Seems a few people don't quite understand what a #clawback is, so here is a simplified explanation.
If you are on ANY form of supports, including #AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped) and you turn 60 years of age, the Government of Alberta rules (I suspect which were implemented by the PC Party many years ago) require the individual to apply for "early CPP".
The Government of Canada allows people to file for a "reduced" CPP payment when folks turn 60 years of age, and the amount a person receives is reduced by a calculated pro-rated amount, based on what the person would normally qualify for at the age of 65. CPP is of course, based on the amounts that a person has contributed to the program over their lifetime in the work force. CPP is, your money that you worked for, and was deducted on each paycheck you received. The Federal Government classifies CPP payments as income which means that money is subject to income tax.
When Rachel Notley was campaigning to be Premier of Alberta, she stood in front of a packed crowd in a hotel banquet room, streamed live to tens of thousands of Albertans, she made a public statement that said that the clawing back of money from #seniors was "the wrong thing to do". Never before in my life, have I ever heard a more thunderous response from a cheering crowd of people. That single statement, cemented my decision to vote for the Alberta NDP folks. Complete support in every possible way.
It is also interesting to know what a person on "supports" can make, I think, $200 a month of extra income 'free of charge'. Anything in excess of that money, is deducted on a 2 for 1 basis. So that means that if a person made say, $300 a month extra, $200 would be 'free', and for every additional 2 dollars made, 1 dollar would be deducted (in this example, that would mean $50) from their support payment.
Also interesting to note, that while the Government of Canada classifies CPP as income, the Government of Alberta does not. In my case, my "early" CPP payment is a huge $456 a month and every penny of that is clawed back (deducted) dollar for dollar. According to the Premier, that is the wrong thing to do. And in my case, being forced to take CPP early, the amount of money I will be out when I turn 65 in just over a year, is approximately $2,000 per year LESS than if I had waited until I was 65.
Being on any form of supports is not a life of luxury by any stretch of the imagination. #AISH people get a maximum payment of $1,588 a month, which of course, is also subject to clawbacks. From what I recall, there was a bill passed last year that would create an advocate for #PWD (people with disabilities) #PDD (people with developmental disabilities) and it is also my understanding that nothing has been done on this at this point in time. The Alberta Government has also appointed an advocate for #Seniors, and it is my understanding that this person/department has literally no teeth to really do anything.
One of the latest subjects to have come up is the concept of a "Henson Trust"where people with disabilities are allowed to receive various monies when they get older. From what I can gather, the Alberta NDP want to force people to use those funds before they get any form of supports. This is of course, also the wrong thing to do. All of those funds can be easily used up before a person "retires" leaving literally nothing available for them to live on.
I would respectfully submit that CPP should be considered the same way. Even at a bare minimum, CPP should be handled in the same way as additional income is handled above. After all, the Government of Canada treats it as income.
The entire Alberta Government has turned a blind eye with respect to #seniors. Even though "its the wrong thing to do".
One final thing to consider. No matter what form of assistance a person may be on, when they turn 65, it's all over. Prior to that, most folks get 100% coverage for some things like prescription drugs, glasses, dental, etc. In Alberta, at 65, many people will 'qualify' for free premium coverage from Alberta Blue Cross (gotta love those folks). I understand that things like prescription drugs, are only covered to 70%. So for #seniors, most of whom are probably needing those drugs to live, will have to start paying for them out of pocket. I estimate that when I turn 65, my total "income" from all sources will be maybe 600-700 a month. Imagine the difference two thousand dollars a year less in CPP, will make.
The Premier is 100% responsible for this. And people wonder why I continue to suffer from depression and PTSD. For additional information on my person struggle with the Alberta Government please see this post.
Showing posts with label #ableg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #ableg. Show all posts
Saturday, January 20, 2018
Friday, August 8, 2014
Please Prove Your Ethics
In light of the latest Auditor Generals report, we have every political party jumping on the bandwagon, or trying to prevent the bandwagon from falling apart.
