Mississauga Musings

Congratulations Muse you have served evil well. [Ed: Ummm.. I'm not sure that you meant to type, that, Watcher.... For the record, I cheered for the Frodo when he took on Mount Doom. ]

Because of your efforts to draw attention to the misdeeds of City security and the fact they are operating without proper procedures or polices to control their actions [Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted]. You have noted that you would rather there be no official By-law or Policy than what the City is getting ready to pass, well no such luck -[Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted].

[Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted]. [Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted]- how very Canadian. [Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted] to the core - [Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted].

The only way they would do otherwise is if you were an important person, a superior, a respected person, a person who could make them do the right thing or buying what you wanted. Otherwise their programing simply doesn’t allow for it, after all what example can you point to that they feel an obligation (not required by other levels of Canadian government), to meaningful advance Democracy in Mississauga?

Look at what they did to Public Question Period. Do you not see the trend? [Ed: Watcher, just a reminder that in a couple Blogs ago, I announced that the City was ADDING a Public Question Period. Before, their "Special (Addtional) Council Meetings" had no question period --so I crabbed about that to them. They actually ADDED it. As for how they pulled the rug out from under you in June 2006, as you know, my research proves that was a "Now you See It. Not You Don't.]

This is what wise persons mean when they say history repeats its self - or a government imploding on itself, shutting out external input or forces.

You (and I) knew City security was [Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted]. That this would not happen if it was not knowingly authorised by the Mayor and City Council - [Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted].

Could you not see these people (and it has been the same ones year in and year out) would never willing give up the power they have so successfully used over the years to maintain their lock on power? That the City would rather [Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted], than set reasonable limits to such power as that would be a hallmark found in a Democracy!

That rule [Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted] has served them so well, that the idea found at the core of the laws of a Democracy, reasonable deterrents, is beyond their [Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted].

Of course, I have help these [Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted] efforts as well, so you can’t take all the credit.

Because I stood up for Mississauga’s rights and was sent to prison, that greatly helped their [Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted].cause well.

Do not forget THE VANDALISM AND VIOLENCE IN CITY FACILITIES, By-law was a direct result of my efforts. It was created at the direction of the Mayor after 30 some Mississaugans of all ages got out of their seats at a public meeting to require the Mayor to give me more time to speak, when she tried to cut me off while speaking up for the Cawthra Bush, as a community spokes person. In the case of the Vandalism and Violence in City Facilities By-law, it was presented as a way to deal with violence in sports on City property but was written to cover all City property - interesting - yes?

In this case you are presenting videos showing events on buses - the more things change, the more they stay the same or at least their outcomes.

What there should be is a Bill of Rights for Mississaugan taxpayers --a policy that informs City staff what our rights are, rights to access City property [Ed: Citizens do NOT have the right to access City property. It's City Property, Watcher. City Property is PRIVATE property and so citizens have no "right to access". Find me ONE PLACE where it says that citizens have a "right" to the Corporation's Property. "Public Space" is an oxymoron, Watcher.--as well as illusion], to address our elected officials in a Democracy and not empowerment to City staff to ruin our lives at their whim. All too often with no evidence but their say so. [Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted]. [Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted].

This new Mississauga Corporate Security Code/Complaints Policy has a whole boat load of buzz words - [Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted] that suggests City staff & security will treat us with respect but nothing with the teeth to make it so. [Ed: Watcher, you're absolutely Dead-on there.] A fool's paradise.

How about an independent reviewer like the Ontario Ombudsman - Mississaugans would respect that and not feel the right hand is washing the left and [Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted]! But the City knows, that good Canadians will [Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted]. [Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted].

[Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted]. [Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted]. Spoken by Hazel McCallion, right in City Council and you can hear it on my web-site. [Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted]! [Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted].

[Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted]. "I think that this is an extremely important report regarding the procedures regarding security staff that is established --and I think we can appreciate that we were a little weak on this in regard to procedures." (Hazel McCallion on Mississauga Corporate Security, March 17, 2007)

The City knows it will be next to impossible for any one to take them to Court, to fight for their rights and make the City of Mississauga do the right thing(s) in a post 9/11 world.

That the [Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted].apply to those who want a better world for all by trying to be meaningfully involved in their government.

That the local media will not take up the cause of helping the Innocent and falsely-accused Mississaugan - unless you are a dog [Ed: Mr. Barber is making reference to a dog named "Rambo" who is receiving more help from Mississauga councillors than he ever got. I concur. "Rambo" got more help than I did as well for numerous issues that I've brought to their attention.] and no threat to politicians in an election.

That the City will exploit this weakness in Democracy well - to return Canadian government to the days when those who suggested all taxpayers should have the equal right to address their government, to be involved without fear, should they wish to disagree or question, a right the rich & powerful enjoy, would be considered as spreading sedition. [Ed: WOW, Watcher! I had to look up that word! sedition Etymology: literally, separation, from sed-, se- apart + ition-, itio act of going, from ire to go — more at secede, issue Date: 14th century : incitement of resistance to or insurrection against lawful authority]

Reality bites to the bone doesn’t it?

