Soapbox
Community Soapbox: Casino in Kingston
The Process Recently there has been a lot of discussion around a possible gaming facility and a referendum in Kingston. I want to take this opportunity to speak directly to residents about my views and our collective challenges and opportunities. I want to first apologize for my recent comments on social media around the issue [...]
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Provincial Casino Revenues Disturbingly Depend on “Problem” and “Pathological” Gamblers.
Kingston, Ontario – The government of Ontario’s proposal to carve the province into 29 gaming areas is an exercise in expanded exploitation according to Kingston & The Islands Green Party candidate Robert Kiley. Based on Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) figures, 41% of all gaming revenue comes from a smaller sub-group of gamblers defined [...]
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Best of 2012: OCSA Wants To “Free Our Beer”, But Do We?
One of the big discussions of the year has been, and continues to be about whether or not we should privatize the sale of alcohol in Ontario. This would allow corner stores and grocery stores to take on the job, much like in Quebec and British Columbia. Those for privatization emphasize the convenience factor, where [...]
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Best of 2012: Battle Brewing Over Lease Agreement
In late 2011 Coffeeco devotees had a real sense that trouble was brewing at the business’s Johnson Street location. Less than two weeks into the new year, owner Rich Ottenhof explained the dire situation to his customers, concluding that landlord Hugh Mosaheb’s actions would result in the unwanted closure of the store. Ottenhof’s open letter sparked [...]
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Community Soapbox: Not-so-local Newspaper
The Kingston Whig-Standard today had a celebratory piece on its front page about the appointment of a new manager / publisher. My suspicions were aroused by the fact that this person was going to be responsible for a whole load of local papers owned by the Sun Media empire. They have now been confirmed. Sun [...]
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Community Soapbox: Cycling – or not – in Williamsville
I am writing to give you an update on cycling in Williamsville and to encourage you to contact City Council members if you have concerns. The City plans to move ahead without consideration for on-road cycling facilities on Princess Street in Williamsville. Despite cycling having been raised many times in the public consultation process, the [...]
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Community Soapbox: OCSA Wants To “Free Our Beer”, But Do We?
Yesterday, the Ontario Convenience Stores Association (OCSA) brought a petition to Queen’s Park containing more than 112,000 signatures asking the government to “free our beer” and allow the sale of alcohol at local convenience stores. At first glance, it might sound like a good idea, and would allow for more convenient purchases. The OSCA has [...]
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Community Soapbox: Kingston Rallies Against Potential Cuts to Health Care
Most Ontarians don’t realize that the McGuinty government’s recent “austerity” budget will catapult the health system into another round of cuts and restructuring. With this warning, the Ontario and Kingston Health Coalitions are launching a 15 city tour across Ontario, including a town hall meeting in Kingston, to prepare citizens to stand up and protect [...]
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Community Soapbox: Battle Brewing Over Lease Agreement
I have a disappointing update to our [Coffeeco's] efforts to reach agreement on a lease extension at our Johnson Street location. For those of you who haven’t been following I’ll provide a detailed update. We have been sub-letting space at 344 Johnson Street from a failed coffee business and abiding to the terms of an [...]
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Best of 2011: Sustainability and the Third Crossing
We’re always amazed by the op-ed submissions that end up in our inbox, while one of the best of 2011 came from Alan Foljambe. He wrote about peak oil, commuter culture and their relation to the proposed third crossing over the Cataraqui River. Alan articulately argued that the third crossing is a non-starter for a [...]
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