CFN -I have to admit that Jamie Gilcig had me thinking the Cornwall Free News was closing last week! Then I realized that it was April Fools and maybe, just maybe, we were all being duped! Whether we were tricked or whether the public support changed the administrations mind will forever stay a secret.
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I would like to begin this week’s article by reminding all of my reader’s that my articles are added late Sunday night / early Monday morning every week. I have decided to add two new personal comment sections to my weekly column titled “Kudos!” and “WTF!”.
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Kudos will highlight local success stories and news articles followed by my personal comments and opinions. Kudos is purely positive and focuses naturally on encouraging topics, opinions, events and news. WTF will highlight some of the most outrageously funny or idiotic things happening in our society and around the world. WTF is an acronym for “What the F$$k!” and although the term itself is controversial; the topic is widely and more commonly used to highlight today’s most discouraging topics, opinions, events and news .
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My articles are controversial at times and although many may not agree with them they are purely my opinion and I try to stick to today’s most widely discussed topics found on the streets or on-line that are being discussed amongst the everyday working folk; which is who I wish to represent some day as an aspiring politician.
What happens when you choose a Politician instead of a Representative?
When you choose a politician instead of a representative you have ultimately chosen prominence over virtue and essentially have elected a group or individual that more than likely was elected due to their image rather than their platform.
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In Cornwall, during the 2010 municipal election, the majority of those elected arguably had the weakest platforms, if any, and their speeches relied on their reputation or the results of previous council’s successes to be elected rather than outlining the progression they would like to see during the next term. The problem with outlining the past more so then the future is that the only thing that the specific candidate has done is proven their character! In my opinion anyone who puts their name up for election has already proven their character and shown their dedication to our community!
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Choosing a representative ensures that you will have someone working towards implementing and/or maintaining the same qualities or goals that you believe is needed or value in our city! If a candidate runs for election and never delivers a clear message or platform then how do you know that they will be useful in guiding our community through the issues of the times? How do you know that this person is even in touch with what is happening or what the community wants and needs?
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Choosing a Politician instead of a Representative is dangerous to municipal politics! Generally, municipal politicians fit the mold of a representative better than that of a politician but when you have a former MP as mayor you definitely will see that politicians fit in and “get along” better than those who represent a specific portion of the community.
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A Politician will bend and take the side of the majority in most topics or the side of their friends or party; while a representative will take the task at hand and, although they may seem “heard headed” at times, they are doing exactly what they need to ensure progressive change is made for the people they represent. The needs of the people they represent change on a continuous basis and it is important to always have a representative sitting at the council table rather than a politician.
Kudos
Two huge thumbs up to TONY LUIS who knocked out his opponent in the third round! It is great to see someone from Cornwall representing us on the world stage! We are a blue collared town and almost all of us can trace our roots back to some hands-on lineage. Although boxing is a sport it I personally get a rise from cheering on someone punching someone else in the face. I always love a good fight.
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WTF
I recently moved my store into the Eastcourt Mall and I have never seen so many e-bikes before now. However, what I did notice that a large majority had their pedals removed from the bikes. Now tell me that these things aren’t the same as an electric moped and I will call you crazy!
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The majority of e-bikes look like mopeds and NOT bicycles. Even though the bicycle looking e-bike is available they are not the most popular. Look at the latest e-bikes found outside the mall and tell me whether you think this would be safe driving past your 2 year old daughter on the bike path?
Hi Mike WTh (heck) E- bikes on a BIKE path are not the problem if ridden responsibly. If someone is walking a 2 year old on a bike path when sidewalks are made for pedestrians and bike paths are for bikes is this responsible?
Representatives also get bullied and Black-balled as S**t disturbers by polititians in this city.
In this case representative is digging a hole for himself come election time with weekly self-important writings. Do you really think that this “aspiring politician” thing is positive? And you spelled “heard” wrong.
We have a ‘Waterfront Trail’ which is technically a ‘recreational trail’ which includes walkers, joggers, and bikes. As long as everyone is watchful, I see no problems with e-bikes on these mini paved roads. Problems occur when people tie up the whole path, unaware or not caring that a fast moving bike may be approaching from over a hill. I had to brake hard for a woman with three large dogs on leashes that were blocking both sides of the path, and on another occasion, 2 e-bikes riding side by side coming towards me. This is rare though, as normally people do stay to their own side of the path.
The other day though, I had to contend with an e-bike whose driver seemed very inexperienced. It was an older gentleman who appeared to be having a challenge keeping the vehicle in balance, as though he had no bike experience. He veered suddenly from the edge of the sidewalk over to make a left turn in the turning lane, all without checking traffic. It’s a wonder he wasn’t hit by another vehicle. Perhaps there ought to be some sort of testing and licensing required to use these vehicles on the road. Every person operating any vehicle needs to have at least a basic knowledge of traffic and the rules of the road. I think a one-time aptitude test could save lives, and wouldn’t need to be expensive. If a snowmobile operator needs one to drive in a field, then why not have trained e-bike users if they choose to travel on the streets with other traffic?
