Our special ComicCon edition of the show Friday paid dividends immediately, as the audience was vastly entertained firstly by actress "Catwoman" Julie Newmar, who described her life of 6 successful careers, and then we were joined by "Batman" Adam West.
West said that he felt like "The captain of a huge pleasure ship" with his many fans as passengers,and spoke about the revival of his career by playing an animated, exaggerated version of himself on FOX-TV's Family Guy.
Taking advantage of his role on the hit series as the mayor of Quahog, Rhode Island, we offered Mr. West the post of Consul General of the land of Aurtarlia, and he gladly accepted! He agreed that, by virtue of his joint positions, diplomatic relations between Quahog and Aurtarlia could commence post-haste.
What a way to cap off a great month. If there are any guests you would like us to interview, email talk@kick.fm, and thank you for listening.
**************
September and October guests:
Coun. Jeff Browaty
Tahl East, Director CDI College
Kelly Dehn, CTV Crimewatch
The Uniter 4 - Jess, Adam, Adam and the guy whose name wasn't Adam
Dr. Jon Gerrard, Manitoba Liberal party leader
Hugh McFadyen, Manitoba Conservative party leader
Bob Axford, civic/business consultant
Tony Condello, Ultimate Cage Wars
Sean Crawford, MacDonald Youth Services
Dan Denton, Los Angeles filmmaker
James O'Connor, Managing Editor, Brandon Sun
Cam Nikkel, photographer, victim of internet identity theft
Anders Swanson, Bike to the Future
Steven Hanks, Premier Massage Group
Mayor Sam Katz
Andrea Slobodian, Global-TV
Mike Sutherland, Winnipeg Police Association
Joan Wilson, general manager Unicity Taxi
Coun. John Orlikow
(specific October guests)
Marilyn and Howard Andleton (Knizat family vs Public Trustees Office)
Coun. Harvey Smith
Webster Webb, financial planning consultant
"Sgt Tom Steele" (Mike Phillips), Children's Wish fundraiser by Steeltown Pro Wrestling
Larry Stefaniuk, WiseUpWinnipeg.com
James Cotton, ManitobaPost blogger
TJ Bratt, for the Kerry Brown Tribute Show
Mother of security guard assaulted by B-Side gang in botched home invasion
Steve Ashton, MLA Thompson, Manitoba NDP leadership candidate
Dan Lett, Winnipeg Free Press political columnist
"Dr. Dave" Newsham, Academy Chiropractic Centre
Kevin Lamoureaux, MLA Inkster
Jason Geiger and Curtis Brigham, Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighters
Mal Anderson, Exchange District Biz
Colin Craig, Canadian Taxpayers Federation
Theoren Fleury, author, Playing with Fire
Darryl Walsh, Triallo.com/Triallo Communication Media
"That Zombie Guy" (in a dispute with Free Press over photo caption)
plus Spirited Kenny, Shannah-Lee, Adam the Kick-FM news director, Deniz the Thursday request hour girl, Dave "Mr. Comedy" Shorr, Stacia and Danielle the interns, Jess Chapman, Brad of the peanut gallery, Professor Levinski, Drew Mindell and Richard Pollock of the http://www.illegalcurve.com/ radio show, Jon Waldman - (buy his Slam!Sports book at the book launch this Thursday at McNally-Robinson Polo Park, hosted by...you guessed it), Brad Harrison, and Frank the Italian Barber.
On Monday, we will be joined at 4.30 by Frank's city Councillor, Jenny Gerbasi, to talk about the absurd proposal to sell the Winnipeg Square parkade to benefit the debt-ridden Winnipeg Parking Authority, and the WPA's policy of bullying residents of the poorest neighborhoods in the city; and...
- Gordon Sinclair Jr. embarassed himself on Saturday with a Free Press column about H1N1 "queue -jumpers" that his readers and our listeners had strong reaction to;
- a review of the new Sunday Freep tabloid On7;
- after 5 PM we will analyze why an Indian Chief didn't have to go to jail after his third drunk-driving conviction;
- and at 5.20 Frank, Brad Harrison and Spirited Kenny will debate the Bombers playoff chances, the Vikings handling the Packers, why the Phillies are choking against the Yankees in the World Series, and other sports highlights including a Winnipeg Sun blog post about our favorite pastime.
Hail Aurtarlia!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Not even the undead are safe from the arrogance of the Winnipeg Free Press
The following is an exchange of emails between a Winnipeg man whose picture was used to illustrate a Free Press story about the local "Zombiewalk 2009", and the newspaper. A picture that accompanied the story was captioned "Some zombies got a little too much into character during walk downtown on Sunday night."
The story claimed "The surprise popularity of the event contributed to a "mob mentality" by some of the participants", according to the organizer, and went on to describe various acts of public disorder.
The man in the photo, clearly identifiable to those who know him, was smeared by the implication he was one of the troublemakers caught in the act. His work in the community with children and other adults, depends on his reputation as a reliable and conscientious person.
As you will read below, the reporter, city editor and publisher of the supposedly professional broadsheet thinks the normal rules of journalism - ie. get it right- don't apply to them.
They think that the concept of misrepresenting a photograph to help sell newspapers is acceptable. They claim their publication of a legally-staged photograph (actually, a photograph of a staged photograph being taken) embellished with a cutline that portrays the scene as the actions of a law-breaker, was the fault of the organizer of the event -- even though she was complaining about OTHER people, not the man in the picture.
Wrong place, wrong time, is the response. Blame someone who doesn't work here for us publishing that picture. The mean-spirited phone calls, the disrespect you now suffer because of our carelessness, because of our refusal to clear your name -- that's YOUR problem.
The newsroom that has fallen to the point of running "Our Mistake" almost daily on page 2, has hit tabloid territory a week early.
We begin with the email sent by a mother connected to the photograph, as one son is 'That Zombie Guy' and another was the driver of the vehicle in the picture. She did not get the courtesy of a response.
Perhaps if she was the mother of Bob Silver, someone on Mountain Avenue would have remembered, mothers are readers and subscribers too.
*****************
To:
webnews@freepress.mb.ca, copyeditor3@freepress.mb.ca
I would like to correct the inference that the zombie in your picture was doing damage to this car . The car was parked in a parking lot to watch the zombie walk and when the car owner/driver saw his brother he asked him to pose on his car for pictures . No damage or banging to this car occurred. I have spoken to both my sons ( driver and zombie ) to get the correct story.
thank-you
their mother
(xxxxx) please withhold name
-----Original Message-----
From: xxxxx
Sent: October-27-09 12:30 PM
To: Giroday, Gabrielle
Subject: Inaccurate FreePress story, A5, re: zombie walk
Gabrielle,
I attended the zombie walk, this past Sunday night, and did not witness
any "mob mentality", or excessive blocking of traffic. In fact, the
"disruption" was less than any concert at the MTS center, or Bomber
game at the Stadium. The picture shown on page A5 of today's newspaper is completely opposite of the story written. Why is there no interviews from the disgruntled people, or from any of the "zombies" attending the event, to back up your misleading point of view?
I am the zombie in that picture. I am on the hood of my brother's Jimmy,
while it was PARKED in front of the Mac's store on Osborne St. I asked
permission to get on his truck, and was acting like a zombie to
entertain my brother and his girlfriend. They are smiling and obviously
enjoying themselves.
I have received more than a few emails, text messages, and comments because of this story, all negative. Most people asking why I was disrupting traffic. My friends, family and aquaintances all love the picture, but then read the story and their opinion changes.
The only vehicles I saw being approached by zombies were being
encouraged, both by laughter, smiles, and/or pictures being taken of
them/ the event.
Why does the Free Press feel the need to generate negative stories out
of positive events? When was the last time Winnipeg had that many
people downtown on an autumn Sunday night? Think of all the extra
revenue that local businesses generated due to the increased foot
traffic. We need more events like this to liven up downtown, not less.
{That Zombie Guy}
--Original Message-----
From: "Giroday, Gabrielle"
Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:47:12
To: xxxx
Subject: RE: Inaccurate FreePress story, A5, re: zombie walk
Hi xxxx--
Thanks for the note. It has some interesting insight that I am sure
others would like to read.
One note on reporting in general, I think I would want to point out that
as a reporter I don't take a point of view -- I quote others on the
information they provide to me. (in this case, the event's organizer and
the police).
I have two suggestions:
1) Would you like me to forward the letter to the letters page for
consideration?
They'd need a phone number for confirmation purposes. If you didn't want to send me your number to forward on with the info below, you could always send the letter straight to fpletter@freepress.mb.ca
2) I'd love to post your letter as a part of a blog post. People really
are super interested in the Zombie Walk and I think they'd really
appreciate your point of view. I've been fascinated by the amount of
stuff on the Internet about the walk. Would you be cool with that?
Take care and I hope you had a good night.
GG
From: xxxx
Sent: October-27-09 2:11 PM
To: Giroday, Gabrielle
Subject: Re: Inaccurate FreePress story, A5, re: zombie walk
Gabrielle,
Do you think this is a joke? Serious damage to my reputation was done in the pages of the newspaper NOT on your blog, and that is where this must be addressed. Only one side of the story was presented, and most unbiased journalists would try to find out both sides to a story. You used my picture to depict the story you presented. My face is clear, my brother's face is clear, and his girlfriend's face is clear. This is not a "letter to the editor" matter, I suggest that Mr. Cox or Ms. Goodhand should be contacting me immediately.
{"TZG}
From: "Giroday, Gabrielle"
Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:19:37
To: xxxxx
Cc: Samyn,Paul
Subject: RE: Inaccurate FreePress story, A5, re: zombie walk
It sounds like you're not interested in having your letter on the letters page or on the blog.
I've cc'ed my city editor Paul Samyn on this. If you'd like, you should talk to him at 697-7292.
I'm not clear what you're requesting, but he may be able to help you.
Cheers
GG
From: xxxx
Sent: October-28-09 2:12 PM
To: Samyn,Paul
Subject: Misrepresentation of myself and the zombie walk
Paul,
I'm assuming you have read the correspondance between Gabrielle and
myself, and am wondering why I have not received a response as yet.
Her story is the equivalent of somebody "seeing" an old woman being mugged in a park, a witness calling the cops, and reporting the incident, and leaving the story there. Now if she had talked to the old lady and discovered that it was a scene being acted out for a movie, there would have been no negative story.
In the case of the zombie walk, the cops were called due to people been
seen swarming vehicles, but if she had done her research, she would have
discovered that those cars were either part of the zombie walk, there to
record or enhance the night, or the zombies were encouraged by the
drivers.
In my case, the picture of me is being used to support the negative
slant to the story is ruining my reputation. I teach children karate, as
well as adults. What do you think they see me as now? I know this is not the only email Gabrielle has received regarding this subject. My brother, his girlfriend, and my mother are all offended by this story and how we were used.
Why are there no interview of the participants, spectators, my brother,
or myself to explain the situation? Were there any reports of damage or
injuries due to the event? I'm going to assume not, because the writer
would have included that in her one sided story. I'm also sure that
there were positive comments from the organizer, yet those were not
included in the story either. Here's an idea, if the cops were called,
yet there was nobody there to complain/talk to the cops, then maybe
there was no incident and they were called as a result of lack of
information.
If Gabrielle had actually researched a complete story she would know that I was not jumping on stranger's cars which were on the road and acting with a "mob mentality".
My picture is now linked to this poor excuse of a story, and not in a positive way. It has been printed and distributed for the whole city to see, not to forget the online story as well. What is the Free Press
going to do about this?
{TZG}
PS. How can Gabrielle not see the reason I would be upset? It's obvious
to me, my family, friends, and all the people who have been talking
about it on the facebook event. I've had to explain myself too many
times to count.
-----Original Message-----
From: "Samyn,Paul"
Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:32:17
To: xxxx
Cc: Giroday, Gabrielle
Subject: RE: Misrepresentation of myself and the zombie walk
XXXX:
With the greatest of respect, if you have a problem with how the zombie walk was covered, I suggest you speak to Sarah Reed who was the event's organizer.
It was Reed who talked about the need for more police presence and who
was critical of ``unfortunate shenanigans.'' She also talked about
participants not respecting the rules of the road.
Regardless of whether the cars were or weren't part of the zombie walk,
a strict interpretation of the Highway Traffic Act will remind you that pedestrians climbing on cars is not normally seen by the public or police as a positive event.
Moreover, the fact remains that you were in a public place and your
picture was taken as part of that event. I think most of our readers who saw the pictures in the paper or on our website will take the zombie
walk, including your role in it, in the way in which it was intended --
a fun and slightly out-there bit of late October nocturnal fun. I am
sure your reputation will survive whatever questions might come your way as unlike zombies, this controversy will soon die.
Sincerely,
Paul Samyn
City Editor
From: XXXX
Sent: October-29-09 2:11 PM
To: Cox, Bob
Subject: Fw: Misrepresentation of myself and the zombie walk
Hello,
A picture of me has been used out of context to support a point of view in one of the Free Press' stories. I was on the hood of a parked car on private property, not on the city's roads. I was not banging on a stranger's vehicle, nor was I displaying a "mob mentality". However, my picture is being used to support this story. I have received responses to this story, and those that have read the article have asked why I was banging on vehicles and not respecting the rules of the road or other peoples property.
I have tried to explain my frustration to the story writer as well as
her editor. I was not impressed by either response. Is this the
proffesionalism and concern your staff displays common to your readers or the people it mis-uses when they voice a concern? Is there a way to break the link that I now have to this story?
Thank you for your time,
XXXX
From: "Cox, Bob"
To: XXXX
Subject: RE: Misrepresentation of myself and the zombie walk
Dear sir:
The Free Press will not be taking any further action regarding this story. Our photographer was standing on a public sidewalk when he took this photo, depicting you on a car hood in a parking lot in full view of
hundreds of other walkers. The organizer of the walk expressed concerns about the activities of some participants who did not observe proper behaviour during the event. If you have concerns about the organizer's remarks, then I would suggest that you contact her. As with all readers, you are welcome to write a letter to the editor to express your opinion.
Bob Cox
Publisher
Winnipeg Free Press
*********************
We had TZG on the air yesterday. Here is a sampling of the reaction of Kick-FM listeners to his story and to the way the Free Press dismissed his complaint:
"I can only presume that the Free Press assumes we are all dead and ignorant of their Ridiculous journalism. I've had enough...just finished canceling my subscription while listening to the show. Now I am really dead to them."
"I never really understood how broken the freep is, until now."
