11 March 2012
17/03/2012 04:43
Welcome To SAP And Good Morning!
Pull up a chair, grab a cuppa hot coffee and spend 10 minutes to start your day with St. Albert's only daily news site.
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends.
Fishing Alberta With Paul C.
On March 7, 2012 Fish and Wildlife charged 27 people with catching, buying and selling of fish taken illegally from Pigeon Lake. The photo clearly shows the amount of volume that this ring was doing.
Poaching of fish affects the whole fishing industry. The amount allowed to be harvested is controlled by SRD. There goal is to preserve our lakes and streams. I would like to think that most people agree with the control of this resource.
Most walleye fishing in Alberta has been reduced province wide to help them recover heavy fishing activities as well as environmental damage such as algae, drought or disease. The fishing regulations are covered under general regulations and lake specific to the area you are going to fish. A good practice is to have a copy of the Sport Fishing Regulations on hand.
Poaching can be reported through the Report A Poacher Program. They have two numbers 1-800-642-3800 and #3800 for cell phone users. If there is an arrest you will qualify for a cash reward.
Things you should know before calling their numbers. Note: vehicle and license plate number, description of the person(s), what they have taken for wildlife, time and date. Photos can be taken but you will have to testify in court that you have taken the photos.
Never approach persons engaged in illegal activities as that would put you at risk. Through the years of fishing I have seen some very strange activities. The one that stands out in my mind is the family that came to a remote lake, had enough fishing rods for all of the family including the small children which were too young to operate a fishing rod. The family of four was using four rods fished by there father only. The fishing regs say one rod per person with the catch limit of five rainbow trout. The persons goal was to take twenty fish home.
The past couple of years the F & W officers are charging people using a barbed hook. The fine is around $200. I prefer a barbless hook because it is easier to remove and makes catching fish more challenging. Poachers will go to the extreme limits to catch fish and take other wildlife.
I have also noticed animals that have been killed on the highway will be taken especially moose and deer. You need to get a tag from your local fish and wildlife to harvest the animal. The North Saskatchewan River and Sturgeon River have zero limits for most fish excluding sucker fish. Those rivers I would not eat anything due to the high levels of heavy metals; mercury, chrome, arsenic and so on.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Paul C.
Wee-Hours Custom Tackle
Ultra Lite Fishing Tackle Company
_________________________________________________________________
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
Child killer's fate in hands of review board - CBC
George Clooney arrested in Sudan protest - CNN
Thatcher kept Reagan's 'doodles' from summit - CTV
Epcor boasts high profits in 2011 - Edmonton Journal
Ex-top cop speaks about homicide - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
As good a place as any to have a leek . . .
Octopus
Anyone?
How To Foil Car Thieves
Here's one lady with the technology to protect her investment.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Playing Tonight At LB's Pub
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends.
Fishing Alberta With Paul C.
Poaching of fish affects the whole fishing industry. The amount allowed to be harvested is controlled by SRD. There goal is to preserve our lakes and streams. I would like to think that most people agree with the control of this resource.
Most walleye fishing in Alberta has been reduced province wide to help them recover heavy fishing activities as well as environmental damage such as algae, drought or disease. The fishing regulations are covered under general regulations and lake specific to the area you are going to fish. A good practice is to have a copy of the Sport Fishing Regulations on hand.
Things you should know before calling their numbers. Note: vehicle and license plate number, description of the person(s), what they have taken for wildlife, time and date. Photos can be taken but you will have to testify in court that you have taken the photos.
Never approach persons engaged in illegal activities as that would put you at risk. Through the years of fishing I have seen some very strange activities. The one that stands out in my mind is the family that came to a remote lake, had enough fishing rods for all of the family including the small children which were too young to operate a fishing rod. The family of four was using four rods fished by there father only. The fishing regs say one rod per person with the catch limit of five rainbow trout. The persons goal was to take twenty fish home.
The past couple of years the F & W officers are charging people using a barbed hook. The fine is around $200. I prefer a barbless hook because it is easier to remove and makes catching fish more challenging. Poachers will go to the extreme limits to catch fish and take other wildlife.
I have also noticed animals that have been killed on the highway will be taken especially moose and deer. You need to get a tag from your local fish and wildlife to harvest the animal. The North Saskatchewan River and Sturgeon River have zero limits for most fish excluding sucker fish. Those rivers I would not eat anything due to the high levels of heavy metals; mercury, chrome, arsenic and so on.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Paul C.
Wee-Hours Custom Tackle
Ultra Lite Fishing Tackle Company
_________________________________________________________________
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
Child killer's fate in hands of review board - CBC
George Clooney arrested in Sudan protest - CNN
Thatcher kept Reagan's 'doodles' from summit - CTV
Epcor boasts high profits in 2011 - Edmonton Journal
Ex-top cop speaks about homicide - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
As good a place as any to have a leek . . .
Octopus
Anyone?
How To Foil Car Thieves
Here's one lady with the technology to protect her investment.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Playing Tonight At LB's Pub
The Irish Toast
17/03/2012 04:43
That won him the top prize at the pub for the best toast of the night.
He went home and told his wife, Mary, "I won the prize for the best toast of the night."
She said, "Aye, did ye now? And what was your toast?"
John said, "Here's to spending the rest of me life, sitting in church beside me wife."
"Oh, that is very nice indeed, John!" Mary said.
The next day, Mary ran into one of John's drinking buddies on the street corner. The man chuckled leeringly and said, "John won the prize the other night at the pub with a toast about you, Mary."
She said, "Aye, he told me, and I was a bit surprised myself. You know, he's only been in there twice in the last four years. Once he fell asleep, and the other time I had to pull him along by the ears to make him come."
Be sure to visit our home page.
WEBBITS
17/03/2012 04:43
Urban Art
17/03/2012 04:42
Links To Today's Outstanding Photographs
17/03/2012 04:42
Today's Activity Corner
17/03/2012 04:42
Word of the Day
Word of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
Article of the Day
Article of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
This Day in History
This Day in History
provided by The Free Dictionary
Today's Birthday
Today's Birthday
provided by The Free Dictionary
In the News
In the News
provided by The Free Dictionary
Quote of the Day
Quote of the Day
provided by The Free Library
Match Up
Match Up
provided by The Free Dictionary
Hangman
Hangman
provided by The Free Dictionary
16/03/2012 07:10
Welcome To SAP And Good Morning!