So here is a simple challenge to every politician or party in Alberta. The people are basically looking for party responses, but will take individual ones as well.
Just make up a blog post, and in simple basic language, tell the people why you are honest, why you have integrity, and why you will be transparent. Then respond here, anonymously if you wish, and post a link in your reply to that post.
We aren't looking for pages and pages of details... just your basic common sense layout of generic principles that you feel are important. If your blog post also links to party policies, that's fine if you want to expand things. But please, keep your basics as simple as possible.
It's really not that hard to do... is it?
The people thank you kindly, in advance. And they will also note any lack of responses.
So here is a simple challenge to every politician or party in Alberta. The people are basically looking for party responses, but will take individual ones as well.
Just make up a blog post, and in simple basic language, tell the people why you are honest, why you have integrity, and why you will be transparent. Then respond here, anonymously if you wish, and post a link in your reply to that post.
We aren't looking for pages and pages of details... just your basic common sense layout of generic principles that you feel are important. If your blog post also links to party policies, that's fine if you want to expand things. But please, keep your basics as simple as possible.
It's really not that hard to do... is it?
The people thank you kindly, in advance. And they will also note any lack of responses.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Broken Politics
No matter where you look, politics is broken. Pick a city, province, country... the vast majority probably have major issues. For the most part, we as individuals have little control over world politics, and as we "drill down" closer to provincial and city events, our control increases in varying amounts.
In my opinion, the biggest reason people do not get out and vote is because they feel politicians never listen to them and never represent them, so why bother.
Time after time, an individual or a party that we feel would represent us the best, is not elected. And we have given up. No matter how much we scream at people to get involved... unless they feel what they have to say counts for something, they will continue to not show up to vote.
So for example, if a particular riding has a 30% turn out in voters and there are 4 parties running in that riding, then the person with the highest percentage of votes, wins. All of the others are tossed out. "A" got 35%, "B" got 30%, "C" got 25% and "D" got 10%.
The winner of 35% gets elected, and 65% (a much higher majority) get nothing. To make matters worse, only 30% of the voters, of that 35% winner, are really represented. And this is extremely dangerous for all.
And you wonder why people give up.
But what if... what if the concept, changed. I've heard other places in the world do this, and I'm sure that it also carries its own type of problems as well... but...
What if... the total number of seats in government, are filled by the percentage of the votes each party received. Yes, in this scenario, it is quite possible that the person you voted for in your riding, and won that riding, might not actually end up getting a seat. But please, follow along with the concept. :)
Lets take the same above percentages, and apply that to the entire province (or country if you want). Party "A" has 35% of the seats to fill. Perhaps they can take the "top winners" of the various riding's, by percentage, and fill those seats in order. The other parties would do the same thing.
So in this case, it is also possible that the person you voted for in your riding, and lost.... could end up with a seat anyway.
Would this type of scenario be more of what would entice you to actually vote? To actually know that what YOU think, counts a lot more?
WE are the people. it us up to US to drive a change. Take your ideas and present them, let YOUR voice be heard for a change.
Or continue on with thinking that Ignorance is bliss. Chances are one day, it will come back and bite you firmly in your ass. Enjoy that...
In my opinion, the biggest reason people do not get out and vote is because they feel politicians never listen to them and never represent them, so why bother.
Time after time, an individual or a party that we feel would represent us the best, is not elected. And we have given up. No matter how much we scream at people to get involved... unless they feel what they have to say counts for something, they will continue to not show up to vote.
So for example, if a particular riding has a 30% turn out in voters and there are 4 parties running in that riding, then the person with the highest percentage of votes, wins. All of the others are tossed out. "A" got 35%, "B" got 30%, "C" got 25% and "D" got 10%.
The winner of 35% gets elected, and 65% (a much higher majority) get nothing. To make matters worse, only 30% of the voters, of that 35% winner, are really represented. And this is extremely dangerous for all.
And you wonder why people give up.
But what if... what if the concept, changed. I've heard other places in the world do this, and I'm sure that it also carries its own type of problems as well... but...
