I feel very strongly taxpayers are entitled to disclosure of information that is designated public yet in many cases the information is refused with an explanation if you want it go to the city clerk and pay for the proper form to get it.When this response is used my first reaction is some one is trying to hide something.
With this in mind I checked with the two(2) Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Acts, municipal and provincial to check the language to see if it would apply to any citizen of Welland if one decided to use the act to get information that should have been disclosed before having to use the act.
The Freedom's commissioner, being a staunch supporter of information by government institutions strongly encourages all institutions to release all information" unless there is a clear and compelling reason not to do this". The commissioner advocates routine disclosure and active distribution.
Why is the public put in this asinine situation?
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Answers to questions ignored
The following letter was written on June 11, 2007 but was never printed in the local paper, a letter written at the request of many who ask as I've done many times, why the citizens of Welland can not obtain answers from their elected officials to questions that have been put forward many, many times;
Why is the Conservation Committee(CC), a committee that is supposed to be dedicated to the conservation of water, a committee that has gone to a great deal of expense to promote Rain Barrels and Low Flow Toilets to save water has the nerve to overlook the prime waste of water in the summer time, LAWN WATERING that has a trend to double summer consumption? Not, and I stress NOT one member of that CC and NOT one member of the present council has the intestinal fortitude to step forward with even one reason to support their ignoring this regular misuse of water.
This writer challenges these CC people and councilors to get in touch with those communities I listed in a previous letter a few weeks ago and ask them, as I did, why they put in their bylaw where in most cases there is an abundant supply of water.
The Seaway Mall land deal with the city that expired one year ago has yet to bring into being any reason why the deal did not happen.Because of this lack of information rumors have started to float around the city stating the city did not want the land back and there was a mistake in the phrasing of the deal. What ever, it seems to be a hushed up issue that even councilor Belcastro refrains from commenting on when he was implicated in the original business deal.
The Helems Ave disaster as every Wellander knows exceeded the budget yet as of this writing and well over a year after the completion there has never been a disclosure of the actual cost, a cost asked for many times and ignored.
Finally Denistoun Street, a street in need of repair and resurfacing, a street the ward councilors have been asked about for the past two years and to this date have yet to give one solid reply, even a projection is better than saying nothing.
Why is the Conservation Committee(CC), a committee that is supposed to be dedicated to the conservation of water, a committee that has gone to a great deal of expense to promote Rain Barrels and Low Flow Toilets to save water has the nerve to overlook the prime waste of water in the summer time, LAWN WATERING that has a trend to double summer consumption? Not, and I stress NOT one member of that CC and NOT one member of the present council has the intestinal fortitude to step forward with even one reason to support their ignoring this regular misuse of water.
This writer challenges these CC people and councilors to get in touch with those communities I listed in a previous letter a few weeks ago and ask them, as I did, why they put in their bylaw where in most cases there is an abundant supply of water.
The Seaway Mall land deal with the city that expired one year ago has yet to bring into being any reason why the deal did not happen.Because of this lack of information rumors have started to float around the city stating the city did not want the land back and there was a mistake in the phrasing of the deal. What ever, it seems to be a hushed up issue that even councilor Belcastro refrains from commenting on when he was implicated in the original business deal.
The Helems Ave disaster as every Wellander knows exceeded the budget yet as of this writing and well over a year after the completion there has never been a disclosure of the actual cost, a cost asked for many times and ignored.
Finally Denistoun Street, a street in need of repair and resurfacing, a street the ward councilors have been asked about for the past two years and to this date have yet to give one solid reply, even a projection is better than saying nothing.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Advertising low flow toilets in Welland Retail Stores
I stand to be corrected but I believe July 7, 2007 has been set aside by the Welland Conservation Committee as water low flow toilet rebate day to be held again as last year at Welland Lumber, one of the retailers listed by the Conservation Committee as a distributor of these toilets. I should point out Wal Mart who is on the that list does not, according to their clerks, sell toilets in that store. The list of retailers in Welland in your respective areas is available by calling city hall.
The reason I am writing about these toilets and the their distribution is the result of looking to buy two of these toilets at one of the respective dealers only to find, in most cases, no signs advertising the retailer handled the approved toilets, in one instance there was not even a toilet on display. We, my friend and I discussed the toilets with one retailer who basically said " Why bother, there is only one retailer in the city that gets all of the toilet business".
For the past week one retailer has been advertising these toilets on a regular basis in the Tribune so one has to presume that retailer is going to pick up the bulk of the sales on toilet day.
Every one is well aware of the new CFL energy saving light bulb Hydro promo, a very good promo that expires on June 17, 2007 Almost every retail store in Welland has a display set up in their store. I was in the market to buy 10 of these new bulbs so I made the rounds of the retailers finding in most cases the prices were much the same however I ended up buying the bulbs at one retailer because that retailer was the only outlet that had the Hydro coupons available for the customer right with the display.
Advertising surprising enough does bring in customers.
The reason I am writing about these toilets and the their distribution is the result of looking to buy two of these toilets at one of the respective dealers only to find, in most cases, no signs advertising the retailer handled the approved toilets, in one instance there was not even a toilet on display. We, my friend and I discussed the toilets with one retailer who basically said " Why bother, there is only one retailer in the city that gets all of the toilet business".
For the past week one retailer has been advertising these toilets on a regular basis in the Tribune so one has to presume that retailer is going to pick up the bulk of the sales on toilet day.
Every one is well aware of the new CFL energy saving light bulb Hydro promo, a very good promo that expires on June 17, 2007 Almost every retail store in Welland has a display set up in their store. I was in the market to buy 10 of these new bulbs so I made the rounds of the retailers finding in most cases the prices were much the same however I ended up buying the bulbs at one retailer because that retailer was the only outlet that had the Hydro coupons available for the customer right with the display.
