kingston free press vol i no 3 01-05-2016
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T H E K I N G S T O N
F R E E P R E S S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vol. I 0 ¢ No. 3 SUNDAY, MAY 1ST, 2016
LOCALLY OWNED, INDEPENDENTLY OPERATED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towering interests in downtown development
< Riana Zandra Colbert
Without a doubt development in downtown Kingston is on the
minds of many as we watch the transition of the old Capitol
Theatre site and the new 'two tower' development in the North
Block of downtown. These two new high-rise projects in downtown
Kingston are at the forefront of the discussion. One would be hard
pressed to find a single person who does not have an opinion on
the topic. Commentary is widespread and concerns that many have
are being loudly discussed in blog posts, letters, on social media
and in public meetings.
To summarize, three main points can be taken from these oft-
heard discussions:
a) Maintaining Kingston's historical aesthetic and appealing mid-
size scale is very important to many.
b) Many worry that downtown businesses and the downtown
community can't handle the influx of waste, traffic and chaos the
buildings will create during construction and that will carry
through as would-be new residents begin to settle.
c) Lastly, are high-rises actually the right answer for Kingston's
growing population? Some speculate that above and beyond the
genuine need for new housing stock, mayoral power-tripping and
lobbying pressure from tax revenue producing developers holds
heavier sway these days.
Yet, a salient point that hasn't arisen is the need to make a
distinction between these two projects. As a result, the idea of any
high-rise construction is ideologically rejected outright without
objective consideration of the value and implications of the
projects separately.
The Capitol Theatre site condominiums project and Homestead
Land Holdings' two tower development in the North Block will each
have different effects on the downtown. While they both stand to
change the physical characteristics of the downtown as has been
abundantly pointed out by many over the last year, they (CONT’D 2)
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L O C A L N E W S & O P I N I O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1 CONT’D) each have separate implications for the economy of
downtown Kingston. For instance, the luxury condos of the Capitol
Theatre site will bring an influx of wealthier clientele but won't
actually address the needs of the growing middle class in Kingston.
On the other hand, the Homestead two tower development is a
mixed-use property which will include both residential and
commercial use. Though nothing is promised, this development model
at least provides potential leeway that could include more
affordable housing and increased space for local businesses. An
added provision in this proposal means the city will acquire new
parking structures to replace the lots where the development will
take place. This has the further potential to continue to develop
Kingston as an attractive site for tourism.
Though neither can be said to be an absolute good, conflating
the two projects risks misunderstanding important differentiations
that serve to help citizens make good decisions about life in
Kingston. It is important to know the facts and not just follow a
false dichotomy. Many of those who are in opposition to the
projects stand as a solid mass against 'the towers' as an idea cum
normative stance. As many of the same reasons and variations
thereof construct the weaker arguments against high-rise
development projects in downtown Kingston it is easy to summarize
this position and move on to what I and many others believe to be
the central issue with these projects. The issue has less to do with
the look and feel of downtown, or the length of the construction
period, or even the widely discussed ‘deadly wind tunnels’ that so
many fear will ruin our city: high-rises mean change.
Detrimentally, the sheer number of these ideological arguments
being put forth not only detracts from good arguments being made
concerning discontent for high-rises, but they risk unfairly
evaluating a genuine need for change. If we are not presented with
the facts, how can we make the best of our role in making these
difficult decisions as citizens?
At this point, citizens can continue to get involved by
participating in the statutory public meeting that has been
scheduled for Thursday, May 19 at City Hall at 6:30pm. This
meeting is specifically designed to provide members of the public
with an opportunity to provide feedback on the third draft of the
Official Plan. This plan is available on the city's website, and is a
hefty but informative read for those who have not had the
opportunity. (CONT’D 3)
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L O C A L N E W S & O P I N I O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
History in the crumbling (Photo: Frank Cybulski)
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(CONT’D 3) Further, there are many on Facebook joining together to
discuss these issues as community members. One such group is
Vision for Kingston, an online forum where "... residents
committed to a human scale, densified and accessible Kingston can
share ideas and resources", which is open to the greater public.
What is important to keep in mind through all of this remains
the fact that the guidelines we have for how we plan to support
growth in the city, does not reflect the needs, wants and
requirements of the city as a whole. This fact alone shouldn't
bring forth a resounding No, but an evaluation and proper inquiry
into how to improve the guidelines themselves. Working to improve
guidelines that can better reflect the diversity of desires in the
city will necessitate an improved mechanism for providing citizens
with factual information that can better inform their input. This
will go a long way to prevent further arguments constructed from
the inaccurate watered down crap derived from hearsay that too
many people base their opinions on.
- NOTE: Vision for Kingston will host an informative talk on
'densification' on May 11, 2016 at 6:30pm in the Wilson Room
of the Central Branch of the Kingston Public Library.
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L O C A L N E W S & O P I N I O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Change For FIN: advocating for child survivors of violence
< Laura Garcia-Cervantes & Marci McMullen
When a child in our community is assaulted, the process of
investigating that crime looks almost exactly the same as it does
for an adult. Police stations and victim services rarely focus on
the child or make them feel comfortable. For the non-offending
caregivers, there is a need for guidance. What would a criminal
trial look like? What would happen to the child when the trial was
over? What happens if the abuser is found guilty - or worse, if
they are acquitted? It is necessary to create a friendly, safe, and
educational environment for children, youth and their non-
offending caregivers. This brings us to Change for FIN and their
plans for a Child and Youth Advocacy Center - the missing piece in
Kingston's justice system.
