CFN – Cheryl Brink is a young journalist caught in an old fashioned newspaper war or a hack depending on your perspective.
In 2011 CFN started to pull business away from the City of Cornwall; one of the largest advertisers in the city.
For example the Freeholder was getting over $1,000 per month just to post the City Bulletin while CFN was charging $1,000 for the entire year.
With our rising viewership and the Freeholder chopping staff and seeing subscription and ad dollars withering, pressure on Mr. Padbury and Editor of the day Brian Dryden seems to have tilted subtly in a certain direction.
For example when was the last time you saw a Letter to the Editor in the Free Holder related to the Shenanigans of the Kilger council? How many city stories or hack jobs have comments off online or are comments wiped out?
While the near weekly name calling session from Claude McIntosh has been grist for the giggle crowd Ms Brink and the Free Holder decided four days after we served Mayor Kilger and the City at the council meeting with our legal suit to do some coverage.
Suffice to say there were quotes from the Mayor and clerk; but oddly enough Ms Brink neglected to contact myself so that there might be some balance to the story.
In fact for some reason she decided to print this sentence.
“The head of council or other presiding officer may expel any person for improper conduct at a meeting,” states the Municipal Act.
Of course the inference is that somehow I’d acted improperly. Anyone that’s watched the video of the event, and it’s been viewed over 6,000 times now, can clearly see that all I did was respond to the mayor. No disturbance was issued. I was in fact seated for the entire event including when the police physically laid hands on me distressing the crowd including the eight year old son of one of the protesters. I was not charged that night nor after. In fact some have suggested I was illegally stopped from doing my job by not being allowed to reenter by police while the Mayor and CAO frantically searched through the municipal act for some reason to not allow me back that night.
Why write that quote from the Municipal Act?
Ms Brink sent an apology email the night her story went live. According to her apology email she had sent me an email at 12:28, lunch time, giving me until 3 PM to respond; however her story was published at 1 PM. Essentially she gave me 20 minutes during lunch hour; when many people do this thing in business called lunch.
Now in journalism one of the things that you have to learn is how to source people. CFN has a contact us page like most media outlets.
So maybe we give Ms Brink the benefit of the doubt or maybe she’s just a poor excuse for a journalist; but Friday morning, the day her story was on the front page of the Free Holder I had a chat with Editor Dryden. It was more listening to him scream and make a pig of himself.
When he calmed down I stated succinctly that when someone apologizes as Ms Brink had it usually means they did a no no and usually the victim can suggest a remedy. In this case I requested a printed apology or to print my own Letter to the Editor. Mr. Dryden agreed, but decided not to print my note as he said it was just me asking for an apology again.
So here is my letter as sent to Mr. Dryden. A few typos were corrected; but no sentences or phrases have been rewritten or dropped.
Dear Editor Dryden,
I object to Cheryl Brink’s coverage and handling of her piece about CFN’s lawsuit against the City of Cornwall and Mayor Kilger. Firstly it was news the night it happened as it’s rare for a mayor to be served in his own council. Her story appeared four days later in print.
Two, CFN is an online newspaper. It’s not a debate point. The Free Holder and Mayor Kilger will have to accept this reality.
Thirdly Ms Brink did not contact me for the story. She sent an email apology above AFTER publication, but in her apology for sending her request to the wrong email address you’ll notice that she did not ask for the same info as in her original email. If she could wait three days to publish the story why not wait until she could contact CFN as our info is clearly on our contact us page and you yourself have contacted me as well via my correct email address?
As noted in the screen cap of the Freeholder Online that I sent you, the time between her email and 1 PM publication was about 20 minutes even though she’d asked me to reply before 3 PM. Why the rush, especially 3 days later?
In the article itself ,
“The head of council or other presiding officer may expel any person for improper conduct at a meeting,” states the Municipal Act.
Surely this quote is being used to suggest somehow that I acted improperly which I did not. I was not charged that night, nor at any time after. The Municipal Act, as toothless as it is; is to govern the conduct of council, not the public.
As I wrote in my own article on CFN I do believe that Ms Brink and the Freeholder owe an apology to myself, CFN, and the viewers of both of our fine newspapers.
