JUDICIAL SYSTEM UNDER FIRE BY A ...JUDGE

Every now and then I see a glimmer of hope for our judicial system. This time ironically it comes from a judge speaking out publicly about the total loss of justice when it takes years to settle relatively straighforward cases. The April 18, 2015 Waterloo Region Record carrys this story titled "Judge slams system that failed children".

The case took four years to settle regarding a Crown wardship case. Two children were taken from their parents by Family and Childrens' Services of Waterloo Region. The parents appealed and the case took four and a half years to be settled. As the Judge indicated "A child's development does not wait for the "niceties" of lengthy and protracted legal proceedings". There are legal maximums for hearings in child protection cases and apparently they are routinely overlooked. Judge Sloan concluded "All parties involved must find ways to reform the system and allocate sufficient resources to the Ontario Court of Justice ..." such that these issues can be handled much more expeditiously.

BRESLAU RESIDENTS HAVE WOOLWICH COUNCIL UNDER FIRE

The Woolwich Observer's Editorial a week ago Saturday was titled "Breslau residents right to question township process". Editor Steve Kannon lays it down very clearly when he says "It shouldn't matter one way or the other to council and bureaucrats: they are simply the agents of the public's will." The project involved is in regards to selling part of their park in exchange for various upgrades, to the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. Steve then adds regarding bureaucrats and politicians being agents of the public's will the following : "Of course that sentiment is almost as big a pipedream as believing that bureaucrats will be completely diligent and nuetral, especially with a pet project.". It is discouraging this thing they optimistically call democracy. Allegedly it's better than all the alternatives. Sometimes that's very hard to see.

CHILDREN'S AID UNDER FIRE

There will be a review of "...the Motherisk hair analysis program at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto...". This article is in last week's Waterloo Region Record story titled "Children's Aid told to stop hair testing". These tests have been used for years to determine drug and alcohol use in child protection and criminal cases. Last year Ontario's highest court set aside a criminal conviction on the basis of differing expert opinions as to the accuracy of these tests. Once again bureaucrats and judicial authorities have abused science in their quest for courtroom wins at the expense of those with lesser resources.

AND YET ANOTHER ROYAL JUDICIAL SCREWUP

More kudos to Judge Peter Hambly who would not roll over and allow two lawyers to hijack the trial and sentencing of a drunk driver who killed a young boy. Today's Waterloo Region Record carrys this story titled ""A mistake has been made " judge says". There was also an article on this matter last Tuesday in the Record titled "Miffed Kitchener judge blasts drunk-driving plea bargain again". A Mr.Jeremy Glenfield allegedly sped drunk through a stop sign, hitting a car and killing a child inside.

There was even evidence that after Judge Hambly said no that the two lawyers (defence & prosecution) teamed up in what Justice James Turnbull referred to as a public perception being made of "unseemly judge shopping". The judge being shopped for allegedly was Judge Patrick Flynn. According to Judge Hambly there was ample evidence to convict Mr. Glenfield for drunk driving and more. Yes I would agree that this case gives the public a peek into what passes for justice in this country. Money apparently can even buy inappropriate plea bargains if we can believe Judge Hambly.

OMAR KHADR GRANTED BAIL

Never have I had more pride in a Judge and less in our Federal government. A fifteen year old Canadian citizen has now been incarcerated for thirteen years after allegedly throwing a hand grenade after he was grieviously wounded in an attack by U.S. forces. A Canadian judge feels that bail is appropriate while the appeal of his convictions in a thinly disguised, U.S. miltary court proceeds.

Tomorrows Waterloo Region Record carrys the story titled "Alberta judge grants Omar Khadr bail pending appeal". This ongoing shameful behaviour of our federal Conservatives will go down in history as crass political manoeuvering both nationally and internationally. Their wish to appeal is all about the Conservative party assurring that they remain the biggest friends of the United Staes government down the road. Domestically it's about blatant racism by both name and appearance as the Tories tap into the immigrant backlash. Shame on them and all Canadians who buy into torturing at worst child soldiers and at best a fifteen year old who survived a U.S. attack when all others died.