"It started personal, but it has since become political. The
process for a 4-year-old being assaulted is the same as for a 24-
year-old, or even a 44-year-old - only they lack access to the
same kind of support, as many of those agencies are in place for
people over the age of 16,” said an anonymous source.
Unfortunately, in the case of the family who inspired this
organization, the gaps between agencies and a lack of attention to
detail resulted in a difficult legal proceeding. Putting a child
through the process of questioning should be to have their voice
used as valuable evidence in the court of law, in a way that does
not foster re-victimization.
Change for FIN is a newly established organization in our
community that aims to support families in need by using a
multidisciplinary approach. Achieving a just outcome for both the
non-offending caregivers and the victim themselves is difficult,
particularly when a child is moving from official to official,
being prompted to relive a traumatic experience in an already
uncomfortable environment. Children can be sensitive and
unpredictable, so making accommodations, and meeting their unique
needs with snacks, breaks, and a play space is crucial to creating
an environment where the child feels comfortable enough to
disclose details with investigators. A multidisciplinary approach
allows for the input of doctors, involvement with counsellors,
education for the care givers, and a space for the child to tell
their story clearly - it is their right to be taken seriously in
the court of law. This is a growing need in our community.
- NOTE: Want to help Change for FIN? See Page 16 for info!
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N A T I O N A L N E W S & O P I N I O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A carat for your thoughts? The ethics of Canadian diamonds
< Laura Dyer
As someone who works in the jewellery industry, I am
constantly asked about Canadian diamonds. People say they want
them because they’re ‘conflict free’ and they can ‘feel better’ about
buying them. Canadian diamonds are frequently cited as better
diamonds by consumers who distinguish them as safe alternatives to
the much publicized ‘blood diamonds’ of some African countries.
However, if you believe that Canadian diamonds are somehow more
socially acceptable then their overseas counterparts, there are
some hard realities you’re going to have to accept.
There has always been much criticism and distrust surrounding
diamond mining in Ontario and how it profits the province.
Currently there is only one diamond mine in Ontario, Victor Mine.
It is one of four operating on Canadian soil, and run by De Beers,
a multinational corporation which has also been dubbed by its
critics as ‘the world’s most successful cartel’. Since production
began in 2008, Victor Mine has pulled over 700,000 carats a year
from Ontario soil. It is projected to run dry by 2018, but the area
surrounding it is being explored by De Beers for further
development. The company’s financial reviews claim that they sell
each carat mined there for $560, a sum which would net them just
shy of $400 million a year.
In the same financial review there is a small detail about the
geographical area of the northern Ontario mine; Victor Lake is
approximately 90km west of the reserve community of Attawapiskat.
Attawapiskat is a name that has been on the tongues of many
Canadians this month as we’ve dusted off our indignation for the
utter squalor on the reserve. Assumedly it was dug up from
wherever we put it after the 2011 housing crisis that painted our
national headlines. Just as it did then, earlier this month
Attawapiskat declared another community crisis, this time to deal
with the high suicide rate in the area, particularly amongst its
youth. The country was shocked to learn that eleven people, mostly
youth, attempted suicide. Nearly 2,000 live in Attawapiskat, and
the reserve’s only full-time, provincially funded mental-health
position had been vacant since 2014, partially because of the
housing shortage.
Throughout the coverage of the current suicide crisis, there
was very little mention of Victor Mine’s close proximity to
Attawapiskat. If mentioned, it was usually to say that (CONT’D 6)
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N A T I O N A L N E W S & O P I N I O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mining resources or plundering communities? (Photo: wikipedia.org)
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(5 CONT’D) unemployment is a problem on the reserve, though some
find work at the mine. De Beers has set up a trust fund of roughly
$13 million for the community, and in 2014 one million of this
fund was released to the community. It also claims 35-40% of the
mine labour force come from the Attawapiskat First Nation. The
Toronto Star estimated just this year that it would take $21
million to fix the housing crisis. It would cost around $260,000 to
build a four-bedroom home, and this total only covers about eighty
of the condemned houses in the community.
Estimates of the cost of resources to adequately deal with the
ongoing suicide crisis also range in the millions. The high
financial price tag is the grim reality for many First Nation
communities who continue to reckon with how they were treated by
countless governments who stole their land and abused generations
of their children in residential schools, part of a bid to erase
their ties to their language, community and identity. The
aftershocks of that kind of trauma are continuing to be felt
through issues like high suicide rates. This is the price tag of
colonization. It is a legacy too often dismissed by the rest of
Canada, and those who are privileged enough to profit off of said
colonization on an ongoing, daily basis. All while De Beers’ Victor
mine pulls $400 million a year from land that once belonged to
the Attawapiskat First Nation. Unsurprisingly, it was taken from
them through an extension of Treaty 9 in 1930.
A conflict diamond is, by definition, a rough diamond used to
fund armed conflict; in a literal sense, Ontario diamonds can’t be
given that label. However, ‘conflict free’ is certainly a misnomer.
