Sasha Speak's
Musings
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Posted on January-04-13 11:02 PM
“Fiscal
Cliff” put in a much better perspective.
Lesson #1:
* U.S. Tax revenue: $2,170,000,000,000
* Fed budget: $3,820,000,000,000
* New debt: $1,650,000,000,000
* National debt: $14,271,000,000,000
* Recent budget cuts: $38,500,000,000
Let's now remove 8 zeros and pretend it's a household budget:
* Annual family income: $21,700
* Money the family spent: $38,200
* New debt on the credit card: $16,500
* Outstanding balance on the credit
card: $142,710
* Total budget cuts so far: $38.50
Got It ??
.......
OK
now....
Lesson # 2:
Here's another
way to look at the Debt Ceiling:
Let's say -
You come home from work and find there has been a
sewer backup in your neighborhood....
and your home has sewage all the way
up to your ceilings.
What do you think you should do ......
Raise the ceilings, or remove the crap?
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on October-14-12 12:59 AM
I just wanted to pass this story along.
Tonight on the news was a story about a woman named Allison Tate.
Who is she you ask?
Well, she is a mother, like so many of us women are.
She is a mother who suddenly got a huge wake up call, at a party that one of her children was invited to attend. At this party was a photo booth. Her young son excitedly tried to drag his mother over to get their pictures done together.
However, like so many of us who are or have been a mother, Allison hesitated because she did not feel that she looked good enough to be in the pictures.
Allison, like many mother's do, has spent years being the one behind the camera, as the one taking the photos of her family. And also as many mom's do, she has avoided the camera altogether because she felt that her hair was not perfect, her makeup was not done or that her double chin might show.
Then something began to dawn on her. She went home and looked through all of the photos that she has documented of her children's lives and one person was very conspicuously absent from all of those photos. Her.
She realized that one day, when her children go through those photos, there will be no photographic evidence of her existence. Then hit her. Her children do not care that she was not wearing any makeup, or that her hair was askew. They would not care if she had not lost that baby weight that she had gained having all her beautiful children. They would only see that she was not in those pictures.
It was right then and there she knew that it no longer mattered what she "felt" she looked like. She would be in those pictures from now on.
She states: "Our sons need to see how young and beautiful and human their mamas were.
Our daughters need to see us vulnerable and open and just being
ourselves -- women, mamas, people living lives. Avoiding the camera
because we don't like to see our own pictures? How can that be?"
And she is so very right. How many of us avoid the camera when it comes out? We worry more about how we "think" we are perceived, than how we really look to others, especially family. Our family love us for who we are, not what we think we should look like. We all have imperfections.
As mother's we usually are the first one to get up and the last to go to bed. How many time's do we really stop to throw on make up Christmas morning before coming down to see what "Santa" has left for our children. We hide ourselves behind our camera's to avoid what "we" think of how we look. Really though, it is what our children feel about us, that matter's.
Allison goes on to say: "Too much of a mama's life goes undocumented and unseen. People,
including my children, don't see the way I make sure my kids' favorite
stuffed animals are on their beds at night. They don't know how I walk
the grocery store aisles looking for treats that will thrill them for a
special day. They don't know that I saved their side-snap, paper-thin
baby shirts from the hospital where they were born or their little
hospital bracelets in keepsake boxes high on the top shelves of their
closets.
They don't see me tossing and turning in bed wondering if I am
doing an okay job as a mother, if they are okay in their schools, where
we should take them for a vacation, what we should do for their
birthdays. I'm up long past the news on Christmas Eve wrapping presents
and eating cookies and milk, and I spend hours hunting the Internet and
the local Targets for specially-requested Halloween costumes and
birthday presents. They don't see any of that."
And she is right!!! We need to be documented for our children and our grandchildren and their children, too. We need to be seen sitting right there beside them.
After all, we are the women who, as Allison says:
"gave birth to them, whom they can thank for their ample
thighs and their pretty hair; the woman who nursed them all for the
first years of their lives, enduring porn star-sized boobs and leaking
through her shirts for months on end; the one who ran around gathering
snacks to be the week's parent reader or planning the class Valentine's
Day party; me, who cried when I dropped them off at preschool, breathed
in the smell of their post-bath hair when I read them bedtime stories,
and defied speeding laws when I had to rush them to the pediatric ER in
the middle of the night for fill-in-the-blank (ear infections, croup,
rota virus)."
We, mom's, can all learn a lesson through Allison's heartfelt revelation.
As Allison so eloquently puts it:
"Someday I won't be here -- and I don't know if that someday is tomorrow
or thirty or forty or fifty years from now -- but I want them to have
pictures of me. I want them to see the way I looked at them, see how
much I loved them.
I am not perfect to look at and I am not perfect to
love, but I am perfectly their mother."
I am one of those mother's have has spent many years lurking behind the camera. I, too, have suddenly taken to hiding when a camera is taken out. However, after reading Allison's story and seeing the broadcast on the news tonight, I will now be right up front and center when the camera comes out. I will be sitting beside my children and with my grandchildren from this point forward.
To Mom's everywhere - "We need to get out from behind those camera's and be in the moment!!!!"
You can read Allison's entire article here:
Or watch the online CTV News Story here:
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Unknown: Posted on October-09-12 8:02 PM
ONTARIO:
The
Premier of
Ontario is
jogging with
his dog along
a nature
trail.
A coyote jumps
out and
attacks the
Premier's dog,
then bites the
Premier.
The Premier
starts to
intervene, but
reflects upon
the movie
"Bambi" and
then realizes
he should stop
because the
coyote is only
doing what is
natural.
He calls
animal
control.
Animal Control
captures the
coyote and
bills the
province $200
testing it for
diseases and
$500 for
relocating it.
The Premier
goes to
hospital and
spends $3,500
getting
checked for
diseases from
the coyote and
on getting his
bite wound
bandaged.
The running
trail gets
shut down for
6 months while
Fish and Game
conducts a
$100,000
survey to make
sure the area
is now free of
dangerous
animals.
The Premier
spends $50,000
in provincial
funds
implementing a
"coyote
awareness
program" for
residents of
the area.
The provincial
legislature
spends $2
million to
study how to
better treat
rabies and how
to permanently
eradicate the
disease
throughout the
world.
The Premier's
security agent
is fired for
not stopping
the attack.
The province
spends
$150,000 to
hire and train
a new agent
with
additional
special
training re:
the nature of
coyotes.
PETA protests
the coyote's
relocation and
files a $5
million suit
against the
province.
SASKATCHEWAN:
Premier Brad
Wall is
jogging with
his dog along
a nature
trail. A
coyote jumps
out and
attacks the
dog.
The Premier's
security agent
shoots the
coyote and
keeps jogging.
