So the province has decided to extend the 407 highway into Oshawa which is pretty cool since there are a lot of people that travel into Toronto from Oshawa everyday. That was part of the reason Oshawa was working so hard to expand Taunton Rd. because instead of taking the 401 to Pickering then getting off and traveling all the way up to the north end to jump on the 407 was pretty tedious.
Originally the province at the time wanted the 407 to connect with Highway 35 which would take you up to Peterborough but they of course like any government project went way over budget, stopped in Pickering and then promptly leased it to a private company for 99 years.
Now they want to extend it to Simcoe St. which would make it terminate in Columbus. Columbus being a tint township of about 500 people a few kilometers north of Durham College. The new Mayor of Oshawa, John Henry doesn't want it to stop at Simcoe St. for two reasons.
1. The province would have to buy up a bunch of land in Columbus and build huge on and off ramps and do a huge expansion of Simcoe, which Oshawa would pay for all the way down the Durham college.
The residence of Columbus hate that idea because it would ruin what is essentially a quaint, quiet township and have it over-run with development, traffic and noise. If anyone has been to Columbus you would agree it is pretty quaint and quiet. I realize that as time moves on towns get bigger and become cities or parts of bigger cities. But, I would tend to agree at this point that terminating the 407 in Columbus would surely destroy that town.
2. Terminating the 407 at Simcoe St. would force all the traffic to travel from Columbus all the way through the centre of the city down to the 401.
John Henry doesn't want that because to would literally turn downtown Oshawa or anywhere near it into a parking lot. He also doesn't want the constant truck traffic going through the town. Honestly I would have to agree again. Driving around Oshawa at around 5pm-6pm sucks Taunton Rd., Simcoe St. from Adelaide down to the 401, Bloor, Baseline and to a lesser degree Ritson Rd. are just jammed solid. Its just a nightmare trying to get around the city. I cant imagine what it would be like if people were driving through the city to switch highways.
The only two problems I have with the expansion which do not relate to Oshawa but are valid questions none the less is:
Why would the province pay to expand something that is owned by a private company? I would hope that company would pick up part of the tabs.
and
Would that new section also be a toll highway?
I think the answer to my second question would most likely be yes, which kind of sucks. But, then again if you are one of the people that use the 407 then its great news for sure.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Post Holiday Round-Up
Well I haven't updated for a while and quite a bit has happened and since the holidays are over I figured it would be a good time to cover some topics quickly.
First of all Oshawa elected a new Mayor John Henry. Lived in Oshawa a long time and a local businessman. Believes in being fiscally conservative. Its really a sign of the times that people like John Henry and Rob Ford are being elected. People have been getting squeezed by taxes and fees and now jobs are scarce and good paying ones are scarcer. People cant afford a government that spends wastefully and gets nothing in return. Marxism and Socialism sounds fair in theory but only when times are good. Even then its fundamentally flawed and just doesn't work. In tough times like these it is a destroyer of countries.
Recently I caught the Cirque Du Soleil show at the GM Centre with my girlfriend. The show was fantastic and the price was fair. Im always surprised at the acts that the GM Centre attracts. Its surprising because apparently the GM Centre is in financial difficulties. I heard a rumor a while back that the GM Centre could only do a limited amount of advertising outside of the facility itself. I don't know if its true but it made me realize that I really don't see many upcoming shows advertised anywhere else but the digital letter-board on the outside of the building itself. I urge everyone to check out the upcoming shows playing at the GM Centre. If anything go watch the Oshawa Generals play a few games, its cheap and its good hockey.
First of all Oshawa elected a new Mayor John Henry. Lived in Oshawa a long time and a local businessman. Believes in being fiscally conservative. Its really a sign of the times that people like John Henry and Rob Ford are being elected. People have been getting squeezed by taxes and fees and now jobs are scarce and good paying ones are scarcer. People cant afford a government that spends wastefully and gets nothing in return. Marxism and Socialism sounds fair in theory but only when times are good. Even then its fundamentally flawed and just doesn't work. In tough times like these it is a destroyer of countries.