Victor Mine was built on stolen land, by a multinational
corporation which is siphoning millions of dollars in resources
sold to them by a government whose claims are soaked in blood,
abuse, and theft. 90 kilometres west is a community that struggles
to provide basic care and resources to its people. Attawapiskat
receives a pittance of the almost $400 million a year profit from
what is being mined from their ancestral lands. Here is the hard
truth: there is no such thing as an ethical Canadian diamond.
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N A T I O N A L N E W S & O P I N I O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Supreme Court strikes down Conservative minimum sentences
< Frank Cybulski
A Supreme Court of Canada decision released Friday April 15th
struck down two laws passed by the former Conservative government
as part of their ‘tough on crime’ legislation. In a 6-3 decision, the
court ruled that minimum sentences for drug crimes violated the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The majority of judges
recommended that future laws should have a narrower scope, or
that “Parliament could provide for judicial discretion to allow for
a lesser sentence where the mandatory minimum would be grossly
disproportionate and would constitute cruel and unusual
punishment.”
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Canadian cannabis legalisation set for spring 2017
< Frank Cybulski
In a speech to the United Nations General Assembly’s special
council on drugs on April 20th, Canada’s Health Minister Jane
Philpott announced the government’s intention to legalise the sale
of recreational cannabis in spring 2017. Claiming that the
criminalisation of drugs has seen “too many people suffer the
devastating consequences of drugs, drug-related crime, and ill-
conceived drug policy,” Philpott went on to explain that the
Liberal government would modernise Canada’s approach to drugs. A
task force on the issue has already been set up, chaired by MP and
former Toronto police chief Bill Blair.
While such actions place Canada on the forefront of cannabis
legalisation worldwide by national governments, several issues
continue to plague the Liberals’ efforts. Firstly, according to
Statistics Canada, approximately 60,000 Canadians are arrested for
cannabis possession each year; while the Liberals are promising to
legalise down the line, immediate decriminalisation of the drug
would bring an end to this, saving substantial sums in court costs
and police paperwork. Secondly, the inconsistencies between this
official line of eventual legalisation and the realities of the
continuing prohibition has plagued police departments and
municipalities across the country as they seek to find a balance
that the government refuses to provide; this legal grey area has
been filled by numerous recreational dispensaries. Third, if the
Liberals’ proposed plan forbids home growing or taxes the product
too highly, it would perpetuate the black market for the substance.
As the plan is worked on, more details should come forward.
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W O R L D N E W S & O P I N I O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Crisis in the Church of Scientology
< Scott Wilson
Things are not well at the Church of Scientology, and reports
are that they are going to get a lot worse. There is an inside
expose on the current leader David Miscavige’s estranged father
Ron Miscavige autobiography being released at the end of this
month, and an interview on 20/20 on April 29th. Ron Miscavige, one
time musical director at the Sea Org sect, has a powerful ally in
the form of Lisa Marie Presley - herself a once high profile
member now alienated from the organization - who is actively
orchestrating a PR campaign against the Church of Scientology.
This is by no means the only front on which the church finds
itself embattled. The Netherlands recently revoked their tax free
status, as has Russia. The German government is making ominous
noises on the subject and Belgium failed to make fraud charges
stick. One glimmer of good news was a court decision regarding its
ability to perform marriages in England has gone the church’s way.
This opens the way to a reapplication for tax exempt status. The
government of Great Britain is actively working to see this
doesn’t happen, and nobody but Scientologists are overly excited by
the prospect.
While their web site boasts ever increasing numbers of
adherents - the fastest growing religion in the 21st century - it
has stopped the practice of publishing actual figures. At one time
their literature listed addresses; now it directs you to the website
that will only tell you the mission nearest you. The venues are
getting smaller, and reports are that they aren’t filling the way
they once did. They had a boom of property buying in the mid-90s
in an effort to give the impression that they were expanding, but
these buildings remain mostly empty gradually getting more
derelict. The one in Montreal is under threat of sale by the
municipal government for arrears in taxes.
All the while the steady drumbeat of usury fees for courses
and suspect practices used on its flock; poor conditions for
employees and disassociating adherents from their families. There
is also the stories of persecuting apostates and armies of lawyers
descending on people that speak out. The Church of Scientology may
well be the low hanging fruit of religions; with its origins
within living memory and particularly bizarre dogma, it could well
be the first established religion to fail, and knowledgeable
spectators see it as a distinct possibility.
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W O R L D N E W S & O P I N I O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Photo: kremlin.ru via wikipedia.org)
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Russia launches first rocket from new Siberian cosmodrome
< Frank Cybulski
Roscosmos, the space agency of the Russian Federation, launched
a Soyuz-2.1a rocket from their brand new facility in the Russian
Far East, Vostochny Cosmodrome, on April 27th. Previous Russian
space infrastructure was located at a facility in Baikonur,
Kazakhstan, formerly a part of the Soviet Union. Since the
collapse of the U.S.S.R., Russia leased Baikonur from the
Kazakhstan government, but difficulties in this arrangement led to
the construction of a new spaceport. With the newly operational
Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia’s lack of domestic space launch
capability has now been rectified.