The Premier
has spent
$0.50 on a .45
ACP hollow
point
cartridge.
The crows eat
the dead
coyote.
And
that, my
friends, is
why ONTARIO is
broke and SASKATCHEWAN is
not.
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Posted on September-22-12 5:37 PM
UP
This
two-letter word in English has more meanings than any other
two-letter word, and that word is 'UP'.
It is listed in the dictionary as an
[adv], [prep], [adj], [n] or [v].
It's
easy to understand UP , meaning toward the sky or at the top of the
list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP?
At a
meeting, why does a topic come UP? Why do we speak UP, and why are the
officers UP for election (if There is a
tie, it is a toss UP) and why is it UP to the secretary
to write UP a report?
We
call UP our friends,
brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver, warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen. We
lock UP the house and
fix UP the old car.
At
other times, this little word has real special meaning. People
stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets,
work UP an appetite, and
think UP excuses.
To be
dressed is one thing but to be dressed UP is special.
And
this UP is confusing: A
drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP.
We open UP a store in the
morning but we close it UP at night.
We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP!
To be
knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP, look UP the word UP in the
dictionary. In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4 of the
page and can add UP to about thirty definitions.
If you
are UP to it, you might
try building UP a list of the
many ways UP is
used. It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP , you may wind UP with (UP to) a hundred or
more.
When
it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP. When the sun
comes out, we say it is clearing UP. When it rains, it soaks UP the earth. When
it does not rain for awhile, things dry UP.
One could go on and on, but
I'll wrap it UP, for now . . .
my time is UP!
Oh . .
. one more thing:
What is the first thing you do in the morning
and the last thing you do at night?
U P !
Did
that one crack you UP?
Don't
screw UP. Send this on
to everyone you look UP in your email address book . . . or not . . .
it's UP to you.
Now
I'll shut UP!
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Sasha: Posted on September-14-12 6:55 PM
It would seem that one of my blog subjects has been the topic of discussion around the Pass.
For the most part it was received in a very positive light. Most people that I have talked to have said that my assessment was honest and accurate. They seem to appreciate my brutal honesty. I thought that I was very fair in my evaluation of the event. I gave credit where credit was due and did not pull any punches when it came to the things that fell short of the mark. I felt it told the truth, as I saw it.
My thanks goes out to each and every one of you for all your remarks and comments. :-)
Unfortunately, there are some people who cannot seem to handle the truth. I have recently come under fire from a couple of the Rum Runner Committee members who think that my blog is unfair, inaccurate and highly inappropriate.
What I am wondering, is this...
If they do not like what I have to say, then why are they taking the time to read my blog? To tell the truth, I feel flattered that they have found the time to keep up with my musings. If they don't like my blog, and what I have to say, that much, they don't have to read it. It's just that easy.
The funny thing is, I think that if I was stroking their egos, patting their backs and agreeing with everything that they have to say, I think that all of this would be a different story.
However, I like to deal in facts and truths. No matter who disagrees with me. In fact, if you disagree with me, all the better. I like a good discussion. I invite anyone to sit down with me, anytime, and talk about absolutely anything!! We are all adults and can even agree to disagree.
Well, most adults can.
It's those adults that feel the constant need to stroke each others egos and be a bunch of mindless sheep, that I have no use for. It's those same people who seem to like to sit around talking about others and propagate rumors about people they do not like or that disagree with them.
It is those people who, as far as I am concerned, can stop reading my blog. However, if those same people's life is so boring that they feel the need to take the time to read what I have to say, the you can either suck it up and respect my right to blog about what I want, when I want. Or you can just go back to that sheep pen with all of your other sheep buddies.
Really, other than this particular blog topic about you, I do not spend MY time thinking about you. You do not rent space in my head.
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on July-27-12 10:59 AM
Finally
- the masses may slowly be starting to understand ...
Somewhere,
somehow, someone has to pay the bills, and someone has to be
responsible for running up the bills.
Great T-Shirt! This really says it all. Sadly!
Couldn't find the word 'ineptocracy' in my old Webster's
dictionary so I Googled it and discovered it is a recently
"coined" new word found on T-shirts on eBay.
Read this one over slowly and absorb the facts that are within
this definition! I love this word and believe that it will become
a recognized English word.
Finally, a word to describe our
current political situation...
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on April-07-12 5:36 PM
This is a reposting of one of my posts from back in October of 2010, with updates of some of the things that we have lost, changed or gained to date, indicated **.
Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on Thursday, October 14, 2010 8:48 AM
With
the election looming and the past actions or inaction of the current
council weighing heavily upon us, there has been a lot of negative talk
lately about the Crowsnest Pass. Today I want to talk about all the positive that the Crowsnest Pass has to offer. We
live in one of the most beautiful places in Canada. It boasts majestic
mountains and pristine rivers. The Pass has numerous beautiful lakes and
awesome camping. It has great fishing and numerous other outdoor
recreational opportunities. We
are lucky to live in the Rocky Mountains, in a place that hasn't been
turned into a National or Provincial Park. The plus side of this, is
more freedom and we actually own our land/property. We have a right to
vote, to make decisions regarding our town and land. (** <-- Note this last point: I am beginning to wonder if we really have any say regarding the decisions about our town and land, or if the current council just thinks that we are just too stupid to think for ourselves and only they know what's best for us. So far what they seem to think is best for this valley, has caused a lot of negativity and stirred up a lot of dissension. **)
Other things we have that we should be thankful for, include the following -
We have many outdoor pursuits, such as:
ATV/Quadding (Quad Squad) Downhill Skiing Cross Country Skiing (Crowsnest Pass Cross-Country Ski Assoc.)
Snowboarding Tobogganing Snowmobiling (CrowsSnow Riders Association) Swimming (community pool, lakes and rivers) (Pass Piranhas Swim Club) Cycling Hiking Caving/Splunking
Climbing Baseball/Slo-Pitch (Minor Ball & Pass Slo-Pitch League) Tennis
Golfing Soccer (Minor Soccer)
HorseBack Riding (Turtle Mountain Riding Club)
Rifle/Gun Range (Crowsnest Gun Club)
Hunting
Mountain Biking
Lacrosse (Minor Lacrosse)
Walking Trails
White Water Slalom Ball Hockey ** unable to confirm continued existence
Track & Field (Passtrak) ** unable to confirm continued existence
And Indoor Activities:
Ice Skating - Indoors and Out Figure Skating (Skating Club)
Ice Hockey (Minor Hockey, Ladies & Old Crows Recreational Hockey ** unable to confirm the latter) Curling (Crowsnest Curling Club) Indoor Rock Climbing ** future uncertain
Yoga Tai Chi
Pottery (Pass Pottery Club)
Basketball
Bowling ** future uncertain
Martial Arts Weight Training & Fitness Gym
Women's Gym** no longer available
Dance Swim Club Movie Theatre
Adult Badminton
Taekwondo Indoor Pistol Range (Pistol Club)
We are fortunate to have the following programs and events in place:
Adult Education Program Adult Literacy Program The Literacy Foundation
Women's Resource Centre Parent Link Centre
Community Health & Mental Health Services Boys & Girls Club Indoor Playground
Brighter Futures A.A.D.A.C.F.C.S.S.