"He did write a letter - to the editor's boss! If Cox thinks it's the editors call, why did he answer for Margo Goodhand and decide the paper would do nothing to correct their mistake?"
(Comments made to our producer Danielle): "Freep starting to sound like tabloid... As well, photograph been blown out of proportion, tabloid-style. Quality and integrity being lost by Free Press. How many pics have they incorrectly represented, the listener asks."
***************
Today we have a special start time of 3.30 PM to accomodate our special interview guests, Adam West and Julie Newmar, who are in town for Central Canada Comic Con; plus This Week in History with Professor Levinski, Dan Lett's analysis of Premier Selinger's Hydro minefield, and more of your calls.
The story claimed "The surprise popularity of the event contributed to a "mob mentality" by some of the participants", according to the organizer, and went on to describe various acts of public disorder.
The man in the photo, clearly identifiable to those who know him, was smeared by the implication he was one of the troublemakers caught in the act. His work in the community with children and other adults, depends on his reputation as a reliable and conscientious person.
As you will read below, the reporter, city editor and publisher of the supposedly professional broadsheet thinks the normal rules of journalism - ie. get it right- don't apply to them.
They think that the concept of misrepresenting a photograph to help sell newspapers is acceptable. They claim their publication of a legally-staged photograph (actually, a photograph of a staged photograph being taken) embellished with a cutline that portrays the scene as the actions of a law-breaker, was the fault of the organizer of the event -- even though she was complaining about OTHER people, not the man in the picture.
Wrong place, wrong time, is the response. Blame someone who doesn't work here for us publishing that picture. The mean-spirited phone calls, the disrespect you now suffer because of our carelessness, because of our refusal to clear your name -- that's YOUR problem.
The newsroom that has fallen to the point of running "Our Mistake" almost daily on page 2, has hit tabloid territory a week early.
We begin with the email sent by a mother connected to the photograph, as one son is 'That Zombie Guy' and another was the driver of the vehicle in the picture. She did not get the courtesy of a response.
Perhaps if she was the mother of Bob Silver, someone on Mountain Avenue would have remembered, mothers are readers and subscribers too.
*****************
To:
webnews@freepress.mb.ca, copyeditor3@freepress.mb.ca
I would like to correct the inference that the zombie in your picture was doing damage to this car . The car was parked in a parking lot to watch the zombie walk and when the car owner/driver saw his brother he asked him to pose on his car for pictures . No damage or banging to this car occurred. I have spoken to both my sons ( driver and zombie ) to get the correct story.
thank-you
their mother
(xxxxx) please withhold name
-----Original Message-----
From: xxxxx
Sent: October-27-09 12:30 PM
To: Giroday, Gabrielle
Subject: Inaccurate FreePress story, A5, re: zombie walk
Gabrielle,
I attended the zombie walk, this past Sunday night, and did not witness
any "mob mentality", or excessive blocking of traffic. In fact, the
"disruption" was less than any concert at the MTS center, or Bomber
game at the Stadium. The picture shown on page A5 of today's newspaper is completely opposite of the story written. Why is there no interviews from the disgruntled people, or from any of the "zombies" attending the event, to back up your misleading point of view?
I am the zombie in that picture. I am on the hood of my brother's Jimmy,
while it was PARKED in front of the Mac's store on Osborne St. I asked
permission to get on his truck, and was acting like a zombie to
entertain my brother and his girlfriend. They are smiling and obviously
enjoying themselves.
I have received more than a few emails, text messages, and comments because of this story, all negative. Most people asking why I was disrupting traffic. My friends, family and aquaintances all love the picture, but then read the story and their opinion changes.
The only vehicles I saw being approached by zombies were being
encouraged, both by laughter, smiles, and/or pictures being taken of
them/ the event.
Why does the Free Press feel the need to generate negative stories out
of positive events? When was the last time Winnipeg had that many
people downtown on an autumn Sunday night? Think of all the extra
revenue that local businesses generated due to the increased foot
traffic. We need more events like this to liven up downtown, not less.
{That Zombie Guy}
--Original Message-----
From: "Giroday, Gabrielle"
Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:47:12
To: xxxx
Subject: RE: Inaccurate FreePress story, A5, re: zombie walk
Hi xxxx--
Thanks for the note. It has some interesting insight that I am sure
others would like to read.
One note on reporting in general, I think I would want to point out that
as a reporter I don't take a point of view -- I quote others on the
information they provide to me. (in this case, the event's organizer and
the police).
I have two suggestions:
1) Would you like me to forward the letter to the letters page for
consideration?
They'd need a phone number for confirmation purposes. If you didn't want to send me your number to forward on with the info below, you could always send the letter straight to fpletter@freepress.mb.ca
2) I'd love to post your letter as a part of a blog post. People really
are super interested in the Zombie Walk and I think they'd really
appreciate your point of view. I've been fascinated by the amount of
stuff on the Internet about the walk. Would you be cool with that?
Take care and I hope you had a good night.
GG
From: xxxx
Sent: October-27-09 2:11 PM
To: Giroday, Gabrielle
Subject: Re: Inaccurate FreePress story, A5, re: zombie walk
Gabrielle,
Do you think this is a joke? Serious damage to my reputation was done in the pages of the newspaper NOT on your blog, and that is where this must be addressed. Only one side of the story was presented, and most unbiased journalists would try to find out both sides to a story. You used my picture to depict the story you presented. My face is clear, my brother's face is clear, and his girlfriend's face is clear. This is not a "letter to the editor" matter, I suggest that Mr. Cox or Ms. Goodhand should be contacting me immediately.
{"TZG}
From: "Giroday, Gabrielle"
Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:19:37
To: xxxxx
Cc: Samyn,Paul
Subject: RE: Inaccurate FreePress story, A5, re: zombie walk
It sounds like you're not interested in having your letter on the letters page or on the blog.
I've cc'ed my city editor Paul Samyn on this. If you'd like, you should talk to him at 697-7292.
I'm not clear what you're requesting, but he may be able to help you.
Cheers
GG
From: xxxx
Sent: October-28-09 2:12 PM
To: Samyn,Paul
Subject: Misrepresentation of myself and the zombie walk
Paul,
I'm assuming you have read the correspondance between Gabrielle and
myself, and am wondering why I have not received a response as yet.
Her story is the equivalent of somebody "seeing" an old woman being mugged in a park, a witness calling the cops, and reporting the incident, and leaving the story there. Now if she had talked to the old lady and discovered that it was a scene being acted out for a movie, there would have been no negative story.
In the case of the zombie walk, the cops were called due to people been
seen swarming vehicles, but if she had done her research, she would have
discovered that those cars were either part of the zombie walk, there to
record or enhance the night, or the zombies were encouraged by the
drivers.
In my case, the picture of me is being used to support the negative
slant to the story is ruining my reputation. I teach children karate, as
well as adults. What do you think they see me as now? I know this is not the only email Gabrielle has received regarding this subject. My brother, his girlfriend, and my mother are all offended by this story and how we were used.
Why are there no interview of the participants, spectators, my brother,
or myself to explain the situation? Were there any reports of damage or
injuries due to the event? I'm going to assume not, because the writer
would have included that in her one sided story. I'm also sure that
there were positive comments from the organizer, yet those were not
included in the story either. Here's an idea, if the cops were called,
yet there was nobody there to complain/talk to the cops, then maybe
there was no incident and they were called as a result of lack of
information.
If Gabrielle had actually researched a complete story she would know that I was not jumping on stranger's cars which were on the road and acting with a "mob mentality".
My picture is now linked to this poor excuse of a story, and not in a positive way. It has been printed and distributed for the whole city to see, not to forget the online story as well. What is the Free Press
going to do about this?
{TZG}
PS. How can Gabrielle not see the reason I would be upset? It's obvious
to me, my family, friends, and all the people who have been talking
about it on the facebook event. I've had to explain myself too many
times to count.
-----Original Message-----
From: "Samyn,Paul"
Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:32:17
To: xxxx
Cc: Giroday, Gabrielle
Subject: RE: Misrepresentation of myself and the zombie walk
XXXX:
With the greatest of respect, if you have a problem with how the zombie walk was covered, I suggest you speak to Sarah Reed who was the event's organizer.
It was Reed who talked about the need for more police presence and who
was critical of ``unfortunate shenanigans.'' She also talked about
participants not respecting the rules of the road.
Regardless of whether the cars were or weren't part of the zombie walk,
a strict interpretation of the Highway Traffic Act will remind you that pedestrians climbing on cars is not normally seen by the public or police as a positive event.
Moreover, the fact remains that you were in a public place and your
picture was taken as part of that event. I think most of our readers who saw the pictures in the paper or on our website will take the zombie
walk, including your role in it, in the way in which it was intended --
a fun and slightly out-there bit of late October nocturnal fun. I am
sure your reputation will survive whatever questions might come your way as unlike zombies, this controversy will soon die.
Sincerely,
Paul Samyn
City Editor
From: XXXX
Sent: October-29-09 2:11 PM
To: Cox, Bob
Subject: Fw: Misrepresentation of myself and the zombie walk
Hello,
A picture of me has been used out of context to support a point of view in one of the Free Press' stories. I was on the hood of a parked car on private property, not on the city's roads. I was not banging on a stranger's vehicle, nor was I displaying a "mob mentality". However, my picture is being used to support this story. I have received responses to this story, and those that have read the article have asked why I was banging on vehicles and not respecting the rules of the road or other peoples property.
I have tried to explain my frustration to the story writer as well as
her editor. I was not impressed by either response. Is this the
proffesionalism and concern your staff displays common to your readers or the people it mis-uses when they voice a concern? Is there a way to break the link that I now have to this story?
Thank you for your time,
XXXX
From: "Cox, Bob"
To: XXXX
Subject: RE: Misrepresentation of myself and the zombie walk
Dear sir:
The Free Press will not be taking any further action regarding this story. Our photographer was standing on a public sidewalk when he took this photo, depicting you on a car hood in a parking lot in full view of
hundreds of other walkers. The organizer of the walk expressed concerns about the activities of some participants who did not observe proper behaviour during the event. If you have concerns about the organizer's remarks, then I would suggest that you contact her. As with all readers, you are welcome to write a letter to the editor to express your opinion.
Bob Cox
Publisher
Winnipeg Free Press
*********************
We had TZG on the air yesterday. Here is a sampling of the reaction of Kick-FM listeners to his story and to the way the Free Press dismissed his complaint:
"I can only presume that the Free Press assumes we are all dead and ignorant of their Ridiculous journalism. I've had enough...just finished canceling my subscription while listening to the show. Now I am really dead to them."
"I never really understood how broken the freep is, until now."
"He did write a letter - to the editor's boss! If Cox thinks it's the editors call, why did he answer for Margo Goodhand and decide the paper would do nothing to correct their mistake?"
(Comments made to our producer Danielle): "Freep starting to sound like tabloid... As well, photograph been blown out of proportion, tabloid-style. Quality and integrity being lost by Free Press. How many pics have they incorrectly represented, the listener asks."
***************
Today we have a special start time of 3.30 PM to accomodate our special interview guests, Adam West and Julie Newmar, who are in town for Central Canada Comic Con; plus This Week in History with Professor Levinski, Dan Lett's analysis of Premier Selinger's Hydro minefield, and more of your calls.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Please help support the Kerry Brown Fundraiser on November 10th
As many of you know, my very good friend Kerry Brown, a big mean wrestler who had a heart of gold, died last month far too young at the age of 51.
He taught me a lot about life in and out of the ring, and his stories of working with the likes of Andre the Giant, the British Bulldogs, and Antonio Inoki were side-splitting to say the least.
I will be hosting a fundraising event in his honour and to help raise money to assist his family, in 2 weeks time, on November 10th, at the Marlborough Hotel in Winnipeg.
Dozens of people, wrestlers, broadcasters, fans, are working on producing and publicizing this show, to demonstrate their loyalty to the Brown family in their time of need and their respect for the memory of one of Canada's greatest modern day performers.
Special thanks to Bobby Jay of Kildonan Sports who purchased a $500 sponsorship package, and to Kerry's former employer the Westbrook Hotel for not only buying a block of tickets, but also stuffing flyers into their vendor beer sales. If you are interested in helping the cause in this way, group and corporate rates are available.
Now I know that professional wrestling is not everyone's cup of tea; BUT, if you were a fan growing up of what we now call "old-school wrestling", this event will be up your alley.
Without further ado, here is the latest information. If you need tickets, contact me talk@kick.fm.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Promoter Tony Condello has announced that tickets are now available for The Kerry Brown Tribute Card, a fundraising event to assist the family of the late worldwide wrestling star.
The card on Remembrance Day Eve, November 10th at 7.30 PM, brings together performers and fans from across the West, to honour the memory of "Pitbull" Kerry Brown and to showcase the old-school style of professional wrestling he epitomized as Stampede Wrestling North American heavyweight champion.
The all-ages show, being held at the Skyview Ballroom at the Marlborough Hotel at 331 Smith Street, will feature 6 very distinct undercard bouts headlined by a 2 out of 3 fall tag team attraction.
Veterans Chi Chi Cruz and Brian Jewel are reforming their popular team for the first time since 1993, to square off against "Team Impact", Showtime Robby Royce and rising young star ATM. Cruz, Jewel and Royce were among Kerry's main opponents when he returned to compete out of his home base of Winnipeg throughout the 1990's and specifically asked to be in the feature bout to honour their fallen colleague.
The main event will be the Kerry Brown Memorial Rumble, with dozens of wrestlers entering the over-the-top battle royal to compete for the glory of being the last man standing.
Among the wrestlers traveling at their own expense to help raise funds for the family is noted author Vance Nevada, now of Red Deer Alberta, whose book Wrestling in the Canadian West is getting rave reviews across media platforms.
"This is an example of the respect the boys had for the Pitbull," said Condello, "and how concerned they are that his family gets the support they need when faced with his sudden death at age 51. These skilled athletes are going to prove why Canadian wrestlers are the best around."
Another match slated is the exciting "WFWA 6 man tag", with a 3 man team captained by former NWA Canadian champion EZ Ryder facing the trio led by Sargeant Tom Steele. More matches will be announced shortly.
Sponsors who have already contributed support include Manitoba Public Insurance, Kildonan Sports, The Westbrook Hotel (where Kerry Brown formerly worked), Brickhouse Gym, Slam!Sports, and Steven Hanks massage therapy.