But you can now see the results of your efforts - can’t you?

[Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted].

Who can really risk or afford the time & money to question government, when the media will not (not in their financial best interests)?

Maybe I am completely wrong - maybe not - but I don’t have to be completely right to be right enough or be on the right side of the line.

Hey there, Watcher. Thanks for dropping by. I hope that you're as excited about the Easter Bunny as I am.

First, sorry about all the stuff I felt needed deleting. We both have experienced "deletion" and we both know how we feel about it. But --you know...

Still, I need to point out that You, Watcher, now hold the MISSISSAUGAWATCH Most-Deleted Word/Sentence Commentary! A NEW RECORD, WATCHER! (Previously held by our own Wayne (Guitarman) Nagy!

I for one, am IMPRESSED!

Moving (heh heh) Forward... I want to deal with just a few of your points --time limitations right now. (I'm on Easter Bunny Watch and don't want the furry rodent to slip by me again for the fifth decade in a row. You know how it is..)

You wrote:

"Do not forget THE VANDALISM AND VIOLENCE IN CITY FACILITIES, By-law was a direct result of my efforts. It was created at the direction of the Mayor after 30 some Mississaugans of all ages got out of their seats at a public meeting to require the Mayor to give me more time to speak, when she tried to cut me off while speaking up for the Cawthra Bush, as a community spokes person. In the case of the Vandalism and Violence in City Facilities By-law, it was presented as a way to deal with violence in sports on City property but was written to cover all City property - interesting - yes?"

Your story of the genesis of the THE VANDALISM AND VIOLENCE IN CITY FACILITIES differs from the December 2006 deputation by Corporate Staff (and it's a Policy, Watcher, not a By-Law (which demands more scrutiny) . But I DO agree with you that it covered all City property --including Council Chambers.

You wrote:

"This new Mississauga Corporate Security Code/Complaints Policy has a whole boat load of buzz words - [Ed: Sorry, Watcher. Deleted] that suggests City staff & security will treat us with respect but nothing with the teeth to make it so. [Ed: Watcher, you're absolutely Dead-on there.] A fool's paradise."

Watcher. Look at the date on the Policy. "Effective Date: February-Freakin'-11-2008. If I were running Mississauga, I'd have made sure that citizens got to have input on that policy at the Our Future Mississauga Community Engagement Visioning Charrette. Not to mention ensure that YOUTH had input in the Mississauga Youth Plan meetings and general meetings.

Ya think that happened?! So your comment about this new Policy suggesting that City "will treat us with respect"?? A City that RESPECTS us would've let us have input into the thing during Our Future Mississauga AND input from kids during the Youth Plan meetings.

Having documented both those exercises, I can summarize in two words. [Ed: Sorry Muse! Deleted!] (WHOA! First time I've had to deleted myself!)

You wrote:

"How about an independent reviewer like the Ontario Ombudsman -"

Watcher, Watcher, Watcher. These are the same people who wet their drawers at the thought of the Ontario Ombudsman just peeking in on something as little-know-to-the-public as "closed-meetings". Last Budget meeting, Carolyn Parrish suggested the City hire an outside agency to look into their books to see if they could find any ways to make The Corporation more efficient. McCallion recoiled in horror and suggested that instead they look to the expertise in the Mississauga business community to do the job for "free". Oversight? Peeking in from the Outside? THE HORROR! (And yeah, I got that HORROR on video.)

Just so you and Mississaugans know, I emailed the Ministry of Correctional Services the other day to get help with this complaints system stuff. Here's the email. For the record.

"Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:39:07 -0500
To: jus.g.sgcs.webmaster@jus.gov.on.ca
From: [my personal email address]
Subject: BILL 159 Investigators Bill
Cc: rbartolucci.mpp@liberal.ola.org, mississauga_watch@yahoo.com, the_mississauga_muse@yahoo.com

Hello,

I have some questions regarding Bill 159, Investigators Bill and would like to meet with a member of your staff. I'm a citizen-Blogger who is currently investigating security guards and oversight practices and need clarification on several matters. I wish to videotape this meeting for use on YouTube and Google Video.

I am available on any day, time and place that you request (provided it's in the Province of Ontario)

I'll happily provide my Bill-159-related questions in advance.

Thank you for your consideration,
Ursula Bennett
"The Mississauga Muse"
MISSISSAUGAWATCH

www.mississaugablogs.com/Mississauga_Musings/

www.youtube.com/user/MISSISSAUGAWATCH

I've concluded, Watcher, that this is the only way to fight BIG BROTHER. I have to go to a BIGGER brother.

Last, Watcher, you wrote:

"Maybe I am completely wrong - maybe not - but I don’t have to be completely right to be right enough or be on the right side of the line."

Fer shure you're not completely wrong. Absolutely, FOR SURE. Freedom of Information confirms that.

Happier topic. My 80-year-old mother phoned this morning. She saw her first 2008 robin bob-bob-bobbing along. On snow mind you. But, the red-breasted birdies have doth returned!

Warm aloha to your salamanders, bro'
The Mississauga Muse

It’s all these other “Dim Lights” and old partisan wonks that figure the Mississauga News is a billboard to promote some kind inequity between rational and genders that's trying to determine what Rambo is by his fur color.