Three Senior's Centre's ** Now only one
S.P.C.A
Block Parent
Community Choir
Citizen's On Patrol
Gymnastics Club Crowsnest Conservation Society CNP Allied Arts Association CNP Weight Lifting Club
Communities In Bloom Rum Runner Days
Thunder In The Valley ** Cancelled indefinitely
Crowsnest Pass Symphony** future uncertain
Ducks Unlimited Mason's (Sentinel Lodge)Shrine Unit Hillcrest Miners & Literacy Club Historical Society
Kananaskis Pro Rodeo Society
Knights of Columbus Meals on Wheels
Mountain Fiddlers Elk's Lion's Club
Order of the Royal Purple Road Watch in the Pass Royal Canadian Air Cadets Three Legions
Sole Survivor Foot Race Society CNP Taoist Tai Chi Society Kidsport NIT (Nippon Institute of Technology)
Amature Radio Club Cancer Support Group Zumba
We also have the following facilities:
Albert Stella Memorial Arena (Blairmore) ** Facing permanent closure and the wrecking ball
Allison/Chinook Cross-Country Ski Trails Ball/Soccer Complex (Hillcrest) Bellevue Community Campground
Blairmore Elk's Hall
Climbing Wall (Blairmore)** future uncertain
Coleman Museum ** reopened for now, but future uncertain
Frank Slide Interpretive Centre CNP Art Gallery
Rocky Mountain Lane's - Bowling ** future uncertain
CNP Community Swimming Pool ** future uncertain
CNP Golf & Country Club CNP Municipal Library (Blairmore) CNP Sports Complex (Coleman) Dairy Road - SportsField
Hillcrest Ball Diamonds Hillcrest Fish & Game Hall
Indoor Playground Lion's Hall (Blairmore)
MDM SportsField
HAS SportsField ISS SportsField Pass PowderKeg Ski Hill (Blairmore) Polish Hall
Lost Lemon Mine Campground Allison /Chinook Lake Campground Random Camping ** no longer allowed
Orpheum Movie Theatre ** recently ungraded
Food Bank ** NEW location
Two Veterinary Clinic's ** one is part-time Thursday's only
Three Optometrists **now only two
Two Doctor's Offices (one in Blairmore and one in Bellevue - with about 7 doctor's) ** Now Walk-in clinic in Coleman
Three Dental Offices** Now only two
One Denturist
One Chiroprator Four Pharmacy's CNP Hospital
Long Term Care Centre York Creek Lodge Tecumseh Mountain Manor
Two Second Hand Stores (Bagatelle & Women's Resource Centre)
Four Day Care Centre's ** unable to confirm exact number but no longer four
Bellevue Mine Tour
Ten Church's Four Fire Hall's ** Now only two districts, East and West
And the list goes on.......
The point being that we have a lot of great things to do and be thankful for. The
Crowsnest Pass people are a special breed of people, as well. They are
kind and generous. They are willing to lend a hand and help each other
out. We have a great volunteer base.
We have some awesome and unique local businesses. (** Sadly there have been quite a few closures of local business's to either go elsewhere or shut down permanently. On the positive side we have had several new places open up that are a huge asset to our community. **) We are lucky to have a couple of good developers, who have put a great deal into this community. Our
hospital is efficient and the staff friendly. We are lucky to have no
line-ups or long wait times in emergency, or for certain procedures.
The Crowsnest people take pride in our valley and it's rich history. The
people who live here are hard working and equally hard playing. We
enjoy life and all this place has to offer. We know that it is a special
place to live and raise a family. We respect nature around us and enjoy what it has to offer. We are proud of our heritage.
The
Crowsnest Pass is a very special place. It has a lot of good to offer.
Let's never forget that. Let's work together to make this place even
better.
There
are still many more things that we can improve upon. Things that can
make this place an even better place to live. Things that can attract
the next generation to stay and raise a family.
The Crowsnest Pass depends upon it's people and it's leader's to ensure a bright and hopeful future. Remember this, when it comes time to vote, on Monday October 18th. Who do you want to lead us into the future?? (** Well, it is more than apparent who we have leading us into the future now. What is scary is what our future is beginning to look like. The people we voted in should be of the people, by the people for the people. Sadly the last part of that statement is not true. Well folks, there is 18 months left of the present council's term. Let's see what else they have in store for us. **)
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on December-08-10 5:45 PM
What
is blind faith? What does complete trust mean to you?
Many
people have never experienced either. There are people who will tell
you that they have. It can be a spiritual concept. It can be a soul
touching occurrence. It can be a mind-changing or life-altering
experience. It can also be quite a tangible thing. Whatever it is to
you, just know this, many people have never had an opportunity to
experience either. And sadly many have, but don't even know it.
I
have a story to tell you.
When
I was twenty years old, my husband built me my very first car. I
remember this car well. It was a little old Datsun 510. He had built
it from three wrecked Datsun 510's that he had found, in several
different locations, around the city of Calgary. Each car had been a
different year, but all were compatible with each other. We were
never really sure what year the car officially was, but it was a
combination of 1969 – 1971.
It
had the body from a standard. The tires, rear end and transmission
were from an automatic. My husband somehow converted it to a
standard. Once it was finally finished, boy could that thing go from
a dead standstill!!
It
took him many months to build it. He had borrowed the neighbor's
garage in order to work on it, as we did not have one of our own. He
would go out every night, after he had worked for 12 hours or more,
and work on my car. I would make his supper and bring it out to him.
Then I would help him for hours, handing him whatever tools he might
need. He spent his whole weekends working on it.
I
could barely wait!!
It
came together piece by piece, fender by fender. It wasn't very pretty
to look at, but it was to be mine. I remember it had a black painted
wood four by four for a back bumper. It had five different colors of
primer on it; black, grey, blue, rust colored and white. It stayed
this way, until we finally sold the car. I always said it was for
conflicting eye-witness reports. lol
Finally
the day came, after several false starts, that my husband got it
going for the first time. That sound was music to my ears!! I wanted
to jump in and drive it right away. My husband had other thoughts. It
wasn't quite done yet. I had to wait.
Luckily,
I didn't have to wait long.
One
evening, I was in the house cleaning the dishes and he came in the
front door of the house. He told me to come outside; he had a
surprise for me.