Tickets are priced at $15.00, with group and corporate rates on request, and are available from Tony Condello at 229-9173, or can be arranged via email at martygoldlive@gmail.com
A website, with old match video, links to online pictures and stories about Kerry, and event information, is at http://www.kerrybrowntribute.com/
Background:
Kerry Brown was trained by Tony Condello and entered the professional wrestling ring wars in 1979, completing his apprenticeship with a bout against former AWA World Tag Team champion Greg Gagne at the Winnipeg Arena on December 6.
A natural talent and hated 'heel', he was a star in the NWA flagship promotion of St. Louis, Kansas City, Antonio Inoki's New Japan, Stampede Wrestling in Calgary for promoter Stu Hart, Puerto Rico and in Quebec and the Maritimes (as Rick Valentine), and across Central Canada for many regional promotions.
Kerry passed away suddenly in September at age 51, and the wrestling community has come together to raise funds to assist his family with their expenses at this difficult time.
Event Details
Tuesday night, November 10th, Marlborough Hotel, 7.30 PM. Six special bouts capped off with the Kerry Brown Memorial Rumble.
Tickets $15.00, corporate rates available for groups wishing to attend the show. Call Tony 229-9173 or email martygoldlive@gmail.com
Special prize packages will be available for bids. To donate prizes or contribute to defray overhead expenses, contact Bob St. Laurent at 228-0707.
For more information contact Marty Gold martygoldlive@gmail.com
He taught me a lot about life in and out of the ring, and his stories of working with the likes of Andre the Giant, the British Bulldogs, and Antonio Inoki were side-splitting to say the least.
I will be hosting a fundraising event in his honour and to help raise money to assist his family, in 2 weeks time, on November 10th, at the Marlborough Hotel in Winnipeg.
Dozens of people, wrestlers, broadcasters, fans, are working on producing and publicizing this show, to demonstrate their loyalty to the Brown family in their time of need and their respect for the memory of one of Canada's greatest modern day performers.
Special thanks to Bobby Jay of Kildonan Sports who purchased a $500 sponsorship package, and to Kerry's former employer the Westbrook Hotel for not only buying a block of tickets, but also stuffing flyers into their vendor beer sales. If you are interested in helping the cause in this way, group and corporate rates are available.
Now I know that professional wrestling is not everyone's cup of tea; BUT, if you were a fan growing up of what we now call "old-school wrestling", this event will be up your alley.
Without further ado, here is the latest information. If you need tickets, contact me talk@kick.fm.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Promoter Tony Condello has announced that tickets are now available for The Kerry Brown Tribute Card, a fundraising event to assist the family of the late worldwide wrestling star.
The card on Remembrance Day Eve, November 10th at 7.30 PM, brings together performers and fans from across the West, to honour the memory of "Pitbull" Kerry Brown and to showcase the old-school style of professional wrestling he epitomized as Stampede Wrestling North American heavyweight champion.
The all-ages show, being held at the Skyview Ballroom at the Marlborough Hotel at 331 Smith Street, will feature 6 very distinct undercard bouts headlined by a 2 out of 3 fall tag team attraction.
Veterans Chi Chi Cruz and Brian Jewel are reforming their popular team for the first time since 1993, to square off against "Team Impact", Showtime Robby Royce and rising young star ATM. Cruz, Jewel and Royce were among Kerry's main opponents when he returned to compete out of his home base of Winnipeg throughout the 1990's and specifically asked to be in the feature bout to honour their fallen colleague.
The main event will be the Kerry Brown Memorial Rumble, with dozens of wrestlers entering the over-the-top battle royal to compete for the glory of being the last man standing.
Among the wrestlers traveling at their own expense to help raise funds for the family is noted author Vance Nevada, now of Red Deer Alberta, whose book Wrestling in the Canadian West is getting rave reviews across media platforms.
"This is an example of the respect the boys had for the Pitbull," said Condello, "and how concerned they are that his family gets the support they need when faced with his sudden death at age 51. These skilled athletes are going to prove why Canadian wrestlers are the best around."
Another match slated is the exciting "WFWA 6 man tag", with a 3 man team captained by former NWA Canadian champion EZ Ryder facing the trio led by Sargeant Tom Steele. More matches will be announced shortly.
Sponsors who have already contributed support include Manitoba Public Insurance, Kildonan Sports, The Westbrook Hotel (where Kerry Brown formerly worked), Brickhouse Gym, Slam!Sports, and Steven Hanks massage therapy.
Tickets are priced at $15.00, with group and corporate rates on request, and are available from Tony Condello at 229-9173, or can be arranged via email at martygoldlive@gmail.com
A website, with old match video, links to online pictures and stories about Kerry, and event information, is at http://www.kerrybrowntribute.com/
Background:
Kerry Brown was trained by Tony Condello and entered the professional wrestling ring wars in 1979, completing his apprenticeship with a bout against former AWA World Tag Team champion Greg Gagne at the Winnipeg Arena on December 6.
A natural talent and hated 'heel', he was a star in the NWA flagship promotion of St. Louis, Kansas City, Antonio Inoki's New Japan, Stampede Wrestling in Calgary for promoter Stu Hart, Puerto Rico and in Quebec and the Maritimes (as Rick Valentine), and across Central Canada for many regional promotions.
Kerry passed away suddenly in September at age 51, and the wrestling community has come together to raise funds to assist his family with their expenses at this difficult time.
Event Details
Tuesday night, November 10th, Marlborough Hotel, 7.30 PM. Six special bouts capped off with the Kerry Brown Memorial Rumble.
Tickets $15.00, corporate rates available for groups wishing to attend the show. Call Tony 229-9173 or email martygoldlive@gmail.com
Special prize packages will be available for bids. To donate prizes or contribute to defray overhead expenses, contact Bob St. Laurent at 228-0707.
For more information contact Marty Gold martygoldlive@gmail.com
Monday, October 26, 2009
EXCLUSIVE: Panicky Hydro boss tells troops: who you gonna believe, me or Miss Whistle?
The Great Canadian Talk Show has learned that Manitoba Hydro CEO and President Bob Brennan is sensing dissension in the ranks, and has come out with a desperate counter-offensive.
The most offensive aspect being, he is claiming to employees that he is really, really, REALLY co-operating with the Public Utilities Board, even though a year after he promised to disclose information they asked for, he still has not done so.
"Hydro is more than willing to provide whatever information is necessary for the PUB to fulfill its important rates approval mandate ... it is necessary to provide the PUB with information in such a way that does not put Manitoba Hydro at a competitive disadvantage. Manitoba Hydro has always had a cooperative working relationship with the PUB and this is expected to continue."
Having taken the definition of "cooperation" from the official NDP handbook, Brennan then claims he has respect for the Whistleblower Act, after spending last week violating it at every turn.
"I strongly support the right of any individual to express his or her legitimate concerns in a discreet and confidential way without fear of reprisal. This is the essence of the Province’s whistleblower legislation. At some point, however, Manitoba Hydro needs to have the opportunity to defend itself once the allegations are known."
Brennan has known since at least September of 2008 what the allegations are, and according to Miss Whistle, specifically instructed her not to leave a paper/email trail, and then fired her the day after she sent an advance summary of her analysis to Brennan and to the Hydro CFO (to whom she actually directly reported).
Brennan goes on to voice his support for a 'special audit' being conducted by his former employer, now- Provincial Auditor Carol Bellringer.
"The highly publicized whistleblower allegations are the subject of an independent review by the Auditor General or her designate and this review will be conducted as soon as possible... We have stated previously that we fully support an investigation by the Office of the Auditor General because we are very confident that such an independent review will vindicate Manitoba Hydro and demonstrate that the corporation is managing its risks in the most prudent and responsible manner."
Brennan also tries to reassure the jittery staff that the results of the most recent operational review were glowing, even though the hand-picked consultants used the term "reasonable" three times, and "adequate" twice.
Most importantly, Brennan proports that his handpicked auditors will be able to conclude a proper review before New Years' Eve, and before Bellringer has even cracked a book on the subject.
"The findings of the KPMG review will be provided in a report to be presented on or before December 31, 2009".
We will have more from Manitoba Hydro's "Message from the President: A response to whistleblower allegations", Tuesday at 4.20 PM, on 92.9 Kick-FM.
The most offensive aspect being, he is claiming to employees that he is really, really, REALLY co-operating with the Public Utilities Board, even though a year after he promised to disclose information they asked for, he still has not done so.
"Hydro is more than willing to provide whatever information is necessary for the PUB to fulfill its important rates approval mandate ... it is necessary to provide the PUB with information in such a way that does not put Manitoba Hydro at a competitive disadvantage. Manitoba Hydro has always had a cooperative working relationship with the PUB and this is expected to continue."
Having taken the definition of "cooperation" from the official NDP handbook, Brennan then claims he has respect for the Whistleblower Act, after spending last week violating it at every turn.
"I strongly support the right of any individual to express his or her legitimate concerns in a discreet and confidential way without fear of reprisal. This is the essence of the Province’s whistleblower legislation. At some point, however, Manitoba Hydro needs to have the opportunity to defend itself once the allegations are known."
Brennan has known since at least September of 2008 what the allegations are, and according to Miss Whistle, specifically instructed her not to leave a paper/email trail, and then fired her the day after she sent an advance summary of her analysis to Brennan and to the Hydro CFO (to whom she actually directly reported).
Brennan goes on to voice his support for a 'special audit' being conducted by his former employer, now- Provincial Auditor Carol Bellringer.
"The highly publicized whistleblower allegations are the subject of an independent review by the Auditor General or her designate and this review will be conducted as soon as possible... We have stated previously that we fully support an investigation by the Office of the Auditor General because we are very confident that such an independent review will vindicate Manitoba Hydro and demonstrate that the corporation is managing its risks in the most prudent and responsible manner."
Brennan also tries to reassure the jittery staff that the results of the most recent operational review were glowing, even though the hand-picked consultants used the term "reasonable" three times, and "adequate" twice.
Most importantly, Brennan proports that his handpicked auditors will be able to conclude a proper review before New Years' Eve, and before Bellringer has even cracked a book on the subject.
"The findings of the KPMG review will be provided in a report to be presented on or before December 31, 2009".
We will have more from Manitoba Hydro's "Message from the President: A response to whistleblower allegations", Tuesday at 4.20 PM, on 92.9 Kick-FM.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Will Ombudsman investigate Hydro CEO for breach of Whistleblower Act
New Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger was the man behind the vaunted Public Interest Disclosure (aka whistleblower) Act, which the NDP brought in after repeated firings and harassment of people like Pat Jacobsen (Workers Compensation Board), Tom Ulrich (Teachers Retirement Fund), and Jium Small (Hydra House) who flagged wrongdoing, was uncovered in provincial audits and media reports.
Selinger was also the Minister of Finance when Manitoba Hydro fired a consultant, who was ordered not to put anything more in writing after she alerted officials that the Utility had blown $1 Billion, and was facing potential catastrophic consequences as a result of faulty market forecasts and revenue projections.
Now Selinger has a new headache - today, CBC News trapped Hydro CEO Bob Brennan into the most blatant violation of the whistleblowers' right to remain anonymous.
Brennan had claimed she refused to explain the basis for her dire predictions.
In turn, she produced to CBC an email offering to tell him directly, " line by line all the errors in the financial projections so you can see for yourself and with your own eyes what is being done incorrectly”.
A panicked Brennan spun the story -- right into himself.
CBC reported "He said Thursday that each time the whistleblower contacted Hydro to discuss the alleged mismanagement, more money was requested as payment for discussing the claims."
* By even mentioning that she had discussed compensation with him, he breached her personal information. Worse for Selinger, last week Brennan confirmed she had been fired.
* That means that her asking for payment to discuss her report was not an act of extortion or greed, as Brennan wants you to believe. She had already been fired. Of course she would ask to be paid for her work.
* Brennan wanted the benefit of her research without paying her for it.
* Last week, Brennan identified the risk management consultant as a female. Today, he backtracked and called the whistleblower "an individual". Too late.
That was another example where her promised anonymity was thrown under the bus.
* He also had complained about her $500,000 contract -- another breach of her right to privacy.
Let's face it- the number of female risk management consultants who work in the Utility field is by definition, a small crowd. Reduce that to the number of female consultants retained by Manitoba Hydro. Certainly, anyone who has worked within their office in the last 5 years could figure out who had been fired.
Isn't this exactly what the legislation was intended to prevent? And here we have Brennan deliberately going out of his way, to tell everyone within the business, who it is (a female), why he fired her (which is in itself a separate breach of the Privacy Act), how much she was paid, and that she wanted another contract or compensation arrangement.
All of that is, at the very least, a breach of the Privacy Act -- and on the surface, appears to totally undermine the goals Selinger himself claimed he had when introducing whistleblower protection.
"All supervisors, designated officers and employees, including disclosing employees, are responsible for maintaining confidentiality."
Now the question is, what sanctions will be taken against Brennan and the Hydro Board, and will the Ombudsman step in and enforce the protections and penalties of the Public Interest Disclosure Act?
******
Our special series that started Monday, explained the issues behind the Hydro scandal - the whistleblower firing and smear job; what is risk management; preparing for Black Swan Events such as the emergence of LNG as a fuel source; and the matters of third-party oversight and best practices principles under a Board of Directors who are largely unqualified to assess a potential $20 Billion dollar Hydro debt.
They are available through our audio archive, at
http://www.archive.org/details/TheGreatCanadianTalkShow-MondayOctober192009
http://www.archive.org/details/TheGreatCanadianTalkShow-TuesdayOctober202009
http://www.archive.org/details/TheGreatCanadianTalkShow-WednesdayOctober212009
http://www.archive.org/details/TheGreatCanadianTalkShow-WednesdayOctober222009
**********
More about Hydro on Friday's show, which will also feature Today in History with Professor Levinski, Jon Waldman of Slam! Sports- win a copy of his new book ! ( make sure to plan to come to the November 5th book launch -- http://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/event-9081/Jon-Waldman-&-Greg-Oliver---Book-Launch )- and of course, commentary from our usual Friday co-pilot Spirited Kenny.
Our guests this week have included Liberal MLA Kevin Lamoureux, chiropracter "Dr. Dave" Newsham, and MMA fighter Jason Geiger and his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach Curtis Brigham. Thanks to them for helping keep our audience informed and entertained.
Next week we have already scheduled interviews with Mal (not Hal) Anderson of the Exchange District Biz on Monday, about the unilateral Parking Authority plan to eliminate the 2 hours free Saturday parking program; retired hockey star Theo Fleury on Tuesday in a joint broadcast with the Illegal Curve radio show; and Sean Crawford of MYS (also on Tuesday). Plus as usual, Frank the Italian Barber and Brad Harrison analyze NFL Football on Monday.