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Liberals approve weapons exports to Saudi Arabia
< Frank Cybulski
In a set of documents signed on April 8th and later obtained
by the Globe and Mail, Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion
signed off on the sale of LAV III armoured personnel carriers to
the Saudi Arabian government. Given a choice between rejecting the
sale, sending it for further review, or approving it, Mr. Dion
chose to approve it. With this signature, the final hurdle in the
controversial weapons sale has been overcome.
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W O R L D N E W S & O P I N I O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
#PanamaPapers: who benefits?
< Frank Cybulski
The initial release of the so-called Panama Papers on April
3rd took the world’s economic elite by surprise. The collection of
documents from a Panama-based law firm, Mossack Fonseca, contained
the details of tax evasion and money laundering through the use of
off-shore banking accounts by numerous members of governments,
large corporations, and various other ‘leaders’ of society. The
International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), the
group behind the release of documents, is comprised of over 190
journalists in 65 countries, claiming to focus upon issues such as
“cross-border crime, corruption, and the accountability of power.”
The initial release of documents took aim at such individuals as
Vladimir Putin and Bashar al-Assad and their associates - namely,
enemies of the West.
However, as the ICIJ gears up for further releases of
documents, the questions not being asked by most media outlets
have become increasingly obvious: who are these individuals, and
where is the funding for their project coming from. To begin with,
billionaire financier George Soros’ Open Society Foundation,
former U.S. President Gerald Ford’s Ford Foundation, the Pew
Foundation, and others in places of prominence in American society
and finance. Thus, while the consortium may claim to be on the side
of the little guy, they are, in fact, agents of the global (and
particularly Western) elite.
Those initially implicated in the first release of Panama
Papers were immediately seized upon by the sharks of the global
media as they caught the scent of blood in the water; the juicy
details of large sums being placed out of the grasp of national
governments in dire need of income were far too good to pass up. A
narrative of rich individuals created great interest in the public
and fueled high ratings for news networks and sales for
newspapers.
As the ICIJ continues its quest and releases further details
from the data bomb of the Panama Papers, it is important to ask
further questions and take the releases with a large grain of salt.
Whether members of the global elite engaged in tax evasion is not
in question, but who the ICIJ chooses to highlight in its releases
is another matter entirely. While good intentioned journalists may
be trying hard to create a more equal world, the unspoken agendas
of their funding sources must be kept in mind.
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B U S I N E S S & F I N A N C E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exchange Rates
1 U.S. dollar
1 U.K. pound
1 Euro
1 Australian dollar
1 Japanese yen
1 Chinese yuan
1 Bitcoin
Stock Markets
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Dow Jones
Nasdaq 100
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Economic Indicators
Unemployment (Mar)
Participation (Mar)
CPI (Mar)
Real GDP (Feb)
GoC 10yr Bond
Baltic Dry Index
1.25 CAD
1.83 CAD
1.44 CAD
0.95 CAD
0.012 CAD
0.19 CAD
569.36 CAD
13,951.45 pts
17,773.64 pts
4,775.36 pts
6,322.40 pts
16,666.05 pts
2,938.32 pts
4,500.43 pts
10,235.47 pts
1,953.01 pts
25,612.91 pts
1,998.68 pts
1290.5 USD
17.63 USD
305.3 USD
45.98 USD
0.16 USD
4.84 USD
3.91 USD
10.73 USD
0.6377 USD
1.22 USD
10.21 USD
7.1%
65.9%
127.9
$1,668B
1.48%
703
% Change (M/Y)
+3.7% / +3.1%
+1.1% / -0.1%
-0.7% / -4.5%
-1.1% / -4.8%
+1.4% / -11.4%
+0.1% / -0.1%
+9.3% / -19.4%
% Change (M/Y)
+5.5% / -9.5%
+6.8% / +2.0%
+6.8% / +3.7%
+2.2% / -7.1%
+1.6% / -13.1%
+11.5% / -32.8%
+0.8% / -9.3%
+5.0% / -12.4%
+1.39% / +11.1%
+11.0% / -3.69%
+3.4% / -4.7%
% Change (M/Y)
-0.7% / +2.5%
+3.4% / -8.0%
+22.7% / +12.3%
+12.7% / -22.9%
+15.4% / +26.4%
+6.3% / -11.7%
-0.3% / -9.3%
-7.6% / -11.1%
-0.9% / -6.3%
+7.6% / -3.2%
+7.4% / -5.8%
% Change (M/Y)
-0.2% / +0.2%
+0.0% / +0.1%
+0.8% / +1.8%
-0.1% / +1.5%
+0.15% / +0.10%
+63.9% / +33.4%
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E D I T O R I A L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Year 2030: Kingston, Ontario The Concrete City
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Deferred maintenance: the bane of industrial civilisation
< Frank Cybulski
The corrosion of steel is a silent and often deadly killer for
the vast infrastructure constructed in North America since the end
of the Second World War. The red glint of rust reveals the
significant deteriorating of crucial road and rail infrastructure
across the continent. While the oxidisation of iron may not
initially seem to be the great killer of industrial civilisation,
this process gradually sucks away the structural strength of
numerous structures, including bridges, highway overpasses,
airports, and gas, water, and electricity production and
distribution infrastructure - essentially, all the essentials we
take for granted.