There
it was, sitting out front of our house!! My first car!!! I was so
excited!!
He
told me to get in and take it for a drive around the block.
I
got in to have my first test drive. There was only the driver's seat
in it at this point. I climbed in and got ready to take off. However
he neglected to tell me that the driver's seat was not yet bolted
down and I ended up head over heels in what was where the back seats
should have been. It was both funny and embarrassing. I suppose it
could have been a lot worse. At least I wasn't driving at a high rate
of speed.
He
told me to wait and went back to get a couple of bolts. After
he had tightened them, I got to try it again.
It
was the most exhilarating feeling. I was so happy, I was grinning
from ear to ear.
Needless
to say the car took a few more days to finish. The seats were finally
installed, the mirrors attached, and the gear shift knob put on. The
finishing touches were made. I had my car!!
Now
you might ask what do the two questions, at beginning of this post,
have to do with this story??
Well,
this is where I will answer:
What
is blind faith?
I
was a young bride. I had only been married for a few months. My
husband, who I had only known for two years, build me my very first
car. When he brought those three wrecked cars home and told me that
he was going to make them into my car, I believed him. Even though I
had never seen him build a car before. I had no idea if he could or
not, but I believed him.
That
was blind faith.
What
does complete trust mean to you?
I
got into that car, and I had absolutely no doubt that it would get me
where I had to go. Really I had no idea if it was put together right
or not. I never questioned it though. I drove it around Calgary for
three years. I even had my baby boy with me, in a baby seat, in the
back. I was certain that my husband knew what he was doing and would
never put me or our baby in harms way.
That
was complete trust.
So,
what do you think blind faith is? What does complete trust mean to
you? Have you ever experienced either?
Ponder this:
Some people here in the Crowsnest Pass have blind faith in our newly elected council, that they will do for the CNP what they say they are going to do??
Others have complete trust in them, that they will do what they promised to do?
Do you think that there is a difference between these two statement's?? Can you see the difference?? Which one are you, if either?
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on December-04-10 4:11 AM
Today's topic is: people who don't do what they say they are going to do, and people who don't return phone calls.
They can also be one and the same person.
Nothing bothers me more than people who don't do what they say they are going to do. Especially when they told you that you can count on them.
They have said to you "Call me. Tell me when to be there. Yes, I'll be there." Then they don't show up. No phone call, no explanation. Nothing.
You leave them a message, and they don't call you back. You end up feeling totally ignored and wondering why.
Could they have not at least called you to let you know that they would not be where they said they would be? Could they have not returned your call afterwards?? What is up with that?
This same person contacts you at a later date, saying that they have something that you might be interested in, and to call them back, as soon as possible. You do. You get an answering machine, you leave a message and then what happens next?? You do not hear from them, again. You try to call them again. This time they answer, but give you a reasonable excuse why they can't talk. They tell you they will return your call the next day. Days go by, no phone call. What is up with that??
Why would THEY call you, ask you to call them, and then not call you back??
They can't be that busy.
Well, let me add a bit more to this story.
Our newly elected council members are a busy lot. I understand that. But are they too busy to follow up with message's left for them?? Days and weeks go by and no response.
Are they really too busy?? (No one is that busy that they can't find 5 minutes to return a phone call).
Is it indifference?? Is it that they got what they wanted by being elected and now they feel no need to have anything to do with the voter's who elected them??
Are some of our newly elected council people just full of hot air?? Were they just spewing a lot of wonderful campaign promises and nothing more??
I personally got to know all of them, some fairly well.
I have tried to work with a couple of them since the election, concerning a few issues that were brought up on the campaign trail.
One has been quite helpful, even though I know he has been very busy. Another has returned my emails with the requested information. Thank you.
The other couple that I have tried to contact, have left me waiting and wondering what happened to them. They have not returned my calls or emails.
Apparently, I am not the only one that this has happened to either.
So I ask of them: What happened to you??
Is this what we are to expect of you?? Is it just going to be more of the same 'ol same 'ol?? Just more of the fat cats getting fatter and the poor getting poorer??
Will it just be more indifference??
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on November-06-10 8:39 PM
It's only 49 more days until Christmas/Yule. That means it's only 48 more shopping days. I have created a poll for the following question. Where do you do your Christmas shopping? |
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on November-04-10 2:26 AM
Where did the time go?? It's only 52 more days until Christmas/Yule. That means it's only 51 more shopping days. I am curious... First, how many of you will respond to and answer this question? Second, and most important..... Where do you do your Christmas shopping? Do you try to shop locally? Do you do all your shopping locally? Do you do mail order? Do you shop from Ebay? Do you go to Pincher Creek (ie: Wal-Mart) to do your shopping? Do you do some of it in Lethbridge or Calgary? Do you do all of it in the city? Do you do a combination of local and city shopping? Do you do a combination of "other" places for your shopping? If so, where? Is it important to you to shop locally? If you do not shop locally, is it because there is not enough choice? If you could have more selection, would you do all your shopping locally? I hope that I will get a lot of people to respond to this. The answers are the basis to some more questions I have for the people of the Crowsnest Pass. So please, come on and give me your responses, either with your name or anonymously. |
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on October-25-10 8:44 PM
Funny thing.... Now that the campaigning is over, and everyone has either vented their frustration in various ways or conceded graciously, on their respective blogs, everything seems to have gone pretty much silent. I have been following the individual candidates, on their blogs, since the election began. Everyone had plenty to say when they were campaigning. They complained about everything, from the state of things here in the Pass, and how bad the last council ran things, to how they would fix things, better than any previous council. Some even had some great ideas!! Ideas, I believe, that should be considered. Ideas that, just because that certain candidate didn't get elected, are still valid and promising. But the silence since the election, is deafening. Nobody seems to have anything more to say. It's almost like: "Okay, I didn't win, so why should I bother anymore??" That is SO the wrong attitude. This is the time when you should be trying harder!! Your ideas were valid then, they are still valid now. Listen up council candidates: We still need your help. Your input. Your thoughts and your ideas. These are the things that will help the Crowsnest Pass grow and flourish. We need people to stay involved. Our community is based on it's volunteers and the generousity and help of other's. Don't be discouraged just because you didn't win. If you continue to bring forth those ideas, you still win. The whole community wins. The next three years are going to be hard years for the new council. Rome wasn't built in a day. It most certainly didn't take a day to tear down and build back up again either. Everything takes time. Even fixing the current condition of the Pass. In fact, I hope that the voters don't expect the newly elected council to "fix" the woes of the Crowsnest Pass, overnight. Give them time. They have three years to locate and start to fix the problems, implement new ideas, and try to get us headed in a positive