I absolutely adore the local Facebook Page "I'm from a little town called Bolton in Ontario". Thank you Samantha Corless for assembling this page and a special thanks to Derek Paterson who posts up the coolest pics & historical info about our community. This girl is very appreciative of your efforts.
Social media, which at times can be a thread that connects us, can also become a conduit for silliness, of which I'm the first to admit to engaging in. However with that being said, F-bombs aren't my bag but sarcasm and humour are. Topics from politics to sports can become lightening rods for discussion and etiquette and respect are the first boundaries to get kicked to the curb. The FB page "I'm from a little town..." is no exception to that rule. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with dissenting opinions. Some people just need to turn on their filters about right time and right place. Those people who liberally rant through FB pages have their own page where they can spew all the vitriol they want. The minute they take it to a larger group, it's a different animal. If they feel they have the right to spew, then I have the right to push back.
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Summer Breezes
Have you ever found yourself at a community or public meeting here in town, you notice it is being covered by a local publication (and I use that term very loosely), in particular by Matt Strader, and a few days later you find yourself reading about said coverage only to start asking yourself this question: "Were we at the same meeting?"
After years of the myopathy demonstrated by Matt Stader and the Dopey Doodles of the powers that be at the Caledon Enterprise, it's time to just call 'em as I see it. The lovely straw breaking moment came when Mr. Strader reported on the recent ROPA public meeting. What the hell? I had only just recovered from the lopsided news coverage of the public meetings with respect to the Heritage Designation discussions about the core of Bolton.
Then comes the stupidness of the Election Expense review.
Let me be clear. There was no breezing in to public office. Geezus, Matt Strader manages to make the title of that article sound like a chapter out of "The Great Gatsby". As a girl, who's boots were on the ground, knocking door after door, handing out information where ever I could, I can swear on my life that there was no easy peasy breeze blowing us around, like a piece of tumbleweed, soft landing in to elected office.
After years of the myopathy demonstrated by Matt Stader and the Dopey Doodles of the powers that be at the Caledon Enterprise, it's time to just call 'em as I see it. The lovely straw breaking moment came when Mr. Strader reported on the recent ROPA public meeting. What the hell? I had only just recovered from the lopsided news coverage of the public meetings with respect to the Heritage Designation discussions about the core of Bolton.
Then comes the stupidness of the Election Expense review.
Let me be clear. There was no breezing in to public office. Geezus, Matt Strader manages to make the title of that article sound like a chapter out of "The Great Gatsby". As a girl, who's boots were on the ground, knocking door after door, handing out information where ever I could, I can swear on my life that there was no easy peasy breeze blowing us around, like a piece of tumbleweed, soft landing in to elected office.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Imagine.....
On this Christmas Eve, as we prepare to celebrate with family and loved ones, I just wanted to take this moment to express my genuine gratitude. #AttitudeOfGratitude So many of you have reached out to me personally over the past month to show your support. Your confidence in me, the strength it helps me to muster, the small kindnesses (ummmm....Susy I loved the lasagna....just saying) and all the encouragement to stay strong and stay the course, has been appreciated.
I am a blessed woman. I have a family that support me 100%. I have a community that I love and will continue to love and support it in whatever capacity that might be. In my everyday working life I get to do work that has real affect on the lives impacted by illness. I have a daughter who I look up to and a partner who knows exactly what kind of metal I'm made of. Roll it all up together, I'm am totally a blessed and loved person. There will be no lumps of coal in my stocking this year. Bring on the chocolate. :)
Know this, knock me down, I'll get back up. Knock me down again, I'll get back up again.
Please take a minute and watch this most wonderful rendition of John Lennon's song "Imagine". I know it's not a Christmas/Holiday song but somehow, it just feels right. I hope you appreciate the perspective this song brings. The lyrics are so powerful and so provocative. That's what John Lennon did best, he wrote words that would make you think. Imagine....
To all of you, even those who are trying so hard to knock me down, I extend to you, my best wishes for a new year filled with love, joy, good health and true friends. #Imagine
Off the grid for a few days.....time for retrospection.....and those silly lawyers letters.