That decision is hers and yours to make; but I would surely hope that the Standard Freeholder supports and stands for fair coverage of any story that is not an opinion piece.
Jamie Gilcig – Editor – The Cornwall Free News.
The Blogger lumbered out on the limb this week, claiming that the mayor would soon tender his resignation and threw out the question of who would be best suited to fill the vacant mayor’s chair.
“There won’t be any vacancy (mayor’s chair),” said Kilger. “It’s (resignation story) pure fiction.”
It’s not the first time The Blogger has announced the mayor’s departure.
He is oops-for-three.
Mr. McIntosh and the mayor call me a blogger as though to slur me showing how out of touch they are with reality and with the industry that has paid Mr. McIntosh’s rent for an awfully long time; unless speechwriting for Mayor Kilger pays well?
Is Huffington Post a blog? Is the Globe and Mail or the Free Holder’s own online site? Most people laugh and shake their heads when Claude and the Mayor take their little shots. Frankly they can keep calling me that all they want; but surely the reason why the Free Holder has started and is sustaining this war is simply because they are behind us and trying to catch some of our traffic. Frankly I don’t care what we’re called as long as people read CFN.
It’s a compliment of course. And it’s old school. Sadly though to be effective punches have to land. I learned that from my grand-father who was a pro boxer. And in journalism for a punch to land it has to be accurate.
The only truth we know is that Mr. McIntosh has had two stories apologized for in less than 18 months. There is at least one or two more but lawsuits weren’t filed on those and the Sun’s legal beagle Tycho Manson essentially likes to push people to sue as it costs lots of money and takes lots of time to resolve; just ask Etienne St. Aubin; the attorney in Cornwall who Claude called a “Jerk” for saying something that he in fact did not say.
What we’re you saying Claude about me? There is no oops for three or frankly one. I could give a list of Mr. McIntosh’s misses, but frankly is it really worth it? The numbers tell the tale and that numbers are not in the Freeholder or Mr. McIntosh’s favor.
Again, I was taught in journalism you don’t print porkies. I guess Sun Media does things differently or perhaps just at the Free Holder? I can’t imagine this sort of journalism being practiced while Andrew Carroll was editor…
Of course Claude writing about the Mayor emailing the councilors (or was it Diane Brown emailing the councilors?) shows a very insecure and panicky old man who can’t rely on his arrogance, ignorance, and protection to get by at the moment. Why is the mayor revealing inside City Hall documents to any media writer? That email was just sent to councilors when most likely it was multiple councilors that were CFN’s source. As a matter of fact I even made a wager of lunch about this mess with one councilor recently.
And at the end of the day isn’t what all this noise is? The city panicking about the scandals, that some have estimated costing local taxpayers over $3 MILLION DOLLARS and counting? A city council and management that simply do not have the ability to navigate their way through troubled waters without the help of $1000 per hour lawyers like Will McDowell.
And a mayor panicking about May 24 when Rob Hickley’s request for city funding for his Conflict of Interest case hits the courtroom especially now that attorney Fay Brunning will be representing the Deputy Fire Chief on Friday? The public will be able to attend that event and it should be interesting to see what evidence the city and mayor will be presenting.
Kilger said he has no idea under which rock the author dug up the resignation story. He said it has never been discussed, in private or with council.
Isn’t it scary when a writer just repeats a line like that which simply shows a very frightened old man who is afraid of the shadows and simply doesn’t know who are the sources, and how close they are to him? Surely if he thinks we’re lying or defaming him he and the city would be happy to wastefully burn through more tax dollars to pursue a defamation suit?
But as one politico once put it to me; “Have you ever noticed the only thing the city ever challenged you on was the Bob Peters thing because they think there’s no evidence to prove anything?”
Of course we printed the legal assault letter and funny enough never heard from Mr. David Sherriff Scott over that issue again. Wonder how much that stunt cost the taxpayer’s of Cornwall Ontario? After all the City of Cornwall has spent more on legal fees monitoring CFN in 2012 than they spent in ad dollars in 2011. Insanity?
