it hasn't bothered with a public complaints process in its Parks&Rec going all the way back to 1974.)

MISSNEWSAWARD2007

Now you got to hand it to Torstar for really piddling in McCallion's coffee. Their article, "Peel's cities drop $100K to schmooze" is one decent lob at Peel Region.

My favourite paragraph in there is this one:

"But back home, two Peel councillors were questioning the net benefit. Mississauga's Pat Saito and Brampton's Elaine Moore said they weren't aware of the cost of the trip before the delegations left. Moore believes her city council should have had a chance to debate it."

"...weren't aware of the cost of the trip"--more proof that if Knowledge is indeed Power, then it's The Staff that run Brampton and Mississauga because it's Staff that controls the Knowledge.

SPEAKING OF "AWARDS"...

Time for you-Mississaugans to check out how "Knowledge" is delivered to you by Staff. Check out Big Yellow's website press release!: "City of Mississauga Receives Distinguished Budget Award 19 Years Running"

I just so finally had it with --well, "awardsawardsawards" that I researched Mississauga's 19-years-in-a-row Distinguished Budget Award.

Moving Forward, Leading Today for Tomorrow, MISSISSAUGAWATCH now offers a translation of the latest Corporate PR-a-rama. So here we go --first, what THEY state in bold and then my MISSISSAUGAWATCH "translation" in italics.

"City of Mississauga Receives Distinguished Budget Award 19 Years Running"

MISSISSAUGAWATCH TRANSLATION: For 19 years running, the City of Mississauga has paid a today-dollar equivalent entry fee of around $950 (plus membership fees) for the Distinguished Budget Award.

"Dec 12, 2007"

MISSISSAUGAWATCH acknowledges that they managed to get the date right.

"The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) 2007 Budget Presentation Award was presented to City of Mississauga staff today at Council."

MISSISSAUGAWATCH acknowledges this to be true as well.

"This is the 19th straight year that the finance division has been presented with this distinguished award; a record in comparison to 15 Canadian GFOA award-winning cities."

MISSISSAUGAWATCH TRANSLATION: In 2005 a total of 35 cities paid entry fees and received this award. That there were only 15 in 2007 suggests either fewer cities are bothering buying this award or getting startlingly-WORSE at dropping down approvable budgets for the reviewers. (See Page 2 of the GFOA brochure for details)

“'This award reflects the commitment our staff has to meeting the highest principles of government budgeting,' said Commissioner of Corporate Services and Treasurer Brenda Breault."

MISSISSAUGAWATCH TRANSLATION: Actually, the GFOA website states that the "award" is granted to a budget report that "substantially complies" to requirements in a review checklist.

“Mississauga is clearly a leader in financial management.”

MISSISSAUGAWATCH TRANSLATION: Oh, Mississauga is a leader in something all right...

"The Budget Presentation Award was established in 1984. Recipients of the award are considered pioneers in improving budget presentations and are role models for other governments throughout North America."

MISSISSAUGAWATCH TRANSLATION: From the GFOA website.

"The GFOA established the Canadian Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program (CAnFR Program) in 1986 to encourage and assist Canadian local governments to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles..." and then there's more --a kind of nebulous reference to "full disclosure" and "transparency" (the kind that AMO-controlled, Local Authority Services has now been hired to provide. HAHAAHAHAHhaaaa.... )

Now you're ready to watch this video called....

MISSISSAUGA BUDGET AWARDS (19 years in a row!) TUTT-TA-DAHHHhhhhhhh

(Click here to go directly to Google Video)

DON BARBER'S COUNCIL DEPUTATION (December 12, 2007)

Just over a week ago, Don Barber gave a deputation in front of Mississauga Council. He addressed his concerns regarding the lack of a proper complaints procedure with City security.

I suspect that most of the people who may have watched via Rogers wouldn't have believed Mr. Barber's presentation. I want readers to be aware that about a year ago, on December 13, 2006, I too tried to go up in front of Mississauga Council to express concerns regarding Corporate Security policies.

However, I was too intimidated by Council and retreated before I could even give my presentation. Since then however, I've spent --I can't even begin to convey just how much-- time researching The Corporation's security.

Mr. Barber has given me permission to post his deputation but I simply haven't had time. Instead, I offer the following video on The Corporation's Violence, Vandalism and Bullying Policy (Part 1 of 3) which I hope will educate readers on issues surrounding this and (eventually) the Video Surveillance Policy passed (without any discussion) at the same meeting.

(About the) MSSISSAUGA Violence, Vandalism and Bullying Policy (Part 1)

(Click here to go directly to Google Video)

Please note, that if you have any questions regarding this policy or the Video Surveillance policy or City security, feel free to email me at mississauga_watch@yahoo.com. You see I'm a bit of an expert...

Signed,
The (Allow the Ontario Ombudsman into Municipalities!) Mississauga Muse
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"...the men and women that make up the uniformed section of Corporate Security and are relentless in their pursuit to form an alliance with staff and patrons throughout all City locations..." --City of Mississauga Corporate Security 2003 Strategic Draft Plan