Respectfully,
Christine
I am a blessed woman. I have a family that support me 100%. I have a community that I love and will continue to love and support it in whatever capacity that might be. In my everyday working life I get to do work that has real affect on the lives impacted by illness. I have a daughter who I look up to and a partner who knows exactly what kind of metal I'm made of. Roll it all up together, I'm am totally a blessed and loved person. There will be no lumps of coal in my stocking this year. Bring on the chocolate. :)
Know this, knock me down, I'll get back up. Knock me down again, I'll get back up again.
Please take a minute and watch this most wonderful rendition of John Lennon's song "Imagine". I know it's not a Christmas/Holiday song but somehow, it just feels right. I hope you appreciate the perspective this song brings. The lyrics are so powerful and so provocative. That's what John Lennon did best, he wrote words that would make you think. Imagine....
To all of you, even those who are trying so hard to knock me down, I extend to you, my best wishes for a new year filled with love, joy, good health and true friends. #Imagine
Off the grid for a few days.....time for retrospection.....and those silly lawyers letters.
Respectfully,
Christine
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Schweddy Balls....
In light of the latest stupidness I've just received I just couldn't help but to share this hilarious skit from SNL. Just a classic skit called "Schweddy Balls". Just click on the highlighted link. I'm quite certain this will get a guffaw or two out of you.
BTW, stay tuned, I plan on posting all the legal letters I've received over the past month from the lawyers repping Terry Groves, Kim Seipt and Kelly Darnley. My lawyer says I should post them all publicly. Shame,shame, shame. He's right. Time to bring this completely out of the closet.
Ummmm....small note to the silly guy named Terry Groves. Bringing up the whole Chris Harker incident doesn't, even for a second, scare me. Pretty sad and a move of utter desperation when you try to disparage me with this kind of crap. Really? Something from 15 years ago? So silly. Answer my lawyer's questions when he asks the three of you to specifically point out the blog posts that defame or slander you. If you want to hit me with a SLAPP suit it is your responsibility to have your lawyer vet through the blog to find what it is that I say that is slanderous, libelous or defaming you. Bring it. I'm ready to take my stand.
Stay tuned readers, you are just going to love these lawyer's letters. :)
Merry Christmas.
C.
BTW, stay tuned, I plan on posting all the legal letters I've received over the past month from the lawyers repping Terry Groves, Kim Seipt and Kelly Darnley. My lawyer says I should post them all publicly. Shame,shame, shame. He's right. Time to bring this completely out of the closet.
Ummmm....small note to the silly guy named Terry Groves. Bringing up the whole Chris Harker incident doesn't, even for a second, scare me. Pretty sad and a move of utter desperation when you try to disparage me with this kind of crap. Really? Something from 15 years ago? So silly. Answer my lawyer's questions when he asks the three of you to specifically point out the blog posts that defame or slander you. If you want to hit me with a SLAPP suit it is your responsibility to have your lawyer vet through the blog to find what it is that I say that is slanderous, libelous or defaming you. Bring it. I'm ready to take my stand.
Stay tuned readers, you are just going to love these lawyer's letters. :)
Merry Christmas.
C.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Welcome to Coopspeak....The Sequel....
Welcome to "Coopspeak - The Sequel"
Oh yes, this is so happening.
Stay tuned.
I have so much to share. Letters from laywers. The "or else" verbiage. The "let us strip you of your constitutional rights" letters or we will SLAPP you.
Just an FYI, that word SLAPP ain't no typo. Just click on the link and get a little legal knowledge.
I'd like to thank Kim Seipt, Kelly Darnley and Terry Groves for INSPIRING me to embrace all that is right and proper about who I am as a Canadian and then as a Caledon resident.
F#@K you.
Oh did I say that? Please forgive the crass pejorative. I've never used one before, ever, in this blog. Well looks like this moment will be the exception. Man, that's empowering. It's like the most literal flipping the bird moment I've ever partaken of. Wow, that's fun. Can I do it again? F#@K you. It feels so good.
Kimmy, Kelly and Terry thank you for reminding me about the Charter of Rights in this country.
Thank you for inspiring me to step up to the plate and use my own voice to say yay or nay to your position. Thank you for helping me grow the pair of cojones I need to deal with a bunch of asshats like you. Last time I checked, I was allowed to descent from your opinion, your platform and your personal agenda. Truth is, I'm embarressed to think that we represent the same community. Oh wait, that's just my opinion. I am entitled to an opinion, right?
