|
Friends of the Cawthra Bush & Greater Mississauga Area
• where my videos are posted Pages of Special Interest; • • Other Table of Contents; |
|
Scanned
or retyped copy, if there are errors, please e-mail me with corrections:
Opening comments - more at end. Jul. 26 1989 Mississauga News - Page 3 Culham rallies to support cat house cause Councillor, mayor on opposite sides of the fence By JOHN STEWART - Staff Reporter Ward 6 councillor David Culham ignored criticism from Mayor Hazel to be the keynote speaker at a "Save the Cats" rally at the City owned Bird property Sunday. "I'm here today because a wrong has been committed and it should have been corrected," Culham told about. 100 people who gathered to support Lois Stevens, who runs the Burnhamthorpe Cat Shelter. Stevens has been given until Oct. 31 to leave the property. The City plans to tear down the home to make way for the eventual development of a public gardens and conservatory. To McCallion's suggestion that his appearance is condoning the breaking of the City's animal control by-law Culham replied, '"The mayor knows that's a crock." [ 1 ] Culham said the City is not in a position to use the property for at t two years while a feasibility study is completed. He rejected arguments that there is any liability at all associated with leaving the home and the cat shelter in operation for that period. Staff reports originally indicated almost $200,000 in repairs were needed, "but now we're talking $8,000" after further investigation. He said the family's presence "is worth $8,000 for the policing alone" since they often inform authorities of improper activities in the Credit River valley. [ 2 ] "Are we going to tear down the Ivor sanctuary next?" wondered Culham. The councillor also criticized the mayor for "government by press release" for an announcement issued by the Ontario Humane Society just days before the rally that indicated the mayor had agreed to help find a shelter site in Mississauga. [ 3 ] That prompted the OHS to withdraw its representative from the rally, although three local representatives from OHS branches did speak. Culham said it isn't practical to establish a shelter by the end of the year, as the press release stated. "I hope we're not going to do something when we can do something better," he added. Just before Culham spoke, audience member Tamara Lonergan asked, "Why does that old woman want to tear down a landmark?" in reference to McCallion. She added that if a new incinerator for animals is a part of the new shelter, "she might be the first one in there - she's old enough. " Culham warned the audience that "we will not get anywhere by making angry accusations at other members of council." Stevens and her supporters are going back before council Aug. 16 to ask again to stay on the property for three years so that the cat shelter can continue to function. Their request was denied earlier in an 8-2 vote. Liz White of the Ontario Humane Society said the cat shelter supporters should "go to the councillors and ask them to open up their hearts." The shelter is the kind of thing the City should be encouraging, not discouraging, she said. In an earlier interview, White said the shelter is "down in the valley, away from the community and the cats are contained." A secluded shelter on 12 acres of land "should be no problem," she argued. Such shelters should be publicly funded, not paid for by compassionate volunteers such as the Stevenses, she added. Dr. Kenneth Easton, vice-president of the Peel South OHS shelter, said, "It completely bewilders me why council is taking this stand." He said Mississauga is fast becoming a big city "with big money and big business. Back in 1960 I felt this was a compassionate city but in 1990, I question that. I'm afraid compassion is beginning to take second place." Before the speeches, supporters formed a picket line and carried signs emblazoned with such slogans as "Does Mississauga Have a Heart?" "Animals Need Homes Too," "Eviction Places Cats on Death Row," and "City of Mississauga Unfair to Cats and Caregivers." PHOTO (By Joel Robertson ); See below CAPTION; About 100 people turned out Sunday at the "Save the Cats" rally in support of the Burnhamthorpe Cat Shelter operated on municipally owned property on the Credit River. The shelter is threatened by a council decision to demolish the building. Among those who expressed their opinions were Tamara Lonergan (above), Ward 6 councillor David Culham (inset left) and Dr. Kenneth Easton (inset right). PLEEASSE SIGN OUR PETITION It will make a difference! Home page - Main Table of Contents - Back to Top [COMMENTS BY DON B. - The division between Councillor Culham and the Mayor is very clear here and getting worse. Our Mayor appears to take Culham actions very personally and is questioning of City staff reports is seen as an attack on City Hall. As Hazel takes her role Mississauga so personally, an attack on City Hall is an attack on Hazel herself. [ 1 ] - The use of flawed reason is Hazel McCallion's hall mark. Does not matter what you tell people, so long as they do what you tell them. Councillor Culham acted correctly, he reviewed her statement, saw it was a falsehood and publicly said so. You have to stand up to bullies. Sadly he couldn't follow through well enough to remove her from being involved. [ 2 ] - The Stevens have reported that people even shoot fish! [ 3 ] - Classic Hazel, deceive people into think the issue has been properly dealt with so they will wrongly not turn out for rallies or protests. The Mayor is well know for doing this a few days before public events that protest her governments actions and it fools so many people. ] |
|
Your
Financial Donations are Greatly Appreciated
Now Accepting Pay Pal
•
|