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Saturday March 5, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday March 5, 2016 Hamilton councillors swing for the greens to provide lower fees to play Hamilton politicians got into the swing of things by reducing the green fees at the cityÕs two Chedoke golf courses. Since the economic recession of 2008, area golf courses have suffered with reduced rounds due to high prices and a saturated market. HamiltonÕs golf courses, KingÕs Forest, which has been ranked as the number one municipal golf course in Canada, and ChedokeÕs two courses the Beddoe and Martin have not escaped the economic slump. A market analysis by Global Golf Advisors, commissioned by the city, found HamiltonÕs courses have Òexperienced declining demandÓ since 2010. The consultants urged the city to increase the rounds, while instituting a Òflexible fee structureÓ program. By adopting the new structure, the city could increase the number of rounds by 37 per cent, or 24,000 rounds per season at all three golf courses, while also boosting revenue to about $600,000. City staff agreed Hamilton is taking a unique approach reducing prices in the hope it will increase the number of rounds golfers play each year. The proposed green fees for the Beddoe course would be reduced from $44.25 per round from Monday to Thursday to $33.06, while on weekends and holidays, a round would cost $44.26 rather than $48.67. The Martin course would see green fees dip from $30.09 from Monday to Thursday to $28.20, and $35.40 to $33.83 on weekends and holidays. Twilight rounds would also see a reduction in green fees. Seniors would get a break for both 18 and nine hole rounds. The city will be cutting golf memberships for the Beddoe and Martin courses, and slight reductions in advantage packs prices. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6370123-hamilton-councillors-swing-for-the-greens-to-provide-lower-fees-to-play/ Hamilton, chedoke, golf, course, budget, public, private, ownership, stak

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday March 5, 2016

Hamilton councillors swing for the greens to provide lower fees to play

Hamilton politicians got into the swing of things by reducing the green fees at the city’s two Chedoke golf courses.

Since the economic recession of 2008, area golf courses have suffered with reduced rounds due to high prices and a saturated market.

Hamilton’s golf courses, King’s Forest, which has been ranked as the number one municipal golf course in Canada, and Chedoke’s two courses the Beddoe and Martin have not escaped the economic slump. A market analysis by Global Golf Advisors, commissioned by the city, found Hamilton’s courses have “experienced declining demand” since 2010.

The consultants urged the city to increase the rounds, while instituting a “flexible fee structure” program. By adopting the new structure, the city could increase the number of rounds by 37 per cent, or 24,000 rounds per season at all three golf courses, while also boosting revenue to about $600,000.

City staff agreed Hamilton is taking a unique approach reducing prices in the hope it will increase the number of rounds golfers play each year.

The proposed green fees for the Beddoe course would be reduced from $44.25 per round from Monday to Thursday to $33.06, while on weekends and holidays, a round would cost $44.26 rather than $48.67. The Martin course would see green fees dip from $30.09 from Monday to Thursday to $28.20, and $35.40 to $33.83 on weekends and holidays. Twilight rounds would also see a reduction in green fees. Seniors would get a break for both 18 and nine hole rounds.

The city will be cutting golf memberships for the Beddoe and Martin courses, and slight reductions  in advantage packs prices. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Wednesday May 20, 2015

Wednesday May 13, 2015

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday May 20, 2015

Employment minister Pierre Poilievre won’t say sorry for ‘vanity videos’

Employment Minister Pierre Poilievre won’t apologize for using taxpayer dollars to produce YouTube videos of himself promoting the universal child care benefit.

Poilievre insisted Friday he’s simply using innovative ways to inform Canadians about the newly enriched and expanded child benefit.

But opposition MPs denounced the “vanity videos” as a new low for a government that has a penchant for producing partisan advertising on the public dime.

And the Canadian Taxpayers Federation agreed.

“The bottom line is that taxpayers should not be forced to pay for partisan advertising masquerading as information-based government advertising,” said Aaron Wudrick, the federation’s federal director.

The latest examples “highlight the need for an independent third party” to vet all government advertising, he added.

One of the videos shows Poilievre explaining the child benefit to shoppers at a children’s consignment clothing sale in his Ottawa riding. It was filmed on a Sunday by two members of the Employment department’s in-house creative production team, which has an annual operating budget of about $50,000.

A departmental spokesman said the Sunday shoot took two hours, which was paid overtime for the two videographers involved. Editing was done in-house during regular work hours. (Source: Toronto Star)

Published in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix, National Newswatch, The Regina Leader-Post, NUPGE drawing conclusions, and The Woodstock Sentinel Review

 

Thursday May 14, 2015

Thursday May 14, 2015Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday May 14, 2015

Sexually explicit taunts must be confronted, justice minister says

Canada’s justice minister is applauding the actions of the Toronto TV reporter who confronted a group of hecklers over a sexually explicit taunt.

Peter MacKay says that while criminal charges could be used to discourage people from shouting profanities during live broadcasts, showcasing the problem also acts as a deterrent.

Saturday, October 11, 2014Hydro One is firing a Sunshine List employee involved in the vulgar incident with CityNews reporter Shauna Hunt at Sunday’s Toronto FC game.

“Regarding the incident at the Toronto FC game between a (CityNews) reporter and fans, Hydro One is taking steps to terminate the employee involved for violating our Code of Conduct,” said Daffyd Roderick, director, corporate affairs for Hydro One.

Wednesday August 14, 2013“Respect for all people is engrained in the Code of Conduct and in our Core Values and we are committed to a work environment where discrimination or harassment of any type is met with zero tolerance.”

Roderick identified the employee as Shawn Simoes, an assistant network management engineer who made $106,510.50 a year.

Earlier today, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment said the Toronto FC fans involved in the incident will be banned for “at least” a year.

Wednesday November 19, 2014CityNews reporter Shauna Hunt confronted several men on Sunday while she was outside of a Toronto FC game. While recording a standup for her report, a number of men shouted the phrase “F— her right in the p—-!”

The camera kept rolling as video shows she confronted some of the men who had shouted at her, as well as a group of men standing behind her waiting for their chance to do the same.

Simoes, the employee being fired by Hydro One, did not shout the previously mentioned phrase, but did speak to Hunt on camera after the incident occured. “It is f—ing hilarious,” he told the reporter. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)