The cost to maintain this infrastructure against corrosion was
estimated at over $500B annually in the United States alone. As
the growth spurt enjoyed in the post-war period fades into the
past, that which was constructed during this time becomes
increasingly old and subject to increasing structural weaknesses.
Difficult decisions will soon be upon Western civilisation as we
confront the creaking bones of our economic body. The cost of
replacing this infrastructure in whole may be far more than
depleted treasuries can handle.
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E D I T O R I A L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flexible streets: getting Kingston’s urban planning out of the 60’s
< Frank Cybulski
One only need hop in a vehicle and attempt to drive through
crucial intersections in Kingston at peak hours to realise the
significant issues faced by the city. Numerous intersections are
regularly jammed up, filled with cars and trucks blocking access
for others as they struggle to slide into small streets with lights
that are poorly adapted for the paths taken by most commuters.
Some major arteries are in dire need of reconstruction.
Kingston’s east end, for example, long used to being ignored by the
rest of the city, has a single deteriorating two-lane arterial road
(Highway 15) that leads to a single bridge (the LaSalle Causeway)
that cannot be upgraded. The situation has been exacerbated by the
continual expansion of suburban car-centric developments with no
regard for the supporting infrastructure. While upgrades are
being considered, they are bogged down in the city’s glacial
decision-making process. Traffic issues plague this sector of the
city, with only the mythical third crossing to abate them.
Though obviously the use of bicycles and transit should be
encouraged, the City of Kingston has fallen flat here as well. The
city’s ham-fisted attempts at introducing bicycle lanes have hardly
increased cycling, as cyclists are still faced with traffic zooming
close by on major roads. The creation of distinct bicycle routes and
median-separated bicycle lanes would greatly aid safety and
encourage cycling for those reluctant to suffer the risks involved.
In addition, though the expansion of Kingston Transit’s express
routes has increased transit use, further development is needed on
the creation of a true downtown bus terminal, and expansion of
park-and-ride services in the city’s outskirts.
Easing congestion does not necessarily mean the construction of
expensive, wide, pedestrian-unfriendly roads. Low-cost solutions
for these issues do exist, including the adaptation of existing
streets to maximise traffic flow, and the use of sophisticated
computer programming (in one case, developed by the University of
Toronto) to network ‘smart’ traffic lights that can adapt to traffic
patterns as they occur. Unfortunately, Kingston has all too often
fallen victim to NIMBYism; streets that could be used to divert
traffic from major arteries and intersections are now filled with
speed bumps. While this appeases a vocal minority, it all too often
leads to congestion that causes wasted time for commuters and more
pollution. Kingston’s urban planning must enter the 21st century.
- 14 -
A R T S & E N T E R T A I N M E N T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brian’s Pick of the Month
< Brian Lipsin
I remember when I first came to Kingston in 1980 looking for
a place to rent to start Brian’s Record Option. I came to an
upstairs place above which is now Art Noise (it used to be the A&P
in its day). The landlord looked me over up and down, and said the
rent would be $300 a month, everything included. I insisted on a
written lease which he didn’t want. I went to Lino’s Restaurant on
Division and wrote my first legal document of five pages, and
returned to the landlord asking for his signature he signed it and
I didn’t.
When my store was upstairs I didn’t always get a lot of people
in. I remember one hot sticky day in August, it was a million
degrees upstairs and I put a sign on my door. It was a person
building a canoe backwards and the caption read “Shit, I’ve got to
get a new part.” I shut the door and spent half an hour by the
H2O. When I came back to the store I walked up the steps and
smelled marijuana everywhere; when I reached the landing there
was a lineup to get into the store - a lineup of five. I can’t get
away with this now.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Blackie and Rodeo Kings were playing at the Alehouse, and I
was giving away tickets for the gig. A young kid came in to buy a
CD, and I asked him if he wanted a free ticket for the show. He
didn’t know who they were; after telling him about the group, I
asked him again if he wanted a free ticket. He looked at me and
said, “No thank you.” At the same time Tom Wilson from the group
was in the back of the store listening; when the kid said no
thanks, Tom came after the kid and said in a booming voice, “What
do you mean, you don’t want to hear us play?” The kid ran out of
the store. Tom asked me if I was going to the gig and I said,
“Maybe later.” On the way home I bumped into someone I thought
would want a free ticket and he asked me if I was going; I
responded “Maybe later.” At the show they gave me a plug and
asked if I was there (I wasn’t) - that person yelled “Maybe later!”
- 15 -
A R T S & E N T E R T A I N M E N T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Show Review: Joel Plaskett @ the Grand Theatre
< Frank Cybulski
When I was scarcely 19, I almost saw Joel Plaskett at the X
Inn in Antigonish, Nova Scotia playing back-to-back solo sets with
Jeremy Fisher. I left after Fisher’s set, so happy to have seen
him; the lack of Plaskett has weighed heavily on me ever since.
On April 26th I attempted to make up for this oversight and
went to see Joel Plaskett and the Emergency playing at the Grand
Theatre. While the Grand is an unideal venue compared to the close
confines of StFX’s campus bar, Plaskett made the most of it. From
the very beginning, he brought out his particular blend of high-
energy indie-rock and acoustic folk. With almost non-existent
breaks between songs, he blended his story-telling with the music,
to our great delight. He didn’t let back despite battling a sore
throat, belting out old favourites like ‘Love This Town’ and ‘Face
of the Earth’, as well as songs from the Emergency’s latest album
‘Park Avenue Sobriety Test', and even some unreleased material.