direction. I believe, that if the people who were willing to step forward and put their names forth, to run in the election, still try to help out in their various ways, then things will move forward faster and easier for the new council. If these same candidates put a fraction of the time, that they were willing to do, when they thought they might get elected, to help out around our community, then I believe that things will, in fact, look very good for the future of the Crowsnest Pass. So..... Where did you go??? What happened to you??? Does that mean that nobody has anything to say or contribute, anymore?? I wrote a Blog, a few night's ago, about an issue that one lady had, who I had encountered during the election process. It was a small issue, but an important one. It was important to her, but should have been just as important to many of us. It was an issue about something that should have been simple to correct. In fact, a few volunteers and a few man hours, here and there, and it would become a non-issue. It was a community issue. As a community, we should have stepped up to the plate and done something about it. I offered to organize it. I said I would do what I could to get the issue addressed. I asked for people to contact me. I asked for the good people, of the beautiful place we call home, to give a little of their time and help out. I posted about it on here, on Facebook, on other candidate's Blogs and even emailed people that I knew. I even went to far as to send out an email to all of the council candidates (elected and not elected) asking for their help, time, expertise or input with this issue. So what happened?? I got one reply. ONE!!!!!!!!!! Can you believe it?!?! I don't mind telling you who it was either. It was Brian Gallant. Thank you Brian!! You truly are a good man. Brian offered to come out, spend some time and bring some of his tools, to try to help fix this issue. He thought that we may be able to get some other's to come out too. I though that more would contact me or him in the mean time. Well, guess what?!?! We were wrong!!! Nobody!! Nothing!! Not one single soul. So I ask you now.... Is this just more of the same apathy that we seem famous for?? A non-caring, someone else will do it, not me attitude, that seems to plague us here in the Pass. I hang my head in shame. Shame for the people who don't seem to care enough to step forward!! So, now that you have heard about the issue again, what are you going to do about it?? I'm still up for organizing it and going out to do it. But we need more than just two people. One, a very busy newly elected councillor and one, a middle-aged, out-of-shape and over-weight busy mom. We are only two people and can only do so much with our time and physical limitations. I can only hope that reiterating this again, this may inspire some to get a hold of me, including the council candidates. I hope that it will also prompt the very same candidates to bring those wonderful ideas, thoughts and suggestions forth, that they had during the election process. Personally, I have lots of ideas. Many of these ideas, a lot of people thought were very good ideas. I plan on trying to get as many of these ideas, as I can, into being more than just ideas. Look forward to hearing more from me, over the next three years!!! |
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on October-16-10 8:09 PM
Stay tuned folks, for later tonight. I have another good Blog coming. I am once again getting up on my soapbox and telling it like I see it!! |
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Posted on October-15-10 2:21 AM
Things I Have Learned On The Campaign Trail... - At least one other person will come up with the same slogan as you.
- When you think that you have found a replacement slogan, someone will inevitably come up with it too.
- Every candidate will eventually quote each other, whether intentionally or not.
- At least two candidate will have the same color signs. Thus confusing the voters.
- As in the case of this election, two candidates have very similar names. Sig Gail and Gail Sygutek This is NOT confusing you, is it?!?!
- All candidate's are not created equal.
- Some candidates are more equal than other's.
- There is always the "fringe" candidate. It's just figuring out who that is....
- There is always at least one very vocal candidate.
- There is always that one candidate who is "out-to-lunch"
- There is always one candidate that should have hung it up long ago.
- Every candidate thinks they have the best plan for the future.
- Every candidate has an opinion.
- Everyone you meet has an opinion.
- Everyone that has an opinion thinks that theirs is the most important opinion.
- Everywhere you go, someone wants to talk. As a result, my poor daughter is always rolling her eyes, while she once again waits for me. ( Note: She is getting used to it, in fact she is coming to expect it. lol )
- My daughter is becoming a latch key kid. Can that happen at 15??? (Don't worry, we spend a lot of time together. She is almost always with me, when not at school. See the point above this one.)
- My ex-husband and I have spent more time together in the past three days than we have in the last three years. ( He is one of my campaign crew and is helping to put up signs.Thank you. :-) )
- I will spend part of each week putting up signs.
- I will spend at least part of every day checking signs.
- I will spend at least part of every day chasing signs that have blown away in the wind.
- I will curse the wind and make yet again a new sign to replace "the one that got away"!!
- No matter how you attach your signs to the wood stakes, they will blow off, bend and rip in the wind.
- Election signs will appear at an alarming rate. Overnight!! Almost like coat hangers reproducing in your closet.
- I will redo my brochure at least three times until I like the way it looks.
- I will count and recount my brochures at least twice to get the right amount for the post office to deliver. (Should have been paying attention to counting instead of watching TV.)
- I will get very good at multi-tasking. (I was always good at this, but now I am much better.)
- I will stop and really listen to what my daughter/son was saying instead of mindlessly agreeing. (Hmmm, what was that you said honey?? You invited how many for dinner?!?!? I said it was okay?!?!)
- I will stop making excuses to the cashier at Sobey's, when I have come in for the fifth time that day.
- I will remember how much work/fun campaigning was before I do it again. lol (I have really enjoyed it.)
- I will walk more miles in a day than I have in the last year.
- I will knock on more doors in these few weeks, than I have in my lifetime.
- I will still have just as much trouble remembering names, as I ever did. (That is where my notebook has come in handy. Now I just have to remember where I put my notebook.)
- I will meet more people in the few weeks of campaigning, than I met at my first wedding. (...and my Mom invited a lot!!! Great, Great Uncle Bill??? Never heard of him. Okay Mom, you can invite him.)
- Everyone feels that they know you.
- Everyone feels that they can come up to you, at all hours, in any situation and talk to you. (I'm sorry, can I please finish in the bathroom and then we can talk??) lol
- People ask you the weirdest questions. (Hope I was able to answer that for you alright?)
- Stranger's share the most intimate details with you.
- People either love you or dislike you. Even the one's who don't know you.
- There are always lots of rumors abound. (Hopefully none about you.)
- Your family feels the stress of the election process. (People constantly stopping them to ask questions, that they have no idea the answers to. "Ummmm, ask my Mom, she's the one running.")
- I am getting in shape without the benefit of an exercise program.
- My mouth is in better shape than the rest of me. It is getting plenty of exercise!!!
- For once in my life, I can finally fall sleep right away at night.
- I have more Facebook friends that anyone I know. (Half of them, I don't personally know.)
- I spend more time reading, what I would have once considered useless and uninteresting information, than I ever have in my life. (Now it is both fascinating and mandatory!! And I think I have wore out another pair of reading glasses.)
- The Municipality website has become my favorite place to surf.
- The ladies at the Municipality have become my best friends, next to the ladies at the post office, and the ladies at the copy store, and the staff at both of the newspaper's, and Dino at MountianView Industries Wood Shop, and the guys at the gas station, and ......