Don't forget to listen to our 5 episode Sunday night replay block, kicking off at 7PM with the Oct. 16th 2-hour appearance of Winnipeg Free Press political reporter Dan Lett.
************ ********
If you are an old-school wrestling fan, please consider helping us support the family of Kerry Brown, who passed away last month.
We are producing a tribute event at the beautiful Skyview Ballroom at the Marlborough Hotel at 331 Smith Street, on Tuesday night November 10th.
Some of Canada's finest professional wrestlers, such as Chi Chi Cruz, Brian Jewel, EZ Ryder, Outlaw Adam Knight, Showtime Robbie Royce, and Gene Swan will gather to show their respect for the former Stampede Wrestling and Quebec champion, and a great silent auction, cash bar, and special surprises are also in store.
The event website, with comments from Chris Jericho and Lance Storm, video of Kerry in action, and links to personal stories from SLAM! Wrestling about Kerry, is found at http://www.kerrybrowntribute.com/
Tickets are only $15.00, group rates are available. Feel free to email martygoldlive@gmail.com for more information.
Selinger was also the Minister of Finance when Manitoba Hydro fired a consultant, who was ordered not to put anything more in writing after she alerted officials that the Utility had blown $1 Billion, and was facing potential catastrophic consequences as a result of faulty market forecasts and revenue projections.
Now Selinger has a new headache - today, CBC News trapped Hydro CEO Bob Brennan into the most blatant violation of the whistleblowers' right to remain anonymous.
Brennan had claimed she refused to explain the basis for her dire predictions.
In turn, she produced to CBC an email offering to tell him directly, " line by line all the errors in the financial projections so you can see for yourself and with your own eyes what is being done incorrectly”.
A panicked Brennan spun the story -- right into himself.
CBC reported "He said Thursday that each time the whistleblower contacted Hydro to discuss the alleged mismanagement, more money was requested as payment for discussing the claims."
* By even mentioning that she had discussed compensation with him, he breached her personal information. Worse for Selinger, last week Brennan confirmed she had been fired.
* That means that her asking for payment to discuss her report was not an act of extortion or greed, as Brennan wants you to believe. She had already been fired. Of course she would ask to be paid for her work.
* Brennan wanted the benefit of her research without paying her for it.
* Last week, Brennan identified the risk management consultant as a female. Today, he backtracked and called the whistleblower "an individual". Too late.
That was another example where her promised anonymity was thrown under the bus.
* He also had complained about her $500,000 contract -- another breach of her right to privacy.
Let's face it- the number of female risk management consultants who work in the Utility field is by definition, a small crowd. Reduce that to the number of female consultants retained by Manitoba Hydro. Certainly, anyone who has worked within their office in the last 5 years could figure out who had been fired.
Isn't this exactly what the legislation was intended to prevent? And here we have Brennan deliberately going out of his way, to tell everyone within the business, who it is (a female), why he fired her (which is in itself a separate breach of the Privacy Act), how much she was paid, and that she wanted another contract or compensation arrangement.
All of that is, at the very least, a breach of the Privacy Act -- and on the surface, appears to totally undermine the goals Selinger himself claimed he had when introducing whistleblower protection.
"All supervisors, designated officers and employees, including disclosing employees, are responsible for maintaining confidentiality."
Now the question is, what sanctions will be taken against Brennan and the Hydro Board, and will the Ombudsman step in and enforce the protections and penalties of the Public Interest Disclosure Act?
******
Our special series that started Monday, explained the issues behind the Hydro scandal - the whistleblower firing and smear job; what is risk management; preparing for Black Swan Events such as the emergence of LNG as a fuel source; and the matters of third-party oversight and best practices principles under a Board of Directors who are largely unqualified to assess a potential $20 Billion dollar Hydro debt.
They are available through our audio archive, at
http://www.archive.org/details/TheGreatCanadianTalkShow-MondayOctober192009
http://www.archive.org/details/TheGreatCanadianTalkShow-TuesdayOctober202009
http://www.archive.org/details/TheGreatCanadianTalkShow-WednesdayOctober212009
http://www.archive.org/details/TheGreatCanadianTalkShow-WednesdayOctober222009
**********
More about Hydro on Friday's show, which will also feature Today in History with Professor Levinski, Jon Waldman of Slam! Sports- win a copy of his new book ! ( make sure to plan to come to the November 5th book launch -- http://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/event-9081/Jon-Waldman-&-Greg-Oliver---Book-Launch )- and of course, commentary from our usual Friday co-pilot Spirited Kenny.
Our guests this week have included Liberal MLA Kevin Lamoureux, chiropracter "Dr. Dave" Newsham, and MMA fighter Jason Geiger and his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach Curtis Brigham. Thanks to them for helping keep our audience informed and entertained.
Next week we have already scheduled interviews with Mal (not Hal) Anderson of the Exchange District Biz on Monday, about the unilateral Parking Authority plan to eliminate the 2 hours free Saturday parking program; retired hockey star Theo Fleury on Tuesday in a joint broadcast with the Illegal Curve radio show; and Sean Crawford of MYS (also on Tuesday). Plus as usual, Frank the Italian Barber and Brad Harrison analyze NFL Football on Monday.
Don't forget to listen to our 5 episode Sunday night replay block, kicking off at 7PM with the Oct. 16th 2-hour appearance of Winnipeg Free Press political reporter Dan Lett.
************ ********
If you are an old-school wrestling fan, please consider helping us support the family of Kerry Brown, who passed away last month.
We are producing a tribute event at the beautiful Skyview Ballroom at the Marlborough Hotel at 331 Smith Street, on Tuesday night November 10th.
Some of Canada's finest professional wrestlers, such as Chi Chi Cruz, Brian Jewel, EZ Ryder, Outlaw Adam Knight, Showtime Robbie Royce, and Gene Swan will gather to show their respect for the former Stampede Wrestling and Quebec champion, and a great silent auction, cash bar, and special surprises are also in store.
The event website, with comments from Chris Jericho and Lance Storm, video of Kerry in action, and links to personal stories from SLAM! Wrestling about Kerry, is found at http://www.kerrybrowntribute.com/
Tickets are only $15.00, group rates are available. Feel free to email martygoldlive@gmail.com for more information.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Exclusive: Free Press publisher Bob Cox memo: why we axed the Sunday paper
"All staff:
I am announcing today that the Winnipeg Free Press will be combining its Saturday and Sunday editions to publish a substantially enhanced Weekend Edition for home delivery as of Saturday, October 31st.
At the same time, we are launching a new compact publication called On7 that will be offered in stores and boxes on Sundays starting on November 1st.
These are the most significant changes to our publication schedule that we have made in a quarter of a century. We have been considering these moves for some time and we wanted to make sure that we had all the details taken care of before making a formal announcemenmt.
I will be holding Town Hall meetings tonight (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday) to discuss thse moves and answer any questions from staff.
The past year has been a difficult one at the newspaper. We have seen what is almost certainly the biggest year-over-year drop in revenues that the Free Press has experienced in modern times.
We have made cuts, but we also realized that we could not keep cutting and maintain the quality of the Winnipeg Free Press, which our readers demand.
Rather than simply withdrawing from the market one day a week and ceding ground to the Sun, we decided on a path that aggressively builds a new model for the Free Press by publishing a compact version for single copy sales.
We're showing our confidence in the future of the Free Press --and newspapers in general -- by saying yes, we can change. We can offer an exciting new paper while at the same time protecting the quality of our 137-year-old broadsheet.
We sometimes forget just how much and how often newspapers have changed.
Many of you worked at the Free Press when it was an afternoon newspaper. That's what it was when I first joined it as a young reporter in 1984. It then became a morning paper to serve readers whose evening habits changed to include supper hour news programs.
The Free Press also published only 6 days a week-putting out a Free Press Weekend edition for delivery on Saturday until February of 1985 when we started publishing on Sundays.
We're going back to a Weekend Edition that includes features that readers have enjoyed in our Sunday edition- a Homes section, extra puzzles, a books section, Faith pages, horoscopes for two days and a longer section of features and analyses that we're calling FYI- Feed Your Intellect.
On7 will have news, certainly, but will focused on the lighter side of the world with comprehensive coverage 0f sports and previews of Sunday games, and some fun entertainment.
Other newspapers are facing the same - or worse- problems as the Free Press. Some have stopped publishing entirely on Sundays or Mondays.
We have chosen a different path - a made-in-Winnipeg approach to strengthening and protecting the newspaper.
We think this is an innovative way to deal with the challenges we face- and a fitting one for a newspaper known for its long history, top quality and willingness to try new things.
The Free Press has long held the title of being the most-read big city newspaper in Canada - two out of every three Winnipeg adults read the paper at least once a week.
The Free Press was recognized this year by ther Canadian Journalism Foundation with its Excellence in Journalism Award, the first time a Western Canadian newspaper has ever won this honour.
We intend to qualify for this award again in the future, keeping our readers and exceeding their expectations to have a great newspaper.
Bob"
*************
Our thanks to NDP leadership hopeful Steve Ashton for participating in an extended 70 minute interview yesterday. Listener reaction was immediate, strong and not very favorable, but Ashton truly believes in his positions and philosophies, and endured what he agreed was the toughest grilling of the campaign with a feisty and good-humoured performance.
Win, lose or draw this weekend in his bid to replace Gary Doer as Premier of Manitoba, Ashton has committed to returning to the Kick-FM studios again in the future, saying that being accessible all media, and not just the big dogs of the mainstream, are an important part of politicians being accountable to the public.
Today at 4 PM, a special Today in History with CTV's Kelly Dehn; a preview of the NDP Leadership Convention with Free Press political columnist Dan Lett; and at 5.20, an email about booze problems at Bomber games, and news of a contest to win the new Slam!Wrestling book "Shocking Stories from the Squared Circle" with Jon Waldman.
I am announcing today that the Winnipeg Free Press will be combining its Saturday and Sunday editions to publish a substantially enhanced Weekend Edition for home delivery as of Saturday, October 31st.
At the same time, we are launching a new compact publication called On7 that will be offered in stores and boxes on Sundays starting on November 1st.
These are the most significant changes to our publication schedule that we have made in a quarter of a century. We have been considering these moves for some time and we wanted to make sure that we had all the details taken care of before making a formal announcemenmt.
I will be holding Town Hall meetings tonight (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday) to discuss thse moves and answer any questions from staff.
The past year has been a difficult one at the newspaper. We have seen what is almost certainly the biggest year-over-year drop in revenues that the Free Press has experienced in modern times.
We have made cuts, but we also realized that we could not keep cutting and maintain the quality of the Winnipeg Free Press, which our readers demand.
Rather than simply withdrawing from the market one day a week and ceding ground to the Sun, we decided on a path that aggressively builds a new model for the Free Press by publishing a compact version for single copy sales.
We're showing our confidence in the future of the Free Press --and newspapers in general -- by saying yes, we can change. We can offer an exciting new paper while at the same time protecting the quality of our 137-year-old broadsheet.
We sometimes forget just how much and how often newspapers have changed.
Many of you worked at the Free Press when it was an afternoon newspaper. That's what it was when I first joined it as a young reporter in 1984. It then became a morning paper to serve readers whose evening habits changed to include supper hour news programs.
The Free Press also published only 6 days a week-putting out a Free Press Weekend edition for delivery on Saturday until February of 1985 when we started publishing on Sundays.
We're going back to a Weekend Edition that includes features that readers have enjoyed in our Sunday edition- a Homes section, extra puzzles, a books section, Faith pages, horoscopes for two days and a longer section of features and analyses that we're calling FYI- Feed Your Intellect.
On7 will have news, certainly, but will focused on the lighter side of the world with comprehensive coverage 0f sports and previews of Sunday games, and some fun entertainment.
Other newspapers are facing the same - or worse- problems as the Free Press. Some have stopped publishing entirely on Sundays or Mondays.
We have chosen a different path - a made-in-Winnipeg approach to strengthening and protecting the newspaper.
We think this is an innovative way to deal with the challenges we face- and a fitting one for a newspaper known for its long history, top quality and willingness to try new things.
The Free Press has long held the title of being the most-read big city newspaper in Canada - two out of every three Winnipeg adults read the paper at least once a week.
The Free Press was recognized this year by ther Canadian Journalism Foundation with its Excellence in Journalism Award, the first time a Western Canadian newspaper has ever won this honour.
We intend to qualify for this award again in the future, keeping our readers and exceeding their expectations to have a great newspaper.
Bob"
*************
Our thanks to NDP leadership hopeful Steve Ashton for participating in an extended 70 minute interview yesterday. Listener reaction was immediate, strong and not very favorable, but Ashton truly believes in his positions and philosophies, and endured what he agreed was the toughest grilling of the campaign with a feisty and good-humoured performance.
Win, lose or draw this weekend in his bid to replace Gary Doer as Premier of Manitoba, Ashton has committed to returning to the Kick-FM studios again in the future, saying that being accessible all media, and not just the big dogs of the mainstream, are an important part of politicians being accountable to the public.
Today at 4 PM, a special Today in History with CTV's Kelly Dehn; a preview of the NDP Leadership Convention with Free Press political columnist Dan Lett; and at 5.20, an email about booze problems at Bomber games, and news of a contest to win the new Slam!Wrestling book "Shocking Stories from the Squared Circle" with Jon Waldman.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Ashton to Selinger: 'I'm going on TGCTS on Thursday, care to debate?'; plus FP union internal war
One of the two contenders to become the next Premier of Manitoba has accepted our invitation to address the campus radio audience.
"Dear Marty,
Steve Ashton would be honoured to appear in a debate on your radio station..." said spokeman Sel Burrows.
Today he emailed the campaign manager for opponent Greg Selinger:
"The two candidates have been invited to appear on Red River College radio for a friendly debate on Thursday at 4 pm. We are planning to appear on campus radio on Thursday at 4PM and we are open to debating Greg at that time for an hour, if he chooses to appear. Hope to see Greg on Thursday."
We have not yet heard from Mr. Selinger, who was personally invited to appear on the program when he announced his candidacy to run for leader of the NDP. If he accepts, The Great Canadian Talk Show will format a one hour debate between the two hopefuls with participation from Red River College students.