Like if a big yellow “alleged “Pit Bull were walking unleashed under the confines of their voyeur security camera facilities “Councillor McCallion" would move in to her incoherent bafflegab-mode to elude the City’s [Ed: Sorry, Wayne, Deleted. Watcher's got the new "Deletion" record now... nice try though] actioned between pooling episodes

http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/December2006/20/c9249.html

Wow, I haven't seen so many redactions since the transcripts of the Nixon tapes were published!

[Ed: Bright Snoop is too bright for me. Never saw the word "redaction" before. Here's the definition. "redaction" French rédaction, from Late Latin redaction-, redactio act of reducing, compressing, from Latin redigere to bring back, reduce, from re-, red- re- + agere to lead — more at agent Date: 1785 1 : an act or instance of redacting something 2 : a work that has been redacted : edition, version. I'll use "redacted" in a sentence. "I just redacted Don (Watcher) Barber more than any other reader on here."]

On the subject of whether you have anything better to do: I haven't seen your reponses but I certainly hope they went something like this:

"Of course I don't have anything better to do! Pulling back the curtains and letting light shine on the secretive shadowy world of the Corporation's minions is a noble calling."

My point is that we--the citizens of the "best city in Canada" as proclaimed loudly and frequently by Hazel, and including your critics (who seem to be oblivious to the risk that the Corporation's minions pose to them as much as to the rest of us)--need someone who "has nothing better to do." It's extremely important that someone (you) raise public awareness because the people most at risk are the ones who are unaware that there is any risk at all!

Thanks for the work, Muse, and may you never have anything better to do.

First, thanks so much, Bright Snoop for all the support over the past year.

Yes, I "redacted" Mississauga's Watcher almost as much as the Nixon tapes.

For the record, I agreed with what Mr. Barber wrote, but felt it best to keep his insights between him and me.

In other instances, Mr. Barber unknowingly entered into issues that I am currently (or intend to) explore through Freedom of Information.

Didn't want those issues and FOI-avenues "telegraphed".

The Mississauga Muse wants all readers to know that in the entire time that I've communicated with Mr. Barber (email, phone, in person) not ONCE have I ever heard him use a foul word. Not once.

However, I, The Mississauga Muse (a female --and not a lady) navigate easily through the entire range of the English language --to Mr. Barber's gentlemanly-chagrin.

Fort Erie stirring again...

Pamphlet stirs up closed-session controversy at Town hall

Posted By Kris Dubé

Who would have thought a small informational pamphlet would stir up so much controversy?

At Monday night's council-in-committee meeting, Ward 6 Coun. Anne-Marie Noyes motioned to go into a closed session meeting, while council discussed a tabloid prepared by Town staff, which may end up in your mail in the near future. The tabloid-sized brochure has been designed to highlight some of the Town of Fort Erie's crowning achievements in 2007, and some of its plans up until 2010. Noyes made the motion, that was later denied, because of a certain developer that is quoted in the piece of literature, as she felt his name should not be printed. She also feels that going into closed session over this issue should have been granted because there was a closed session meeting a week before on Mar. 10, at the regular council meeting. The closed session meeting that was held a week before regarded Margaret Neubauer, director of corporate services, and the fact that she will be leaving the Town of Fort Erie for a job with the City of Guelph.

"I was just asking for the same consideration," said Noyes.

"I think if the rest of council reflects on how this is exactly what we did with Margaret Neubauer, and that my request was not unreasonable and that it should have been granted," said Noyes.

She said that her motion should have been approved because discussing the practices of another person who is not in attendance at a council meeting is unfair to that individual.

"If you have questions or comments regarding an individual and they're not there to defend themselves or are able to react, you want to make sure you don't do it in a public forum," said Noyes.

Fort Erie Mayor Doug Martin disagrees with Noyes' belief that going into closed session on Monday is similar to the one that was held the previous week.

He said when council does go into closed session, there is enough notification prior to the meeting as to what will be discussed to all council members and Town staff.

"It was significantly different in the fact that we let all members of council know that there is going to be a closed session meeting in advance," said Martin.

At the start of the year, it became law that all municipalities are eligible for scrutiny from Ontario ombudsman André Marin, about what was discussed at a meeting if a complaint is registered from a citizen. The Town of Fort Erie was the first municipality to be examined under the new law, when a complaint was filed about a closed-session meeting on Jan. 7. Marin concluded that there were no matters of Town business discussed and that the meeting was conducted purely for training purposes.

Martin said that with this new law in place, the Town of Fort Erie needs to be careful, and only go into a closed-session meeting if all the proper information and details about the issue at hand are brought to council's attention before the cameras and recorders are turned off.

"I think we have to be vigilant on the fact that if we're going to go into closed session, we must have some sort of indication as to what it's going to be about, and we received none of that," said Martin.

The report has been tabled until next week's regular council meeting. In the meantime, Noyes will be sending out a confidential memo to all members of council detailing her concerns.

Courtesty 2008 Fort Erie Times - A Division of Osprey Media.