HAPPY NEW YEAR MISSISSAUGA and HEADS-UP!
2008. HOOOWEE --THE CORPORATE SPIN (THIS DIDN'T TAKE LONG!)
In his Mississauga News article, "Taxes going up in 2008: Mayor", John Stewart writes:
"McCallion said one of the things the City wants to do is reduce its horsepower this year, by improving public transit and cycling facilities..." MISSISSAUGAblahblahblah
And get this:
"The mayor said the City is resolving to reduce its ecological footprint this year by buying hybrid cars for staff, ensuring electrical equipment is energy-efficient and expanding its network of cycling trails." MISSISSAUGAblah*YAWN*blahblah
The first time I heard about Mississauga and hybrid cars was back in September 2006 when McCallion asked staff why they didn't buy one (or even a SmartCar) to replace her personal conventional vehicle. I recall an "I-sure-hope-she-doesn't-ask-me" uneasy silence. Nobody responded to McCallion's question --not even in an attempt to B.S. or deflect it.
That marathon-silence was one huge matzoh ball suspended in mid-air let me tell you.
How many times have we heard about hybrid cars and reducing the corporate eco-illogical footprint since 2006?
"The city is buying hybrid cars for staff" --Hazel McCallion
"Oh reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaallly?" -- The Mississauga Muse
When it came time to buy a car for the new Mississauga Corporate Security Transit Force, The Corporate Best-and-Brightest bought a white Dodge Charger.
Dodge Chargers --just like Peel Regional Police are replacing. Yes, replacing. As recently as one month ago, Peel Regional Police Chief Mike Metcalf addressed Peel Regional Council regarding the 2008 Police Budget.
(Cllick here to go directly to Google Video)
Chief Metcalf announced that The Peelers were switching to hybrid cars because they've researched just how much more economical and environmentally-responsible such a hybrid-switch is compared to their current fleet.
So when it came time for Mississauga Corporate Security to replace an aging Chev Impala what did they do?...
That's right. The City reduced "its horsepower" and demonstrated its committment to "hybrid cars" by getting a SECOND Dodge Charger direct from the Chrysler D-OH! Department..
No believe? Check out this composite pic.
Top. New Dodge Charger fake-police #1 car for Mississauga Corporate Security Transit Force. Notice "TRANSIT ENFORCEMENT" striping.
Bottom: New Dodge Charger fake-police #2 car for Mississauga Corporate Security. Notice "RESPONSE UNIT" striping.
(Watch for these two Corporation of the City of Mississauga Dodge Chargers --mobile gas-guzzling proof that citizens can take no solice from Ontario BILL 159 – THE PRIVATE SECURITY AND INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES ACT 2005 any more than they can from the BILL 130 Accountability provisions.)
Like. Who craps out these Mississauga capital expenditure decisions I ask you?!
(On the bright side, these two MISSISSAUGA Dodge Chargers are perfect symbolic reminders of an entity that couldn't find either cheek on its own @$$ even with OnStar Guidance, a back-up top-of-the-line GPS and a foolproof step-by-step anatomical-guide engineered by NASA complete with failsafe breadcrumb head-to-toe trail.)
"either cheek"... WHICH BRINGS US TO... NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS
(Side note: My long-term goal is to avoid evil-empire-arrest until October 4, 2014)
Caledon Council "masked" since (with the exception of two councillors) they denied use of their images of that Bill 130 "Investigator" meeting)
(Yes, "masked" --just like Caledon Council. I've thus concluded that the individuals who could simply not care less about citizen privacy are hair-trigger touchy about their own)
LAST: I vow to continue to stay the course --and answer the call of our Ontario Ombudsman. A reminder of what Mr. Marin said at the October 31, 2007 "Right to Know" Luncheon.
"I think it's time for the citizens to hold, not only the provincial government responsible for how this legislation ended up being a complete cop-out, but as well, how each individual municipality deals with the important "Right to Know" for its citizens."
And so it goes, Ontario.
We're being mislead. We're being duped. And the truly Unfortunate Among Us are being screwed over by the Government "closest" to The People.
Screwed over by the Government ostensibly here to "serve".
Signed,
The (Allow the Ontario Ombudsman into Municipalities or 2008 will be another year of being....!) Mississauga Muse
PS. Regarding my insightful comment, "these two MISSISSAUGA Dodge Chargers are perfect symbolic reminders of an entity that couldn't find either cheek on its own @$$ even with OnStar Guidance, a back-up top-of-the-line GPS and a foolproof step-by-step anatomical-guide engineered by NASA complete with failsafe breadcrumb head-to-toe trail.)" please note this observation is based on preliminary evidence and I invite anyone who disputes any portion of this statement to email mississauga_watch@yahoo.com to set me straight. Or leave a comment here. (As everyone knows, accuracy is a vital component for a credible citizen's Blog. Thank you.)
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"In contrast to the local law enforcement agencies, Corporate Security provides a distinct 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)
FOR READERS' COMMENTS --SCROLL TO VERY BOTTOM OF THIS ENTRY.
"MISSISSAUGA --HOWZIT'S GOING" CARTOON ARCHIVE
Links to all previous cartoons in the Mississauga Howzit's Going series.
FELLOW-CITIZEN BLOGGERS
Voices of Ajax (Citizen-Blogger, Karem Allen)
TORONTOIAM (compilation of GTA Blogs)
Woodstock Ontario Independent News (Jim Bender)
FURTHER READING
MEDIA Bloggers:
Click here for John Stewart's Blog, RANDOM ACCESS
and Craig MxBride's X MARKS THE SPOT
Posted Toronto (National Post)
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