How disgraceful that you opted to try and use a piece of legal duct tape over my mouth by trying to intimidate me and frighten me with the prospects of a SLAPP suit. Hey Christine, sign on the dotted line and you'll never be allowed to not only write about us but to add insult to injury, you'll not even be allowed to "talk/verbalize" about us. Yeah, ok. Gimme the paper, where do I sign? I don't think so.
Could you imagine living in Bolton and not being able to even talk about Terry Groves aloud? That just makes me snort laugh. C'mon. Seriously. Think about it. That's like telling some guy in San Fran in the 60's he can't let his freak flag fly. Yeah dude, how's that working for you?
On another note, I'd like to thank every single Canadian who ever put on a uniform to stand up for our right to have an opinion and voice it. Please know that this girl is grateful for all that you fought for and it did not go in vain. I will not remain silent in my community. I will scrap for what I believe is right and righteous. You fought to give me that right so thank you. I'll use it. Every single chance I get.
Finally I'd like to thank my lawyer, Iain MacKinnon, for giving me a good, hard, sift boot up the ass to remind me of the rights and privileges I'm afforded to in this country. You are a champ and a Pitbull. I couldn't have asked for better representation. Thank you for helping me straighten out my backbone and remember who I am, what my voice is and why it's important to use it.
I've got my list for Santa. Contrary to popular belief, I've been a very good girl. So stay tuned. "Coopspeak - The Sequel" is warming up the keyboard.
To all those who serve, in whatever capacity that might be, blessings for those who are away from your families this holiday. This girl appreciates your service and the reminder of why you serve.
Much love & respect to my community,
Christine
Oh yes, this is so happening.
Stay tuned.
I have so much to share. Letters from laywers. The "or else" verbiage. The "let us strip you of your constitutional rights" letters or we will SLAPP you.
Just an FYI, that word SLAPP ain't no typo. Just click on the link and get a little legal knowledge.
I'd like to thank Kim Seipt, Kelly Darnley and Terry Groves for INSPIRING me to embrace all that is right and proper about who I am as a Canadian and then as a Caledon resident.
F#@K you.
Oh did I say that? Please forgive the crass pejorative. I've never used one before, ever, in this blog. Well looks like this moment will be the exception. Man, that's empowering. It's like the most literal flipping the bird moment I've ever partaken of. Wow, that's fun. Can I do it again? F#@K you. It feels so good.
Kimmy, Kelly and Terry thank you for reminding me about the Charter of Rights in this country.
Thank you for inspiring me to step up to the plate and use my own voice to say yay or nay to your position. Thank you for helping me grow the pair of cojones I need to deal with a bunch of asshats like you. Last time I checked, I was allowed to descent from your opinion, your platform and your personal agenda. Truth is, I'm embarressed to think that we represent the same community. Oh wait, that's just my opinion. I am entitled to an opinion, right?
How disgraceful that you opted to try and use a piece of legal duct tape over my mouth by trying to intimidate me and frighten me with the prospects of a SLAPP suit. Hey Christine, sign on the dotted line and you'll never be allowed to not only write about us but to add insult to injury, you'll not even be allowed to "talk/verbalize" about us. Yeah, ok. Gimme the paper, where do I sign? I don't think so.
Could you imagine living in Bolton and not being able to even talk about Terry Groves aloud? That just makes me snort laugh. C'mon. Seriously. Think about it. That's like telling some guy in San Fran in the 60's he can't let his freak flag fly. Yeah dude, how's that working for you?
On another note, I'd like to thank every single Canadian who ever put on a uniform to stand up for our right to have an opinion and voice it. Please know that this girl is grateful for all that you fought for and it did not go in vain. I will not remain silent in my community. I will scrap for what I believe is right and righteous. You fought to give me that right so thank you. I'll use it. Every single chance I get.
Finally I'd like to thank my lawyer, Iain MacKinnon, for giving me a good, hard, sift boot up the ass to remind me of the rights and privileges I'm afforded to in this country. You are a champ and a Pitbull. I couldn't have asked for better representation. Thank you for helping me straighten out my backbone and remember who I am, what my voice is and why it's important to use it.