Recently I caught the Cirque Du Soleil show at the GM Centre with my girlfriend. The show was fantastic and the price was fair. Im always surprised at the acts that the GM Centre attracts. Its surprising because apparently the GM Centre is in financial difficulties. I heard a rumor a while back that the GM Centre could only do a limited amount of advertising outside of the facility itself. I don't know if its true but it made me realize that I really don't see many upcoming shows advertised anywhere else but the digital letter-board on the outside of the building itself. I urge everyone to check out the upcoming shows playing at the GM Centre. If anything go watch the Oshawa Generals play a few games, its cheap and its good hockey.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Stop Being Lazy and Get to Work.
I'm pissed off and I cant hold it in anymore. People of Oshawa need to get jobs and get to fucking work. I'm sick of people making excuses why they cant work or cant find a job. Ive lived in Oshawa my whole life and the longest Ive been out of work is 6 months. You know what maybe that's too harsh. I know people out of work and really try hard to find jobs. I'm just mad with people that say they cant find work but ask to see their resume and they say "I don't have one.", come on there's no excuse for that. Put some effort behind it at least.
OK, here's the big problem. The one that upsets me to no end. I get so upset talking with people about this that I have to walk away. Claiming Disability. You are not disabled if you are illiterate or depressed. If you are blind, paralyzed or mentally disabled then you are actually disabled. Shit even disabled people still work.
I don't know what its like in other cities but Oshawa seems to have a piss-load of disabled people. My parents own three rental properties and I used to think it was funny when I was a kid hearing about these made up disabilities. Now, when I hear them I am thoroughly disgusted. I have to pay taxes just to support them. Its diabolical. When I hear about these disabilities all I think of is...LAZY. Oshawa=Lazytown. You think I'm joking, well here is a list of ACTUAL disabilities people have claimed and are getting paid for.
Depression (Everyone is Depressed. You know what helps. Money from a job)
Illiteracy (Go back and finish high school, problem solved.)
Insomnia (Get a night job0
Alcoholism (Stop drinking alcohol)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Every workplace has a bathroom)
"Burn-Out" (Yes, seriously. Burn-out due to excessive drug use. Unacceptable!)
People of Oshawa, stop being lazy and get to work. You disgust me.
OK, here's the big problem. The one that upsets me to no end. I get so upset talking with people about this that I have to walk away. Claiming Disability. You are not disabled if you are illiterate or depressed. If you are blind, paralyzed or mentally disabled then you are actually disabled. Shit even disabled people still work.
I don't know what its like in other cities but Oshawa seems to have a piss-load of disabled people. My parents own three rental properties and I used to think it was funny when I was a kid hearing about these made up disabilities. Now, when I hear them I am thoroughly disgusted. I have to pay taxes just to support them. Its diabolical. When I hear about these disabilities all I think of is...LAZY. Oshawa=Lazytown. You think I'm joking, well here is a list of ACTUAL disabilities people have claimed and are getting paid for.
Depression (Everyone is Depressed. You know what helps. Money from a job)
Illiteracy (Go back and finish high school, problem solved.)
Insomnia (Get a night job0
Alcoholism (Stop drinking alcohol)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Every workplace has a bathroom)
"Burn-Out" (Yes, seriously. Burn-out due to excessive drug use. Unacceptable!)
People of Oshawa, stop being lazy and get to work. You disgust me.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Destroying the Past
For anyone out there that knows me will know that I am a huge history buff. I have also done a lot of research into Oshawa's history as I believe that everyone should know about the background of there own city. People dont seemed to realize that Oshawa has a pretty rich and interesting history. From Robert McLaughlin to the local Indian tribes that used to live around here like The Mohawks and Mississaugas. Oshawa also has a reputation of not keeping their historical landmarks aware to the public and worse wanting to tear them all down. Case in point is the Rundle house next to the hospital. Which brings me to possibly the most interesting piece of history that few know about and that is Camp X.