What if... the total number of seats in government, are filled by the percentage of the votes each party received. Yes, in this scenario, it is quite possible that the person you voted for in your riding, and won that riding, might not actually end up getting a seat. But please, follow along with the concept. :)
Lets take the same above percentages, and apply that to the entire province (or country if you want). Party "A" has 35% of the seats to fill. Perhaps they can take the "top winners" of the various riding's, by percentage, and fill those seats in order. The other parties would do the same thing.
So in this case, it is also possible that the person you voted for in your riding, and lost.... could end up with a seat anyway.
Would this type of scenario be more of what would entice you to actually vote? To actually know that what YOU think, counts a lot more?
WE are the people. it us up to US to drive a change. Take your ideas and present them, let YOUR voice be heard for a change.
Or continue on with thinking that Ignorance is bliss. Chances are one day, it will come back and bite you firmly in your ass. Enjoy that...
Friday, March 28, 2014
Alberta Political Futures
With the latest revelations of huge severance payouts and outrageous holiday payments for the departing of the Princess Redford staff, combined with the "private penthouse" for the Princess (not even done and some $21 million over budget), I think its safe to say that the PC Alberta party has firmly over cooked their own goose.
The burnt and fried carbon remnants of the party will probably have their butts kicked out of provincial politics, with only a few people getting re-elected in the next Provincial election.
Clearly, the Wild Rose will probably form the next government, given their standings in the polls. For whatever polls are worth, of course.
With that said... it is time for EVERY Alberta party to jump on the band wagon, and take the concept of the "sunshine" list, and put some numbers next to what each job listed, will pay. For the most part, all of those jobs need a huge reduction in wages.
More importantly, any "contracts" created by the "new" government, must eliminate these huge severance payouts. What is happening now is WAY out of line with what the private sector does. I recall hearing, for example, that the AHS head side of things, will get 1 months severance for every month worked, up to a maximum of 12 months. Something in excess of a half a million dollars.
What's more appropriate would be one months severance for each year worked. With no "holiday pay" payout.
Even more critical in all of this, is the requirement for recall legislation. It is the ONLY tool the taxpayers have at their disposal, to force the elected politicians into keeping the promises they made, On top of that, we need to make sure that a promise is also practical.
The people have had enough with the lies. And even more than enough of the costs.
Post created March 28, 2014 . . . updated May 6, 2014
Please note, I am personally not leaning towards or against any party at this time. I'm not sure that I have any form of trust for any of them, and THIS is their opportunity to stand out and shine. It's really pretty easy.
1) Pick some of the top jobs from the sunshine list, and put dollar values on them.
2) Guarantee there will be no fancy contracts with huge payout clauses.
3) Define what an appropriate severance would be, generically, like above.
4) State your stance on recall legislation.
It's not that hard to do, is it? I will take any "failure to respond" as a signal that your party will continue on in the ways of deceit, manipulation, and distrust.
May 8th update
Public service should be about serving the public, not about taking a job for 4 years and expecting to retire off of the taxpayers backs. No offense, just saying. Elected officials are one thing, staff for them is a totally different issue. I personally can't see any job staff would do, that would qualify for more than about $150k a year. I know we are not the "USA", but consider the White House Chief of Staff, one of the top jobs. And the pay for that. I would suspect that job is a lot more detailed than anything we would be doing here in Alberta. Maybe I'm wrong, I honestly don't know. Your thoughts on this would be appreciated, I'm always willing to learn. :)
May 23 update
If you don't want to post a full out reply here then at least respond with a link to your party's website with the appropriate details.
The burnt and fried carbon remnants of the party will probably have their butts kicked out of provincial politics, with only a few people getting re-elected in the next Provincial election.
Clearly, the Wild Rose will probably form the next government, given their standings in the polls. For whatever polls are worth, of course.
With that said... it is time for EVERY Alberta party to jump on the band wagon, and take the concept of the "sunshine" list, and put some numbers next to what each job listed, will pay. For the most part, all of those jobs need a huge reduction in wages.