Pull up a chair, grab a cuppa hot coffee and spend 10 minutes to start your day with St. Albert's only daily news site.
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends.
$tarbucksgate: The Stupidity Lingers On
Yesterday was the St. Albert Leader's turn to throw some new light on the thinking of two councillors on the $tarbucks affair.
After reading the story, it sparked yet another round of reaction by local citizens who take exception to a statement by councillor Cathy Heron. From the story:
Coun. Cathy Heron, who voted in favour of the kiosk, said she thought the nomination was “puzzling.” “Starbucks is not a very good example of wasting taxpayers’ money,” she said. “The whole issue with Starbucks, and it goes back to last summer, was a philosophical thing about whether municipalities should be in private business. The fact that we spent money — zero of it was actually charged to the taxpayer; it all came out of reserves, so reserves will be jiggled and priorities for the next 10 years at Servus Place reworked. It didn’t cost the taxpayers a penny; it’s putting money back in the taxpayers’ pocket.”
Pardon me, "It didn't cost the taxpayers a penny?". One is left to wonder just how well Heron understands how a city operates and where 'reserves' come from. For the record, reserves are surplus TAX DOLLARS.
Twitter, Facebook and the Leader's own comments section are bristling with reader reactions to Heron's ill-advised comments.
As Forrest Gump said, "Stupid is as stupid does", seems most appropriate here.
$tarbucksgate, the city's embarrassment that just won't go away.
_________________________________________________________________
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
Child killer Turcotte 'ideal candidate' for release - CBC
North Korea plans satellite launch in April - CNN
Line-ups as new Apple iPads go on sale - CTV
Former police chief's son charged with murder - Edmonton Journal
Premier chastised for poor attendance - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
Just how long can he stand there holding that sign? . . .
Whoops!
Wrong
Way!
11-Year-Old Yodeller
This young lady from Coombs, B.C. had the crowd going.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Playing Tomorrow Night At LB's Pub
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends.
$tarbucksgate: The Stupidity Lingers On
After reading the story, it sparked yet another round of reaction by local citizens who take exception to a statement by councillor Cathy Heron. From the story:
Coun. Cathy Heron, who voted in favour of the kiosk, said she thought the nomination was “puzzling.” “Starbucks is not a very good example of wasting taxpayers’ money,” she said. “The whole issue with Starbucks, and it goes back to last summer, was a philosophical thing about whether municipalities should be in private business. The fact that we spent money — zero of it was actually charged to the taxpayer; it all came out of reserves, so reserves will be jiggled and priorities for the next 10 years at Servus Place reworked. It didn’t cost the taxpayers a penny; it’s putting money back in the taxpayers’ pocket.”
Pardon me, "It didn't cost the taxpayers a penny?". One is left to wonder just how well Heron understands how a city operates and where 'reserves' come from. For the record, reserves are surplus TAX DOLLARS.
Twitter, Facebook and the Leader's own comments section are bristling with reader reactions to Heron's ill-advised comments.
As Forrest Gump said, "Stupid is as stupid does", seems most appropriate here.
$tarbucksgate, the city's embarrassment that just won't go away.
_________________________________________________________________
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
Child killer Turcotte 'ideal candidate' for release - CBC
North Korea plans satellite launch in April - CNN
Line-ups as new Apple iPads go on sale - CTV
Former police chief's son charged with murder - Edmonton Journal
Premier chastised for poor attendance - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
Just how long can he stand there holding that sign? . . .
Whoops!
Wrong
Way!
11-Year-Old Yodeller
This young lady from Coombs, B.C. had the crowd going.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Playing Tomorrow Night At LB's Pub
Funny One Liners
16/03/2012 07:10
Having one child makes you a parent; having two you are a referee.
Marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right and the other is the husband!
I believe we should all pay our tax with a smile. I tried - but they wanted a cheque.
Be sure to visit our home page.
WEBBITS
16/03/2012 07:10
Remembering Hollywood Squares
16/03/2012 07:09
Q. Paul, why do Hell's Angels wear leather?
A. Paul Lynde: Because chiffon wrinkles too easily.
Q. Charley, you've just decided to grow strawberries. Are you going to get any during the first year?
A. Charley Weaver: Of course not, I'm too busy growing strawberries.
__________________________________________________________________
City Council
Starbucks
Coffee At
$ervu$ Place
Decision
Links To Today's Outstanding Photographs
16/03/2012 07:09
Today's Activity Corner
16/03/2012 07:09
Word of the Day
Word of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
Article of the Day
Article of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
This Day in History
This Day in History
provided by The Free Dictionary
Today's Birthday
Today's Birthday
provided by The Free Dictionary
In the News
In the News
provided by The Free Dictionary
Quote of the Day
Quote of the Day
provided by The Free Library
Match Up
Match Up
provided by The Free Dictionary
Hangman
Hangman
provided by The Free Dictionary
15/03/2012 04:16
Welcome To SAP And Good Morning!
Pull up a chair, grab a cuppa hot coffee and spend 10 minutes to start your day with St. Albert's only daily news site.
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends.
Mayor's Claims Raise More Questions
Do the mayor's claims made yesterday in the St. Albert Gazette raise more questions than answers?
The report mayor Crouse referred to in the story linked here yesterday was prepared by his own administration as a report to the Standing Committee On Finance, using numbers released by the province.
That was made clear by councillor Cam MacKay when asked about the source of the report. The report came with a caution not to use comparisons contained in the report as direct comparisons due to differences in expenses in the communities used for comparisons, according to MacKay.
Cities such as Medicine Hat for example, own and operate their own electric utility company which drives their costs far above St. Albert's. The city of Lethbridge incurs municipal costs to operate their own police force making their expenses higher in comparison to St. Albert's.