And speaking of fear, maybe, just maybe, the Free Holder are afraid that if the Kilger regime goes down and the city boycott , and all of its tentacles against CFN ends, that they will have to compete for ad dollars from the largest advertiser in this city instead of selling their souls collectively?
Fear stinks.
It’s time for the leadership of Cornwall to step up. It’s time for those that make business decisions out of fear to step forward. And it’s time for people to start working together and supporting each other. This city deserves better. CFN has been put in a very difficult position over this past year from myself being blackballed from service clubs to a business afraid to have a profile done for fear of retaliation from the City Hall clique.
What do you think dear viewers, especially the over 1/3 of the city of Cornwall who clicked at least once on CFN during the month of April think?
You can post your comments below.
Excellent article !!!
Finally Cornwall has access to the truth in our media choices.
An online newspaper makes more sense today that any other form including a printed format..
CFN has proven that time and time again by the numbers of readers .. and numbers don’t lie …Only corrupt media can lie.
Cornwall will never get out of the gutter as long as the population keep allowing municipal officials to deceive them and empower the media to do the same .
Time to wake up and join the people of 2013 who get their news online and is available at our computers 24/7.
Thank you CFN for serving us with truthful articles and for allowing us to comment on anything …not like other Media in this town.
I voted for a). Oshawa city hall, is no better and is all over the news for being perhaps a lot worse than this, believe it or not!!
Right on CFN!
When I previously stated an opinion in this forum concerning Cheryl Brink and her professionalism ( lack of ) you (ADMIN) graciously came to her defense and defended her ignorance. I am happy to note that this time no excuses for her inabilities are being offered. Perhaps a plausible course of action for Ms. Brink to at least retain what integrity she has left would be to send off a resume to say the National Inquirer and put her experiences with the Standard Freeholder behind her. Enough on that.
As for the Mayor, his responses and actions continually further reinforce the impression that he lacks any class whatsoever. This city has become so embroiled in the drama of this latest administration that once again nothing has changed for the betterment of our community. We are saddled with an even greater tax burden without just cause, our image has taken yet another negative hit and the Freeholder endorses journalists that make a mockery of the situation. Embarrassing simply does not begin to describe the true nature of our collective dilemma.
What time on May 24th does Rob Hickley get his say in court??..wil be there for sure to support him…This council needs a wake up call and hopefully this will be it..Let the truth be told
I just have this feeling that our mayor is more worried about Project Perry Dunlop & victims bashing cases that will be re-opened once the shit hits the fan about his latest corruption activities. Perry even received death threats & his strong convictions to bring justice had to take a back seat for the safety of his young family.He truly is my hero!!!
VERY FUNNY SEEING MS BINK used to write a BLOG..I SAY BLOG…DID U SAY BLOG?? big mac?? called ‘CONFESSIONS OF A NEWSJUNKIE”
Sorry ms bink but your BLOG..OH MY GOSH..YOUR BLOG
is filled with garbage no real journalist would publish
Real Journalist keep opinions to themselves and leave opinion pieces to others…
so tatDAAA….reports from cheryl BLOG
No 1…those pesky rotten over priveldged quebec college students
“But instead of investing a little more in their education and future careers, students revolted. To me, this is a perfect example of the culture of entitlement … too many in this generation expect something for nothing, or very little. It’s time to crack down. If they don’t want to pay rates like the rest of us, they can find somewhere else to attend school.
FROM THE WATERFRONT MEETING
” though I think most people could have done without the accusations of committee conspiracy
THE HOCKEY TEAM
“. I’m sure prior debate was held behind closed doors. So that’s that. Officials will be in town on Thursday to unveil the team’s colours and name.
BEAVERS PROTESTERS..ANOTHER GROUPS SHE IGNORED
“Personally, I don’t think they’re going to get too far”.
IF ALL ELSE FAILS..MS BINK HINTS..ABOUT MISSING TRAPS
” Trapping for the purpose of population control has been going for more than two decades with very little controversy; the beavers are still around but the roads haven’t flooded. The city has little motivation to make changes … plus a couple of traps were stolen from the park this year, which I’m sure will do the opposite of helping this group’s cause.