More importantly, any "contracts" created by the "new" government, must eliminate these huge severance payouts. What is happening now is WAY out of line with what the private sector does. I recall hearing, for example, that the AHS head side of things, will get 1 months severance for every month worked, up to a maximum of 12 months. Something in excess of a half a million dollars.
What's more appropriate would be one months severance for each year worked. With no "holiday pay" payout.
Even more critical in all of this, is the requirement for recall legislation. It is the ONLY tool the taxpayers have at their disposal, to force the elected politicians into keeping the promises they made, On top of that, we need to make sure that a promise is also practical.
The people have had enough with the lies. And even more than enough of the costs.
Post created March 28, 2014 . . . updated May 6, 2014
Please note, I am personally not leaning towards or against any party at this time. I'm not sure that I have any form of trust for any of them, and THIS is their opportunity to stand out and shine. It's really pretty easy.
1) Pick some of the top jobs from the sunshine list, and put dollar values on them.
2) Guarantee there will be no fancy contracts with huge payout clauses.
3) Define what an appropriate severance would be, generically, like above.
4) State your stance on recall legislation.
It's not that hard to do, is it? I will take any "failure to respond" as a signal that your party will continue on in the ways of deceit, manipulation, and distrust.
May 8th update
Public service should be about serving the public, not about taking a job for 4 years and expecting to retire off of the taxpayers backs. No offense, just saying. Elected officials are one thing, staff for them is a totally different issue. I personally can't see any job staff would do, that would qualify for more than about $150k a year. I know we are not the "USA", but consider the White House Chief of Staff, one of the top jobs. And the pay for that. I would suspect that job is a lot more detailed than anything we would be doing here in Alberta. Maybe I'm wrong, I honestly don't know. Your thoughts on this would be appreciated, I'm always willing to learn. :)
May 23 update
If you don't want to post a full out reply here then at least respond with a link to your party's website with the appropriate details.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Arena Prediction
Next to the City Center Airport debate, the proposed downtown arena (also known as the Katz Personal Palace and Money Generating Machine) for Edmonton is a contentious issue.
When you look at the bottom line, this project will exceed $700 million when you include infrastructure and other costs. Let's forget about the latest Katz Group demands, and recognize the current deal that Council has in front of them will use pretty much 100% of taxpayer dollars.
Some people have crunched the numbers, and have suggested that Katz will rake in at least $20 million per year at a minimum, of profits over a 35 year "deal". So taxpayers put out 700 million dollars to a private company that does not put a cent in, and the same private company will end up collecting 700 million dollars in profits for their "troubles".
Edmonton City Council has clearly not been listening to the people of this city. And I suspect that come election time in 2013, many of them will be out of jobs because of it. But by then, the damage will have been done, a contract will have been signed, and any attempts to get out of it will be subject to a lawsuit by Katz. The same man that professes to love Edmonton, will not blink an eye in suing the people.
So what are our choices? There are no laws in place that allow us to recall council members and toss them out of office. The citizens can lead a drive for a plebiscite of some form, which must be started when Council votes on a bylaw to steal taxpayer money from the poor and give it to the rich. However experience has taught us that doing one of these things is expensive and very time consuming.
This borrowing bylaw will happen when the weather is the pits, making it next to impossible to "legally" tell Mayor Mandel and the other criminals on City Council where to stick it. Yes, I said criminals because, it is my belief that any elected official that allows their administration to create a deal that is so clearly biased, has not done their job. In any other industry or business, people like the City Manager and the CFO would be run out of town for even thinking they have done an appropriate job in the diligent management of taxpayers money.
But lets say, enough people get together and a plebiscite drive starts to turn out into a success. At this point, City Council does have the legal option of saying "Okay, we will call for our own plebiscite", under the guise of "look, we are listening to the people"... However according the the MGA (Municipal Government Act) a plebiscite called by council will supersede one called by citizens. And in the one called for by Council, the results, no matter how they turn out, can legally be rejected. Meaning they do NOT have to listen to what those results are.