If Mr. Selinger does not accept, then we will conduct an interview with Mr. Ashton and ask him about matters relating to his position on governance, the economy, justice and poverty, and to explain how his administration would differentiate itself from that of outgoing Premier Gary Doer. That's tomorrow at 4 PM on 92.9 Kick-FM.
**************************
Today on the show:
* Exclusive news about "the fractured relationship between the (Winnipeg Free Press) union leaders and the members (of CEP Local 191)", and exclusive details of the internicine battels that have driven the union into trusteeship on the verge of the newspaper eliminating the Sunday version of the broadsheet";
* The Winnipeg Police Service is under fire for having 6 cops investigate a supporter of the WiseUpWinnipeg.com campaign displaying warning signs near a photo radar van yesterday, when the department can't seem to find anyone to investigate vicious west-end gangbangers who tried to kill an off-duty security guard this weekend when he tried to protect a ward of CFS
* Lots more about CanWest stiffing newly-departed reporters Andrea Slobodian and Meera Bahadoosingh out of vacation and banked time pay because squirelling away $9.8Million for executives compensation as part of bankruptcy restructuring is just as legal as not paying the hired help. Or, as GM Tim Jones put it:
" The Company has a significant amount of debt, which it has been unable to address in light of the unprecedented economic environment and difficult financial markets.
As a result of the filing, the Company will not pay out any outstanding vacation payment owing to you.
We understand the significance of these changes for you, but the company has determined that these decisions are necessary at this time. You will be entitled to make a claim for any amounts owing to you in due course..."
"Dear Marty,
Steve Ashton would be honoured to appear in a debate on your radio station..." said spokeman Sel Burrows.
Today he emailed the campaign manager for opponent Greg Selinger:
"The two candidates have been invited to appear on Red River College radio for a friendly debate on Thursday at 4 pm. We are planning to appear on campus radio on Thursday at 4PM and we are open to debating Greg at that time for an hour, if he chooses to appear. Hope to see Greg on Thursday."
We have not yet heard from Mr. Selinger, who was personally invited to appear on the program when he announced his candidacy to run for leader of the NDP. If he accepts, The Great Canadian Talk Show will format a one hour debate between the two hopefuls with participation from Red River College students.
If Mr. Selinger does not accept, then we will conduct an interview with Mr. Ashton and ask him about matters relating to his position on governance, the economy, justice and poverty, and to explain how his administration would differentiate itself from that of outgoing Premier Gary Doer. That's tomorrow at 4 PM on 92.9 Kick-FM.
**************************
Today on the show:
* Exclusive news about "the fractured relationship between the (Winnipeg Free Press) union leaders and the members (of CEP Local 191)", and exclusive details of the internicine battels that have driven the union into trusteeship on the verge of the newspaper eliminating the Sunday version of the broadsheet";
* The Winnipeg Police Service is under fire for having 6 cops investigate a supporter of the WiseUpWinnipeg.com campaign displaying warning signs near a photo radar van yesterday, when the department can't seem to find anyone to investigate vicious west-end gangbangers who tried to kill an off-duty security guard this weekend when he tried to protect a ward of CFS
* Lots more about CanWest stiffing newly-departed reporters Andrea Slobodian and Meera Bahadoosingh out of vacation and banked time pay because squirelling away $9.8Million for executives compensation as part of bankruptcy restructuring is just as legal as not paying the hired help. Or, as GM Tim Jones put it:
" The Company has a significant amount of debt, which it has been unable to address in light of the unprecedented economic environment and difficult financial markets.
As a result of the filing, the Company will not pay out any outstanding vacation payment owing to you.
We understand the significance of these changes for you, but the company has determined that these decisions are necessary at this time. You will be entitled to make a claim for any amounts owing to you in due course..."
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Family struggle against Public Trustee's Office important cautionary tale
Tonight at 11 PM, and on Thanksgiving Monday at 4 PM, we will be replaying the exclusive interview we did last week with Marilyn and Howard Andleton of Virginia.
Marilyn's father Louie Knizat (K-nee'-zit) began showing signs of dementia last year, and when it was diagnosed, the Chief Provincial Psychiatrist called in the Public Trustee's Office.
The dementia explained his abusive behavior towards his wife of 64 years, Mary. Her lawyer told the PTO that she was dropping her divorce petition in light of the fact Louie had not been acting in his right mind. But the Trustee, collecting $7000 every 3 months for "committeeship", ignored it's own rules and kept their lawyer involved in the case.
They charged $700 to have their employees "appraise" the assets, could not explain why their new Transcona house was left a shambles, personal items piled up in the basement, why the jewelry was not photographed but the truck and couches were, why their own printed rules say families can share in the use of vehicles but the elderly wife wanted to use the truck she was told, no we NEVER do that...
Despite the fact the family advocated for Louie when they found substandard care at Riverview where the Trustee had warehoused Louie, the WTO lawyer maintained that Mary was in a conflict of interest and was somehow to be viewed with suspicion, because she was turning to Marilyn and the other siblings for advice.
Meanwhile, the Trustee's Office was unaware that Louie had to be rushed for emergency gallbladder surgery after symptions had been ignored for weeks; that Louie was suffering circulation problems because he was kept upright strapped into a wheelchair for 5 months; that he was expected to share clothing and shoes, even though the estate has more than enough to pay for it.
They were even unaware that they had been depositing cheques from a joint annuity, which means they had also seized assets rightfully belonging to Mary.
In fact, the Trustee admitted that some of the frozen assets were jointly held with Mary, that they were collecting 3% quarterly fees on HER money, and then asked for a "settlement offer", and personal tax information to boot.
Mary could give in, and take a chance that at the rate of $28,000 plus sundry fees, in 5 years she will be forced out of her own home, to satisfy the PTO's greed.
Unless of course, Mary wanted to go to court to overturn the Trustee's stewardship of Louie. That would cost between $10-15,000. And they would use Louie's own money to defend their turf.
Mary, who managed the family household finances, who screamed bloody murder about the substandard health care in Riverview that the Trustee said was beyond their scope because their case workers are overloaded, who never overdrafted a family bank account by neglect as had the Trustee's Office, was told she would have to convince the Court of Queen's Bench that she could manage Louie's affairs better than the PTO.
It makes you wonder, if there case workers are overworked and the family is clearly capable, why is the PTO unwilling to meet with the family and cede jurisdiction?
Is it any wonder the Trustee controls $140 Million in liquid assets, when they can bully families without having to account to anybody? When they can use the families own money to hire lawyers and fight them in court? When they do not have to be accountable to the Minister of Justice or to the Legislature?
And if you think that they can have a complaint dealt with fairly by the Ombudsman, forget it. The Andletons were shocked to learn that in a previous incarnation, the Ombudsman WAS the Public Trustee.
Legislative Change is needed. The 3% fee on assets is highway robbery, given that the private sector charges about 1%. The lack of direct supervision over the care homes so many of their wards are housed in, is an abrogation of the Trustee's true responsibility- to look after those who cannot care for themselves.
The Andletons located a lawyer who will help their mother fight the Public Trustee. But they are lucky, because as professionals with their own business, they are not intimidated by bureaucrats, and are not afraid to fight. You can hear their story, this evening at 11 PM and on Monday, at 4 PM.
Here is some advice a listener provided.
As a Financial Planner, I always emphasize the absolute necessity of everyone having a will, power of attorney, and health care directive. This story is the best example I have heard yet why it is so important.
Everyone should have either a Springing Power of Attorney or an Enduring Power of Attorney. Contrary to what the Public Trustee suggested having a Power of Attorney demonstrates proper planning, not a lack of competence.
If only the couple had powers of attorneys none of this would have happened.
Tell your listeners to make sure NOW that they and their parents have proper Powers of Attorney. The cost is a pittance compared with what it will cost if the public trustee gets involved.
I operate out of an office that I sublet from Hub Capital, one of my MGAs, at 194 Provencher. My business # is 832-4463.
I focus on retirement and estate planning issues.
I have pretty in depth knowledge of tax planning, estate planning, and financial planning. If people want to contact me you may give them my business phone # or email plan@websterwebb.com
Webster Webb
******************
Today on the live show at 4 PM, we'll explain just who is being affected by the IBEW strike, and how children and families are being victimized, while the NDP stands idly by in observance with its pro-union ideology.
Plus strong police reaction to the gerrymandering by unelected Liberal Senators of federal crime legislation that would have abolished 2 for 1 credit for time in custody, and how this may be the death knell for Liberal leader Michael Ignatief.
Marilyn's father Louie Knizat (K-nee'-zit) began showing signs of dementia last year, and when it was diagnosed, the Chief Provincial Psychiatrist called in the Public Trustee's Office.
The dementia explained his abusive behavior towards his wife of 64 years, Mary. Her lawyer told the PTO that she was dropping her divorce petition in light of the fact Louie had not been acting in his right mind. But the Trustee, collecting $7000 every 3 months for "committeeship", ignored it's own rules and kept their lawyer involved in the case.
They charged $700 to have their employees "appraise" the assets, could not explain why their new Transcona house was left a shambles, personal items piled up in the basement, why the jewelry was not photographed but the truck and couches were, why their own printed rules say families can share in the use of vehicles but the elderly wife wanted to use the truck she was told, no we NEVER do that...
Despite the fact the family advocated for Louie when they found substandard care at Riverview where the Trustee had warehoused Louie, the WTO lawyer maintained that Mary was in a conflict of interest and was somehow to be viewed with suspicion, because she was turning to Marilyn and the other siblings for advice.
Meanwhile, the Trustee's Office was unaware that Louie had to be rushed for emergency gallbladder surgery after symptions had been ignored for weeks; that Louie was suffering circulation problems because he was kept upright strapped into a wheelchair for 5 months; that he was expected to share clothing and shoes, even though the estate has more than enough to pay for it.
They were even unaware that they had been depositing cheques from a joint annuity, which means they had also seized assets rightfully belonging to Mary.
In fact, the Trustee admitted that some of the frozen assets were jointly held with Mary, that they were collecting 3% quarterly fees on HER money, and then asked for a "settlement offer", and personal tax information to boot.
Mary could give in, and take a chance that at the rate of $28,000 plus sundry fees, in 5 years she will be forced out of her own home, to satisfy the PTO's greed.
Unless of course, Mary wanted to go to court to overturn the Trustee's stewardship of Louie. That would cost between $10-15,000. And they would use Louie's own money to defend their turf.
Mary, who managed the family household finances, who screamed bloody murder about the substandard health care in Riverview that the Trustee said was beyond their scope because their case workers are overloaded, who never overdrafted a family bank account by neglect as had the Trustee's Office, was told she would have to convince the Court of Queen's Bench that she could manage Louie's affairs better than the PTO.
It makes you wonder, if there case workers are overworked and the family is clearly capable, why is the PTO unwilling to meet with the family and cede jurisdiction?
Is it any wonder the Trustee controls $140 Million in liquid assets, when they can bully families without having to account to anybody? When they can use the families own money to hire lawyers and fight them in court? When they do not have to be accountable to the Minister of Justice or to the Legislature?
And if you think that they can have a complaint dealt with fairly by the Ombudsman, forget it. The Andletons were shocked to learn that in a previous incarnation, the Ombudsman WAS the Public Trustee.
Legislative Change is needed. The 3% fee on assets is highway robbery, given that the private sector charges about 1%. The lack of direct supervision over the care homes so many of their wards are housed in, is an abrogation of the Trustee's true responsibility- to look after those who cannot care for themselves.
The Andletons located a lawyer who will help their mother fight the Public Trustee. But they are lucky, because as professionals with their own business, they are not intimidated by bureaucrats, and are not afraid to fight. You can hear their story, this evening at 11 PM and on Monday, at 4 PM.
Here is some advice a listener provided.
As a Financial Planner, I always emphasize the absolute necessity of everyone having a will, power of attorney, and health care directive. This story is the best example I have heard yet why it is so important.
Everyone should have either a Springing Power of Attorney or an Enduring Power of Attorney. Contrary to what the Public Trustee suggested having a Power of Attorney demonstrates proper planning, not a lack of competence.
If only the couple had powers of attorneys none of this would have happened.
Tell your listeners to make sure NOW that they and their parents have proper Powers of Attorney. The cost is a pittance compared with what it will cost if the public trustee gets involved.
I operate out of an office that I sublet from Hub Capital, one of my MGAs, at 194 Provencher. My business # is 832-4463.
I focus on retirement and estate planning issues.
I have pretty in depth knowledge of tax planning, estate planning, and financial planning. If people want to contact me you may give them my business phone # or email plan@websterwebb.com
Webster Webb
******************
Today on the live show at 4 PM, we'll explain just who is being affected by the IBEW strike, and how children and families are being victimized, while the NDP stands idly by in observance with its pro-union ideology.
Plus strong police reaction to the gerrymandering by unelected Liberal Senators of federal crime legislation that would have abolished 2 for 1 credit for time in custody, and how this may be the death knell for Liberal leader Michael Ignatief.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Orlikow sends a message to city bureaucrats: stop screwing around with democracy
One of the issues continually raised on the Great Canadian Talk Show is the lack of proper consultation and discussion on important civic issues at city hall.
Time and again - bike lands, land swaps, water utility - things taxpayers have serious questions about or nothing of to begin with, are rushed before council for a vote to get things rolling. And stuck in the middle - cause they certainly aren't insiders - are councillors, who, we have learned, are not as clued in on the QT as we often presume.
From veterans like Charleswood's Bill Clement to greenhorns like Jeff Browaty of North Kildonan, we have heard that councillors are caught unawares and are expected to make complex decisions without having time to read, absorb and interpret the background material. For instance, the rookie from Fort Garry/River Heights, John Orlikow, spent 12 hours cramming for the water utility vote in July. How could the city mandarins expect citizens on the first week of summer break to devote that kind of time and research to prepare to voice their opinions?
Faced with a procedural trick to allow the $13 million Northwest BFI cart contract onto the City Council agenda just hours after Executive Policy Committee had, Orlikow did what is rarely reported: a politican did something out of principle.
CBC: "Support from 11 councillors — two-thirds of council — was required to add the matter to the official agenda for debate and vote. Only 10 councillors agreed to include it ... At least one councillor who voted to block the motion to add the item to the agenda on Wednesday said he did so out of principal for the democratic process, not opposition to the issue.
Today at 4.40PM, Coun. John Orlikow will make his first appearance on TGCTS, and explain why he stood up for democracy against bureaucrats who need to be taught a lesson about who is supposed to be running this town - our elected officials.