ENTRY ABOUT CITY HALL ENDS…I BELIEVE ..this is the story..i guess…
“Chief administrative officer Paul Fitzpatrick is on medical leave for an unknown length of time; planning manager Stephen Alexander filled in for him. Clerk Denise Labelle-Gelinas was also gone – she’s on vacation I believe.
A FEW MORE PRIZE WINNING LINES
“Personally, I don’t use the path enough to see them as a problem or not. However, I am absolutely against any other kind of motorized vehicles using the trails, and if e-bikes are allowed permanently I can see the trend leading toward owners of vespers and mopeds making their case for access. What do you think?
Excellent article Jamie as usual. My computer was down today because of the sun acting up and trying to get back on. You were perfectly right and that twit at the “toilet paper of record” belongs there because she sure doesn’t have much intelligence to go and print the article before you got back to her at 3. What a bunch of twits at that toilet paper of record.
I have so many laughs Jamie reading your columns about Fossoli and its crazy antics especially Bare Ass and his goons. You make my day and CFN ROCKS.
There is one more thing that I want to add to this story and that is about Perry Dunlop and Project Truth. I have read everything on Project Truth and I can say just this Jamie and that is there is a great deal more behind this mess that didn’t come out and like my husband said that it would take down a great deal more than just Fossoli but maybe even the Federal and Provincial government goons as well. There is more to all this than what was printed. Everything was swept under the rug and if the people knew the truth they would hang all those responsible. I trust in no government they are all corrupt to the core.
I guess when reading these blogs, one is to assume that no one in Cornwall is competent as far as their job performance is concerned.
How can the city move forward or even change it’s citizen’s mentality when day after day someone is being publicly criticized or being put down?
You mean newspapers, right Stella? 😉
That Ms. Brink is ‘young’ has nothing to do with the issue of failing to interview Jamie. That she was unable to convince her boss that interviewing the person who is the subject of the story says more about the Freeholder’s editor. Doesn’t it? Why else would Brink have attempted an apology?
But for readers, we don’t know what she apologized for.
That aside, some of the comments posted here about Ms. Brink are trash-talk and close to bullying. If readers object to CFN being bullied, we should also refrain from doing the same to another reporter and stick to facts.
Among facts Jamie rightly points out is that the statement: “The head of council or other presiding officer may expel any person for improper conduct at a meeting,” is damaging and discriminatory to Jamie.
Beyond that, it’s curious that reports on the panic button story fail to talk about the fact that 7 police officers were called in.
What that felt like, for Jamie, must have been terrible. But maybe it was the same for the police.
In recent world news when there have been shooters, bombers, and other kinds of terrorists inflicting violence, the police might rightly have expected that something very serious must have been going on in Cornwall council chambers. (And of course, there was, when you consider Syd G. was totally out of control.) And it’s clear the police were on heightened alert when they entered chambers…the CFN video clearly shows that.
If I was a member of the force, I’d be furious about being called in over a t-shirt. And at one point on the video, one officer even admits he can’t even see what’s on Jamie’s t-shirt.
Maybe some people think the whole panic button incident is just a big joke. It’s no joke. It’s an ugly, inappropriate and uncalled for example of poor judgement by the mayor. He seems to enjoy eating controversy for breakfast, lunch and supper.
Kinda sick.
ADMIN isn’t there a difference between being outright critical of someone or expecting them to be accountable for their actions?
not sure sometimes….
I too thought that when the police entered that you could tell that they already knew what their mission was,there was no sign of impending danger on their faces,no guns ready or spray or anything to ward off whatever the reason for being called,they well were briefed ..it showed on their faces. The only bad conduct was from the mayor himself & of course Syd who destroyed a sign in full view of all present.
I wish people at Akwesasne were as brave as you to go up against the corrupt band council and administration. Kudos Jamie. Keep up the good work.
Thank you Spirit Bear. There are a lot of brave people in Akwesasne. I’ve met a lot of good people there.
The mayor didn’t know that Jamie was going to wear a t-shirt that night, did he? So how could the police have been briefed on specifics?