So no matter how you cut it, this deal will go through. Katz will have his palace of money making gold, pay nothing for it, and taxpayers will get shafted. And it is my belief, this is nothing short of criminal theft of taxpayer dollars.
I think it's pretty clear that Mandel won't be running again. I've heard from many people that have suggested that he is grooming Iveson to take over his lead... and if so, one should perhaps question if the same groomed leadership is what you as a citizen would want. I certainly do not what that "type" of leadership ever again.
Where are the RCMP when you need them to do an investigation. Maybe even more so, do we even trust the RCMP anymore. In the mean time, the Alberta Government sits by and watches... waiting for an opportunity to stand in and add more taxpayer money for Katz to steal.
These are my beliefs... you are entitled to yours as well.
If you are looking for an example of what I think is a reasonably closer responsible deal, see my blog post prior to this one.
When you look at the bottom line, this project will exceed $700 million when you include infrastructure and other costs. Let's forget about the latest Katz Group demands, and recognize the current deal that Council has in front of them will use pretty much 100% of taxpayer dollars.
Some people have crunched the numbers, and have suggested that Katz will rake in at least $20 million per year at a minimum, of profits over a 35 year "deal". So taxpayers put out 700 million dollars to a private company that does not put a cent in, and the same private company will end up collecting 700 million dollars in profits for their "troubles".
Edmonton City Council has clearly not been listening to the people of this city. And I suspect that come election time in 2013, many of them will be out of jobs because of it. But by then, the damage will have been done, a contract will have been signed, and any attempts to get out of it will be subject to a lawsuit by Katz. The same man that professes to love Edmonton, will not blink an eye in suing the people.
So what are our choices? There are no laws in place that allow us to recall council members and toss them out of office. The citizens can lead a drive for a plebiscite of some form, which must be started when Council votes on a bylaw to steal taxpayer money from the poor and give it to the rich. However experience has taught us that doing one of these things is expensive and very time consuming.
This borrowing bylaw will happen when the weather is the pits, making it next to impossible to "legally" tell Mayor Mandel and the other criminals on City Council where to stick it. Yes, I said criminals because, it is my belief that any elected official that allows their administration to create a deal that is so clearly biased, has not done their job. In any other industry or business, people like the City Manager and the CFO would be run out of town for even thinking they have done an appropriate job in the diligent management of taxpayers money.
But lets say, enough people get together and a plebiscite drive starts to turn out into a success. At this point, City Council does have the legal option of saying "Okay, we will call for our own plebiscite", under the guise of "look, we are listening to the people"... However according the the MGA (Municipal Government Act) a plebiscite called by council will supersede one called by citizens. And in the one called for by Council, the results, no matter how they turn out, can legally be rejected. Meaning they do NOT have to listen to what those results are.
So no matter how you cut it, this deal will go through. Katz will have his palace of money making gold, pay nothing for it, and taxpayers will get shafted. And it is my belief, this is nothing short of criminal theft of taxpayer dollars.
I think it's pretty clear that Mandel won't be running again. I've heard from many people that have suggested that he is grooming Iveson to take over his lead... and if so, one should perhaps question if the same groomed leadership is what you as a citizen would want. I certainly do not what that "type" of leadership ever again.
Where are the RCMP when you need them to do an investigation. Maybe even more so, do we even trust the RCMP anymore. In the mean time, the Alberta Government sits by and watches... waiting for an opportunity to stand in and add more taxpayer money for Katz to steal.
These are my beliefs... you are entitled to yours as well.
If you are looking for an example of what I think is a reasonably closer responsible deal, see my blog post prior to this one.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
I want a pony
Katz... pronounced like "kate zzzz"... or.. is it really more like "cat zzz".
Lets face it, many people enjoy a nice warm kitty kat laying in your lap, purring away like mad. It gives one that very warm and fuzzy feeling. So warm and fuzzy, that one tends to overlook the downside of that same kitty kat, when it uses you as a launch pad to jump down, ignores you, goes off into a corner some place to take a nap...only to come out an make an appearance when the kitty kat wants food.