Always his personable self, he did not hesitate to give this
author his final autographs of the day. Touring since he was a
teenager, Plaskett remains one of Canada’s finest indie live acts,
and one of the East Coast’s best recent musical exports.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Play Review: New & Used @ Brian’s Record Option
< Laura Garcia-Cervantes
After being given the name of an obscure record at the door, we
were shuffled through Brian’s Record Option and instructed to
search for said record within its skinny aisles (made only smaller
by the precariously stacked towers of vinyl). I wondered whether
this play would truly use its environment to its full potential, or
if we were destined to watch a live-action, glossy tour-guide
pamphlet. At last, the show began: two young women began to
converse loudly from opposite sides of the room - we knew it was
time to pay attention. The actresses, Audrey Sara and Hannah
Komlodi, moved briskly throughout the store, shoulders brushing
the audience as they squeezed by, with a constant back and forth of
comedic energy between the two opposites: new and used. I found
myself moving as close as I could to the action - smiling without
even realizing it as the actress depicting Used gushed about the
shop’s importance and history - at first met with resistance by
New, but slowly found common ground between the two. Highly
recommended for lovers of downtown Kingston, history, or music.
- 16 -
A R T S & E N T E R T A I N M E N T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What’s Going On?
The Grad Club
- May 11th 9:00pm - Jason Collett, Zeus, Kalle Mattson
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Mansion
- May 6th 9:30pm - The Damn Truth; Osheaga preview of a rock
and roll band from Montreal.
- May 14th 9:00pm - Goodwood Atoms, Kasador; blend of
ethereal folk, electronic infected grooves and heavy hitting
climaxes
- May 17th 9:00pm - Royal Tusk, Fake Shark, Paper Ladies $10 advance ticket available at The Mansion, Brian’s Record Option,
Tricolour Outlet and online.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Grand Theatre
- Heathers, The Musical
May 3rd to May 8th - Baby Grand Theatre
$20 General / $17 Students/Youth
- The Sam Shepard Series
May 7th to May 8th
$15 General / $10 Student/Youth
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Musiikki Cafe
- Sunday nights - Kingston Drum Circle @ 6:00pm and Soul
Jams with the John Torres Project @ 8:00pm
- Monday nights - Stormy Mondays with the John Torres
Project @ 8:00pm
- Tuesday nights - Open Mic Experience @ 8:00pm
- Wednesday nights - Folk Wednesdays with John McLurg and
Chris Morris @ 8:00pm
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Support Change for FIN!
- Come to their kick-off event on June 18th. There will be
artisans, vendors, a BBQ, bake sale, crafts for kids, live music, a
silent auction, radio stations, reporters, and CKWS. Help support
and make this dream a reality for local families in need.
- For more info, find them on Facebook or at changeforfin.com
Change for FIN: A Celebration of Hope: Saturday, June 18th 2016,
10am - 3pm 2495 Princess St, Haven Home ClimateCare
- 17 -
C O M M U N I T Y & C U L T U R E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Letters to Laura
< Laura Garcia-Cervantes
Dear Laura, I need to make a change. How I dress doesn’t reflect who I am anymore, but I’m hopeless at shopping and can’t afford to
just go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. Help? - Stuck in a Rut
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clothing is one of the easiest ways to express creativity, and a
style that works for you can do wonders for your self-confidence!
Maybe you need to dress for the job you want, or you’ve simply
come to realize that the person you once were doesn’t reflect who
you are now. Whatever your reason may be, change is good. The only
thing getting in your way is this pesky little tool called ‘money’.
The idea of shaking things up in your wardrobe may be fun, but
sometimes it isn’t possible to do it all in one big swoop. Sadly, we
aren’t living in a TLC makeover montage. While it can certainly be frustrating, you need to be patient. This process may take a whole
year to complete (especially on a budget) - but not rushing is
always worth it. Do the homework. Work with a plan incorporating a few new
pieces into your existing wardrobe. Search out some key elements
such as a beautiful belt, a scarf, or some funky earrings.
Pinterest is a great tool for fleshing out cost effective ideas- a
mini catalogue in your pocket - to remind yourself of what you
want so you don’t stray and waste money on items you don’t need. Take an honest look at what you already own. Go through
everything in your closet and get rid of those pieces that won’t
carry you forward. Be honest with yourself. Do those pants fit
anymore? Are you ever going to fix the broken zipper on that cute
dress you wore one time 5 years ago? Sure you had a great time
wearing it, but that was then and this is now. Salvation Army, Value Village, Phase 2, What’ll I Wear - not
only can you donate your recently purged clothing, but you can
find some pretty cool things in return for great prices! Follow
these steps and in no time that change you crave will come. Thrift shopping tips: 1. Go alone, so you don’t feel pressured to speed through your search. 2. Set a budget, which will force you to
be creative. $30? That could be an entire outfit - shoes included.