NORTH AMERICAN JUSTICE SYSTEM CORRUPTION

The Waterloo Region Record last Monday carried this story titled "FBI admits to flawed testimony about hair from forensic unit".The Washington Post reported three years ago that "...flawed forensic hair matches might have led to the convictions of hundreds of potentially innocent people since at least the 1970s.". The overstating of forensic hair matches in a way which favoured prosecuters has been unearthed as a systemic problem in the FBIs Laboratories.

268 trials have been reviewed so far and prosecuters were favoured by the overstated forensic matches in 95% of the cases. This once again is a fine example of science being abused by either government or bureaucracys for their own ulterior motives. Justice system my ass!

PERHAPS A LITTLE IRONY INVOLVED?

Woolwich Township in Waterloo Region don't need to take a back seat to anyone. Last fall we had our sitting Mayor accused of double expensing to the tune of $3,200. He has since been criminally charged . Now another formal complaint has both been made and is public. The Elmira Independent, Woolwich Observer, Waterloo Region Record and even 570 Radio are all telling us about Woolwich Councillor Scot Hahn's failure to submit accurate expense records for his election campaign. The Record's article is titled "Councillor in hot water due to erroneous report".

The irony is this. A couple of months back Mr. Hahn didn't have much sympathy for a stroke survivor who was making a Delegation to Council looking for a tiny grant but didn't have all his financial paperwork in order. Now poor old Mr. hahn seems to be in a similar boat.

By the accounts I have heard all municipal candidates must attend a presentation prior to the election explaining their duties and responsibilities. This specifically includes expense and receipt statements months after the election. The Reports themselves appear fairly straightforward. What happened. My Hahn by admission has left out the value of his brochures as well as his election signs. His large election signs. He is suggesting that someone (who) donated them. regardless their value and the contributers name are required by provincial legislation. There are some incredible political ramifications involved here. let's see how this plays out.

SUPREME COURT OF CANADA CRAPS ON THE TORY MANDATORY MINIMUM JAIL TIME LAWS

Well common sense on our Supreme Court has derailed yet another Conservative legal stupidity. The Tories wanted a minimum three year jail sentence for any "gun" crime whatsoever. This has even ensnared one young man in his underware in the living room of his cousin's home brandishing a gun he found there and showing it off to friends on facebook or some other social media. The cops broke down the door and arrested him because it wasn't his gun and it wasn't properly secured. Three years in jail for immaturity and stupidity, without any criminal intent, is what we can expect in Third World dictatorships but has no place in Canada.

The Decision was released yesterday and the Court said that the mandatory minimum sentence could ensnare people with "little or no moral fault" and who pose "little or no danger to the public". Another example would be someone who inherits a firearm but fails to immediately get a license for the weapon.

In my opinion this is just one more example of politicians abusing their authority. They think they can pass any legislation they want, no matter how stupid, just because they currently are forming the government. Fortunately an independent body are protecting our Constitution.

POLITICIANS AND SACRED COWS

Powerful, influential groups are what scare politicians hoping to get re-elected. Politics is tough enough without having blocks of united, ticked off citizens voting against you. The Conservatives woo gun owners and church goers. The Liberals love teachers and and both parties chase after farmers. Big business and industry are also constantly seduced by both parties trying to buy donations and support via taxpayer subsidies, directly or indirectly. In the case of manufacturing it's always been a case of allowing companies to externalize their costs upon society and the environment in general. Politicians biggest challenge is to convince voters that they favour the environment via legislation while constantly permitting loopholes for polluters to slide through.

Some of this explains Woolwich Councils' behaviour over the last twenty-five years. Despite then Uniroyal Chemical destroying Elmira's aquifers; Councils have always ensured that the company felt welcome in Elmira. This despite repeated fires and air emissions over the years as well as ongoing deception, manipulation and blatant lying to the Uniroyal/Chemtura Public Advisory Committee.

