Keith Baker

thumbs-up

491

150

thumbs-down

POLL: Readers roughly split on Canada Post strike

62

The management of the post office is so busy playing office politics and maintaining their huge executive salarys that they completely missed the opportunity of online shopping. The infrastructure, the expert personnel, were in place; Canada post could have squashed any competition but they twiddled their thumbs and missed another opportunity. Just like the managers at Sears. Canadians are the customers and the shareholders of that corporation. We as well as the union employees are the victims of lousy management.

12

Orillia could get strong mayor powers ... on a permanent basis

OrilliaMatters

26

Why is Doug Ford working so hard to end democracy? He called the election to catch the other parties off guard in the middle of his term, and the middle of winter ,and while there was an international crisis to further distract the voters. Our municipal councilors are our friends and neighbors people we see on a regular basis. There is a two way dialog about issues. They gather and make the decisions that affect us directly. That is democracy . From his first Moves , the reduction in Toronto council, and this strong mayor idea everything seems aimed at centralizing his power.

2

Up to 60 cm of snow accumulation possible: Environment Canada

OrilliaMatters

22

We are all getting sick of this and grumpy but I'd like to take a minute to thank our municipal employees . As of this morning an EMS could still reach any house in Orillia if needed! Thank you guys!

2

Did mayor blow the lid off CAO firing controversy with 'hypothetical' scenario?

OrilliaMatters

21

The background that Mr. Mascarin provided on "Strong Mayors Powers" was conformation of my long held suspicions ,about its history and the personality s surrounding its conception. The policy is a direct attack on a very good system that has generally protected our municipality s from the type of Mob control we have seen in U.S. cities . That it was dreamed up by the Ford brothers after admiring its use in Chicago makes perfect sense. The way that political brand loyalty causes many good and otherwise intelligent people to stand up to sing its praises is troubling. I am old enough to remember when the Conservatives believed in "Good Government" not in crony Capitalism.

1

Amid heat wave, thousands without power in area due to downed tree

OrilliaMatters

13

When the power company was our friends and neighbors at OWLP we seemed to get fewer and shorter disruptions.

7

'A shock': Fionn MacCool's closes doors, lays off about 20 staffers

OrilliaMatters

13

They had almost everything going for them, But!! Orillians have become used to a much higher level of cuisine than their franchiser let them serve.

5

Overcrowded Comfie Cat Shelter in danger of being 'shut down'

OrilliaMatters

11

The reproductive rate of cats will overwhelm any "no kill" facility. Our songbird population is threatened and our ground nesting species are already nearly extinct. As much as I understand, and support peoples right to love their personal little fur baby, cats are a serious invasive threat and numbers must be managed.

3

'Game-changer': City adopts streamlined sign bylaw for downtown Orillia

OrilliaMatters

12

The neon artwork that used to identify Orillias downtown businesses is to many people more heritage, and certainly much more vibrant and attractive, than the insipid unlit flat lettering that the D.M.B. requires.

1

Ice cream bikes will be allowed in Orillia, but not in the downtown

OrilliaMatters

Ice cream trucks are marketing directed at children primarily. When the bell rings in the neighbor hood it creates a demand .Kids who's parents have good income and are believe in indulging their children will hand out the cash. What about all the rest of the kids, kids who's parents believe in teaching discipline, kids who come from households where parents are struggling financially. This is not a warm fuzzy issue,all smiles and candy, it often is a source of discontent,and resentment. I personally oppose any ice cream trucks in neighborhoods where children play.

13

‘Special economic zones’ bill would let Ford government exempt any project from provincial laws

OrilliaMatters

9

Ford was cunning enough to capitalize on our anger with Orange man during the past election but at heart they are identical. Crony capitalists totally motivated to help their mobster buddies get rich .

4

COLUMN: Province quietly legislating extinction in 'reckless' way

OrilliaMatters

10

Doug wants us to think his whole passion is to own the Nimbys His real reason is to maximize the opportunities for his personal social clique of developers to get as rich as possible so he and his family can retire wealthy. Like his Dads buddy Mike did.

3

Calls for accountability after dog bites nine-year-old in the face

OrilliaMatters

5

This should be a non issue if the owner is a responsible dog owner, they should have quickly had this dog to a clinic for euthanasia as soon as it bit a child the first time. Dogs are not furry people. they have no constitutional rights.

6

BREAKING: New Orillia hospital to be built in west Orillia

OrilliaMatters

5

The free parking lots at Scout valley , Lakehead and Cosco are going to be packed until they are gone. I walk almost a kilometer to access R.V.H. from an unpaid parking spot when I visit.

6

Recycling pickup in Orillia moving to every other week with new carts

OrilliaMatters

8

Homes are being encouraged on smaller and smaller footprints these gigantic carts will become increasingly a big eyesore, and inconvenience . A lot of house holds will permanently park them at the curb as our rural neighbors do. If anything inside smells like it might have once been near food our tree rats will quickly make them look like Swiss cheese I expect that replacement will be at home owners expense. I see nothing good about this.

2

Heads up: One of city's new speed cameras goes live on Friday

OrilliaMatters

7

I wonder if any of the metal collectors in town knows cameras have a lot of copper in them?

3

Postal strike could mean no cheques for many ODSP recipients

OrilliaMatters

8

I thank my good fortune and yours, that we have never experienced the outright hostility financial institutions impose on marginalized persons.

1

COLUMN: McIsaac's dismissal of new CAO is a 'shameful power grab'

OrilliaMatters

8

The purest most direct democracy is a municipal council. We pick candidates from our neighborhoods, people who live right here ,who we know. When they make a decision they still have to live among the people affected and they have to be prepared to defend them. Doug has mounted a systematic attack on municipal councils from the start. His first acts were to reduce Toronto's city council. The strong mayors powers are likewise an attack on councils. It appears to be a direct attack on everybody right wing, left wing or sideways wing these policies are an attack on everyone.

1

Upcoming public forum vows to give Orillia residents 'a voice'

OrilliaMatters

5

Without any clear listing of topics for discussion, or of format, and rules for debate this could devolve into a donnybrook of royal proportions, or else a rally for the more unhinged members of one side or the other. Are we expected to bring our weapons from home or will we have to make them from the furniture!

3

'Not part of our job': Local paramedics facing surge of violence

OrilliaMatters

7

First responders are the real heroes! every citizen should come to their defense! I wonder if that costs of policing should be moved from the municipal property tax payer to the "sin" tax on alcohol .

1

Bot accounts flood social media with reviews of Poilieve’s tour

OrilliaMatters

8

Remember "Robocalls" The high tech method of confusing people about where they should vote, especially targeted at those least likely to vote for P.P.. The clumsy attempts to cheat have not changed