Sure we look good when we do not have such costs involved in our operating expenses, but is the comparison fair? Why are our taxes higher than four of those cities if that is truly the case?
The question now becomes, was the information used to counter or deflect adverse publicity by national media over the $tarbucks fiasco?
The mayor's statement read, “We hear a lot of chirping about how much it costs to live here? We’re the lowest. Look at it and tell me the city isn’t doing as good as you can.” Critics say that may not be the case.
There are people at the ready to tell the mayor, as per his invitation, that "we are not the lowest". Isn't the real story here that we remain the second highest taxed community in the province?
Did the mayor expect residents and media alike to buy his story hook, line and sinker without due diligence in checking the sources of the claims to assure they represented a level playing field?
Will any councillors who are members of the Standing Committee On Finance question such conclusions, or at the very least ask how the mayor arrived at his conclusions, or allow the claims to stand unchallenged?
Is it time to call the mayor's hand in this game of high stakes poker he's playing with the tax dollars of the responsible citizens of St. Albert he calls fear-mongerers?
_________________________________________________________________
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
7 important tax credits for families - CBC
TSA to test new screening for elderly - CNN
Animal cruelty concerns after cat frozen in block of ice - CTV
Woman shot dead by RCMP in Yellowknife - Edmonton Journal
Tories will win election: Redford - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
It is important for us older generation to understand the importance of this picture. The world is moving fast and time is our only fixed income, so it must be spent wisely and multiplexed when possible. Meet the new generation . . .
Baby
Elephant
Splash
Tank
A Collection Of Automotive Memorabilia
How one man in the Chicago area left a lasting legacy.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Playing Tomorrow Night At LB's Pub
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends.
Mayor's Claims Raise More Questions
The report mayor Crouse referred to in the story linked here yesterday was prepared by his own administration as a report to the Standing Committee On Finance, using numbers released by the province.
That was made clear by councillor Cam MacKay when asked about the source of the report. The report came with a caution not to use comparisons contained in the report as direct comparisons due to differences in expenses in the communities used for comparisons, according to MacKay.
Cities such as Medicine Hat for example, own and operate their own electric utility company which drives their costs far above St. Albert's. The city of Lethbridge incurs municipal costs to operate their own police force making their expenses higher in comparison to St. Albert's.
Sure we look good when we do not have such costs involved in our operating expenses, but is the comparison fair? Why are our taxes higher than four of those cities if that is truly the case?
The question now becomes, was the information used to counter or deflect adverse publicity by national media over the $tarbucks fiasco?
The mayor's statement read, “We hear a lot of chirping about how much it costs to live here? We’re the lowest. Look at it and tell me the city isn’t doing as good as you can.” Critics say that may not be the case.
There are people at the ready to tell the mayor, as per his invitation, that "we are not the lowest". Isn't the real story here that we remain the second highest taxed community in the province?
Did the mayor expect residents and media alike to buy his story hook, line and sinker without due diligence in checking the sources of the claims to assure they represented a level playing field?
Is it time to call the mayor's hand in this game of high stakes poker he's playing with the tax dollars of the responsible citizens of St. Albert he calls fear-mongerers?
_________________________________________________________________
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
7 important tax credits for families - CBC
TSA to test new screening for elderly - CNN
Animal cruelty concerns after cat frozen in block of ice - CTV
Woman shot dead by RCMP in Yellowknife - Edmonton Journal
Tories will win election: Redford - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
It is important for us older generation to understand the importance of this picture. The world is moving fast and time is our only fixed income, so it must be spent wisely and multiplexed when possible. Meet the new generation . . .
Baby
Elephant
Splash
Tank
A Collection Of Automotive Memorabilia
How one man in the Chicago area left a lasting legacy.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Playing Tomorrow Night At LB's Pub
Canada Day
15/03/2012 04:16
As I sipped my coffee, I asked her, "What day is tomorrow?"
She said, "Canada Day." She is a smart kid. So, I asked "What does Canada Day mean?" waiting for her reply with something about the flag, confederation, etc.
She replied, "Canada Day is when Prime Minister Harper steps out of the Parliament Building, and if he sees his shadow we have one more year of unemployment."
You know, it hurts when hot coffee spurts out your nose.
Be sure to visit our home page.
WEBBITS
15/03/2012 04:16
The Key To Preventing Mouldy Berries
15/03/2012 04:15
Wash them with vinegar.
When you get your berries home, prepare a mixture of one part vinegar (white or apple cider probably work best) and ten parts water. Dump the berries into the mixture and swirl around. Drain, rinse if you want (though the mixture is so diluted you can't taste the vinegar,) and pop in the fridge. The vinegar kills any mould spores and other bacteria that might be on the surface of the fruit, and voila! Raspberries will last a week or more, and strawberries go almost two weeks without getting mouldy and soft. So go forth and stock up on those pricey little gems, knowing they'll stay fresh as long as it takes you to eat them.
You're so berry welcome!
__________________________________________________________________
City Council
Starbucks
Coffee At
$ervu$ Place
Decision
Links To Today's Outstanding Photographs
15/03/2012 04:15
Today's Activity Corner
15/03/2012 04:15
Word of the Day
Word of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
Article of the Day
Article of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
This Day in History
This Day in History
provided by The Free Dictionary
Today's Birthday
Today's Birthday
provided by The Free Dictionary
In the News
In the News
provided by The Free Dictionary
Quote of the Day
Quote of the Day
provided by The Free Library
Match Up
Match Up
provided by The Free Dictionary
Hangman
Hangman
provided by The Free Dictionary
14/03/2012 04:36
Welcome To SAP And Good Morning!
Pull up a chair, grab a cuppa hot coffee and spend 10 minutes to start your day with St. Albert's only daily news site.
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends.
Mayor Lashes Out: Calls Opponents 'Fear-Mongerers'
Once again a mayor under fire in the national media has resorted to calling his own citizens names.
It appears that when mayor Crouse is faced with valid criticism, it is the only response he knows. Calling opponents fear-mongerers and complaining about them 'chirping' about city policy seems to be the only comeback this mayor has left.
His latest tirade comes after the province announced St. Albert's financial side ranks well when compared to other communities in the province.