Also today,
- an exclusive story about possible cutbacks at the University of Manitoba in response to severe budget restraints;
- The Free Press once again manufactures news out of a poll, about a subject even more meaningless than usual;
- AM radio wakes up to the bike lanes story; and
- a startling endorsement for a key plank from our accountability manifsto by a most unlikely source- Freep newsie Mary Agnes Welch.
On Thursday, an exclusive story about the abusive behavior of the Public Trustees office towards an elderly couple and their children - the amount of money they are deducting from the estate, for the amount of work they do, is shocking;
On Friday, local comedy promoter Dave Shorr, Winnipeg's Roller Girls, and This Week in History with Professor Levinski.
Time and again - bike lands, land swaps, water utility - things taxpayers have serious questions about or nothing of to begin with, are rushed before council for a vote to get things rolling. And stuck in the middle - cause they certainly aren't insiders - are councillors, who, we have learned, are not as clued in on the QT as we often presume.
From veterans like Charleswood's Bill Clement to greenhorns like Jeff Browaty of North Kildonan, we have heard that councillors are caught unawares and are expected to make complex decisions without having time to read, absorb and interpret the background material. For instance, the rookie from Fort Garry/River Heights, John Orlikow, spent 12 hours cramming for the water utility vote in July. How could the city mandarins expect citizens on the first week of summer break to devote that kind of time and research to prepare to voice their opinions?
Faced with a procedural trick to allow the $13 million Northwest BFI cart contract onto the City Council agenda just hours after Executive Policy Committee had, Orlikow did what is rarely reported: a politican did something out of principle.
CBC: "Support from 11 councillors — two-thirds of council — was required to add the matter to the official agenda for debate and vote. Only 10 councillors agreed to include it ... At least one councillor who voted to block the motion to add the item to the agenda on Wednesday said he did so out of principal for the democratic process, not opposition to the issue.
Today at 4.40PM, Coun. John Orlikow will make his first appearance on TGCTS, and explain why he stood up for democracy against bureaucrats who need to be taught a lesson about who is supposed to be running this town - our elected officials.
Also today,
- an exclusive story about possible cutbacks at the University of Manitoba in response to severe budget restraints;
- The Free Press once again manufactures news out of a poll, about a subject even more meaningless than usual;
- AM radio wakes up to the bike lanes story; and
- a startling endorsement for a key plank from our accountability manifsto by a most unlikely source- Freep newsie Mary Agnes Welch.
On Thursday, an exclusive story about the abusive behavior of the Public Trustees office towards an elderly couple and their children - the amount of money they are deducting from the estate, for the amount of work they do, is shocking;
On Friday, local comedy promoter Dave Shorr, Winnipeg's Roller Girls, and This Week in History with Professor Levinski.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Winnipeg Free Press wilts as Police Association challenges editorial "facts"
On Tuesday, a Free Press editorial entitled " Time to police specialization" said:
"...in the jockeying of special interests, the police union has launched a salvo, warning that the strategy to beef up the battle against gangs will be a wash unless another 25 officers are assigned to the organized crime unit. ...
Hiring another 25 officers -- a number that was chosen as an opening negotiating bid, no doubt -- would cost millions of dollars; raiding other policing priorities would leave others exposed, in all likelihood the general patrol duty officers who respond to daily calls for service...
The number of officers on the city's payroll can be defended by Winnipeg's relative crime rate, but only to a point. Both Edmonton and Vancouver, for example, have higher crime rates but considerably fewer cops."
President of the union, Mike Sutherland, challenged the basis of that claim:
Dear Ms. Goodhand,
In regards to today’s (September 22, 2009) editorial (attached), “Time to police specialization” I have significant concern in regards to your portrayal of Winnipeg’s crime climate and in particular with regards to the following claim;
“Both Edmonton and Vancouver , for example, have higher crime rates but considerably fewer cops.”
Upon examination of the most recent information disseminated by Statistics Canada as of July 21st 2009, Winnipeg , in comparison with other cities of population over 500,000, leads the nation in total crime severity. The gap is even greater in terms of the violent crime severity index, as we surpass Edmonton by over 31 points and Vancouver by more than 36 points. (Stats Can “Police Reported Crime Statistics – July 21st 2009).
In its July 2009 report Stats Can also states;
“ Manitoba reported a rate of 4.5 homicides per 100,000 population, the highest among the provinces.”
“Crime severity was highest in Regina , followed by Abbotsford-Mission, Saskatoon , Kelowna , Winnipeg , Edmonton and Vancouver .”
“Homicide rates were highest in the western CMAs of Abbotsford-Mission (4.7), Winnipeg (4.1), Regina (3.8)….”
Consider as well that Winnipeg started 2009 with 6 homicides in January. As the year thus far has been characterized by numerous serious assaults, stabbings and shootings, we do not anticipate our situation to significantly improve without tangible measures to address the problem. Winnipeg has perennially been, and continues to be, at the top of many crime categories.
In terms of specialized units, which the article references, Winnipeg’s auto theft strategy, which is composed of a specific WPS auto theft suppression unit, contributed to a 44% reduction in vehicle thefts, although there is still work to be done as we continue to lead the nation in that category.
Although Winnipeg may have slightly more officers per capita than many other large Canadian cities, Winnipeg ’s increase in officers from 1998 to 2008 was the lowest of all major Canadian cities (1.3%) as compared to Calgary (13.1%), Edmonton (5.6%) and Montreal (7.2%). (Police Resources in Canada 2008 – Stats Can).
To be candid I am currently unaware of any information at all that supports your newspaper’s portrayal of Winnipeg ’s crime rate as less than that of Edmonton or Vancouver . I find it disturbing that such a claim would be made as it is in direct contravention not only to the daily experiences of Winnipeggers and their police officers, but is also refuted by the most current crime data available.
I invite you to please elucidate on the statement printed in the editorial such that we can examine whatever evidence was relied upon to convey this impression to Winnipeggers. In the absence of such, one can only wonder what would cause your agency to communicate information of questionable veracity that minimizes our crime problem and potentially misleads the public in terms of our true crime picture.
I invite you to peruse the current information at the following websites;
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2009003/article/10902-eng.pdf
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/090721/dq090721a-eng.htm
Making statements based upon questionable evidence, to justify certain viewpoints, hampers sincere efforts to constructively tackle crime problems. I would ask you seriously consider the merits of some of the claims made in the editorial.
Mike Sutherland
President
Winnipeg Police Association
FP editor Margo Goodhand replied:
Dear Mr. Sutherland:
Thank you for contacting us.
I just spoke with the editorial board. We corrected the error on crime stats earlier today online. It was a mistake we should not have made, and it will be corrected in tomorrow’s paper as well.
The basic tenet of today’s editorial, however, remains the same.
The Free Press believes that the city should first look at the possibility of redeploying its current complement of officers before deciding to hire more. This city has more officers per capita than any other community of 500,000 or more, except for Montreal.
Again, thank you for bringing this error to our attention.
Regards,
Margo Goodhand
Editor
Winnipeg Free Press
Her email was copied to a large group of media, including TGCTS, that Sutherland had cc'd on his challenge to Goodhand to prove their claim about local crime rates.
Thank you for the invitation to go on the Great Canadian Talk show to discuss these issues.
Unfortunately, I don’t have the time tomorrow to join you on air.
Best wishes with the show,
Margo
Vancouver and Edmonton have slightly lower crime rates than Winnipeg. Incorrect information appeared in an editorial Tuesday.
Free Press readers questioned the true motive for couching the "correction" in murky terms:
Posted by:ohreally
September 23, 2009 at 9:21 AM
Please define "slightly". Isn't this a newspaper? Please explain how much lower the crime rates are. How incorrect was the information? Does it change the point of the original article? Does it render the piece moot? I would like to know how different the crime rates are. What is the point of a one line correction if it doesn't explain the discrepancies? Does the Free Press think that this statement clears up the incorrect information?
Posted by:statusquo
September 23, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Almost reads spiteful in a way. What does slightly have to do with it? They're either lower or they're not.
Posted by:MaC
September 23, 2009 at 3:44 PM
Agreed. Slightly immature response I should think. Kind of like a petulant child who is corrected on his mistake and replies "yah, I guess I was wrong, but only a little wrong". I would have appreciated (and respected) a more direct admission. Something along the lines of "we were wrong", not "we were slightly wrong". Reporters/columnists are human after all, subject to making mistakes like everyone else. Having said that, personal responsibility and growth starts with constant self-assessment and the subsequent, albeit difficult, unconditional/unqualified acknowledgement of one's shortcomings. My two cents.
"...in the jockeying of special interests, the police union has launched a salvo, warning that the strategy to beef up the battle against gangs will be a wash unless another 25 officers are assigned to the organized crime unit. ...
Hiring another 25 officers -- a number that was chosen as an opening negotiating bid, no doubt -- would cost millions of dollars; raiding other policing priorities would leave others exposed, in all likelihood the general patrol duty officers who respond to daily calls for service...
The number of officers on the city's payroll can be defended by Winnipeg's relative crime rate, but only to a point. Both Edmonton and Vancouver, for example, have higher crime rates but considerably fewer cops."
President of the union, Mike Sutherland, challenged the basis of that claim:
Dear Ms. Goodhand,
In regards to today’s (September 22, 2009) editorial (attached), “Time to police specialization” I have significant concern in regards to your portrayal of Winnipeg’s crime climate and in particular with regards to the following claim;
“Both Edmonton and Vancouver , for example, have higher crime rates but considerably fewer cops.”
Upon examination of the most recent information disseminated by Statistics Canada as of July 21st 2009, Winnipeg , in comparison with other cities of population over 500,000, leads the nation in total crime severity. The gap is even greater in terms of the violent crime severity index, as we surpass Edmonton by over 31 points and Vancouver by more than 36 points. (Stats Can “Police Reported Crime Statistics – July 21st 2009).
In its July 2009 report Stats Can also states;
“ Manitoba reported a rate of 4.5 homicides per 100,000 population, the highest among the provinces.”
“Crime severity was highest in Regina , followed by Abbotsford-Mission, Saskatoon , Kelowna , Winnipeg , Edmonton and Vancouver .”
“Homicide rates were highest in the western CMAs of Abbotsford-Mission (4.7), Winnipeg (4.1), Regina (3.8)….”
Consider as well that Winnipeg started 2009 with 6 homicides in January. As the year thus far has been characterized by numerous serious assaults, stabbings and shootings, we do not anticipate our situation to significantly improve without tangible measures to address the problem. Winnipeg has perennially been, and continues to be, at the top of many crime categories.
In terms of specialized units, which the article references, Winnipeg’s auto theft strategy, which is composed of a specific WPS auto theft suppression unit, contributed to a 44% reduction in vehicle thefts, although there is still work to be done as we continue to lead the nation in that category.
Although Winnipeg may have slightly more officers per capita than many other large Canadian cities, Winnipeg ’s increase in officers from 1998 to 2008 was the lowest of all major Canadian cities (1.3%) as compared to Calgary (13.1%), Edmonton (5.6%) and Montreal (7.2%). (Police Resources in Canada 2008 – Stats Can).
To be candid I am currently unaware of any information at all that supports your newspaper’s portrayal of Winnipeg ’s crime rate as less than that of Edmonton or Vancouver . I find it disturbing that such a claim would be made as it is in direct contravention not only to the daily experiences of Winnipeggers and their police officers, but is also refuted by the most current crime data available.
I invite you to please elucidate on the statement printed in the editorial such that we can examine whatever evidence was relied upon to convey this impression to Winnipeggers. In the absence of such, one can only wonder what would cause your agency to communicate information of questionable veracity that minimizes our crime problem and potentially misleads the public in terms of our true crime picture.
I invite you to peruse the current information at the following websites;
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2009003/article/10902-eng.pdf
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/090721/dq090721a-eng.htm
Making statements based upon questionable evidence, to justify certain viewpoints, hampers sincere efforts to constructively tackle crime problems. I would ask you seriously consider the merits of some of the claims made in the editorial.
Mike Sutherland
President
Winnipeg Police Association
FP editor Margo Goodhand replied:
Dear Mr. Sutherland:
Thank you for contacting us.
I just spoke with the editorial board. We corrected the error on crime stats earlier today online. It was a mistake we should not have made, and it will be corrected in tomorrow’s paper as well.
The basic tenet of today’s editorial, however, remains the same.
The Free Press believes that the city should first look at the possibility of redeploying its current complement of officers before deciding to hire more. This city has more officers per capita than any other community of 500,000 or more, except for Montreal.
Again, thank you for bringing this error to our attention.
Regards,
Margo Goodhand
Editor
Winnipeg Free Press
Her email was copied to a large group of media, including TGCTS, that Sutherland had cc'd on his challenge to Goodhand to prove their claim about local crime rates.
We took note of a couple of unresolved aspects in this matter and sent Margo an invitation:
Re: today's editorial -Sept 22nd 2009 time to police specialization
Dear Ms. Goodhand,
I would like to invite you to appear on the Great Canadian Talk Show tomorrow between 4 - 5.30 PM, at your convenience, to allow your newspaper to defend the editorial and to explain how such a basic error in fact-checking was allowed to make it to print.
I trust you will take advantage of this opportunity to correct the record to a broader audience than reads your "Our Mistake" notices on page 2, and to elaborate on your suggestion of examining staff redeployment. I note that the editorial did not make clear if you favor a review of the necessity for 14 staff sergeants, 19 inspectors and 3 superintendents, rather than officers on the beat.
Thank you,
Marty Gold
And to our surprise, we actually got a response:
Dear Mr. Gold:Thank you for the invitation to go on the Great Canadian Talk show to discuss these issues.
Unfortunately, I don’t have the time tomorrow to join you on air.
Best wishes with the show,
Margo
(Indeed. Raise a Reader Day is soooo important. Anyways...)
Goodhands' claim of printing a "correction", was a model of modern MSM hubris.
Although entitled "Our Mistake", it could have been slugged under "But we were almost right":
Vancouver and Edmonton have slightly lower crime rates than Winnipeg. Incorrect information appeared in an editorial Tuesday.
Free Press readers questioned the true motive for couching the "correction" in murky terms:
Posted by:ohreally
September 23, 2009 at 9:21 AM
Please define "slightly". Isn't this a newspaper? Please explain how much lower the crime rates are. How incorrect was the information? Does it change the point of the original article? Does it render the piece moot? I would like to know how different the crime rates are. What is the point of a one line correction if it doesn't explain the discrepancies? Does the Free Press think that this statement clears up the incorrect information?