- I've read more other people's (candidate's) blog's than I ever have. In fact, I never read a blog before, until I created my own for my campaign website. Now it is the first thing I do every day. Good morning, John, Dean, Emile, Brian, George....
- The youth of this community want to be heard!!!
- Everyone is still upset about the school busing issue and thinks council can do something about it. (If the newly elected council can, I'm sure we will try.) Notice I said "we"!! I am a positive thinker.
- I have become really aware of just how positive a person I am!!
- The Pass is really a BIG place!! lol (Especially when you are putting up and checking on signs.)
- The Pass is a REALLY big place, especially when you are chasing signs!!! (Yes, that was me running down Highway 3, through Frank Slide, chasing yet again another sign!!) Rofl
- Some of the other candidates are really considerate people. They have fixed my signs for me, when they needed fixing. Thank you, so much.
- A two hour forum, and 5 minutes in total to speak (1.25 minute's to answer only 3 question's) is NOT enough time to get to know 22 people!!!
- The Elk's Hall has not enough room to seat 350 people, even if a lot of them are standing.
- I have really enjoyed campaigning and meeting new people.
- I am looking forward to working on council. (Positive thinker!!)
- Whatever happens Monday, I will run again in three years!!
- I have a lot of signs to pick up come Tuesday!!!
- I might not be able to get them ALL until Wednesday!!
- My family has been extremely supportive. Thank you so much for all your patience!! I love you all. :-)
- I thought I would run out of things to Blog about. I was wrong.
- Stay tuned, there are still three days left... lol
Have a Happy Day Everyone!!! |
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on October-14-10 8:48 AM
With the election looming and the past actions or inaction of the current council weighing heavily upon us, there has been a lot of negative talk lately about the Crowsnest Pass. Today I want to talk about all the positive that the Crowsnest Pass has to offer. We live in one of the most beautiful places in Canada. It boasts majestic mountains and pristine rivers. The Pass has numerous beautiful lakes and awesome camping. It has great fishing and numerous other outdoor recreational opportunities. We are lucky to live in the Rocky Mountains, in a place that hasn't been turned into a National or Provincial Park. The plus side of this, is more freedom and we actually own our land/property. We have a right to vote, to make decisions regarding our town and land. Other things we have that we should be thankful for, include the following - We have many outdoor pursuits, such as: ATV/Quadding (Quad Squad) Downhill Skiing Cross Country Skiing (Crowsnest Pass Cross-Country Ski Assoc.) Snowboarding Tobogganing Snowmobiling (CrowsSnow Riders Association) Swimming (community pool, lakes and rivers) (Pass Piranhas Swim Club) Cycling Hiking Caving/Splunking Climbing Baseball/Slo-Pitch (Minor Ball & Pass Slo-Pitch League) Tennis Golfing Soccer (Minor Soccer) HorseBack Riding (Turtle Mountain Riding Club) Rifle/Gun Range (Crowsnest Gun Club) Hunting Mountain Biking Lacrosse (Minor Lacrosse) Walking Trails White Water Slalom Ball Hockey Track & Field (Passtrak) And Indoor Activities: Ice Skating - Indoors and Out Figure Skating (Skating Club) Ice Hockey (Minor Hockey, Ladies & Old Crows Recreational Hockey) Curling (Crowsnest Curling Club) Indoor Rock Climbing Yoga Tai Chi Pottery (Pass Pottery Club) Basketball Bowling Martial Arts Weight Training & Fitness Gym Women's Gym Dance Swim Club Movie Theatre Adult Badminton Taekwondo Indoor Pistol Range (Pistol Club) We are fortunate to have the following programs and events in place: Adult Education Program Adult Literacy Program The Literacy Foundation Women's Resource Centre Parent Link Centre Community Health & Mental Health Services Boys & Girls Club Indoor Playground Brighter Futures A.A.D.A.C. F.C.S.S. Three Senior's Centre's S.P.C.A Block Parent Community Choir Citizen's On Patrol Gymnastics Club Crowsnest Conservation Society CNP Allied Arts Association CNP Weight Lifting Club Communities In Bloom Rum Runner Days Thunder In The Valley Crowsnest Pass Symphony Ducks Unlimited Mason's (Sentinel Lodge) Shrine Unit Hillcrest Miners & Literacy Club Historical Society Kananaskis Pro Rodeo Society Knights of Columbus Mountain Fiddlers Elk's Lion's Club Order of the Royal Purple Road Watch in the Pass Royal Canadian Air Cadets Three Legions Sole Survivor Foot Race Society CNP Taoist Tai Chi Society Kidsport NIT (Nippon Institute of Technology) Amature Radio Club Cancer Support Group We also have the following facilities: Albert Stella Memorial Arena (Blairmore) Allison/Chinook Cross-Country Ski Trails Ball/Soccer Complex (Hillcrest) Bellevue Community Campground Blairmore Elk's Hall Climbing Wall (Blairmore) Coleman Museum Frank Slide Interpretive Centre CNP Art Gallery Rocky Mountain Lane's - Bowling CNP Community Swimming Pool CNP Golf & Country Club CNP Municipal Library (Blairmore) CNP Sports Complex (Coleman) Dairy Road - SportsField Hillcrest Ball Diamonds Hillcrest Fish & Game Hall Indoor Playground Lion's Hall (Blairmore) MDM SportsField HAS SportsField ISS SportsField Pass PowderKeg Ski Hill (Blairmore) Polish Hall Lost Lemon Mine Campground Allison /Chinook Lake Campground Random Camping Orpheum Movie Theatre Food Bank Two Veterinary Clinic's Three Optomotrists Two Doctor's Offices (one in Blairmore and one in Bellevue -with about 7 doctor's) Three Dental Offices One Denturist One Chiroprator Four Pharmacy's CNP Hospital Long Term Care Centre York Creek Lodge Tecumseh Mountain Manor Two Second Hand Stores (Bagatelle & Women's Resource Centre) Four Day Care Centre's Bellevue Mine Tour Ten Church's Four Fire Hall's And the list goes on....... The point being that we have a lot of great things to do and be thankful for. The Crowsnest Pass people are a special breed of people, as well. They are kind and generous. They are willing to lend a hand and help each other out. We have a great volunteer base. We have some awesome and unique local businesses. We are lucky to have a couple of good developers, who have put a great deal into this community. Our hospital is efficient and the staff friendly. We are lucky to have no line-ups or long wait times in emergency, or for certain procedures. The Crowsnest people take pride in our valley and it's rich history. The people who live here are hard working and equally hard playing. We enjoy life and all this place has to offer. We know that it is a special place to live and raise a family. We respect nature around us and enjoy what it has to offer. We are proud of our heritage. The Crowsnest Pass is a very special place. It has a lot of good to offer. Let's never forget that. Let's work together to make this place even better. There are still many more things that we can improve upon. Things that can make this place an even better place to live. Things that can attract the next generation to stay and raise a family. The Crowsnest Pass depends upon it's people and it's leader's to ensure a bright and hopeful future. Remember this, when it comes time to vote, on Monday October 18th. Who do you want to lead us into the future?? |
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on October-10-10 12:02 AM
We live in one of the most free countries in the world. For this we should be thankful. We live in one of the most beautiful places in Canada. For this we should also be thankful. "Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow." - Edward Sandford Martin Personally, I have four beautiful, intelligent, healthy and happy children. For this, I am very thankful. By the grace of God, I have my life. For this I am forever grateful. Most of us have a lot to be thankful for. Take the time this Thanksgiving weekend to tell your family and friends why you are thankful. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!! |
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on October-02-10 9:34 PM
Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room. Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it.