Fair enough.
But what the mayor won't tell us is that for the most part, it's likely he and council had precious little to do with the day-to-day debt management done by city administration. Nor does he mention that St. Albert remains the second highest taxed community in the province despite the good financial housekeeping.
Oh sure, council passes policy to allot spending within the guidelines of the Municipal Government Act. That assists administration in the good financial housekeeping that brought the results released by the province. It must, as after all it is the law, but at the end of the day, this is little more than spin by a mayor in trouble.
The question is, does Crouse and council spend that money in an open and up front format that keeps its citizens abreast of where tax dollars are going? The answer sadly, is no.
If this mayor wants any respect from those who oppose his suspected secret agenda, he needs to change his tactics and be forthcoming about spending. He and council should not hide behind closed doors and keep secrets about senseless spending on silly projects like a Starbucks outlet, and then tell residents to 'git outta town' if they don't like it.
The trouble is, that leopards seldom change their spots.
_________________________________________________________________
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
Ottawa OK's Air Canada back-to-work legislation - CBC
Passengers called 911 during flight attendant's rant - CNN
Encyclopaedia Britannia halts print edition - CTV
Redford made 'stupid move' suspending Mar - Edmonton Journal
Wildrose surges at expense of ruling Conservatives - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
Darn, we come all this way and not an animal in sight . . .
No Way To
Snowmobile
On Ice!
David Attenborough - Wonderful World
You sure don't think of David Attenborough as a singer, but he does a wonderful rendition of this Louis Armstrong favourite enhanced by some great video.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Playing Tomorrow Night At LB's Pub
Songwriters Showcase with Lindsay May at 9:00
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends.
Mayor Lashes Out: Calls Opponents 'Fear-Mongerers'
It appears that when mayor Crouse is faced with valid criticism, it is the only response he knows. Calling opponents fear-mongerers and complaining about them 'chirping' about city policy seems to be the only comeback this mayor has left.
His latest tirade comes after the province announced St. Albert's financial side ranks well when compared to other communities in the province.
Fair enough.
But what the mayor won't tell us is that for the most part, it's likely he and council had precious little to do with the day-to-day debt management done by city administration. Nor does he mention that St. Albert remains the second highest taxed community in the province despite the good financial housekeeping.
Oh sure, council passes policy to allot spending within the guidelines of the Municipal Government Act. That assists administration in the good financial housekeeping that brought the results released by the province. It must, as after all it is the law, but at the end of the day, this is little more than spin by a mayor in trouble.
The question is, does Crouse and council spend that money in an open and up front format that keeps its citizens abreast of where tax dollars are going? The answer sadly, is no.
The trouble is, that leopards seldom change their spots.
_________________________________________________________________
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
Ottawa OK's Air Canada back-to-work legislation - CBC
Passengers called 911 during flight attendant's rant - CNN
Encyclopaedia Britannia halts print edition - CTV
Redford made 'stupid move' suspending Mar - Edmonton Journal
Wildrose surges at expense of ruling Conservatives - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
Darn, we come all this way and not an animal in sight . . .
No Way To
Snowmobile
On Ice!
David Attenborough - Wonderful World
You sure don't think of David Attenborough as a singer, but he does a wonderful rendition of this Louis Armstrong favourite enhanced by some great video.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Playing Tomorrow Night At LB's Pub
Songwriters Showcase with Lindsay May at 9:00
The Snow Plow's Coming
14/03/2012 04:36
So the good wife went out and moved her car as instructed.
A week later while they are eating breakfast again, the radio announcer said, "We are expecting 10 to 12 centimetres of snow today. You must park your car on the odd-numbered side of the street, so the snow plows can get through".
The good wife went out and moved her car again.
The next week they are again having breakfast when the radio announcer says, "We are expecting 12 to 14 centimetres of snow today. You must park . . ." Then the electric power went out.
The good wife was very upset, and with a worried look on her face she said, "I don't know what to do. Which side of the street do I need to park on so the snow plows can get through?"
Then, with all the love and understanding in his voice that all men who are married always exhibit, the husband replied, "Why don't you just leave the bloody car in the garage this time?"
Be sure to visit our home page.
WEBBITS
14/03/2012 04:36
Guinness Turns Steak Sandwich Into A Real Winner
14/03/2012 04:36
As much as I love the dark, velvety richness of Guinness lager, that love isn’t strong enough to drag me into an Irish pub on St. Patrick’s Day.
I’d rather be at home, avoiding the crowds and enjoying my Guinness both from a pint glass as well as in my cooking. Because Guinness can do wonderful things to your cooking, including help you change up the classic menu while still using traditional Irish flavors.
Read the recipe here.
__________________________________________________________________
City Council
Starbucks
Coffee At
$ervu$ Place
Decision
Links To Today's Outstanding Photographs
14/03/2012 04:36
Today's Activity Corner
14/03/2012 04:36
Word of the Day
Word of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
Article of the Day
Article of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
This Day in History
This Day in History
provided by The Free Dictionary
Today's Birthday
Today's Birthday
provided by The Free Dictionary
In the News
In the News
provided by The Free Dictionary
Quote of the Day
Quote of the Day
provided by The Free Library
Match Up
Match Up
provided by The Free Dictionary
Hangman
Hangman
provided by The Free Dictionary
13/03/2012 05:10
Welcome To SAP And Good Morning!
Pull up a chair, grab a cuppa hot coffee and spend 10 minutes to start your day with St. Albert's only daily news site.
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends.
This Place Is for The Birds
Fishing columnist Paul C continues his series on the birds of Hawrelak Park. Birders will know the identity of this one, but we think it's a bushtit.
_________________________________________________________________
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
MPs vote to give Elections Canada more power - CBC
Administration blocks Texas voter ID law - CNN
Crime bill passes; Tories say they'll space out measures - CTV
B.C. Drivers license mug shot gets global attention - Edmonton Journal
Wildrose wants change to government pay - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
A bit of a mixed message here . . .
Oops!
There Go
My Skis!