Posted by:statusquo
September 23, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Almost reads spiteful in a way. What does slightly have to do with it? They're either lower or they're not.
Posted by:MaC
September 23, 2009 at 3:44 PM
Agreed. Slightly immature response I should think. Kind of like a petulant child who is corrected on his mistake and replies "yah, I guess I was wrong, but only a little wrong". I would have appreciated (and respected) a more direct admission. Something along the lines of "we were wrong", not "we were slightly wrong". Reporters/columnists are human after all, subject to making mistakes like everyone else. Having said that, personal responsibility and growth starts with constant self-assessment and the subsequent, albeit difficult, unconditional/unqualified acknowledgement of one's shortcomings. My two cents.
Today at 5 PM, Mike Sutherland will appear in studio to reply to the "correction" and explanation of Margo Goodhand, and to explain why his group has endorsed Andrew Swan to succeed Gary Doer as Premier of Manitoba.
Also, at 4.40 today, the outgoing weather specialist for Global-TV, Andrea Slobodian, will tell us all about her upcoming future in forecasting chinooks for her new Calgary audience.
And, another Aurtarlia mention on the Free Press website! TGCTS starts at 4 PM, on 92.9 Kick-FM.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Boycott of Peak of the Market brand no small potatoes
Mainstream media newsroom managers scrambled late last week, faced with a compound headache. Sorting out the details of a brewing battle between small potato growing operations and a provincial marketing board is hard enough, but they are also assessing the risk to their own jobs if they cover the story. The only thing worse than a complex story, is one where the execs upstairs mutter "bury it, they're a big advertiser".
The facts first broke on a website of Waverley grocer Crampton's Market.
http://cramptonsmarket.blogspot.com/2009/09/bad-news-for-manitoba-potato-eatersand.html
"Until this year, farmers who did not grow potatoes for Peak of the Market were allowed to grow 4 acres of potatoes to sell on their own. This year Peak of the Market changed the rules as of July 15th. Now farmers are not allowed to grow potatoes to sell unless they have a Peak of the Market quota and sell only to Peak of the Market... It is now illegal to grow and sell your own potatoes in Manitoba. Peak of the Market has the legal authority to fine farmers who break these rules, and the fines are high."
POTM lawyers threatened farmers, who started the growing season on the understanding the rules allowed for them to grow and sell 4 acres of spuds privately, with $10,000 fines for bypassing the monopoly, and demanded records of who they had sold potatoes to, going as far back as 2007. Consumers felt deceived by a decade of feel-good ad campaigns portraying POTM as all-around community do-gooders and never mentioned that it was, in fact, a produce version of The Canadian Wheat Board. Public outrage at the bullying of potato farmers by "Peak" forced the hand of some newsrooms to report the story.
Crampton's has now posted a follow -up:
"(CTV learned) The 4 acres referred to in the Peak documents simply was there to classify those growers as 'small growers'. But they should still have, by law, been marketing their potatoes through Peak. This 'change' in their document taking away the 4 acres was in fact not a change at all, just a clarification of the law... I think that the Peak document was purposely written in a convoluted manner...As far as I am aware, Peak of the Market does not handle new crop 'immature' local potatoes. I have been informed by a few farmers that Peak does not sell quota in this category. These are the potatoes that I would like to buy. Peak does not sell them, but Manitoba farmers are prevented from legally growing and selling them to me."
President and CEO Larry McIntosh has been front and centre in slick Peak of the Market advertising campaigns designed to position him as the carrot-wielding friend of children and the local farm industry, urging shoppers to choose the "less-traveled" POTM-label produce over imported varieties.
So successful was the persona in the ads, that McIntosh, never known to have made any serious public pronouncement beyond "eat your vegetables kids", has variously been touted in recent years as a possible candidate for parliament, the legislature, city hall, the mayor's chair, and talk show host.
Since POTM collected prizes and awards for being a successful "business", it was perceived by the general public as a farmers co-op. Upon learning that it was actually a "non-profit" provincial marketing board, and perceiving it as bullying farmers in a manner that would have made Stalin proud for not paying the mandatory per-potato tribute, a backlash in the form of a consumer boycott of the "Peak" brand is underway.
McIntosh faces the first serious crisis of his reign as farm baron of Manitoba.
Away in the Yukon when the story broke, he stuck to the "we are only just worried about food safety" line with CTV, figuring no one would question the sincerity of his "concerns".
Unfortunately, he also told the Free Press that the threatening letters started when a farmer with a superior, rare product sold his crop directly to Sobey's, not because someone was rushed to an emergency room after eating a "creamer".
Listeners flooded the Kick-FM email box, noting that the fees seemed to be paying for McIntosh himself to be sold to consumers as much as the food, and that the quality of POTM branded potatos has been second-rate for years.
One listener wrote during Friday's broadcast:
"Hi Marty, after hearing the crap Peak of the Market is pulling off, I will never buy their products again. I will head down to the farmers market or go down Henderson Highway and buy from the local farmers. Larry Mcintosh can go stick it (location redacted)."
A farmer told us
"Peak of The Market only wants a handful of large growers in this Province and is slowly pushing out all the little guys one by one. The big growers like Kroeker Farms in Altona have the most clout in not only acres grown but also on the board as well and seems to be giving Larry McIntosh a mandate that they control this industry."
We'll see if anyone in the mainstream media investigates the question who is really being protected here (starting with asking why the POTM website does not bother to list the directors), or if protection of their lucrative "Peak" advertising accounts is more of a priority than holding Mr. Carrot and his organization accountable.
PS. We were copied on an email that was sent to federal MP Joy Smith by a farmer:
From: xxxxx
To: joy@joysmithmp.ca
Subject: Potato Growers and Peak of the Market
Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:54:25 -0500
Dear Joy,
I'm sure you've seen the article in today's Free Press about Peak of the Markets' attempt to control the small local farmer's choice of market.
I've pasted below several e-mails that we have circulated this morning, as this would affect us directly. Most people have limited knowledge of
the amount of money, time and sweat equity that small farmers put in in an effort to earn a living - for some their only income, for some a second source
of income.
With all the attention paid nowadays to promoting local produce which is not only much fresher but reduces reliance on food from sometimes hundreds of miles away (which increases carbon output greatly), you would think that independent producers would be a welcome addition to the market. And local producers are for the most part seasonal operations - with our climate, we don't have the luxury of growing things all year round.
Not only would this put local producers out of business, but think of all the spin-off - students and others may be out of part-time summer work, roadside stand operators will lose income, seed companies will lose orders from producers, farm equipment manufacturers may lose orders as well. It's never just one person or industry affected..
I'm not sure if you can bring any pressure to bear on this issue with the market board or the legislature but as this could affect a number of growers in the East St. Paul area, I wanted to bring more detail to your attention.
Thanks,
xxxxx
The facts first broke on a website of Waverley grocer Crampton's Market.
http://cramptonsmarket.blogspot.com/2009/09/bad-news-for-manitoba-potato-eatersand.html
"Until this year, farmers who did not grow potatoes for Peak of the Market were allowed to grow 4 acres of potatoes to sell on their own. This year Peak of the Market changed the rules as of July 15th. Now farmers are not allowed to grow potatoes to sell unless they have a Peak of the Market quota and sell only to Peak of the Market... It is now illegal to grow and sell your own potatoes in Manitoba. Peak of the Market has the legal authority to fine farmers who break these rules, and the fines are high."
POTM lawyers threatened farmers, who started the growing season on the understanding the rules allowed for them to grow and sell 4 acres of spuds privately, with $10,000 fines for bypassing the monopoly, and demanded records of who they had sold potatoes to, going as far back as 2007. Consumers felt deceived by a decade of feel-good ad campaigns portraying POTM as all-around community do-gooders and never mentioned that it was, in fact, a produce version of The Canadian Wheat Board. Public outrage at the bullying of potato farmers by "Peak" forced the hand of some newsrooms to report the story.
Crampton's has now posted a follow -up:
"(CTV learned) The 4 acres referred to in the Peak documents simply was there to classify those growers as 'small growers'. But they should still have, by law, been marketing their potatoes through Peak. This 'change' in their document taking away the 4 acres was in fact not a change at all, just a clarification of the law... I think that the Peak document was purposely written in a convoluted manner...As far as I am aware, Peak of the Market does not handle new crop 'immature' local potatoes. I have been informed by a few farmers that Peak does not sell quota in this category. These are the potatoes that I would like to buy. Peak does not sell them, but Manitoba farmers are prevented from legally growing and selling them to me."
President and CEO Larry McIntosh has been front and centre in slick Peak of the Market advertising campaigns designed to position him as the carrot-wielding friend of children and the local farm industry, urging shoppers to choose the "less-traveled" POTM-label produce over imported varieties.
So successful was the persona in the ads, that McIntosh, never known to have made any serious public pronouncement beyond "eat your vegetables kids", has variously been touted in recent years as a possible candidate for parliament, the legislature, city hall, the mayor's chair, and talk show host.
Since POTM collected prizes and awards for being a successful "business", it was perceived by the general public as a farmers co-op. Upon learning that it was actually a "non-profit" provincial marketing board, and perceiving it as bullying farmers in a manner that would have made Stalin proud for not paying the mandatory per-potato tribute, a backlash in the form of a consumer boycott of the "Peak" brand is underway.
McIntosh faces the first serious crisis of his reign as farm baron of Manitoba.
Away in the Yukon when the story broke, he stuck to the "we are only just worried about food safety" line with CTV, figuring no one would question the sincerity of his "concerns".
Unfortunately, he also told the Free Press that the threatening letters started when a farmer with a superior, rare product sold his crop directly to Sobey's, not because someone was rushed to an emergency room after eating a "creamer".
Listeners flooded the Kick-FM email box, noting that the fees seemed to be paying for McIntosh himself to be sold to consumers as much as the food, and that the quality of POTM branded potatos has been second-rate for years.
One listener wrote during Friday's broadcast:
"Hi Marty, after hearing the crap Peak of the Market is pulling off, I will never buy their products again. I will head down to the farmers market or go down Henderson Highway and buy from the local farmers. Larry Mcintosh can go stick it (location redacted)."
A farmer told us
"Peak of The Market only wants a handful of large growers in this Province and is slowly pushing out all the little guys one by one. The big growers like Kroeker Farms in Altona have the most clout in not only acres grown but also on the board as well and seems to be giving Larry McIntosh a mandate that they control this industry."
We'll see if anyone in the mainstream media investigates the question who is really being protected here (starting with asking why the POTM website does not bother to list the directors), or if protection of their lucrative "Peak" advertising accounts is more of a priority than holding Mr. Carrot and his organization accountable.
PS. We were copied on an email that was sent to federal MP Joy Smith by a farmer:
From: xxxxx
To: joy@joysmithmp.ca
Subject: Potato Growers and Peak of the Market
Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:54:25 -0500
Dear Joy,
I'm sure you've seen the article in today's Free Press about Peak of the Markets' attempt to control the small local farmer's choice of market.
I've pasted below several e-mails that we have circulated this morning, as this would affect us directly. Most people have limited knowledge of
the amount of money, time and sweat equity that small farmers put in in an effort to earn a living - for some their only income, for some a second source
of income.
With all the attention paid nowadays to promoting local produce which is not only much fresher but reduces reliance on food from sometimes hundreds of miles away (which increases carbon output greatly), you would think that independent producers would be a welcome addition to the market. And local producers are for the most part seasonal operations - with our climate, we don't have the luxury of growing things all year round.
Not only would this put local producers out of business, but think of all the spin-off - students and others may be out of part-time summer work, roadside stand operators will lose income, seed companies will lose orders from producers, farm equipment manufacturers may lose orders as well. It's never just one person or industry affected..
I'm not sure if you can bring any pressure to bear on this issue with the market board or the legislature but as this could affect a number of growers in the East St. Paul area, I wanted to bring more detail to your attention.
Thanks,
xxxxx
Friday, September 11, 2009
Our tribute to Kerry Brown, Alabama Jim Silver's gang "study", and more! today at 4PM
Today at 4 PM we'll be joined by Dan Denton from Los Angeles. It was Denton who introduced me to Stampede Wrestling star Kerry Brown. Kerry became a close and valued friend, and his sudden passing at age 51 has saddened everyone from the world of wrestling who knew him.
Here is a link to the story I wrote about Kerry for Slam!Wrestling:
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/09/11/10837311.html
A demo reel of a 1994 match under my Rough House Rasslin' label, with Kerry putting his career on the line against rookie Paul Marcoux, and yes that is my voice on the play by play:
http://revver.com/video/647133/rough-house-rasslin-part-one/
Thanks to Tony Condello, who trained Kerry and broke him into the business, for sharing his thoughts yesterday on Kerry's career and his influence on so many of the younger local hopefuls.
Also scheduled for today:
- At 4.20 a special look at the Alabama Jim Silver and co. Free Press op-ed where we read about how 6 gang members conned Jimbo and 3 other professors into going soft on North End crime;
- more on the NDP leadership race, as Steve Ashton garners a supporter from city hall, while Andrew Swan finds support from 3 cabinet ministers of dubious merit;
- another listener complaint, this time about how we handled last weeks' complaint- and yes, there is a pattern developing;
- and at 5.20 Jon Waldman will explain why the police want to bust up tailgate parties at this weekends' Banjo Bowl game.
RIP Kerry.
marty
Here is a link to the story I wrote about Kerry for Slam!Wrestling:
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/09/11/10837311.html
A demo reel of a 1994 match under my Rough House Rasslin' label, with Kerry putting his career on the line against rookie Paul Marcoux, and yes that is my voice on the play by play:
http://revver.com/video/647133/rough-house-rasslin-part-one/
Thanks to Tony Condello, who trained Kerry and broke him into the business, for sharing his thoughts yesterday on Kerry's career and his influence on so many of the younger local hopefuls.
Also scheduled for today:
- At 4.20 a special look at the Alabama Jim Silver and co. Free Press op-ed where we read about how 6 gang members conned Jimbo and 3 other professors into going soft on North End crime;
- more on the NDP leadership race, as Steve Ashton garners a supporter from city hall, while Andrew Swan finds support from 3 cabinet ministers of dubious merit;
- another listener complaint, this time about how we handled last weeks' complaint- and yes, there is a pattern developing;
- and at 5.20 Jon Waldman will explain why the police want to bust up tailgate parties at this weekends' Banjo Bowl game.