Advertising surprising enough does bring in customers.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Refugee and senior income
Back on May 30,2007 I wrote this article which is probably obvious why to those who may have on occasion received an Email stating a refugee receives more money per month than the average senior citizen. The explanation should be made public.
The following information, I trust , will clear up the misunderstanding of what the Federal and Provincial governments are allegedly paying refugees on a monthly basis vs seniors monthly Old Age Security and Supplement. All of this information was provided by MP John Maloney and his assistant in a prompt and courteous manner.
I am taking the liberty of quoting the information John sent to me.
"The federal government does not provide a single refugee with a monthly allowance of $1890.00 plus an additional $ 580.00 in assistance. That is not correct. A refugee living in Ontario receives a maximum of $580.00 per month from the Federal Refugee Assistance Program(RAD) which is only available for up to 12 months or until he/she becomes self-sufficient.
While receiving RAP refugees are ineligible to receive Provincial Social Assistance benefits. The maximum monthly one-time only payment is $1890.00 which includes the income support of $580.00 for the first month. They are not two separate payments.
There are additional funds for basic household start-up needs such as furnishings, kitchen necessities etc that can be provided under RAP in the first month payment but this support is one time only".
I hope this clarification will clear up any misunderstanding seniors may have and will put their minds to rest.
The Email that has been going around for a number of years was based on totally false information.
The following information, I trust , will clear up the misunderstanding of what the Federal and Provincial governments are allegedly paying refugees on a monthly basis vs seniors monthly Old Age Security and Supplement. All of this information was provided by MP John Maloney and his assistant in a prompt and courteous manner.
I am taking the liberty of quoting the information John sent to me.
"The federal government does not provide a single refugee with a monthly allowance of $1890.00 plus an additional $ 580.00 in assistance. That is not correct. A refugee living in Ontario receives a maximum of $580.00 per month from the Federal Refugee Assistance Program(RAD) which is only available for up to 12 months or until he/she becomes self-sufficient.
While receiving RAP refugees are ineligible to receive Provincial Social Assistance benefits. The maximum monthly one-time only payment is $1890.00 which includes the income support of $580.00 for the first month. They are not two separate payments.
There are additional funds for basic household start-up needs such as furnishings, kitchen necessities etc that can be provided under RAP in the first month payment but this support is one time only".
I hope this clarification will clear up any misunderstanding seniors may have and will put their minds to rest.
The Email that has been going around for a number of years was based on totally false information.
Lead testing
A recent article in the Welland Tribune's editorial page covering lead testing confirms what I've written about numerous times particularly during the water meter installations. At those times I asked if the meter installers reported lead lines when they were installing a meter. Not once, again not once was there a response,not even from any city official. I pointed out the senseless way of testing for lead by flushing before testing, and again no response in support of the method.
There are times when I do know what I am talking about.
There are times when I do know what I am talking about.
Lead Water Line Testing
Just a short article from one who was very critical of the method used to test lead water lines. ONE DOES NOT FLUSH A LINE FOR 5 OR 10 MINUTES BEFORE DOING A TEST, THAT METHOD IS USELESS AS IT REMOVES ANYTHING THAT COULD SETTLE IN THE LINE OVER NIGHT AND THE TEST MUST BE DONE ON AN INSIDE TAP.
Having said all of this I read the test results are in disclosing a number of municipalities with lead in the water lines. The municipalities have not been named yet. I Emailed the minister this afternoon asking for the Welland results. I am waiting for a reply.
If the tests come back negative it does not mean the municipality is off the hook. I suggest all citizens of Welland, living in homes built prior to 1950 and as far back as 1930, phone the city and ask to have your line tested regardless of the dismal amount of testing that was done. Do not let the tester flush the line before testing contrary to what has been said Water sitting in a line overnight will have a build-up as any knowledgeable person knows.
It is your right.
It is your health.
Having said all of this I read the test results are in disclosing a number of municipalities with lead in the water lines. The municipalities have not been named yet. I Emailed the minister this afternoon asking for the Welland results. I am waiting for a reply.
If the tests come back negative it does not mean the municipality is off the hook. I suggest all citizens of Welland, living in homes built prior to 1950 and as far back as 1930, phone the city and ask to have your line tested regardless of the dismal amount of testing that was done. Do not let the tester flush the line before testing contrary to what has been said Water sitting in a line overnight will have a build-up as any knowledgeable person knows.
It is your right.
It is your health.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Welland's Resuracing Capital Budget
The subject capital budget was made public to-day June 1, 2007 in the Welland Tribune. There were 11 roads in that budget scheduled for resurfacing for 2007. Noticeably Denistoun Street was not one of them.
Now one can expect one reason for not being on the list was due to the work now being done on the water and sewer lines from Hooker Street to Main, work that would leave the street in a patch up position subject to leveling after the fill has settled hopefully leaving no hump bumps as was left on other sections of the street.
I am sure the people in the Denistoun area can accept that as a delay however what the local residents can not accept is the lack of communication between the two councillors and the residents who seem to have a tendency to ignore this segment of their ward, a lack of same that stretches back over two years.
This writer has a tendency to believe these two councillors have not even addressed this problem at city council, if they have why haven't they saw fit to inform their constituents of their efforts and any decisions that are planned for Denistoun Street? Please!!! don't sit back and say nothing.
The Denistoun area must represent at least 25% or more of the total eligible voters in the ward. voters who deserve a little more support and output from these two.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)