A Moving Tribute To A Mom
A tale narrated by Gary Sinise that pays tribute to a strange twist of fate that saved a young man's life.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends.
This Place Is for The Birds
Fishing columnist Paul C continues his series on the birds of Hawrelak Park. Birders will know the identity of this one, but we think it's a bushtit.
_________________________________________________________________
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
MPs vote to give Elections Canada more power - CBC
Administration blocks Texas voter ID law - CNN
Crime bill passes; Tories say they'll space out measures - CTV
B.C. Drivers license mug shot gets global attention - Edmonton Journal
Wildrose wants change to government pay - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
A bit of a mixed message here . . .
Oops!
There Go
My Skis!
A Moving Tribute To A Mom
A tale narrated by Gary Sinise that pays tribute to a strange twist of fate that saved a young man's life.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Different Ways Of Looking At Things
13/03/2012 05:10
Bill said, 'I didn't sleep with my wife before we got married, did you?'
Larry replied, 'I'm not sure, what was her maiden name?'
___________________________________________
A little boy went up to his father and asked: 'Dad, where did my intelligence come from?'
The father replied. 'Well, son, you must have got it from your mother, cause I still have mine.'
Be sure to visit our home page.
WEBBITS
13/03/2012 05:10
The Artist Who Creates Sculptures Of Chicken Wire
13/03/2012 05:10
Derek Kinzett has made spectacular life-size sculptures of figures including a cyclist, gardener and fairy from the galvanized wire.
The 45-year-old spends at least 100 hours making each model, which sell for around £6,000 apiece.
Story and pictures here.
__________________________________________________________________
City Council
Starbucks
Coffee At
$ervu$ Place
Decision
Links To Today's Outstanding Photographs
13/03/2012 05:10
Today's Activity Corner
13/03/2012 05:10
Word of the Day
Word of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
Article of the Day
Article of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
This Day in History
This Day in History
provided by The Free Dictionary
Today's Birthday
Today's Birthday
provided by The Free Dictionary
In the News
In the News
provided by The Free Dictionary
Quote of the Day
Quote of the Day
provided by The Free Library
Match Up
Match Up
provided by The Free Dictionary
Hangman
Hangman
provided by The Free Dictionary
12/03/2012 03:55
Welcome To SAP And Good Morning!
Pull up a chair, grab a cuppa hot coffee and spend 10 minutes to start your day with St. Albert's only daily news site.
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends.
$tarbucksgate: Anger Continues To Grow
SINC SAYS:
Local residents are outraged at city council for their $tarbucks decision and the national embarrassment it has brought. They lay the blame squarely on the shoulders of mayor Nolan Crouse. Never in my 24 years in this community have I seen this kind of anger directed at an elected official. Here are samples of the comments posted to this site in just the past few days over the $tarbucks controversy:
"I have just viewed the "confidential report from administration" and I am more than 'ticked off'. I am outraged that they feel they have the right to not reveal to me how they are throwing my money around. The final statement shows that this fiasco has already cost the taxpayer more than $17,000 dollars in a deficit for 2011. How long are we going to allow this council to throw our money down the drain in the facility? Where is the openness in this transaction? What is being covered up?"
Joyce
St. Albert
____________________
"These chumps are paid by our taxes, they have no right to hide anything that relates to public tax dollars."
Kerry
St. Albert
____________________
"Crouse has been the most divisive mayor in St. Albert since I have been here and I have lived here for more than 25 years. I think teflon Crouse might be done this time around. I have spoken to lots of very quiet non-political people in this community and they all agree he is out of control and needs to go."
OustCrouse
St. Albert
____________________
"I could be mistaken, but I believe purchasing the Starbucks "master license" actually cost the taxpayers of the City of St. Albert $5 MILLION dollars. That is completely unacceptable."
MyEyesOnCouncil
St. Albert
____________________
"Nothing would surprise me at this point. City council (minus one or two of them) is the embodiment of the sickness that has infected society. ME ME ME."
Sweet Lou
St. Albert
____________________
Reading the comments that appear at the bottom of the National Post article is enough to make a person see red. According to the article the staff at the $ervu$ Place are union paid staff from the City of St. Albert. They are paid twice per hour what Tim Hortons staff are paid plus benefits. If this is not correct, Crouse should respond with some 'true' information.
Warmodel
St. Albert
____________________
"Is it just me, or do others share the opinion that this Crouse fella is doing the city a lot more harm than good?
Johnson
St. Albert
____________________
"From my correspondence with the city on this matter, the coffee shop is not a separate legal entity; it is the same as any kiosk owned and operated by the city. I don’t see how it’s paying it is own taxes as such. And yes, it was a nine year deal taking over the lease. However I cannot find the specifics anymore. I think the Mayor's facts are irresponsible and misinforming, as you have rightly pointed out, Don. Sad fact is that we will never know the true facts as the whole deal has to be kept confidential. Otherwise we would have had the information already for your questions?"
KJ
St. Albert
____________________
"Our Mayor is true to form in his response to the Teddies and the Starbucks fiasco. I'm amazed that there are only a few who see it for what it is ... lashing out!"
Facts
St. Albert
____________________
"I just looked at the confidential report and the blackouts have made me very angry. Why? Must be a big secret! So underhanded. Where is democracy? Crouse is using my tax dollars. He has to go. As long as I have lived in St. Albert I have never seen a worse mayor than Crouse. He is always putting his foot in his mouth. We only hear about the biggies but there are many other times."
Ethel
St. Albert
___________________
"Nice job on the Starbucks. Keep up the great work!"
Brian Huxley
St. Albert
St. Albert Leader Poll Reflects Mood
Another way to feel the pulse of the community is to check out the poll currently being run by the St. Albert Leader on their website.
A solid majority of St. Albertans think the city deserved the Teddy Award. 73 percent of respondents replied, "I don't use it, and I think it was deserved". That huge majority apparently never uses either $ervu$ Place or the city-owned $tarbucks.
Looks like that stuff that hit the fan is going to stick to the mayor and councillors who approved the deal.