When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, "Things aren't always what they seem".
The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had, the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest.
When the sun came up the next morning, the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field.
The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel, "How could you have let this happen?"
"The first man had everything, yet you helped him", she accused. "The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die..."
"Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied.
"When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it."
"Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead. Things aren't always what they seem."
Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things don't turn out the way they should.
If you have faith, you just need to trust that every out come is always to your advantage. You just might not know it until some time later... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Some people come into our lives and quickly go..
Some people become friends and stay awhile...
leaving beautiful footprints on our hearts...
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on September-17-10 10:28 PM
I'm sure you have heard the old saying - "You can please some of the people some of the time, all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can never please all of the people all of the time." Well, truer words could never be spoken, as what's happening during this election Campaign process. I am finding that there are so many conflicting thoughts and opinions. The one big thing I am discovering is that everyone I speak to definitely has a strong opinion on something. I was at a garage sale, two weekends ago. There happened to be five of us there at that particular moment. The Municipal Election was brought up. A heated discussion ensued. It covered everything from current council, who was planning on running, taxes, the Crowsnest Centre, the implementation of a Community Recreation Centre, Subsidized Housing to the lack of Community Unity. It got to be quite a conversation. I stayed off a bit to the side watching and listening. I didn't want to get in on the discussion, as I just wanted to hear what everyone had to say on the issues. Try as I did though to stay on the sidelines, I was brought into the conversation. I tried to stay as neutral as possible. I really didn't want to p*ss anybody off with my strong opinions on certain subjects. I had just wanted to see what everyone was going to say, and digest it all for future reference. But alas, I was asked what I felt about the current council and what has been going on for the last several terms. Staying out of it, was not meant to be. So I stated my opinion. I have to say, for the most part, that everyone agreed with me. I was surprised, but pleasantly. That was until a new person walked up. They had heard the tail end of what I had been saying, and strongly voiced their thoughts on what they had just heard. Let me reiterate something. This person came into the conversation near the end of it. They only had heard what I had to say, and only part of it, at that. Well, did I get a dressing down!! They told me in no uncertain terms why I was wrong, where to go, how to get there and how fast. Needless to say, it caught me completely off-guard and shocked me. I was speechless. I was so speechless in fact, that I didn't even take the time to explain to them that what they heard was only the tail end, of a part, of a long and involved conversation. In fact, everyone quietly and quickly turned away and went back to the business of garage sale-ing. I'm sure I was left with my mouth hanging open and my eyes wide. Now, not that what this person said troubles me much at all. After all, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But that is exactly the point. I was asked my opinion and endeavoured to give it as factually and freely as I could. I know that I have strong opinions on many issues. But I've always considered myself fair. I have always listened to all sides of a matter, weighed all the options and then formulated the best course of action for what the majority wants. And I never forget the people who can't stand up for themselves. The people who haven't been given a voice. I have always been acutely aware of them and let their voice be heard. I have always spoke up for the little guy. I have always kept them in mind when making important decisions. No, I was not too worried at the venomous way that this person had spoke to me. After all they had only heard part of a conversation. What upset me was the fact that I just stood there. Dumbfounded. I let someone else's opinion about me and what I had to say, shut me up. Completely. I was so worried about what might come out of my mouth next and how it would affect the tone of the conversation, that I let it stop me from being me. I just smiled, nodded my head in agreement that I was wrong and walked away as soon as there was a lapse in the conversation. That is not like me. I had been caught off-guard and just stood there like an idiot. No reply. No rebuttal. No explanation. Just smiling and nodding. At that moment that was me, a real people pleaser. Even when they might have been of a different opinion. I just nodded and agreed. Where was my head?? Somewhere south of where it's supposed to be, I think. I got in my car and drove away, still in some sort of shock. I was about half-way home when it hit me. Why was I trying so darn hard to please someone else? Especially when it comprised my own beliefs. I had never ever been that way before. But I had never been running in an election before either. Was I so concerned about making people happy that I forgot site of the goal? I know that there will be people that disagree with me. There always have been. I've always managed to handle it with some amount of grace and dignity. That was just me. Opinionated but fair. Strong-minded but not easily manipulated. Driving home, I decided right then and there that this would never happen again. I was not a people-pleaser to expense of my own point of view. My own point of view is what makes me so uniquely qualified to be on council. I can see things from all sides and angles. I look at all the possible permutations. There is just never one or two sides to everything. Sometimes there are numerous sides to a situation. They have to be explored and investigated. There is rarely ever one solution to a problem. But do know this, there IS always a solution to a problem. I am very good at discovering just what the best possible solution is. What will benefit the most. That includes benefiting people, situations and what will benefit the long term goals of the community, as a whole. That is who I am. Strong willed and determined. Resourceful and resolute. Caring and empathetic. I can be stubborn but fair. I am a survivor that has faced many situations. This community is facing a situation; an uncertain future. I will use my all of traits to the best of my ability to help take this community into a bright and better future. What you see is who I am. There is no mask I hide behind. I do not put on a front for anyone. I am a real person, faults and all. I have seen tough times in my life, but that just made me stronger, and more determined. It is this determination that will help me be a better council person. Take it or leave it, that's who I am. I just hope that most of you will take the time to get to know me. To see that I completely have the best interests of this community in my heart, and in my head. Just know, I will never be able to please all of you, all of the time. But as along as I am keeping the good of this community at the forefront of everything I do and every decision that I make; then you can rest easy at night, knowing that someone, without a hidden agenda really cares about what happens to the Crowsnest Pass and it's people. Thank you for taking the time to get to know me.Thank you for considering me for a position on council. |
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on September-16-10 7:15 PM