I've got my list for Santa. Contrary to popular belief, I've been a very good girl. So stay tuned. "Coopspeak - The Sequel" is warming up the keyboard.
To all those who serve, in whatever capacity that might be, blessings for those who are away from your families this holiday. This girl appreciates your service and the reminder of why you serve.
Much love & respect to my community,
Christine
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Vote.
Years ago I worked with a woman who had immigrated to Canada from the Philippines where she had lived during the Marcos regime. She told me that the one thing she was really looking forward to as a newly sworn in Canadian citizen was getting to freely, privately and safely vote in an election. "Have you ever had an AK47 pointed at you when you were in a voting booth?" she asked me. She shared with me that she had not ever once gotten to vote freely and unencumbered in an election. "It is a basic privilege of democracy that I look forward to." she told me. I have never forgotten what she shared with me that day. Since that time I have not ever, not even once, ever missed an opportunity to cast my vote in any election. Not federal, not provincial and especially not municipally.
I always cringe when I hear people say "Vote? Oh I can't be bothered. What's the point especially municipally." Voter turnout for local elections is a mere 35% of the eligible voting public compared to the 50+% for provincial & federal elections. Part of me is greatly saddened by this fact because when you think about it our local government is the most grassroots, the most accessible and the closest to home governance we live with on a day to day basis. I struggle with the apathy of those numbers for the privilege to responsibly elect our local representation. I abhor the chatter of those who chose to say silly things such as "what's the point...." or "why bother...." or "it's just our local council, who cares...." Well I care.
I care about recycling and composting programs. I care about protecting the water that flows from the top of the Headwaters that eventually ends up in Lake Ontario and ultimately out my kitchen tap. I care that there are books to borrow from the public library. I care that there is supportive housing for seniors and those impacted by disabilities. I care that the snowploughs safely clear Highway 50. I care that there is a large beautiful green space where fireworks can be shot off on Canada Day. I care that I live in a region that wants to invest for resilience. I care about community safety, policing, the fire department and about the animal shelter out on Coleraine Road. I care that there are pools to splash in, rinks to skate on and infields to slide in to homeplate at. I care that we are a community that has heritage and history. I care that Bolton is home to one of the oldest Agricultural fairgrounds in North America. I care that Caledon is a place where the Niagara Escarpment meets the Oak Ridges Moraine. I care that I have a local government that made it very clear that protecting the ground we live on against relentless and uncontrolled growth and ruthless developers is a priority. I care because Caledon is my home.
I know that there are some people out there who think what I prattle on about here is negative and downright mean. To those people I would say this. What I am trying to get you to do is to think. Think about this community. Think about the fundamental values of this place we call home. Ask questions. Ask hard questions. Keep my tongue in cheek rhetoric in its perspective. I'm prodding you, or in some cases, just plainly poking the stick through the fence at you, if at least just to get some sort of reaction. I'm checking to see if you have a pulse. Apathy is a terrible illness that will suck the life right out of a community and this shows up more during municipal elections than at any other time during our electoral process. Closest to home, yet furthest from our heart. This is a logic that I have struggled to understand. It's a terrible malady to realize that no vote is in fact a vote. Of course one could just prescribe to the tenet, if you don't vote then your forfeit your right to complain about your governance.
On Monday, October 25th our community will go to the polls to elect a four year term council. Four years, eight councillors and a mayor, who will represent us in what I believe will be one of the most important four years for Caledon in its history. There will be no AK47s pointed at anyone as we the people get to exercise our fundamental right to democracy and to freely chose those who represent us. Choose wisely but more importantly, choose.
Happy belated Canada Day.
I always cringe when I hear people say "Vote? Oh I can't be bothered. What's the point especially municipally." Voter turnout for local elections is a mere 35% of the eligible voting public compared to the 50+% for provincial & federal elections. Part of me is greatly saddened by this fact because when you think about it our local government is the most grassroots, the most accessible and the closest to home governance we live with on a day to day basis. I struggle with the apathy of those numbers for the privilege to responsibly elect our local representation. I abhor the chatter of those who chose to say silly things such as "what's the point...." or "why bother...." or "it's just our local council, who cares...." Well I care.