_________________________________________________________________
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
Robocall protesters demand public inquiry - CBC
Injury forces Tiger Woods to withdraw from tournament - CNN
In final NDP leadership debate, Mulcair put on hot seat - CTV
Ontario's Glenn Howard wins fourth Brier title - Edmonton Journal
Record temperatures to hit Edmonton - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
It took me a minute to figure this shot out . . .
Where Did
He Go?
A Rare Spitfire Mark 1 Takes To The Skies Once More
The order came through on May 23, 1940 for Flight Officer Peter Cazenove to head for RAF Hornchurch, Essex in his aircraft for a briefing before heading for France to intercept German bombers. His flight into enemy territory, however, didn't last long. He was shot down 55 minutes after taking off from Hornchurch, and crash-landed on a beach near Calais.
Forty years later, his Supermarine Spitfire P9374 re-emerged from the muddy coastline, and now it has been painstakingly rebuilt by the Aircraft Restoration Company. In the year that the Supermarine Spitfire is marking its 75th anniversary, The Telegraph took a seat in the cockpit to experience flying in one of the Second World War's most celebrated aircraft.
Read the story here.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Playing Tomorrow Night At LB's Pub
March 13
Dan Sinasac (Keyboards and vocals)
Gerald Moellering (Guitar)
DAN - is a singer/songwriter with a passion for soulful, funky rhythm and blues. His passion is the Hammond B3 organ. He grew up listening to the music coming out of Motown, across the river. He was enthralled by the rhythm and blues and soul scene, revelling in the sounds of hometown heroes Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, Bob Seger and was enamored by their funky rhythms. He began performing readily throughout Windsor in local bands, and gained experience in the middle of a music revolution in the late sixties through the seventies. In 1983, Dan moved to Edmonton, Alberta, and created an original blues project called Jack Shadow. As front man and keyboard player, he came into his own as a composer and began gaining recognition within the Edmonton music community. Performing at such venues as the legendary Sidetrack Café, Festival Place, The Grinder and the Capital Hill Pub gave him the experience as a performer and the confidence to write, produce and record his debut record ‘Burnt Piano’. Along with Bobby Cameron, Dave Graham, Mike Hill and Juno nominee, Sandro Dominelli, he created a project that was true to the blues form, and his roots as a down home soul R&B artist. Dan’s newest release, Goin’ Back, is a collection of songs that inspired and influenced his style over the last 40 years. This wonderfully crafted CD has an effortless virtuosity that hearkens back to all the best R&B that has been created in the last century.
GERALD - Second time Moosehead appearance in the last month for Gerald. I have had an opportunity to appear at jam sessions on stage with Gerald and watched him perform with the band Paula Perro and No Foolin. Gerald has a great knack for timing and tasty fill-in guitar breaks. Great tone and shows a lot of respect to fellow players on stage live. Gerald's influences include Robin Ford, Albert King, John Mayall just to name a few. Gerald was the guitarist, along side Truck-Randy big daddy Forsberg on bass, as Bo Diddley's back up band. Gerald also does sideman work with the band Chain of Fools occasionally.
The Tuesday
Moosehead/Barsnbands
Open Stage
Every Tuesday night from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Hosts Mark Ammar, Jim Dyck and Randy Forsberg
Moosehead Beer Specials and barsnbands prizes
Moosehead Beer
Barsnbands
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends.
$tarbucksgate: Anger Continues To Grow
Local residents are outraged at city council for their $tarbucks decision and the national embarrassment it has brought. They lay the blame squarely on the shoulders of mayor Nolan Crouse. Never in my 24 years in this community have I seen this kind of anger directed at an elected official. Here are samples of the comments posted to this site in just the past few days over the $tarbucks controversy:
"I have just viewed the "confidential report from administration" and I am more than 'ticked off'. I am outraged that they feel they have the right to not reveal to me how they are throwing my money around. The final statement shows that this fiasco has already cost the taxpayer more than $17,000 dollars in a deficit for 2011. How long are we going to allow this council to throw our money down the drain in the facility? Where is the openness in this transaction? What is being covered up?"
Joyce
St. Albert
____________________
"These chumps are paid by our taxes, they have no right to hide anything that relates to public tax dollars."
Kerry
St. Albert
____________________
"Crouse has been the most divisive mayor in St. Albert since I have been here and I have lived here for more than 25 years. I think teflon Crouse might be done this time around. I have spoken to lots of very quiet non-political people in this community and they all agree he is out of control and needs to go."
OustCrouse
St. Albert
____________________
"I could be mistaken, but I believe purchasing the Starbucks "master license" actually cost the taxpayers of the City of St. Albert $5 MILLION dollars. That is completely unacceptable."
MyEyesOnCouncil
St. Albert
____________________
"Nothing would surprise me at this point. City council (minus one or two of them) is the embodiment of the sickness that has infected society. ME ME ME."
Sweet Lou
St. Albert
____________________
Reading the comments that appear at the bottom of the National Post article is enough to make a person see red. According to the article the staff at the $ervu$ Place are union paid staff from the City of St. Albert. They are paid twice per hour what Tim Hortons staff are paid plus benefits. If this is not correct, Crouse should respond with some 'true' information.
Warmodel
St. Albert
____________________
"Is it just me, or do others share the opinion that this Crouse fella is doing the city a lot more harm than good?
Johnson
St. Albert
____________________
"From my correspondence with the city on this matter, the coffee shop is not a separate legal entity; it is the same as any kiosk owned and operated by the city. I don’t see how it’s paying it is own taxes as such. And yes, it was a nine year deal taking over the lease. However I cannot find the specifics anymore. I think the Mayor's facts are irresponsible and misinforming, as you have rightly pointed out, Don. Sad fact is that we will never know the true facts as the whole deal has to be kept confidential. Otherwise we would have had the information already for your questions?"
KJ
St. Albert
____________________
"Our Mayor is true to form in his response to the Teddies and the Starbucks fiasco. I'm amazed that there are only a few who see it for what it is ... lashing out!"
Facts
St. Albert
____________________
"I just looked at the confidential report and the blackouts have made me very angry. Why? Must be a big secret! So underhanded. Where is democracy? Crouse is using my tax dollars. He has to go. As long as I have lived in St. Albert I have never seen a worse mayor than Crouse. He is always putting his foot in his mouth. We only hear about the biggies but there are many other times."