3. Find themes in colour. If you’re starting small, it would be wise
to buy things that already match, instead of only buying fun
statement pieces. A solid foundation for your future wardrobe will
make your transition that much easier.
- 18 -
C O M M U N I T Y & C U L T U R E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
This Month in the Planets
< Sophie Bramhall
Five planets are in retrograde this month: Mercury, Jupiter,
Saturn, Mars, and Pluto. Expect major turbulence - best of luck.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- Aries: If you don't stop
waiting for something to go
wrong, your premonitions might
just come true. It's hard to heal
when you rub salt into the
wound.
- Taurus: It's nice to stop and
smell the roses, but sometimes
you need to continue on your
path. Don't get too distracted or
you'll never reach the end of
the trail.
- Gemini: This month isn't
favourable for you, but
remember that things could
always be worse. Trust your
judgements and hold caution
close.
- Cancer: Are you sure you want
to continue watching? Put the
Netflix and take-out aside for a
night, all of your social
interactions are bountiful this
month.
- Leo: Don't go out without a
jacket; you're a reflection of
the weather. Just because you
feel the sun on your back,
doesn't mean you should throw
caution to the wind.
- Virgo: Having trouble coming
up with a plan? I know that
might stress you out but just
jump on stage and get started.
There's a surprise waiting for
you if you play it by ear.
- Libra: Yes, there are plenty
of fish in the sea. Some just
happen to be imbued with
mercury. It might be difficult,
but you need to focus on seeing
yourself for who you really
are.
- Scorpio: It is in your self-
interest to find a way to be
tender. It pays to kill with
kindness when you're feeling
like your own worst enemy.
- Sagittarius: Your flame is
brighter than you've ever felt.
You might burn some bridges but
worry not, from the ashes a
phoenix may rise.
- Capricorn: You've been having
trouble being decisive lately,
which is very unlike you. Take
it as a gift. Maybe some extra
time to evaluate is just what
the doctor ordered.
- Aquarius: You're surprisingly
comfortable with your emotional
detachment, but despite the warm
weather you've been feeling
colder than ever. Be patient and
clarity will find you; there's no
rush.
- Pisces: Communication is key
this month. Be careful with
your words or you might end up
biting your tongue. Bite too
hard and you could end up
drawing blood.
- 19 -
P R O S E & P O E T R Y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lights by the Cliff
< Oscar Cadeau Not smart, not brave, and not especially pretty. When I go with
my friends, I feel like a burden, I feel like someone who’s just
there to ask the dumb questions. “Val,” Houda says, “Why we keep you around?” “I don’t know”, I don’t say. Instead I laugh. The bags hand off
my shoulders, all the necessary equipment. The ESP detector, which
has been on the fritz since it was invented, the infrared lenses
for our cameras, the cameras and the lights we spend so much time
documenting. It’s kind of weird we don’t just go to the lab and try
to put it all together. What are we looking for?
“The afterlife,” Skor says. He’s pretty adamant when I bring it
up. I wished I believed in an afterlife. But when I was twelve I nearly drowned. Water inflated my lungs like balloons, and for
days after my chest swished like a ripe coconut when shaken. Lying on the beach, my hair salty with the sea and my breath sharp and
pained, I cannot recall anything or anyone coming for me, except
people. I saw no light, and if I’d died I wouldn’t have seen one
either. All there is are people, and that’s all we’ve found.
We go out with the equipment every night, to the same field
that drops off into a sharp ravine. You can hear the water, but it
sounds like the wind if you don’t know. In the dark, it is very
easy to walk until there is no field left, and local legend says
it’s happened again and again. We bring lights. We know it is water we hear, under the
constant wind. We’ve tried to make contact with the spirits who
walked until there was no field left. All we find is people, people
who ignore us because we’re there every night. Like the wind. It is foolish to go without light. Now we always carry them. They
are strongest by the cliff.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flightless Bird
< Jennifer Peruniak Wander in silence, you may or you might,
I wonder if this small bird will take flight? A darkness looms, a speck on the dotted line of time,
With incredible potential: fleeting within seconds of a beating
heart. What will catch fire will ignite.
What speck of darkness could change your life?
- 20 -
P R O S E & P O E T R Y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Pit Yawns
< Eugene Cornacchia
on the way to the smoke shop
i pause at the yawning pit
construction machinery silent
in the sunday afternoon
sunshine
i watch the run-off water
pour from century old
vaulted-arch limestone sewers
a bleeding vein in this
earthly gash
pondering where the
rats have gone
displaced by all this
earthmoving
the young people make their way
to the neighbourhood
ice-cream shop
the laughing throngs
ever-smiling
driven by sunshine and spring
while a lone hulking man
golem-like
with the round full-moon face
of a sad child
holds his hands out
palms upwards seeking change
in the silence that is his alone
in eyes that know rejection
deep and long
i think of the crumpled bills in
my pocket
earmarked for the nicotine
monkey
shake my head in a
negative to him
turn my gaze
to the pit once again
the pit yawns while
a whisper of guilt flickers
behind my eyes
like the cormorants shadow that
flies overhead
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I Am
< Eugene Cornacchia
i am
swimming
in a grey stone sea
forty years of limestone
i am
a half-smiling fossil
pressed in layers of pre-
cambrian rock
like a funeral flower
between the pages of a diary
i am
shaded
squinting at the sunlight
which might render me to dust
i am
bloodless grey
awaiting sunset
and the gentler touch of
moonlight
- 21 -
P R O S E & P O E T R Y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Lost City of the King (February 17, 2021)
< Tracie Morgan
As you celebrated
Your Heritage
your citizens shivered
in the cold.