The bigger concern is that the police may have been told they’d be summoned because a particular person that was posing a threat. And that could have spelled serious personal danger to Jamie, as well as others in the room.
What if somebody had pulled a taser or something?
Everyone is very fortunate that Jamie kept his composure and used his brain not his emotions…and that the officers ultimately did the same.
It was the mayor who used his emotions and set up a situation that could have spiralled out of control.
the more I think about this issue, the angrier I get. if the Freeholder was going to report on the issue, somebody should have been thinking – without prejudice – about the entire scenario.
that’s what responsible journalism is supposed to do.
Stella you and I are saying the same thing “the people of Cornwall aka Fossoli” have to change and if there is no change then nothing gets done. You have to come into the 21st century and you have “people of Fossoli” have skipped the 20th century and stayed back in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries all these years. Well you will have to get out of Fossoli and go and see what real life is all about. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Fossoli turned over to other municipalies to look after as time goes on because from what I see not many are capable of running Fossoli at all.
Spirit Bear when you want to do something you can – it is all in putting one’s mind do something that things get done.
“Jimmy Olsen”, Following along with your thinking Jimmy, I feel that the Mayor fully expected Jamie to be wearing one of his famous designer T-shirts, that night ? It is my belief & opinion, that he decided to teach Mr. Jamie a little lesson, only that it back-fired on him, as their was nothing offensive on his T-shirt ! Again, in my opinion, to have 7 coppers respond that quickly, even though it was a shift change, it was well orchestrated & planned ! Very much agreed, that Jamie was correct in that he was polite & non-agressive, not only before the panic button & after !
But, getting back to topic, terrible reporting, amateurish at best by our friends at the Freeholder, but it’s what I’ve gotten used to from them ! How long is the bleeding going to go on there, before changes are made for the good ?
Maybe, just maybe, it had to do with what was on the agenda that night and also what was perhaps supposed to be admitted to by a certain politician?
Hey jimmie.olsen ..They are HER words..from HER BLOG
“That aside, some of the comments posted here about Ms. Brink are trash-talk and close to bullying”
And Stella…keep looking at the sunny side of life…the storm is coming for cornwall council
“bullying” – when you can dish it out, and can’t take the heat it is called bullying?
Jimmy, there was a rally outside of City Hall a good half hour before meeting began where Jamie had also attended.The mayor had ample time to see or be advised that Jamie had a T-shirt with his pic on it, cops also went by,problem was that the mayor could not see or know that this T-shirt was a mild harmless one & acted foolishly thinking that Jamie was wearing the Bare Ass Bob one! either way Jamie was sitting quietly & not causing any disturbance
When the Barney Fife PD came in they didn’t look at all like there was a real crisis like a terror plot or something like that. In fact they were laughing away from the camera seeing little Jamie and his milk carton T-shirt wondering what in the hell is going on. Bare Ass lost his marbles a long time ago and should not be mayor at all. Bare Ass is a laughing stock and not just Fossoli reads CFN but all over Canada and the US. All we need is for Jamie to put his paper world wide. Jamie I can’t stop laughing this is all too funny and at the same time embarrassing for Fossoli. LOL LOL. ROLF! I am going to replay the video it is too funny. It wasn’t a laughing matter for you Jamie when that happened but when the rest of us look at it it sure is funny and ridiculous as well. Bare Ass is going to have to leave including the rest of his councellors. Tiny Fossoli does not need 10 councellors at all and I prefer the ward system like we have here in Ottawa. I think that if Fossoli cannot have better people down there to represent the people and take care of things then it has to go under another municipality who is qualified to look after things.
I haven’t read anything about what is going on in Oshawa but I only read your paper Jamie and if Oshawa pulled anything the way Fossoli does it would be devastating for them. If there was a real problem in council that evening Bare Ass would have kept his finger on the button non stop and the Barney Fife PD would have had their pea shooters drawn but instead laughed behind the camera at your T shirt Jamie. I too think that it was a made up thing and that Bare Ass loves the attention that he gets. Bare Ass is like Rob Ford and the mayor before Mel Lastman that was so mighty colorful and called in the army to plow the snow. These people are brain dead and don’t realize the harm and laughter that they are causing. I have more laugh lines than anything and the computer desk just shakes with my laughter. You do show the truth Jamie and believe me there is not a dull moment in your paper – you are the best there is and the toilet paper of record is just that toilet paper circling the drain.