Ethel
St. Albert
___________________
"Nice job on the Starbucks. Keep up the great work!"
Brian Huxley
St. Albert
St. Albert Leader Poll Reflects Mood
Another way to feel the pulse of the community is to check out the poll currently being run by the St. Albert Leader on their website.
A solid majority of St. Albertans think the city deserved the Teddy Award. 73 percent of respondents replied, "I don't use it, and I think it was deserved". That huge majority apparently never uses either $ervu$ Place or the city-owned $tarbucks.
Looks like that stuff that hit the fan is going to stick to the mayor and councillors who approved the deal.
_________________________________________________________________
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
Robocall protesters demand public inquiry - CBC
Injury forces Tiger Woods to withdraw from tournament - CNN
In final NDP leadership debate, Mulcair put on hot seat - CTV
Ontario's Glenn Howard wins fourth Brier title - Edmonton Journal
Record temperatures to hit Edmonton - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
It took me a minute to figure this shot out . . .
Where Did
He Go?
A Rare Spitfire Mark 1 Takes To The Skies Once More
The order came through on May 23, 1940 for Flight Officer Peter Cazenove to head for RAF Hornchurch, Essex in his aircraft for a briefing before heading for France to intercept German bombers. His flight into enemy territory, however, didn't last long. He was shot down 55 minutes after taking off from Hornchurch, and crash-landed on a beach near Calais.
Forty years later, his Supermarine Spitfire P9374 re-emerged from the muddy coastline, and now it has been painstakingly rebuilt by the Aircraft Restoration Company. In the year that the Supermarine Spitfire is marking its 75th anniversary, The Telegraph took a seat in the cockpit to experience flying in one of the Second World War's most celebrated aircraft.
Read the story here.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Playing Tomorrow Night At LB's Pub
Dan Sinasac (Keyboards and vocals)
Gerald Moellering (Guitar)
DAN - is a singer/songwriter with a passion for soulful, funky rhythm and blues. His passion is the Hammond B3 organ. He grew up listening to the music coming out of Motown, across the river. He was enthralled by the rhythm and blues and soul scene, revelling in the sounds of hometown heroes Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, Bob Seger and was enamored by their funky rhythms. He began performing readily throughout Windsor in local bands, and gained experience in the middle of a music revolution in the late sixties through the seventies. In 1983, Dan moved to Edmonton, Alberta, and created an original blues project called Jack Shadow. As front man and keyboard player, he came into his own as a composer and began gaining recognition within the Edmonton music community. Performing at such venues as the legendary Sidetrack Café, Festival Place, The Grinder and the Capital Hill Pub gave him the experience as a performer and the confidence to write, produce and record his debut record ‘Burnt Piano’. Along with Bobby Cameron, Dave Graham, Mike Hill and Juno nominee, Sandro Dominelli, he created a project that was true to the blues form, and his roots as a down home soul R&B artist. Dan’s newest release, Goin’ Back, is a collection of songs that inspired and influenced his style over the last 40 years. This wonderfully crafted CD has an effortless virtuosity that hearkens back to all the best R&B that has been created in the last century.
GERALD - Second time Moosehead appearance in the last month for Gerald. I have had an opportunity to appear at jam sessions on stage with Gerald and watched him perform with the band Paula Perro and No Foolin. Gerald has a great knack for timing and tasty fill-in guitar breaks. Great tone and shows a lot of respect to fellow players on stage live. Gerald's influences include Robin Ford, Albert King, John Mayall just to name a few. Gerald was the guitarist, along side Truck-Randy big daddy Forsberg on bass, as Bo Diddley's back up band. Gerald also does sideman work with the band Chain of Fools occasionally.
Moosehead/Barsnbands
Open Stage
Every Tuesday night from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Hosts Mark Ammar, Jim Dyck and Randy Forsberg
Moosehead Beer Specials and barsnbands prizes
Moosehead Beer
Barsnbands
The New Boss
12/03/2012 03:55
Arcelor-Mittal Steel, feeling it was time for a shakeup, hired a new CEO. The new boss was determined to rid the company of all slackers.
On a tour of the facilities, the CEO noticed a guy leaning against a wall. The room was full of workers and he wanted to let them know that he meant business. He asked the guy, "How much money do you make a week?"
A little surprised, the young man looked at him and said, "I make $400 a week. Why?"
The CEO said, "Wait right here." He walked back to his office, came back in two minutes, and handed the guy $1,600 in cash and said, "Here's four weeks' pay. Now GET OUT and don't come back."
Feeling pretty good about himself the CEO looked around the room and asked, "Does anyone want to tell me what that goof-ball did here?"
From across the room a voice said, "Pizza delivery guy from Domino's.
Be sure to visit our home page.
WEBBITS
12/03/2012 03:54
German-Style Fried Potatoes
12/03/2012 03:54
See the recipe here.
__________________________________________________________________
City Council
Starbucks
Coffee At
$ervu$ Place
Decision
Links To Today's Outstanding Photographs
12/03/2012 03:54
Today's Activity Corner
12/03/2012 03:54
Word of the Day
Word of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
Article of the Day
Article of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
This Day in History
This Day in History
provided by The Free Dictionary
Today's Birthday
Today's Birthday
provided by The Free Dictionary
In the News
In the News
provided by The Free Dictionary
Quote of the Day
Quote of the Day
provided by The Free Library
Match Up
Match Up
provided by The Free Dictionary
Hangman
Hangman
provided by The Free Dictionary
11/03/2012 03:37
Welcome To SAP And Good Morning!
Pull up a chair, grab a cuppa hot coffee and spend 10 minutes to start your day with St. Albert's only daily news site.
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends.
Starbucksgate Continues To Percolate In The News
The story that just won't die continues to draw the interest of national media as Lorne Gunter offers his opinion in the National Post today.
From the story:
"The City of St. Albert in Alberta decided, largely in secret, to spend $280,000 in ratepayers dollars to acquire a Starbucks franchise for a municipal hockey and sports complex that already had a private coffee shop and smoothie bar."
