On October 8th as part of my election campaign, I got an email from a concerned Ward 10 resident who had a very interesting question in regards to the Ferris Park Bocce courts and the lack of access residents who are locked out of the facility.The Hamiltonian did a report on the situation, in which the City gave very vague answers to many questions posed to them. I sent an email to Councillor Maria Pearson and I got a response literally a half hour later about the Bocce Courts.
Hi Bernard. Thank you for your e-mail. I understand staff have provided answers to all the questions asked.Maria
I’m going to assume that the questions that staff has answered, are the ones that were asked by the Hamiltonian.
I’m not happy with the very vague response from Councillor Pearson and feel we deserve a better explanation, but on the other hand I did get a response regarding the situation in a timely manner, even if it lacked any information. As of now, this situation is going typically as I would imagine. Don’t answer any questions directly and hope that the issue goes away.
This is disgusting. It completely goes against all laws and our rights within our ward and I (along with others) will fight to have this looked into further. Such disrespect for the residents. Shame on you Maria, you don't have a moral or ethical bone in your body.
ReplyDeleteMy bet is that some kind of City Hall 'enquiry' or 'investigation' will be done this year. Just of Ferris Park? Nope. Of the entire situation in Hamilton involving such 'private clubs'.
ReplyDeleteBecause this site, as well as The Hamiltonian, seem to have taken it upon themselves to peer through a pinhole at Ward 10...and ignore the rest of the city. Now, in The Hamiltonian's case, this isn't any surprise, given the DiFalcos' 'relationship' with Councillor Pearson. As for you, Bernard, well... You were an opponent in the recent election, so I'd imagine you've maintained your particular brand of cynicism. (I'm being polite, here.)
So I have a suggestion for both of you, and your motivations can be similar: if you're sincere about what's actually going on in Hamilton and not merely grinding convenient axes (sorry, I think I nearly choked on my words, there), then why don't you investigate the situation across the city yourselves?
Take a look at how many bocce courts there are that have the same setup as Ferris Park.
Take a look at the history of all the courts.
Compare the particulars.
Make an unofficial enquiry of it and publish the results on both sites.
It could well be that this is something that needs to be looked at not just by the department responsible, but by the people in Hamilton in general.
You've wanted to serve the people of Hamilton at large, Bernard. How about changing that tack of yours and seeing if you can shine some actual light...instead of continually painting with the same tired, old brush? Who knows; you may end up being a somewhat hero...instead of just dreaming of being one.
Go on; I dare ya...
: )
Mystoneycreek
ReplyDeleteYou seem to have all the answers, perhaps you should email Councillor Pearson to see if you will get a more thorough response, since you know her very well. Who knew asking a question of my councillor would fall into a "particular brand of cynicism". I have nothing to do with the report on Ferris Park, me and The Hamiltonian are two different entities. I'll say it again, I have nothing against Councillor Pearson.
Bernard, great job in keeping us in WARD 10 up to date on events that affect US in the city.
ReplyDeleteMystoneycreek, why don't you get a life? Seriously! As an advocate in my community, I am continuously irritated by your senseless blabber. Expecting someone to investigate the ENTIRE City of Hamilton and surrounding area would be almost impossible. The point of a COUNCILOR is that in order to solve problems, they should be done so with care and ethics at a local level before we can even attempt to collectively work together at solving these problems on a City-wide level. Please stick to fiction writing and stay out of the politics. Thank you.
Michael J.
Proud Ward 10 Resident
Thanks for the suggestions, Michael J. I'll file them accordingly.
ReplyDeleteAs for it being 'almost impossible' to investigate the ENTIRE City of Hamilton, concentrating on one very specific and distinct aspect...I don't agree at all. Not when we're talking about an online civic activism blog...Bernard's...asking the questions. Why should a citizen looking into what may well be a wide-spread 'problem' with legacy roots be so daunting, even seemingly insulting a notion?
As for 'The point of a COUNCILLOR'... I agree that answers should be forthcoming. I have no idea, no insight as to why they haven't been. And what you're suggesting is a solid protocol. But given that questions have been asked and no satisfactory answers have been provided, don't you think it's reasonable to ask those questions elsewhere? Or would you prefer to sit and steam?
Bernard, if you feel that everything about Ferris Park is unfolding as you'd expect with Councillor Pearson..."Don’t answer any questions directly and hope that the issue goes away."...then I'd have thought you might have wanted to get to the bottom of things. It's hardly outside your remit as a blogger.
