Value vs Vote Based Politicians
In my foray into politics I was struck early on of the different kinds of politicians that there are. At the risk of oversimplifying, I would put them into two categories. The first group are…
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Short Term Rentals in Sarnia
Back in June 2019, Councillor Bill Dennis made the following motion. That Staff be directed to complete a staff report on the potential to regulate short term rental platforms (such as Airbnb) within the City…
On Municipal Communications
In our corporate strategies meeting last week, I brought up what I thought to be an important issue on how the staff and council communicates big projects to the public. I said that: I’m thinking…
Growth Shouldn’t Be Our Focus
Ever since campaigning for council in 2018, there has been this message floating around that Sarnia needs population growth. Somehow it worked as a campaign strategy for councilors saying they were going to focus on…
“The Battle For Justice In Palestine” Quotes
Some important quotes from The Battle For Justice In Palestine: The Case for a Single Democratic State in Palestine by Ali Abunimah. What an important read and should be required reading for anyone discussing Palestinians…
Jesus and The Politics of Mammon
About five years ago I set out to write a book on money and Christianity. I wrote a number of chapters, I researched what I could for the depth of the audience I was intending…
Why Adding Secondary Dwelling Units Is Great For Sarnia
Back in August I made a motion “that staff report on reviewing our policies surrounding secondary dwelling units, especially to address the urgent and growing issue of student housing. This report should include the impact…
On Racism in Canada
I’ve had a few requests to do some clarifying on some of my comments around race and Canada on some previous conversations I’ve been having online. I thought I would post some of my thought…
Why I Had To Say Something About Marilyn Gladu
There has been some press about a matter between myself and Marilyn Gladu, our federal member of parliament for Sarnia-Lambton. I called attention to her religious extremism and she didn’t take too kindly to it. …
Marilyn Gladu And Her Dangerous Religious Beliefs
This story is only one of a multitude where Marilyn Gladu, Sarnia-Lambton MP, reveals her bias and ineptitude for the role of MP, but I wanted to add my personal experience to the archive so…
Flag Poles and Crosswalks
One of the things that I did agree with in installing the greeter desk back in the lobby of city hall is it’s intended emphasis on hospitality. It’s important that we make hospitality a value…
Further Motions Regarding Mike Bradley’s Sanctions
Tomorrow’s meeting is going to be interesting! Further to the motion that I commented on from Sarnia Councillor Bill Dennis there is another motion by Dave Boushy that is identical and then takes it even further. There are two…
Committee For Compensation Recommendations
Sarnia Councillor Bill Dennis Has a motion on the table at the next council meeting “that any compensation related matter (including eligible expense criteria or other financial reimbursement matters) for Sarnia City and City/County Council members…
Chris Cooke Is Concerned About Me
Chris Cooke is ‘concerned’ about me and my politics. He’s not wrong to be concerned. My style of politics is a direct affront to his. I call out BS, I don’t write it. I want…
Suggestions On How To Talk About Struggling Neighbourhoods
The recent news of three business owners leaving Mitton Village is really heartbreaking that they found themselves unable to sustain their businesses in that area. It really sheds light onto larger set of issues that…
Choosing Your Own Salary
I have spent most of the last twelve years being the lowest paid staff of any of the businesses I am a co-owner of. I don’t make decisions based on my own financial gain, but…
Rejecting the Integrity Commissioner RFP
Yesterday there was a motion in regards to the Integrity Commissioner to “re-issue the RFP in effort to seek additional proposals and broaden the scope of potential bidders in the interest of the Corporation” in…
Lower Taxes Is Not The Answer
Lower Taxes! This is the mantra of the masses, propagated by politicians. It is a message of fear that attempts to shift the citizen’s focus away from what is actually going on. An honest politician…
Municipal Infrastructure Lending
Coming off the heels of my first budget city council meeting, a motion was made today to increase our contribution to reserves (aka. savings account) of $3.5 million (approx 1.5% increase of taxes) to start…
The Difference Between ‘Having Debt’ and Being ‘In Debt’
Debt is a trigger word in politics, and when we use it, we end up using it no different than how the average consumer talks about credit card debt. In business however, debt is a…