The key phrase there of course is, "already had a private coffee shop and smoothie bar."
Read the entire story here.
SINC SAYS:
We will have to see what comes up in the next installment to further embarrass the mayor and council members who supported this lunacy, and it might just be the thin edge of the wedge to end secrecy. Not to mention angry taxpayers once they know all the dirty details. Our bet is that councillors MacKay and Parker who opposed the deal are very glad they distanced themselves from this mess.
No business deal involving taxpayer dollars should ever be kept secret. If any firm wants to do business with the city of St. Albert in future, they should insist nothing about the contract be held in camera by council. All dealing should be up front, above board and in public, not hidden behind FOIP or 'first person' bull. After all, it is the company's reputation that is at stake, not the city of St. Albert.
I should imagine Starbucks has had enough of having their name dragged through the dirt in the national media. It makes you wonder who might be next, or will total exposure of this deal force council to smarten up with the in camera stuff?
Interest from right across the country continues to build here on St. Albert's Place On The Web with some 2,095 page hits and 1,778 unique visitors to the site yesterday alone.
Some readers may not be aware that if you see hits registering on the tiny spinning globe right above the counter information in the right hand column, you can see much more by clicking on the tiny button noted by the red arrow in the image below. That opens a new window with a large spinning globe that shows just how many people from how many countries visit St. Albert's Place On The Web, with the lasts few hits in real time:
Did you remember to turn your clocks ahead one hour last night?
This Place Is For The Birds
Not only are the geese back this spring, but so are the mallard ducks as you can see by this shot by fishing columnist Paul C.
_________________________________________________________________
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
Clement warns budget will spark a 'culture shift' - CBC
Remains of 167 people found in southern Mexico - CNN
One dead, 4 injured in B.C. backcountry avalanches - CTV
Alberta's Koe to meet Howard in Brier final - Edmonton Journal
Life and death on Mount Kilimanjaro - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
Just relaxin' in the tub . . .
Sorry,
Want
Some?
Bill Dance Show Bloopers
We've run this one before, but a reader asked if we could find it again, so here we go. I still laugh at this one!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends.
Starbucksgate Continues To Percolate In The News
From the story:
"The City of St. Albert in Alberta decided, largely in secret, to spend $280,000 in ratepayers dollars to acquire a Starbucks franchise for a municipal hockey and sports complex that already had a private coffee shop and smoothie bar."
The key phrase there of course is, "already had a private coffee shop and smoothie bar."
Read the entire story here.
SINC SAYS:
We will have to see what comes up in the next installment to further embarrass the mayor and council members who supported this lunacy, and it might just be the thin edge of the wedge to end secrecy. Not to mention angry taxpayers once they know all the dirty details. Our bet is that councillors MacKay and Parker who opposed the deal are very glad they distanced themselves from this mess.
No business deal involving taxpayer dollars should ever be kept secret. If any firm wants to do business with the city of St. Albert in future, they should insist nothing about the contract be held in camera by council. All dealing should be up front, above board and in public, not hidden behind FOIP or 'first person' bull. After all, it is the company's reputation that is at stake, not the city of St. Albert.
I should imagine Starbucks has had enough of having their name dragged through the dirt in the national media. It makes you wonder who might be next, or will total exposure of this deal force council to smarten up with the in camera stuff?
Interest from right across the country continues to build here on St. Albert's Place On The Web with some 2,095 page hits and 1,778 unique visitors to the site yesterday alone.
Some readers may not be aware that if you see hits registering on the tiny spinning globe right above the counter information in the right hand column, you can see much more by clicking on the tiny button noted by the red arrow in the image below. That opens a new window with a large spinning globe that shows just how many people from how many countries visit St. Albert's Place On The Web, with the lasts few hits in real time:
Did you remember to turn your clocks ahead one hour last night?
This Place Is For The Birds
Not only are the geese back this spring, but so are the mallard ducks as you can see by this shot by fishing columnist Paul C.
_________________________________________________________________
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
Clement warns budget will spark a 'culture shift' - CBC
Remains of 167 people found in southern Mexico - CNN
One dead, 4 injured in B.C. backcountry avalanches - CTV
Alberta's Koe to meet Howard in Brier final - Edmonton Journal
Life and death on Mount Kilimanjaro - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
Just relaxin' in the tub . . .
Sorry,
Want
Some?
Bill Dance Show Bloopers
We've run this one before, but a reader asked if we could find it again, so here we go. I still laugh at this one!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Irish Priest
11/03/2012 03:37
He walked to the window of his bedroom to get a deep breath of the beautiful day outside.
He then noticed there was a jackass lying dead in the middle of his front lawn.
He promptly called the local police station and the conversation went like this:
''Good morning. This is Sergeant Jones. How might I help you?''
''And the best of the day te yerself. This is Father O'Malley at St. Ann's Catholic Church. There's a jackass lying dead on me front lawn "
Sergeant Jones, considering himself to be quite a wit, replied with a smirk, ''Well now Father, it was always my impression that you people took care of the last rites!''
There was dead silence on the line for a moment.
Father O'Malley then replied: 'Aye, 'tis certainly true, but we are also obliged to notify the next of kin.''
Be sure to visit our home page.
WEBBITS
11/03/2012 03:37
Crispy Seasoned Oven Fries
11/03/2012 03:36
Say yes at a restaurant and you could be adding 430 calories and 23 grams of fat to your order. Our slimmed-down spuds cut those numbers in half!
Read the recipe here.
__________________________________________________________________
City Council
Starbucks
Coffee At
$ervu$ Place
Decision
Links To Today's Outstanding Photographs
11/03/2012 03:36
Today's Activity Corner
11/03/2012 03:36
Word of the Day
Word of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
Article of the Day
Article of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
This Day in History
This Day in History
provided by The Free Dictionary
Today's Birthday
Today's Birthday
provided by The Free Dictionary
In the News
In the News
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Quote of the Day
Quote of the Day
provided by The Free Library
Match Up
Match Up
provided by The Free Dictionary
Hangman
Hangman
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