For those who dont know, Camp X was a World War II training facility that trained spies, code breakers and interrogators. In World War II even the enigma device was brought here to try and break its code. It even had underground tunnels and a range where they tested weapons and explosives. In terms of historical value this place is priceless. Since World War II Oshawa has done a terrible job of preserving Camp X for posterity. Right now its little more than a one story building, dilapidated, boarded up and sitting in a lot that is overgrown with vegetation. Its such a sad state for something so important. Oshawa did hint that they had a plan to restore it and turn it into a museum but I'll get back to that in a minute.
The second matter I want to get to is the Robert Stuart Aeronautical Museum. This is a small World War II museum located at the Oshawa airport dedicated to the Airforce. This is a private collection which means its owned by the Stuart family and the land is owned by the city of Oshawa. The sad part now is that the Stuart family now wants to sell the entire collection, its sad because all the artifacts that were donated by private citizens is still the property of the Stuart family and being sold as well. I would be pretty upset if I had donated something and someone else was going to make money off it. The museum also has a Camp X exhibit.
So, here is the connection. The rumor now is that Oshawa wants to buy the Camp X exhibit at the museum and transfer it to the Camp X building and make it into a museum itself. Oshawa, please, please do this. Dont destroy the past save it and support it and honour those who fought for our freedom.
For those who dont know, Camp X was a World War II training facility that trained spies, code breakers and interrogators. In World War II even the enigma device was brought here to try and break its code. It even had underground tunnels and a range where they tested weapons and explosives. In terms of historical value this place is priceless. Since World War II Oshawa has done a terrible job of preserving Camp X for posterity. Right now its little more than a one story building, dilapidated, boarded up and sitting in a lot that is overgrown with vegetation. Its such a sad state for something so important. Oshawa did hint that they had a plan to restore it and turn it into a museum but I'll get back to that in a minute.
The second matter I want to get to is the Robert Stuart Aeronautical Museum. This is a small World War II museum located at the Oshawa airport dedicated to the Airforce. This is a private collection which means its owned by the Stuart family and the land is owned by the city of Oshawa. The sad part now is that the Stuart family now wants to sell the entire collection, its sad because all the artifacts that were donated by private citizens is still the property of the Stuart family and being sold as well. I would be pretty upset if I had donated something and someone else was going to make money off it. The museum also has a Camp X exhibit.
So, here is the connection. The rumor now is that Oshawa wants to buy the Camp X exhibit at the museum and transfer it to the Camp X building and make it into a museum itself. Oshawa, please, please do this. Dont destroy the past save it and support it and honour those who fought for our freedom.
Friday, February 19, 2010
I Want $23 000 Too!
So, our current Mayor John Gray, who I always thought was doing a good job for the city. Mr. Gray has done a lot of good things to improve the city but after hearing about this scandal I really cant support him anymore, sad.
For anyone who doesnt know what happened ill give you a short version then ill go into some more detail. John Gray has sent two of his associates to school to get MBA's. The entire bill is being paid by the city out of taxpayer money at a cost of $23 00 each. Councillor April Cullen and the Mayor's exectutive assistant James Anderson. What makes this an even bigger scumbag move is the fact that John Gray passed a bill to grant money to city employees for work related studies and courses up to $2 000. I have no problem with that. He then to sent these two officials to school and far above the $2000 limit. Apparently, what he did was present the bill to the council members, the council agreed to vote it in then just before it was to be voted on he changed a clause in it to allow him and him alone to make exceptions to the bill. No one noticed this until Gray signed off on the tuition fee.
So, after the bill got passed the two official left for school and their bill was quickly signed of on and paid out. $46 000 gone on education for two city officials on a program that is only suppose to pay $2000.
April Cullen's assistants spent the whole day today in her office shredding documents too. Gee, I wonder why. I fucking hate politics.
For anyone who doesnt know what happened ill give you a short version then ill go into some more detail. John Gray has sent two of his associates to school to get MBA's. The entire bill is being paid by the city out of taxpayer money at a cost of $23 00 each. Councillor April Cullen and the Mayor's exectutive assistant James Anderson. What makes this an even bigger scumbag move is the fact that John Gray passed a bill to grant money to city employees for work related studies and courses up to $2 000. I have no problem with that. He then to sent these two officials to school and far above the $2000 limit. Apparently, what he did was present the bill to the council members, the council agreed to vote it in then just before it was to be voted on he changed a clause in it to allow him and him alone to make exceptions to the bill. No one noticed this until Gray signed off on the tuition fee.