RIP Kerry.
marty
Thursday, September 3, 2009
What we did on our summer "vacation"
Traditional news and information outlets claim that summertime is "slow".
That with politicians on vacation, stories can't be pursued.
That people like parents, college students, Joe and Jane Lunchbucket, are too distracted during 'construction season' to care about news.
Could have fooled us.
The Great Canadian Talk Show continued to prove the important role alternative media serves in keeping the public engaged all through July and August. The emails and phone calls poured in. There was no vacation for the elite with their pet projects on our dime, for politicians, or for the untouchables like 'arms-length' agencies and the media gatekeepers, from being held to account.
* While the daily newspapers published without question an "editorial" of Gail Asper that her Museum project was soooo good for all of us, we
- dissected the massive and predicted cost-overruns that were ignored by the mainstream media until it was too late to protect taxpayers;
- revealed the contradictions in public statements by Asper and her cohorts, about who knew what when about the failing finances and inflation;
- evaluated the reasons behind the refusal of the Musuem leaders to take calls on CJOB radio;
- and examined concerns about the too-close ties between Premier Gary Doer and his millionaire panhandler friends.
- We alone got councillors on the record, whether they would vote to give the museum what they have asked for from city hall - YOUR money.
* When the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority released their 'compensation disclosure' right before Canada Day and hoped no one would notice, we noticed -- and questioned why they continually undermine the integrity and value of ER doctors who save lives, while insisting that the "irreplaceable" honchos and creative apologists at head office deserved big pay raises -- lest they be "recruited" to spin misinformation and deflect blame in say, Alberta.
* The rest of the media happily rides along with the bicycle - oops, "Active Transportation" initiative, never once voicing the concerns of the businesses and residents of city streets that are being sacrificed to satisfy the agenda a lobby dominated by car-hating environmental radicals.
WE did. After watching the evasion of questions about cost and demand, and saw the slanted presentations for adding 4 more bike paths along residential streets at the open house, TGCTS stands alone in speaking up and asking what is really going on.
- One listener, an avid cyclist, rode the bike lanes downtown on August 20th, and in a 70 minute audit found 23 users on those streets, 18 on other streets, and 12 on SIDEWALKS. A total of 53 bike users seen in rush hour- and no, it wasn't raining that day.
Even if we double it to account for summer vacations etc., can someone please tell us how it makes sense to hold up "greenhouse gas belching cars" in rush-hour bottlenecks caused by giving 110 bike riders their own lanes?
* TGCTS gave a full airing of the water utility debate, interviewing 4 city councillors, and asking aloud why Mayor Katz and his supporters think that the general public can absorb volumes of complex material within a 10 day limit, right at the beginning of summer (it took River Heights Coun. John Orlikow, who is paid to do things like this, 12 hours to go through it). Not to mention not being given time to figure out the Parker Avenue/Fort Rouge railyards land swap deal, where one major landowner on Taylor hit the jackpot after Transit told the administration, we need to jump the development cue and this deal has to be approved by council NOW.
* And speaking of city hall, why is it that not one newsroom has picked up on our exclusive -- that the city is going to relocate fleet and other services into a 55 acre superyard off Nairn Street, at the same time that Premier Doer's breakfast club pals in South Point Douglas are pulling the levers of power to have the nearby Louise Bridge closed to all traffic - including civic vehicles like snowplows - in the name of "Active Transportation"?
* We have also delved into the problematic practices of the beleagured Winnipeg Parking Authority. According to the Free Press, none of the following issues were worthy of inclusion in the recent multi-day "news" series:
- A downtown businessman who knew the truth was denied his day in court when the city stayed a ticket prosecution, rather than face the embarassment of losing and facing their own ticketgate scenerio; a city lawyer, Markus Buchart, researched our discovery that all tickets issued since November 16 have been issued by officers without legal standing to enforce bylaws and also argued against a WPA ticket on the basis they are illegal. He said he will provide advice to anyone wishing to do the same.
- All four enforcement officers forced out of work by WPA edict to G4S (the contractor that employed them) had signed union cards, which presumabely fell within the Free Press's definition of "performance issues";
- The WPA has imposed pay stations in front of homes and businesses, and changed streets from free to paid parking throughout the inner-city, without a whit of discussion with the people affected;
- It now appears they have been improperly collecting revenue on streets by duping motorists into thinking a $10,000 machine at eye level on the boulevard is the law, and superceeds existing and legally binding "free parking" signage above people's heads;
- To the shock of Counsillor Jeff Browaty, the WPA now rents spaces on obscure South Point Douglas streets for 12 hours at a stretch, competing with private parking lots. (So much for "turnover" of parking as their reason d'etre.)
Not even Premier Doer's departure will close the book on our coverage of Crocus, wait times, hallway medicine, doctor and nursing shortages, brown envelopes, easy probation, absurd sentences, gangs, social work agency debacles...
* We even had time to explain about a false death report that we helped quash before it went viral.
Thanks to all of our listeners and callers this summer. Of course, a large part of the success of the program comes from the participation of people such as the following, who value the role of campus radio and took the time to be interviewed on our show:
Guests:
Fort Rouge Coun. Jenny Gerbasi
Howard Mandshein, CITI-FM musicologist
North Kildonan Coun. Jeff Browaty,
Barret Fraser, Triallo Communication Media
Caroline Barghout, CTV News
James Turner, CBC Radio
Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt
Mike Sutherland, Winnipeg Police Association
Morden Mayor Doug Wilson
Daniel McIntyre Coun. Harvey Smith
Dick Rivers, theroosterrocks.com
Chuck McEwan, Winnipeg Fringe Festival
Scott Taylor, CITI-FM/Winnipeg Goldeyes
Former professional wrestling champions:
Dan Kroffat, Bret 'Hitman" Hart, Mike (Sgt. Steele) Phillips
and Tony Condello
Ron East, Canadian Magen David Adom
Markus Buchart, lawyer on illegality of parking authority tickets
Allen the cyclist, our bike lane 'auditor'
St. Vital Coun. Gord Steeves
Brad Harrison, Curb-Ease.com
Sean Crawford, MacDonald Youth Services
Julie Epp, Edge Gallery
Colin Craig, Canadian Taxpayers Federation
Kelly Harrison, outgoing director, Teen Touch Inc.
plus our regularly featured guests, Kelly Dehn of CTV News, historian Professor Levinski, 92.9's Illegal Curve hockey show host Drew Mindell, Jon Waldman of Slam!Sports, and Frank the Italian Barber.
(A special thanks to senior producer Captain Audio, and board operators Spirited Kenny, Shannah-Lee, Deniz, Kick-FM news director Adam Toy, and the now on-hiatus Wonderboy Taylor)
Today's episode: The downside of the NDP leadership hopefuls - can you say scandal?; Professor Levinski's weekly history lesson; and Jon Waldman, Kenny and I will banter about all things Pacman and Blue Bombers for about 10 minutes starting at 5.20 PM.
The Sunday night replay of 5 episodes are on for 7 PM as usual, and we'll have a rerun on Labour Day but it's a doozy- everything the media didn't tell us about Gary Doer till he was resigning.
Join us as we kick off the new season on Tuesday Sept 8th with Conservative party leader Hugh McFadyen; Mayor Sam Katz comes into the studio on Monday, Sept. 14th; and Councillor Harvey Smith appears on Tuesday, Sept. 29th.
Drive safe and have a nice long weekend.
HAIL AURTARLIA!
That with politicians on vacation, stories can't be pursued.
That people like parents, college students, Joe and Jane Lunchbucket, are too distracted during 'construction season' to care about news.
Could have fooled us.
The Great Canadian Talk Show continued to prove the important role alternative media serves in keeping the public engaged all through July and August. The emails and phone calls poured in. There was no vacation for the elite with their pet projects on our dime, for politicians, or for the untouchables like 'arms-length' agencies and the media gatekeepers, from being held to account.
* While the daily newspapers published without question an "editorial" of Gail Asper that her Museum project was soooo good for all of us, we
- dissected the massive and predicted cost-overruns that were ignored by the mainstream media until it was too late to protect taxpayers;
- revealed the contradictions in public statements by Asper and her cohorts, about who knew what when about the failing finances and inflation;
- evaluated the reasons behind the refusal of the Musuem leaders to take calls on CJOB radio;
- and examined concerns about the too-close ties between Premier Gary Doer and his millionaire panhandler friends.
- We alone got councillors on the record, whether they would vote to give the museum what they have asked for from city hall - YOUR money.
* When the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority released their 'compensation disclosure' right before Canada Day and hoped no one would notice, we noticed -- and questioned why they continually undermine the integrity and value of ER doctors who save lives, while insisting that the "irreplaceable" honchos and creative apologists at head office deserved big pay raises -- lest they be "recruited" to spin misinformation and deflect blame in say, Alberta.
* The rest of the media happily rides along with the bicycle - oops, "Active Transportation" initiative, never once voicing the concerns of the businesses and residents of city streets that are being sacrificed to satisfy the agenda a lobby dominated by car-hating environmental radicals.
WE did. After watching the evasion of questions about cost and demand, and saw the slanted presentations for adding 4 more bike paths along residential streets at the open house, TGCTS stands alone in speaking up and asking what is really going on.
- One listener, an avid cyclist, rode the bike lanes downtown on August 20th, and in a 70 minute audit found 23 users on those streets, 18 on other streets, and 12 on SIDEWALKS. A total of 53 bike users seen in rush hour- and no, it wasn't raining that day.
Even if we double it to account for summer vacations etc., can someone please tell us how it makes sense to hold up "greenhouse gas belching cars" in rush-hour bottlenecks caused by giving 110 bike riders their own lanes?
* TGCTS gave a full airing of the water utility debate, interviewing 4 city councillors, and asking aloud why Mayor Katz and his supporters think that the general public can absorb volumes of complex material within a 10 day limit, right at the beginning of summer (it took River Heights Coun. John Orlikow, who is paid to do things like this, 12 hours to go through it). Not to mention not being given time to figure out the Parker Avenue/Fort Rouge railyards land swap deal, where one major landowner on Taylor hit the jackpot after Transit told the administration, we need to jump the development cue and this deal has to be approved by council NOW.
* And speaking of city hall, why is it that not one newsroom has picked up on our exclusive -- that the city is going to relocate fleet and other services into a 55 acre superyard off Nairn Street, at the same time that Premier Doer's breakfast club pals in South Point Douglas are pulling the levers of power to have the nearby Louise Bridge closed to all traffic - including civic vehicles like snowplows - in the name of "Active Transportation"?
* We have also delved into the problematic practices of the beleagured Winnipeg Parking Authority. According to the Free Press, none of the following issues were worthy of inclusion in the recent multi-day "news" series:
- A downtown businessman who knew the truth was denied his day in court when the city stayed a ticket prosecution, rather than face the embarassment of losing and facing their own ticketgate scenerio; a city lawyer, Markus Buchart, researched our discovery that all tickets issued since November 16 have been issued by officers without legal standing to enforce bylaws and also argued against a WPA ticket on the basis they are illegal. He said he will provide advice to anyone wishing to do the same.
- All four enforcement officers forced out of work by WPA edict to G4S (the contractor that employed them) had signed union cards, which presumabely fell within the Free Press's definition of "performance issues";
- The WPA has imposed pay stations in front of homes and businesses, and changed streets from free to paid parking throughout the inner-city, without a whit of discussion with the people affected;
- It now appears they have been improperly collecting revenue on streets by duping motorists into thinking a $10,000 machine at eye level on the boulevard is the law, and superceeds existing and legally binding "free parking" signage above people's heads;
- To the shock of Counsillor Jeff Browaty, the WPA now rents spaces on obscure South Point Douglas streets for 12 hours at a stretch, competing with private parking lots. (So much for "turnover" of parking as their reason d'etre.)
Not even Premier Doer's departure will close the book on our coverage of Crocus, wait times, hallway medicine, doctor and nursing shortages, brown envelopes, easy probation, absurd sentences, gangs, social work agency debacles...
* We even had time to explain about a false death report that we helped quash before it went viral.
Thanks to all of our listeners and callers this summer. Of course, a large part of the success of the program comes from the participation of people such as the following, who value the role of campus radio and took the time to be interviewed on our show:
Guests:
Fort Rouge Coun. Jenny Gerbasi
Howard Mandshein, CITI-FM musicologist
North Kildonan Coun. Jeff Browaty,
Barret Fraser, Triallo Communication Media
Caroline Barghout, CTV News
James Turner, CBC Radio
Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt
Mike Sutherland, Winnipeg Police Association
Morden Mayor Doug Wilson
Daniel McIntyre Coun. Harvey Smith
Dick Rivers, theroosterrocks.com
Chuck McEwan, Winnipeg Fringe Festival
Scott Taylor, CITI-FM/Winnipeg Goldeyes
Former professional wrestling champions:
Dan Kroffat, Bret 'Hitman" Hart, Mike (Sgt. Steele) Phillips
and Tony Condello
Ron East, Canadian Magen David Adom
Markus Buchart, lawyer on illegality of parking authority tickets
Allen the cyclist, our bike lane 'auditor'
St. Vital Coun. Gord Steeves
Brad Harrison, Curb-Ease.com
Sean Crawford, MacDonald Youth Services
Julie Epp, Edge Gallery
Colin Craig, Canadian Taxpayers Federation
Kelly Harrison, outgoing director, Teen Touch Inc.
plus our regularly featured guests, Kelly Dehn of CTV News, historian Professor Levinski, 92.9's Illegal Curve hockey show host Drew Mindell, Jon Waldman of Slam!Sports, and Frank the Italian Barber.
(A special thanks to senior producer Captain Audio, and board operators Spirited Kenny, Shannah-Lee, Deniz, Kick-FM news director Adam Toy, and the now on-hiatus Wonderboy Taylor)
Today's episode: The downside of the NDP leadership hopefuls - can you say scandal?; Professor Levinski's weekly history lesson; and Jon Waldman, Kenny and I will banter about all things Pacman and Blue Bombers for about 10 minutes starting at 5.20 PM.
The Sunday night replay of 5 episodes are on for 7 PM as usual, and we'll have a rerun on Labour Day but it's a doozy- everything the media didn't tell us about Gary Doer till he was resigning.
Join us as we kick off the new season on Tuesday Sept 8th with Conservative party leader Hugh McFadyen; Mayor Sam Katz comes into the studio on Monday, Sept. 14th; and Councillor Harvey Smith appears on Tuesday, Sept. 29th.
Drive safe and have a nice long weekend.
HAIL AURTARLIA!
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