I care about recycling and composting programs. I care about protecting the water that flows from the top of the Headwaters that eventually ends up in Lake Ontario and ultimately out my kitchen tap. I care that there are books to borrow from the public library. I care that there is supportive housing for seniors and those impacted by disabilities. I care that the snowploughs safely clear Highway 50. I care that there is a large beautiful green space where fireworks can be shot off on Canada Day. I care that I live in a region that wants to invest for resilience. I care about community safety, policing, the fire department and about the animal shelter out on Coleraine Road. I care that there are pools to splash in, rinks to skate on and infields to slide in to homeplate at. I care that we are a community that has heritage and history. I care that Bolton is home to one of the oldest Agricultural fairgrounds in North America. I care that Caledon is a place where the Niagara Escarpment meets the Oak Ridges Moraine. I care that I have a local government that made it very clear that protecting the ground we live on against relentless and uncontrolled growth and ruthless developers is a priority. I care because Caledon is my home.
I know that there are some people out there who think what I prattle on about here is negative and downright mean. To those people I would say this. What I am trying to get you to do is to think. Think about this community. Think about the fundamental values of this place we call home. Ask questions. Ask hard questions. Keep my tongue in cheek rhetoric in its perspective. I'm prodding you, or in some cases, just plainly poking the stick through the fence at you, if at least just to get some sort of reaction. I'm checking to see if you have a pulse. Apathy is a terrible illness that will suck the life right out of a community and this shows up more during municipal elections than at any other time during our electoral process. Closest to home, yet furthest from our heart. This is a logic that I have struggled to understand. It's a terrible malady to realize that no vote is in fact a vote. Of course one could just prescribe to the tenet, if you don't vote then your forfeit your right to complain about your governance.
On Monday, October 25th our community will go to the polls to elect a four year term council. Four years, eight councillors and a mayor, who will represent us in what I believe will be one of the most important four years for Caledon in its history. There will be no AK47s pointed at anyone as we the people get to exercise our fundamental right to democracy and to freely chose those who represent us. Choose wisely but more importantly, choose.
Happy belated Canada Day.
Things that make me go hmmmmmm......
Don't you ever have moments where you just stop and wonder about some things. Here are a few current thoughts that I've been having that make me go "hmmmmmm"......If Caledon is one of the safest communities in the country then can someone please explain to me why our Mayor needs to have bullet proof windows in her home? Seriously. I kid you not. I heard that every window in Mayor Marolyn Morrison's home had to be replaced with glass that had to withstand gunfire. What the hell? I wonder if they had to do the same to her cute little yellow Thunderbird? Hmmmmm......
Ward 5 Regional Councillor candidate Amanda Squire's website has a "Contract with Amanda Squire" http://www.amandasquire.com/contract-with-you.html Then I read this very same contract on a blog called Your Freedom and Ours http://yourfreedomandours.blogspot.com/2010/04/only-six-more-days-to-go-part-1.html which outlined a contract between the blog writer and the Conservative Party. Coincidence? Well I guess we now know who it is that I was referring to in my sidebar comments about plagiarizing. This makes me wonder why this candidate wouldn't at least honestly cite the source of what she seems to make appear is her own handiwork. Hmmmmmm......
Why after all these years of being open on holiday days is Piero & Rose Carbone, owners of Garden Foods, being charged, time after time after time for being open on these days. Garden Foods was most recently fined on Canada Day. It's a cash fine or 30 days in the big house. I told Piero if he goes to jail I'd bring him a double chocolate layer cake, file included. All this happening ever since John Porter left Zehr's and a new manager has taken over. Coincidence? Hmmmm.... I am now basically boycotting Zehr's as much as possible, just out of support for the Carbones.
Nepotism is alive and well down at the Chamber of Commerce. Did you know the Chamber employs its CEO's sister and the Chamber has contracted out its cleaning services to the CEO's husband's cleaning business. Optics like this never look good. It makes me beg to ask the question why is the membership of the CCoC allowing this silliness to continue. Hmmmmmmmmm.....
Well it's Friday. That means the bar will be open for cocktails this evening.
Stay cool peeps.
Peace out.
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