Harry Stemp was born in Uxbridge in 1934. He started his career with the Uxbridge Times-Journal as an apprentice typesetter at age 14. He soon began writing sports for the Times-Journal and eventually owned 10 community newspapers in central Ontario including the Times-Journal. He started writing his award-winning Stemp’s Stew in 1965. The column came to an end shortly after he sold his newspaper chain in 1989, but was rejuvenated in 2006 when Harry became a regular contributor to The Cosmos.
It's all in the name
Not sure about you but I get livid when I hear of elected bodies trying to live under a veil of secrecy, blocking every attempt to allow taxpayers to know how their hard-earned dollars are being spent.
Recently, when a newspaper group tried to delve into the spending at the CBC, our tax-payer funded public broadcaster, officials there spent around $35 million in legal fees fighting the request in courts. That's $35 million of our money thrown down the drain and those who spent it really don't care what you and I think.
And now recent reports have surfaced that some aboriginal politicians are being paid more than the prime minster is being paid as the leader of our country. Data released by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation shows that 222 aboriginal chiefs across Canada make more than their provincial premiers and 82 of those have an annual salary higher than Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The most atrocious example comes out of the Maritimes where a chief who lives off the reserve is paid $978,000 tax-free annually.
“That's for a community of 304 people,” said Colin Craig, a Federation director. “It's disgusting this is going on in Canada.”
What an understatement, and an example of how federal politicians dole out public funds with no accountability. With a large number of Canadians doing everything possible just to make ends meet, many looking for work, it must turn their stomachs when they learn of these abuses.
Conservative MP Kelly Block has introduced a private member’s bill that would force First Nation leaders to reveal their salaries, plus other income and benefits. We all know what happens. The majority of these bills die a slow death. Hopefully, in this case, the members of all parties will set partisan politics aside and rush this bill into law.
All MPs have long been aware that this abuse of tax dollars has been going on. Why they have chosen to ignore the problem and allow it to flourish is beyond me.
They now have the opportunity to stand up and be counted and right this wrong. Will they do it? Time will tell.
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This is the second time I have been in Florida when Americans hold their annual Thanksgiving celebration. A second chance for Canadians to enjoy a turkey dinner. Yum!
The following day is known as Black Friday. A huge shopping experience which would compare to the Boxing Day shopping frenzy in Canada. Although millions across the country head out to take advantage of discounted prices, most sane people stay home and for good reason.
Could never figure out why they call it Black Friday. But, after seeing what happened to some of the shoppers, the name seems to fit - it is very black for some. For example, when the doors at one large department store opened at 4 a.m. the rush was so bad some people at the front of the line were knocked down and then trampled by the surging crowd. Some were injured. One man suffered a broken arm and cracked ribs.
At another store a lady pulled a gun and started shooting at another shopper who was trying to cut into the front of the checkout line. No death, but a serious gunshot wound. And the shooter was arrested, taken off to jail and charged.
Add to this the fistfights which broke out as shoppers battled over items that were in limited supply. Taking the rule of 'supply and demand' to the extreme, I would say.
One has to wonder what drives the huge number of people who take part in this annual ritual. It has to be more than the few dollars they will save on a large number of items. That's important. But to risk your health for that reason is ridiculous.
Not sure if studies have been done on this subject but, if they have, it would be interesting to learn the results.
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Played golf here in Florida with a lovely couple from Ottawa and, enjoying a cold one after the game, Uxbridge came up in conversation.
“Uxbridge”, said Hal. “Do you know any of the doctors there?”
What a silly question. Of course I do and I started naming the doctors. When I mentioned Brian St. John, Hal stopped me cold.
“That's him” said Hal. “Brian attended Ottawa U as a medical student and I coached him when he played for the U of O hockey team. Man, was he talented and what a beautiful skater. I am sure he would have been a good one had he pursued a hockey career. But he was more interested in a medical career. I bet he is a damned good doctor.”
Just another example of how well-known the name 'Uxbridge' is when you travel. And Brian, if you are reading this, Hal Hansen says to say 'hello'.