This winter and spring have been particularily disgusting. Last October CPAC had both Chemtura and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (M.O.E.) on the ropes. From an independent consultant's report to discoveries of manmade Drains and possible surrepticious groundwater collection trenches; both parties were staggering from one lie to the next. This new Council since the October 2014 election have permitted a six month reprieve to Chemtura and the M.O.E. from having to face questioning from CPAC. Questions that they are not willing or able to answer. Now the Council are about to pull the plug on the best CPAC there ever has been. They are going to remove at least two citizens to the best of their abilities, legal or otherwise. They are going to dilute this CPAC by adding proven co-opted citizens to CPAC. They are going to add parties who have shown zero interest in CPAC for over a decade. Shame on Sandy Shantz, new Mayor of Woolwich Township and lover of polluters and their corrupt regulators.

WOOLWICH COUNCIL SCANDALS CONTINUE

That would be Woolwich Township as part of the Region of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. Our current ongoing scandal deals with our past Mayor, one Todd Cowan. I believe the criminal charges against him may include fraud and or breech of trust. It isn't in dispute that he double booked over $3000 in expenses either between Woolwich Township and the Region of Waterloo but also between the Township and the Grand River Conservation Authority. Todd of course claims that it's all a big mistake and he's not good with paperwork. Hopefully some time this year we'll learn if the Judge agrees with Todd's assessment.

There are two other current Councillors facing allegations. The first Councillor Murray Martin is a longtime Councillor who had lost the last election in 2010. He's back with us as of the October 2014 election. The allegations against Murray were first raised (I believe) at Woolwich Council perhaps four weeks ago by a member of the Conestogo Recreation Association. She claimed that there had been double booking of landscaping bills either for a park or ball diamond in Conestogo. Allegedly Murray was doing the work and billing the Association while Woolwich Township were also providing (& billing?) labour for this work. Now I will say that Council were unhappy with these allegations being presented at a public Council meeting and among other things claim to have turned off the recorder and refused to include the allegations in the Council Minutes. Regardless it is my understanding that the lady making the allegations is pursuing them through the appropriate channels. That might be via the Ministry of Municipal Affairs although I am not certain.

Last but not least comes newcomer to municipal politics, Scot Hahn. Scot came in first in Ward One and while very young (27) seems to have fitted in well with most on Council. The problem seems to be his claimed campaign expenses. Even on the very face of them they appear bizarre. $358 including the $100 deposit to run is an extraordinarily tiny amount of money to run a campaign on. A winning campaign no less. The problem would seem to be that there is no mention of expenses related to either signs or brochures which I am advised he most certainly had. Anyone who has ever run a campaign knows that those two items are expensive.

All in all it certainly keeps things exciting up here in Woolwich Township. At first blush these seem to be legitmate and serious claims and allegations. Time will tell if our authorities agree or not.

INHERENT MORALITY OF THE PEOPLE

The vast majority of people around the world are inherently more honest and ethical than any government or politician there is. This is the basic truth that makes it necessary for politicians and their governments to lie like dogs. Afterall if the people were no more honest than the politicians then those same politicaians couldn't be bothered lying. Wasting taxpayers' money, fudging expense reports and passing legislation favouring one powerful and well off lobby at the expense of the general public are all in a days work. Getting caught is the only concern. Hence lying, plausible deniability and or gilding the lily. The politicians assume the mantel of truth which their constituents expect and demand. These politicians if they are into playing favourites for their own eventual benefit as well as robbing the public blind; then surely a little creative conversation to help unpalatable truths go down easier is to be expected.

Yesterday we all witnessed on television the U.S. cop who shot the fleeing, unarmed black man repeatedly in the back. The cop claims that the unarmed man had taken his Taser and was running away with it. Keep in mind the cop was in his 30's and the victim in his 50s. Who do you think more likely able to outrun who? Also the video does not show the black man with anything in his hands. But for the video shot on a cellphone would the cop have been charged with murder? Highly unlikely. The only good thing about this is that to date our police and governments still feel the need to lie to us regularily. Heaven help either Canada or the U.S. when it gets to the point that the cops shrug and say "yeah he was unarmed and I shot him, so what?". Are we heading in that eventual direction?