Nomination day is Monday. Two people have come forward to put their name in for Mayor. There are seven who have publicly put their name in for council, so far. Then there are two others who have supposedly claimed that they will be running for council. Then there are the rumored bunch. Apparently there is a whole slew of people who are rumored to be running. They haven't stepped forward yet, but everyone is hearing about them. Everyone is talking about them. One wonders who "they" are?? And why "they" haven't told anyone publicly that "they" are running. The papers aren't aware of "them". The radio station doesn't know who they are. But there are supposed to be a lot of them. Are they afraid to step forward? Have they really just not made up their minds yet? Are they laying in wait for Monday?? Are they just building suspense? Is there a more sinister reason why they haven't stepped forward yet?? Is all part of a greater "plan"?? I have heard rumors that there is a lot of them. I know it's got me waiting with baited breath. lol I guess Monday morning will be very busy at the Municipal Building. I hope the Returning Officer is prepared for the rush of people. I plan on getting there early. Then I'm planning on hanging around and watching the circus unfold. Because that's what it sounds like it will be. I just hope that people realize the seriousness of this position. That this is a real long-term commitment. I've heard it can be a thankless job. Personally that doesn't scare me off. I'm ready for it. My life has prepared me for it. For me, it's the next logical step. I just worry that "they" think it will be a walk in the park. In reality, becoming part of a new council right now, will most likely be the hardest thing that the most people will ever do. Especially if there are a lot of new people. There is a huge mess in this community that needs to be cleaned up. Years of apathy on behalf of some council members, manipulation by other's, and a general unwillingness to stand up and say "enough is enough", has given us a very dysfunctional council. And an unhealthy home. They are like a family in some ways. An extremely dysfunctional family. There is the father head of the family, who really doesn't wear the pants. The mother figure, (using the term "mother" very loosely) who does in fact wear the pants and never lets the father forget it. The twin sons who mirror each other's actions, have serious father issues and are momma's boys at heart. The black sheep child, who spends time brooding in a corner. The weird uncle. Finally the grandfather, who remembers the good old days, wishes things could be that way again, but is helpless to do anything about it. That's our present council in a nutshell. I hope, if some of the same council members get in again, they will be able to get some much needed social skills therapy. Maybe learn how to "play nice" and share the toys (I mean vote). Let's hope the new council member's are better adjusted individuals. If some of the old council get in again, we can only pray that this becomes a much happier blended family. If elected, I know I look forward to working with some of the current candidates. I get good vibes from some of them. Even though I don't know very many of them, from what I have read, heard and learned about them, I feel that we could have a good bunch of people leading us into the future. I hope that we just don't have a bunch of nuts waiting in the wings, ready to jump into the life-raft, at the last minute. It only has room for so many, and I think that it is at capacity now. If a better choice comes along, we might have to toss someone out of the raft. Unfortunately this community's boat went down awhile ago. It's up to the incoming council to row to shore and start building back a bigger, better and stronger boat. One that will carry us into a much improved and sustainable future. If this offends any of the current council, frankly, just suck it up. Don't be so serious. Learn to laugh at yourself. Besides, I'm not one to mince my words. I tell it like it is. I stand up for what I believe. I listen to what other's have to say and formulate my own opinion. I will not be manipulated like a puppet on a string. I stand for the greater good of all of us, as a whole. This community needs leadership, not a bunch of sheep blindly being lead to slaughter. Council needs leaders, who will take us boldly into the future. If elected, I will be your voice on council. I will make your vote count!! |
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on September-15-10 1:00 AM
What did council vote to do???? Am I seeing or hearing things?? They voted to do what??? I sit here reading today's paper and I just can't believe my eyes. Council voted to eliminated the job of Field Superintendent. Of course the vote was 4-3. And who were the four in favor, you ask?? You know you don't really have to ask that question do you?? You already know the answer. Yes, it's the fab 4. Or famous 4 some call them. I am calling them the infamous 4. They will definitely go down in Crowsnest Pass for their notoriety. What exactly happened you might ask?? Well if you haven't read the paper I will summarize. The council of 4 (because it really is just the four of them making all the decisions), created a job four months ago. They gave it to a long time (25 year) municipal employee, Ray Mahieux. Then the very same council of 4, just voted to ax his job and lay him off. Yes!! They did do it. It's a fact. So, that's it in a nutshell. Nuts, yes!!! The whole thing is nuts!! I am one for eliminating unnecessary jobs if they are costing the taxpayers money. Notice I said unnecessary jobs. Ones that are redundant. But what happened here is just craziness. What is the whole story?? Well, four months ago they actually created two new positions to the Municipality. And I quote from the Herald: "On May 4, council approved the elimination of the position of Public Works Superintendent. The position was then reclassified into two new positions – Director of Operational Services and Field Superintendent. The Director of Operational Services is in charge of the shop, trades, electrical department, water and sewer. Council was hoping to fill this position with a professional engineer. The position was advertised externally. The second position created was titled Field Superintendent, a position given to Mahieux." What happens is this: Mahieux has a good job with the Municipality. He works hard. He worked his way up for 25 years. He started as a unionized worker in the field and eventually working his way to Field Foreman/Lead Hand. He then gets an opportunity to be acting Public Works Superintendent. He accepts the position. Then he gets an offer to be Field Superintendent. He accepts the job and four months later is out on his proverbial *ss. The real kicker is the other guy they hired as Director of Operational Services and Field Superintendent is still here. And he is not from the Pass. He is a recent addition to our lovely valley. He gets to keep the job and Ray Mahieux losses his job. The best rub yet?? Remember that they wanted to fill the position of Director of Operational Services and Field Superintendent with a professional engineer?? Well, the fellow they hired is not even a professional engineer. Nope!! He isn't. His credentials do speak for themselves. But he is not what they intended to hire. He does still get to keep his comfy $90,000 - $120,000 year job. And Ray Mahieux does not!! Where is the sagaciousness in this?? Common sense went right out the window!! And the other 3 on council, how did they vote?? Not for stupidity, that's for sure!! Yes, they were against it. But did their vote count?? Does it ever?? So we once again have an example of council (the infamous 4) making all the decisions. Even the stupid one's. I wonder how Ray Mahieux feels?? He's probably still in shock. I know I would be. In fact, I think I am. I feel for him. Yes, he will get a severance package. But could that ever compensate the loss of 25 years of service to this community??? I wonder how he will be voting in this upcoming election?? I wonder if he will choose to stay here in this beautiful but messed up valley?? I know a lot of people who wouldn't stay. And would you blame him if he left?? We need to rethink this current council and vote smartly in the upcoming election. Do we want more of the same craziness?? What does our future look like if these same people stay on council?? You have the right to vote. People died to give us the right to vote. Make sure you do get out and vote in the upcoming 2010 CNP Municipal Election. Make your voice heard. Make your vote count. |
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