So, after the bill got passed the two official left for school and their bill was quickly signed of on and paid out. $46 000 gone on education for two city officials on a program that is only suppose to pay $2000.
April Cullen's assistants spent the whole day today in her office shredding documents too. Gee, I wonder why. I fucking hate politics.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Coffee Time
Well its finally happened. The infamous Coffee Time at the corner of Mary St. and Highway 2 (King St.) has closed its doors.
This place has always been seedy hotbed of activity for many years earning it the nickname of "CrackTime". A lot of people have been hoping it would close for years (including me) but now that it has I cant help but feel bad. Bad because it was actually a legitimate business and in a downtown that is losing businesses at an alarming rate it seems that it was ultimately good for the downtown.
Although I cant argue that this was a nice place to go and hang out. If you ever said that you were going to go there I would have advised you to leave your wallet at home unless you are a crack dealer, then its a great place to go. Plus, good god the actual coffee you got from there was absolutely herendous It tasted like it was filtered through old gym socks and weak as hell, like 80 year old grandmother of 13 weak.
I just hope they replace it with something good, even a higher end coffee shop like Second Cup or something. Maybe high end atmoshpere and product will keep the good people happy and the bad people out.....or at least make them a little uncomfortable.
This place has always been seedy hotbed of activity for many years earning it the nickname of "CrackTime". A lot of people have been hoping it would close for years (including me) but now that it has I cant help but feel bad. Bad because it was actually a legitimate business and in a downtown that is losing businesses at an alarming rate it seems that it was ultimately good for the downtown.
Although I cant argue that this was a nice place to go and hang out. If you ever said that you were going to go there I would have advised you to leave your wallet at home unless you are a crack dealer, then its a great place to go. Plus, good god the actual coffee you got from there was absolutely herendous It tasted like it was filtered through old gym socks and weak as hell, like 80 year old grandmother of 13 weak.
I just hope they replace it with something good, even a higher end coffee shop like Second Cup or something. Maybe high end atmoshpere and product will keep the good people happy and the bad people out.....or at least make them a little uncomfortable.
It's Been Too Long
I cant believe its been so long since I have entered anything on this blog. I started this thinking that there was no lack of topics I could pick from and I had a bunch in mind but I totally forgot about this whole experiment I had here.
This whole blog is about documenting the city of Oshawa and the changes it goes through because change can happen so gradually that you dont even notice. I, like this city have gone through a lot since last time, good and bad and I thought about just giving up on this but I feel like its necessary that I keep pushing on.
Last year I lost a friend of mine in a tragedy that anyone who reads or watches the news im sure has heard and that is Rick Kelly. Rick along with his wife Leslie and his son Nathan were violently and fatally attacked during a birthday party. I knew Rick for about 10 years and he was a loyal friend of mine. After this happened I really didnt have much passion for anything and I threw myself into my work and found myself leaving town frequently for up to 2 months at a time. While some of the people that knew his family still havent gotten over the loss I feel that if they and I cant get over it then it will continue to ruin lives.
So, im back and god willing I will make a successfull go of this thing.
This whole blog is about documenting the city of Oshawa and the changes it goes through because change can happen so gradually that you dont even notice. I, like this city have gone through a lot since last time, good and bad and I thought about just giving up on this but I feel like its necessary that I keep pushing on.
Last year I lost a friend of mine in a tragedy that anyone who reads or watches the news im sure has heard and that is Rick Kelly. Rick along with his wife Leslie and his son Nathan were violently and fatally attacked during a birthday party. I knew Rick for about 10 years and he was a loyal friend of mine. After this happened I really didnt have much passion for anything and I threw myself into my work and found myself leaving town frequently for up to 2 months at a time. While some of the people that knew his family still havent gotten over the loss I feel that if they and I cant get over it then it will continue to ruin lives.
So, im back and god willing I will make a successfull go of this thing.
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