ANOTHER POLICE SHOOTING IN WATERLOO REGION

It isn't supposed to be this way. All citizens understand that there are a very few individuals among us who are intrinsically evil. Thankfully they are few and far between. The vast majority of "criminals" have done something wrong on the spur of the moment or in the heat of anger. Cold blooded, evil indiviuals who threaten our lives are extremely rare. Hence when a police officer in the line of duty shoots and kills a person, we want to know that they were the worst of the worst. Once again that is not what has occurred.

Details are sketchy with the shooting on Brybeck Cres. last Friday night. Some witnesses have suggested that the victim was holding a knife. All of us hold knives whether in the kitchen, when camping or when simply cutting a piece of cord etc.. The question is whether there were threats involved or any kind of threatening behaviour with the knife. Even then where were the vaunted Tasers when they were needed? From all accounts this was a well liked pleasant young man. No one has suggested that our local police had tracked down some kind of mass murdering pyschopath who needed to be put down to protect society.

Today's Waterloo Region Record carrys several related stories including "Candles, tears for Beau Baker". Time is of the essence here. What the hell happened?

OUR GOVERNMENTS LOVE TO LIE TO US

Governments are all about puffery. They are the world's best in whatever endeavour they are involved in, or at least that's how they like to hold themselves out to their constituents. The Region of Waterloo are all about groundwater protection and allegedly high quality tap water. Balderdash. They stick strictly to the inadequate requirements of the Ontario Safe Drinking Water Act which came in after the Walkerton tragedy.

The raw water in West Montrose is the worst from the standpoint of bacteria, viruses, protozoa and the by-products of disinfection within the Region of Waterloo. They are missing the industrial contaminant Trichloroethylene (TCE) which is found in Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge drinking water. West Montrose may well have the industrial contaminant NDMA however as the Provincial government has not mandated reporting it, we do not know. It is also a by-product of disinfection especially when the groundwater has septics in it. As a direct result of this the Region have for many years been supplementing the four wells in West Montrose with water tankers coming in from the Kitchener-Waterloo area. This not only helps quantity wise but most importantly quality wise. It helps to dilute all the toxic products of disinfection in West Montrose's water. The tankers have been increasing significantly the last three years although word of mouth has them coming into West Montrose for the last ten to fifteen years on a regular basis.

Despite this the Region have lied to me in writing by indicating that these tankers are solely due to quantity problems. The 2013 Class Environmental Assessment done on the West Montrose System puts the lie to it. It clearly states ongoing quality problems with river water and Groundwater Under the Direct Influence (GUDI) of surface water.

ONTARIO'S "SUNSHINE" LIST

Fully 1/4 of the employees of the Waterloo Region Police Services are on the Sunshine List. Department Heads of High schools and likely public schools are on the Sunshine List. Here in tiny Woolwich Township we have seven employees on the Sunshine list. Hospital CEOs, Hydro One and other Crown Corporation CEOs are way above the $100,000 minimum to make the list. Our Regional Chair is way above. University Presidents have had that pay marker in their rearview mirrors for decades. Somehow someone in private industry making big bucks isn't such an affront to we the taxpayers who are paying these bills, year in and year out. Orange Air Ambulance bosses, Medical Officers of Health the list is growing each and every year. Yet those paying these inflated salaries are lucky to get cost of living increases annually. Something has to give and when it does it will not be pretty.

APPALLING SPENDING FOR REGIONAL CHAIR SEAT

The Saturday March 28/15 edition of the Waterloo Region Record carried this story titled "Aissa paid $226,000 out of pocket in bid to defeat region chair Seiling". The article lists the expenses of the SEVEN candidates for regional chair. Unsurprisingly the two top spenders received the most votes albeit number two (Seiling) won the election. Seiling spent $60,306 more than double what he spent in the last election. While these numbers pale in comparison to the numbers seen south of the border nevertheless something is seriously wrong here. The other five candidates combined spent under $3,000 and got 16% of the total votes.

Our judicial system access has long been out of reach of huge numbers of our citizens. Similarily politics is clearly going in the same direction.