Another funny thing Jamie is that I was reading about Harper and Nigel on your column yesterday and there was a naked drawing of Harper and my husband came in and thought that I was watching porno. LOL LOL. ROLF! He came in just a while ago wondering if that picture was still there and I had to get him out of here – lots of laughter here on Bare Ass and his gang and now Harpo. Fossoli sure isn’t dull with you there Jamie.
This video would have been great for a Phillis Dilar and Bob Hope comedy hour. It is really funny.
@ Mariah, if you think Perry Dunlop is a hero then I have a hard time believing what you say. Do you know that he made people make up stories so that they would sound credible, just to make themselves look credible! Remember, Ron Leroux made up that whole story and admitted to it during Project Truth’s massive dollar inquiry!
@ Jules, can you please stop telling us Cornwall people to wake up, I am sick and tired of you repeating the same thing to us over and over again!
@ admin, thank you for what you are doing. It is so nice to see that what you have been saying all along, could be true, whether
some people like it or not.
In the matter of Cheryl Brink…
She could perhaps be given a pass.
She’s being bullied and manipulated by the S-F publisher and Kilger’s phart catcher (and swallower) McIntosh, and she’s too young and inexperienced to deal with it.
Her editors monkey around with her copy; copy which is different depending on whether it appears in the Ottawa Sun –
(http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/politics/archives/2013/05/20130516-151757.html)
or in the Cornwall S-F –
(http://www.standard-freeholder.com/2013/05/16/claim-filed-against-city-hall)
She’s still young… so young in fact that she doesn’t realize she’s too young to have a bucket list (things to do before dying); check out her blog…
Silly little thing, too young to realize what a cruel and petty figure she is beginning to cut.
I was just about to say something like what you posted Simon about Ms. Brinks must be having a hard time with Bare Ass and others on her case and she looks utterly exhausted and most likely a headache. It sure isn’t easy what that woman is doing and I think that she hates working for “the toilet paper of record” but she needs a job and got hired. Who knows where she will end up next. With experience she can move on to better places.
A lot of us know Cheryl Brink is an inexperienced bobble head and most likely works volunteer for the Standard Freeholder. As for the publication itself….always the same 3-4 topic stories and people mentioned, all year long…..borrrring!
Ok I watched the clip and yes it appears Mr Kilger abused his authority, however, Mr Gilcig sounds like a bit of a whiner in this situation.
No disrespect meant but you really need to take your time and speak in sentences that make sense.
It actually makes the CFN look like a person not allowed to play with others and pouts as a result.
Jamie was standing up for his rights and that is how to be or else you will be taken advantage of. If you do not stand up and ask questions like what Jamie did then they treat you like an idiot. I like very much what Jamie did. The cops were polite but looked awful stunned. LOL LOL. I keep replaying this video and had problems with my computer and my husband fixed it today. I like seeing this video it is funny indeed. I will say something positive for the Barney Fife PD is that they are a nicer bunch than Ottawa’s cops. We have never had any run ins with Ottawa’s cops and we sure wouldn’t want any – only when my son had his accidents in his cars. You wouldn’t believe his negligence and I hope that he has learned from them. Ottawa is a terrible place to drive. I am going to play the video again just now – I get quite a kick out of it. LOL LOL.
Jamie you are the best and you keep on plugging and you are doing an excellent job. You may be able to give some pointers to Ms. Bricks since she is very young and a novice and how to deal with the likes of Bare Ass and others. I had an assignment once and the director was from Scotland and he was something else – he got transferred from department to department since nobody wanted him. I left when I found out what he was like and I left when he went to Toronto to take a flight and his flight was cancelled. I took off like a rocket ship out of there and the lady at the agency was laughing since she sent many there who could no tolerate him. I had enough at home with my husband and didn’t need another like that.