Repeat often. (sounds kinda familiar eh?)
When you look at the start of this apology letter "I was upset when certain confidenial information was leaked and by comments that I thought were unfair and called my integrity into question." it is basically saying that I am really sad you found out I wanted to take even more of the taxpayers money, and I find it is unfair that you think that is a bad thing.
At that point, anything else in this so-called-apology isn't really worth the internet data it has been written on.
Yes, I am sure Mr. Katz loves the Oilers. I have serious doubts that he really loves Edmonton. But he has a chance to prove it, and really... it is quite simple. Just issue a statement, something like this:
"I want the Oilers to be proud and strong, and I want the fans to feel proud and strong. I have approached Edmonton City Council, and brought forth a new deal proposal that is truly a win-win for both taxpayers and us. The details of the new offer are as follows:
1) The Katz Group (KG) will put up front, using our money, the sum of $250 million dollars. The City will put in the remaining $200 million from revenues and ticket taxes.
2) KG and the City will share in revenues, with KG taking 60% and the City taking 40%.
3) KG will not be required to pay rent, but will pay full property taxes.
4) The City will own and maintain the facilities, collect all rents and taxes from any additional tenants, and will work together with both the KG and Northlands in concert and entertainment proposals and promotions.
5) No funds will be borrowed from the City.
6) No CRL will be needed.
7) No restrictions will be requested from Northlands. Any ticket taxes imposed for the new arena will also apply to Rexall, and those funds will be given to Northlands for improvements needed.
8) KG will share 50-50 with the City, on naming rights revenues.
Now THAT... is what you call a fair and "win-win"... Anything less than that will probably please some 20,000 odd fans that will hit the games on a regular basis, but it will certainly piss off some 600,000 residents. ... the vast majority of those who will be voting for a new City Council in 2013... just around the corner.
Lets face it, many people enjoy a nice warm kitty kat laying in your lap, purring away like mad. It gives one that very warm and fuzzy feeling. So warm and fuzzy, that one tends to overlook the downside of that same kitty kat, when it uses you as a launch pad to jump down, ignores you, goes off into a corner some place to take a nap...only to come out an make an appearance when the kitty kat wants food.
Repeat often. (sounds kinda familiar eh?)
When you look at the start of this apology letter "I was upset when certain confidenial information was leaked and by comments that I thought were unfair and called my integrity into question." it is basically saying that I am really sad you found out I wanted to take even more of the taxpayers money, and I find it is unfair that you think that is a bad thing.
At that point, anything else in this so-called-apology isn't really worth the internet data it has been written on.
Yes, I am sure Mr. Katz loves the Oilers. I have serious doubts that he really loves Edmonton. But he has a chance to prove it, and really... it is quite simple. Just issue a statement, something like this:
"I want the Oilers to be proud and strong, and I want the fans to feel proud and strong. I have approached Edmonton City Council, and brought forth a new deal proposal that is truly a win-win for both taxpayers and us. The details of the new offer are as follows:
1) The Katz Group (KG) will put up front, using our money, the sum of $250 million dollars. The City will put in the remaining $200 million from revenues and ticket taxes.
2) KG and the City will share in revenues, with KG taking 60% and the City taking 40%.
3) KG will not be required to pay rent, but will pay full property taxes.
4) The City will own and maintain the facilities, collect all rents and taxes from any additional tenants, and will work together with both the KG and Northlands in concert and entertainment proposals and promotions.
5) No funds will be borrowed from the City.
6) No CRL will be needed.
7) No restrictions will be requested from Northlands. Any ticket taxes imposed for the new arena will also apply to Rexall, and those funds will be given to Northlands for improvements needed.
8) KG will share 50-50 with the City, on naming rights revenues.