“Wow!” doesn’t want to leave his/her name. Typical. I doubt you are from the group of people that Mike is trying to represent. You made yourself look very petty by correcting a spelling mistake. I am quite confident that Mike knows how to spell the word “heard”. I guess you are so perfect that you don’t make typing errors and if you did you would be sure to proof read better than Mike did. Mike is digging a hole is he?. I guess that is the opinion from your group, clique, tribe etc. The one’s who don’t want to use their names. That comment could even be taken as a warning/ threat. There are a lot more people that need representation in Cornwall than the one’s at “the top”. The issue is getting others out to vote. If you don’t like what Mike has to say then don’t read his articles. Stop thinking you are superior to others and have to comment on spelling. You sound like you’re in grade school with that comment. I could guess your profession but I won’t. So do I pass the grade; any spelling mistakes Mr/Mrs. Superiority?. I don’t care to proof read so if there are spelling mistakes and it ruins your day or maybe makes your day b/c you feel smarter than Mike and I you can pucker up!. Yes, Smith is my real name if you want to see ID. I’m not afraid to hide.
Re: Gary Samler,
You are a great example of what I would consider a representative that would hold true to their promises. I sit on the recreation advisory committee. I have a 2 year old daughter that I was walking along the bike path and she almost was hit by an e-bike without notice. Too many e-bike users feel a that they have a sense of entitlement. We all need to share the bike path and unfortunately there are no sidewalks along Lamoureux park. The bike path has now been more popularly refered to as a recreation path and I believe this is rightfully so!
Re: Wow!
I am proud of who I am and my family along with many others are very supportive of my cause! I highly doubt your anonymous postings would make any proud of you nor would they wish to associated with your comments if you we’re publicly outed for your actions.
Maybe you should read the messege! I am not saying all politicians are bad….They are NOT…..I personally enjoy speaking with and respect all of council and the mayor….What, I am saying we would be wiser to elect someone based on their ideas for the future rather than their popularity or past!
Even though I respect someone it does not mean that I must agree with them…Thank goodness for democracy!
Re: Judith-Ann Smith,
Thank You very much for your reply in my defence. Even though we may never meet, my family and many more like you will always hold a special place in heart for encouraging me to try and make a difference in our community!
FYI – I currently receive over 30 e-mails weekly, from loyal readers, who consistently inspire me to promote progression rather than regression as “Wow!” has demonstrated! We correspond through e-mail and I have never left a comment unattended!
Thank You,
Mike Bedard
I can only speak for myself here, but I’m growing tired of the safety concerns regarding children on the bike path. Take your 2 year old by the hand and make sure they stay on their side of the path and they’ll be fine. As a matter of fact keep them on the outer side rather than the inside as courtesy to others. If you chose to let your young ones run free, keep a good eye on them. Young ones who aren’t old don’t enough to understand basic safety in public places should maybe be left at home or perhaps better parenting is needed. The bike path is not that wide and certainly due for a facelift. I’ve pointed this out before on other feeds. But expecting everyone to go walking speed on bicycles or e-bikes is certainly a bit self centered. The path is for everyone not just for the “slow stroll, and/or not watching your kid pedestrians” I used to ride the path on my regular bicycle or rollerblades and cant tell you how many times i had to go off the trail completely or stop suddenly because of walkers who assume they can take up the whole thing, sometimes they just stop flow by blocking it completely or little ones are just left to wander freely. Its really quite rude. It may not be for vehicles but it is still a road of sorts with a flow of traffic that needs to be kept in mind at all times.
I have no problems with the use of e-bikes for people who really do need them,what I do have a problem with is how easy they are to get when you play the system because your too lazy to get off your butts and get a job, now you’ve become to lazy to walk, then you all park in front of Timmies on Second St. proving just how stupid you really look by comparing who’s is jacked up the coolest.
Hi Ron,
Your absolutely right in saying that the path is for everyone! I hope we can all come to an understanding.
My experience actually was on the recreational path right in front of the splash pad. Now tell me who in their right mind would not slow down knowing very well that there are children at play.
My daughter was not walking freely about or on the inside lane. She was actually standing right beside me at the canteen and an e-bike (going way to fast) had to move jerk suddenly to avoid a collision and I quickly moved my daughter and caught the e-biker who was falling.
The concern of speed, right of way and attitude are legitmate complaints brought forth by many and are not manufactured to stop progression rather then to discuss a safety that truely exists despite opinion. I am sure an idea will soon be brought forth that may satisfy all!
Thank you,
Mike Bedard
I told ya so.
@Wow! You should lay off criticizing people for spelling errors. Here’s what you wrote a few days ago. “From this day forward Mulclair is a boring French citizen whose party will rapidly implode from infighting and migration back to the Liberals by MP’s and voters.” Can you find your spelling error?
I cannot at the moment pick out the spelling error due to my extreme drunken state. But it is likely the apostrophe in MPs, since the acronym is not meant to be possessive. Some people with slight mental retardation might also use a hyphen in in-fighting, but I don’t roll that way homeslice. Harper forever! Woooooooooooo!
@Wow!. Read that quote again once you’re sober. You will find your spelling error if you work at it.
@ Pete Dick
Pete, be reasonable. You’re asking too much of someone who cannot spell his/her own name to spell someone else’s name properly.
I will never spell Mulcair in the new version he uses. Poser. He is a French citizen and the family name was Mulclair until his grandmother married out of the Franco-Prussian royalty during Edwardian times. His mother was very old when he was born. GOOOOOOOOOOOOO Hudak! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Wow! Are you wearing your pledge pin and waving a banner when you do you Hudak shout? 😉