And yes Bernard, you're right, you and The Hamiltonian are two separate blogs. Unfortunately, there is an inherent 'agenda' coming from Cal & Co, one that by rights, should be put under the spotlight itself.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe I'll just adapt it into a fictional piece. : )
I suspect that even reasonable examination of the ward and Councillor Pearson's performance will be tainted by Cal's bias, so I may well be a little 'reactionary' where all that is concerned. (Witness the coverage over at TH of 'Bustamante's Boondoggle' )
Mystoneycreek, you seem to have many great ideas for my blog and others on the way we operate our blogs, but at the end of the day, I'm not hiding behind an alias. If you really believed in your views, you wouldn’t hide behind the “mystoneycreek” nickname. You seem to critique me on the way I do things, but your blog has the comment section closed and the fact that nobody knows who you are makes it real hard for me to take you seriously. You offered advice on my blog and I’d like to offer the same for you. If you’d like to be taken more seriously with your blog, open the comment section and BE YOURSELF. Hiding behind your computer just turns off readers and you being a blogger, obviously you want to increase your readership, that’s the whole point isn’t it? Lastly, I've had coffee with Councillor Pearson, I've seen her at City Hall functions there is no agenda on my behalf against her, in fact I get along with her great. You fail to forget, I no longer am a candidate, I'm a resident. You insinuating that me asking a simple question of my Councillor and NOT being satisfied with the response is "activism"?, I disagree.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading and the advice.
Mystoneycreek...
ReplyDeleteWe can definitely agree to disagree. As I work in law, you really have no idea how a City is run or how the law (should) work. You speak of slander and bias, yet you are the most biased blogger I have read. Never having the pleasure to have met either Pearson or Josipovic, I can tell you that I am quite impressed by Bernard and his way of reporting. It is quite a breath of fresh air to put issues on the table without using political jargon to trick residents. If you think Bernard is on a 'witch hunt' for Maria Pearson, then what is your explanation on my disapproval of our current Councilor? She has a job to do, and I will be the most forgiving and say that politics is not easy, yet when simple matters of a "PUBLIC" park come into question, and those answers are hidden, it is very sad to say, but what hope do we have on bigger issues if she cannot be honest about a PARK! A law has been broken with regards to this "local matter" and it should be investigated, whether it is at a local area, or a national site. You are clearly 'incognito' and hide behind your blog.....wait, are YOU Maria Pearson? Because you seem to be her greatest fan yet you have no facts or figures to back up any positive outcomes she has done for our Ward.
Bernard, great job in calling Mystoneycreek out. YOU are a REAL blogger who has no FEAR or SHAME to put honesty and integrity first. You care and for this I hope you will run again. This is what this country needs--young, passionate citizens who search out the truth and fight for Justice. Hey, it's happening in Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen....perhaps we might see transparency and 'corrupt' local regimes in Hamilton come to an end soon too. Ahhhh, one can only dream...
Thank you very much for the post. I don’t understand what the above poster is talking about in labelling me as slander and bias. I only ask you not to get all wound up over anonymous posters, if they really believed in what they preached; they wouldn’t hide behind an alias. Thanks for reading the blog and I hope you continue to enjoy it. Like I said, I’d respect his opinion if I could put a face to a name, but for now I’m just looking at it as someone trying to stir the pot.
ReplyDeleteLet the City leave the lights on..it keeps the kids in this area from breaking in the building and us having to pay for repair costs, over and over again. My opinion is that the area residents are JEALOUS. They want what they can't have. It sounds to me like this club is well organized and nobody is breaking any laws. They are resposible men, who wouldn't hurt a a fly. Do I play bocce? No. As a matter of fact, I don't even know any bocce players...BUT I am a resident that has a full view from my backyard of Ferris Park. I pay HEFTY taxes, and don't mind one bit about the bocce court. The residents complaining of this court are probably the same people who take their dogs for a "walk", until they reach Ferris Park..where they take them off their leash so they can run around free, play "fetch" and crap wherever, without bothering to scoop their dog's poop! These people have no concern for the safety of other dogs, any children in the park or adults who have a fear of dogs, or the LAW. They are selfish, thoughtless and foolish. They are breaking the law, and are obviously thumbing their noses at the police and the public. What? Leashes are ok till you get to a park?? There are signs posted that you MUST have your pet on a LEASH and scoop. These signs cost the taxpayers money also, but nobody obeys these LAWS! Should we, as tax payers, start taking pics and keeping track of these lawbreakers? S-M-I-L-E...
ReplyDeleteSome people just want their cake, eat it too...AND make trouble for these harmless, respectable bocce players.