Now THAT... is what you call a fair and "win-win"... Anything less than that will probably please some 20,000 odd fans that will hit the games on a regular basis, but it will certainly piss off some 600,000 residents. ... the vast majority of those who will be voting for a new City Council in 2013... just around the corner.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Snow is a 4 letter word
Today is Friday, September 28th... just after 7 am and I am sipping away at my morning coffee, pondering when the pears on the tree in the backyard will start falling in batches. Pears are a pretty awesome fruit, but it's not like you can pick them and freeze them for later. But if you have the right equipment, you could can them for later use.
And of course, that must all be done before the snow arrives. The question is... when will that happen?
But wait... maybe we need to define what "snow" is first. So here is my definition...
SNOW is... what many members of the Edmonton City Council pray for. They pray for it to come sooner rather than later, because they want the weather to be as miserable as possible. I mean, after all, they have been trying for years to snow you over with marketing propaganda over the proposed Downtown Arena.. er, I mean palace... built for the only person capable of saving Edmonton, King Katz.
It was almost a year ago when Mimi Williams (@willmimi on twitter) started supplying information on the trail of lies, deception, and broken promises by many of our elected officials, in a 3 part series. It was supposed to be 4 parts, but it just got overwhelming.
Edmonton is at a place now in this "process", where Katz wants to change the rules, and I think that if he thinks that it is okay for him to do that, then I think it should be okay for us to do the same. Considering the recent events, more so now than ever before... the people of Edmonton are speaking up quite loudly to Council, saying this deal sucks. And for taxpayers in Edmonton, and indeed the entire Province, this is very true.
Council needs to tell Katz that the public is not happy. They need to tell him that the current proposal is null and void, and Katz must come back to the table with something that works for taxpayers. So with that said, what would be a reasonable deal?
1) The City owns the building. All tenants in the building will pay rent and taxes to the City.
2) No CRL will exist, since it just robs taxpayers of that money. And that money has to be collected again from all residents to replace the missing funds that would have gone into revenues, so taxpayers are being double dipped.
3) Full profit sharing, based on the percentage of the project dollars invested. In the past I have suggested that Katz gets 10% more of the share. For example, if he puts in 30% of the costs, then he gets 40% of the revenues. ... ... albeit he is allowed to keep all of the revenues for Oilers games.
4) If a "ticket tax" must be collected on Rexall events (stupid equal competition clause) then those revenues must be given to NorthLands for facility improvements and NOT be directed towards general revenues or be applied to the City portion of the costs.
There should probably be many more points, but the bottom line is this deal must be good for the taxpayers FIRST, with the Katz Group as a "second". Unless of course, KG wants to fund the entire project in which case it would be his building, his revenue, his tenants, etc.
So where does the SNOW come into place? Well, many think Council has been carefully crafting this project so that when it does come time to vote on a bylaw to borrow the funds, the citizens of Edmonton will be in a nasty weather situation in order to inhibit as much as possible, a citizen created plebiscite.
And why do we know this? Well, in the past... Mayor Mandel has made it very clear that the citizens of this city are simply not allowed to speak out. Our voices do not count. Only the voice of King Katz is allowed.
And with that said... election 2013 is just around the corner, where everyone will most certainly have their opportunity to speak... loud... and clear.
Perhaps after the 2013 election, the RCMP can be called in to investigate the breach of trust of many of the current members of Council. Because for sure, if this current deal actually gets put through... well... you decide.
70,000th tweet of mine to post this. And I bet the people of this city have spoken many times more, to say this deal sucks. Did I mention? Election 2013 is just around the corner...
And of course, that must all be done before the snow arrives. The question is... when will that happen?
But wait... maybe we need to define what "snow" is first. So here is my definition...
SNOW is... what many members of the Edmonton City Council pray for. They pray for it to come sooner rather than later, because they want the weather to be as miserable as possible. I mean, after all, they have been trying for years to snow you over with marketing propaganda over the proposed Downtown Arena.. er, I mean palace... built for the only person capable of saving Edmonton, King Katz.