While you were busy constructing
a pretty new building
to celebrate other old and pretty
buildings,
they were torn down
to make way for boxes
to warehouse the wealthy
and the learned.
As you feasted on the heart
which made you great,
the homeless were sent away
and the poor were herded off
- out of sight
of the camera's eye.
You numbered yourselves
among the servants
of the Queen,
and allowed Her to sneak you
into back alleys to have
Her way with you
before running off, cackling,
with your money.
The little shops could
no longer afford protection,
the merchants headed West
in search of the gold
of wiser fools.
Those boxes now stand empty,
but for the rats,
and the handful of junkies
who now rule in
the City of the King.
Your Monument to Progress
is now merely another
broken down village
on the endless grey highway
lined with numberless
broken down villages.
My compliments to the Pastor.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nocturne
< Eugene Cornacchia
the sun has set in amber blaze
the sky breathed out indigo
and breathed in charcoal black
an almost full-moon silver is now risen
while the crows are nested in their trees
the mirror reflects
neither past nor future
neither sorrow nor hope
the heart-soul holds quiet peace
in the dark of this night
distant pines whisper to me
the compass needle quivers
- 22 -
C L A S S I F I E D S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A special thanks to our loving supporters:
Brian’s Record Option
Used & New Records, Tapes,
CDs, Posters, Sheet Music
Buy - Sell - Trade
381 Princess St. Kingston ON
613-542-2452
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Musiikki Cafe
Coffee - Music - Whiskey
Live music every night @ 8pm
73 Brock St. Kingston ON
613-542-2233
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Screening Room
Independent Movie Theatre
A First Rate Show
at a Modest Price
120 Princess St. Kingston ON
613-542-6080
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CFRC 101.9FM
Kingston’s only non-profit,
volunteer-powered campus &
community radio station.
613-533-CFRC
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alchemy House Jewellery
Kingston’s newest destination
for handmade custom jewellery
190 Princess St. Kingston ON
613-766-3207
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Martello Alley
Ontario’s only art-themed
historic alley showcasing
original and printed artwork.
Great value for great art!
203B Wellington St Kingston ON
613-767-2966
Novel Idea
Kingston’s Independent
Bookstore
Fiction & Nonfiction
156 Princess St. Kingston ON
613-546-9799
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pasta Genova
- Local Italian food -
Pasta, deli, cheese, & more!
234 Wellington St. Kingston ON
613-542-6414
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Permaculture Kingston
A community group interested
in learning permaculture design
and techniques to be applied on
a small or large scale.
http://permaculturekingston.com
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kingston Frameworks
Custom Framing, Art Prints
& Posters, and Gallery
189 Princess St. Kingston ON
613-546-1868
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Queens Events
Connecting Queens students,
faculty, staff, and alumni with
the Kingston community!
http://www.queensevents.ca
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Joe’s M.I.L.L.
Over 750 musical instruments
available for loan!
Lending since 2001.
http://www.joesmill.org
110, 370 King St. W Kingston ON
613-549-5637
- 23 -
C L A S S I F I E D S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Personals, Free & For Sale, Help Wanted
Interested? < [email protected]
‘Frada’ purse, all the style but
none of the legitimacy: $40 OBO
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Solid cherry wood dresser with
ornate gold handles. Some wear
but decent condition: $50 OBO
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross job: scrub our compost bin
after the obnoxious previous
tenants dumped their freezer.
Low pay, no benefits. Biohazard
suit a must.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Civil disobedience summer camp:
learn how to fight the Man
with discipline and knowledge!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wanted: free rocks for garden,
will pick up.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Services: life coach willing to
advise on anything. Call
anytime, I’m unemployed.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Missing: guiding principles for
living. If found, send to
Summerhill House on campus.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
For sale: size 7 Adidas pink and
black sneakers. $35 OBO, pickup
only. I promise they don’t
smell... much.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
One decomposing bird, hastily
buried. Take it away to the pet
cemetery, please.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sparkle bottles: $25 each.
In search of: friends. I’m weird
and uninteresting but I have
money. Let me buy you a drink
or twenty?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rant: pick up after your
children in parks. Tired of
stepping on Lego when I’m
drinking illegally at night.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wanted: every plastic army man
you can possibly find for
backyard diorama. Will be
treated fairly according to
conventions of toy war.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wicker dog toy box, dog toys not
included. $20 OBO
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wanted: old garden tools, will
pay in cash or beer. Help us
bring the yard to life!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ouija board: nobody bought it so
I moved out and hid it
somewhere. For the new tenants:
exorcism recommended, good luck
finding it before they come!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mint condition tabletop foosball
game: $30 OBO
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
For rent: shady timeshare
property in Florida. Not a scam,
I just want your money.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Announcement: women have
periods.
- 24 -
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FREE CONTENT, FREE PUBLICATION, FREE PRESS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Illustration: Benoit Gravel, 2012)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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