It was almost a year ago when Mimi Williams (@willmimi on twitter) started supplying information on the trail of lies, deception, and broken promises by many of our elected officials, in a 3 part series. It was supposed to be 4 parts, but it just got overwhelming.
Edmonton is at a place now in this "process", where Katz wants to change the rules, and I think that if he thinks that it is okay for him to do that, then I think it should be okay for us to do the same. Considering the recent events, more so now than ever before... the people of Edmonton are speaking up quite loudly to Council, saying this deal sucks. And for taxpayers in Edmonton, and indeed the entire Province, this is very true.
Council needs to tell Katz that the public is not happy. They need to tell him that the current proposal is null and void, and Katz must come back to the table with something that works for taxpayers. So with that said, what would be a reasonable deal?
1) The City owns the building. All tenants in the building will pay rent and taxes to the City.
2) No CRL will exist, since it just robs taxpayers of that money. And that money has to be collected again from all residents to replace the missing funds that would have gone into revenues, so taxpayers are being double dipped.
3) Full profit sharing, based on the percentage of the project dollars invested. In the past I have suggested that Katz gets 10% more of the share. For example, if he puts in 30% of the costs, then he gets 40% of the revenues. ... ... albeit he is allowed to keep all of the revenues for Oilers games.
4) If a "ticket tax" must be collected on Rexall events (stupid equal competition clause) then those revenues must be given to NorthLands for facility improvements and NOT be directed towards general revenues or be applied to the City portion of the costs.
There should probably be many more points, but the bottom line is this deal must be good for the taxpayers FIRST, with the Katz Group as a "second". Unless of course, KG wants to fund the entire project in which case it would be his building, his revenue, his tenants, etc.
So where does the SNOW come into place? Well, many think Council has been carefully crafting this project so that when it does come time to vote on a bylaw to borrow the funds, the citizens of Edmonton will be in a nasty weather situation in order to inhibit as much as possible, a citizen created plebiscite.
And why do we know this? Well, in the past... Mayor Mandel has made it very clear that the citizens of this city are simply not allowed to speak out. Our voices do not count. Only the voice of King Katz is allowed.
And with that said... election 2013 is just around the corner, where everyone will most certainly have their opportunity to speak... loud... and clear.
Perhaps after the 2013 election, the RCMP can be called in to investigate the breach of trust of many of the current members of Council. Because for sure, if this current deal actually gets put through... well... you decide.
70,000th tweet of mine to post this. And I bet the people of this city have spoken many times more, to say this deal sucks. Did I mention? Election 2013 is just around the corner...
Monday, April 23, 2012
Outlaw ROBO calls
If there is one thing made very clear during the Alberta Provincial Election in 2012, is that those robo calls suck. And that is perhaps way too polite of a way of saying it.
These calls can be information based, or survey based. And they are well worth it, cost wise, to the folks trying to mass market something. However my right to privacy and to not be harassed, far outweighs marketers rights to information at reduced costs.
When you get these types of calls, you have NO clue if they are who they say they are... And if they want answers to questions, you have no right to offer anything other than a selection of canned answers, usually tuned to give results the caller wants.
I want to know who I am talking to, I want to question what it is about.
And I do NOT want to be hung up on if I don't give an answer you don't like... such as "Are you going to vote for 'x' party?" and you say no, the phone gets slammed down. Excuse me but that is just freaking rude. And I am tired of it.
Change the laws...
These calls can be information based, or survey based. And they are well worth it, cost wise, to the folks trying to mass market something. However my right to privacy and to not be harassed, far outweighs marketers rights to information at reduced costs.
When you get these types of calls, you have NO clue if they are who they say they are... And if they want answers to questions, you have no right to offer anything other than a selection of canned answers, usually tuned to give results the caller wants.
I want to know who I am talking to, I want to question what it is about.
And I do NOT want to be hung up on if I don't give an answer you don't like... such as "Are you going to vote for 'x' party?" and you say no, the phone gets slammed down. Excuse me but that is just freaking rude. And I am tired of it.
Change the laws...
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