Stuart Clark - Latest Comments

Re: Tech at the Worlds and elsewhere.

Stuart Clark — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:51:55 -0000

Correct, one day the whole world would use one standard (but I'm not holding my breath).

Re: Tech at the Worlds and elsewhere.

Todd — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:37:41 -0000

Every modern power supply I have seen for laptop, camera or phone are world-compatible and self-adjusting. All visitors need is an adaptor for the end of their cord to fit a North American plug, correct?

Re: My 2 cents on Joe Fontana

de.bw62 — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 09:33:14 -0000

Pay is not a concern for the Mayor. He recieves a pension from his tenure as a Federal M.P.

Re: My 2 cents on Joe Fontana

Todd — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 09:18:10 -0000

We don't ask much of our politicians because we don't expect much of them. I always ask myself, "If this person is go great, why aren't they being successful in a business? Why have they turned to the sludge of politics?" The answer, most often, is that they are no so great. They found a talent for reading what people want to hear and for giving promises. Promises are a cheap and easy way to a paycheque.

We've seen politicians with "plans" before. Remember Jean Chrétien and his "red book?"

In the case of Fontana, his promise was an easy one to keep. Not doing something is an easier promise to keep than action. Personally, I want politicians to do as little as possible. In most things they do, they typically use too much time, too much money and accomplish too little. It would be best for the city if they would just step out of the way and let hard working people work.

Should Fontana take a leave from the mayor's chair? Innocent or guilty, he obviously has a stressful time ahead of him and carrying the job of mayor at the same time might be too much. Pay is likely a concern. I don't know if he could continue to receive a paycheque or not. Most of us couldn't leave our jobs with no pay for even as little as a month. If he could arrange to take leave with at least reduced pay, I would make that move if I were him. Perhaps moving to a consulting role in city hall, still showing up for work each day but not an active participant on the council.

Re: Dalton Resigns

Todd — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:54:50 -0000

I suspect that something so damning was uncovered that he negotiated a deal with the Opposition to leave in exchange for it remaining secret or he is aware of coming news so damaging that it's better for his own skin to leave now.

Re: Twitter, community, a storm

Todd — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 09:50:58 -0000

Great Zeus! 3:00 AM?? Turn off the electric boxes and go to sleep! One more reason why I say far, far away from the electrical noise of "social media!"

Re: Twitter, community, a storm

Carmi Levy — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 07:56:55 -0000

It seems every day we discover new ways to use these tools. Last night was no different, and as I watch the morning break under grey skies and plodding rain, I can't help but smile as I recall how a bunch of folks turned an overnight storm into a community event.

I wonder what the next discovery will bring. Whatever it is, I know we'll get to figure it out en masse. That's beyond neat.

Re: How I feel about Politics.

Stuart Clark — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 09:31:27 -0000

Excellent points all around.

Re: How I feel about Politics.

Todd — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 09:20:06 -0000

I dislike the word "transparent." It gives me images of plastic food wrap; plastic, sterile and artificial. I do, however, generally understand what is meant when people use it.

I don't believe that everything and anything in organizations or politics should be on display for public viewing. Much information is private or confidential. Many topics are complicated and - frankly - can't be fully understood by many people who would simply pick up the easiest items of open information that support what they want and yell about them at their top of their voices. In addition, sometimes politicians need to be able to talk and discuss in private when the conversation is not suitable or ready for the public.

What I do believe needs to be more a part of politics (and in people generally) is personal responsibility. We need to be able to trust that the people we elect will (try to) do what they said they would, will stick to the principles they were elected on and will vote according to the interests of the people who put them there. If this could be counted on from all people, concepts like "transparency" would be moot. We wouldn't need to waste time scrutinizing every detail of every agenda of every meeting if we knew that people we elected had high enough standards of personal responsibility to not require such inspection.

Re: Another nail in the Rippers Coffin

Donnakelley — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 04:20:01 -0000

You think, duh.

Re: Standing Behind Your Comments

Dannymrich — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:19:11 -0000

I think Sandy White has taken a M O R O N PILL .It is she who should be escorted out and of council. Sandy stick to protecting us from being attacked by sharks in our soup. Your in the soup now

Re: Open and Transparent?

Todd Dailey — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:25:21 -0000

1) I don't think that city council has an obligation to reveal how they voted if the vote was conducted under a process specifically intended so that city council doesn't have an obligation to reveal how they voted. Self explanatory, yes?

2) We don't know that. It's good that some of the ex-protesters respectfully attended the ceremony. But the smart move was to get them all out before the ceremony and remove any chance that one or more of them would attempt to defile it. It was also respectful to the veterans to not allow law breakers to be in the park while remembering those who died in service.

Re: Open and Transparent?

Stuart Clark — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:56:33 -0000

So why can't council reveal how they voted for this? It was not a unanimous decision. There is also the issue of council possiable breaking the police services act by directly deciding on police actions. Two wrongs do not make a right.

Also clearing out the camp would have done nothing to prevent any protest during rememberance day ceramonies. As a matter of fact members of occupy london were there on the 11th in support of veteran's.

Re: Open and Transparent?

Todd Dailey — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 10:35:11 -0000

Case (a) is clearly and solidly the circumstance. People were "occupying" city property for several days and refused to leave even after being told they were in violation of city by-law and being instructed, by the mayor himself, to go. To have an "open and transparent" discussions would have allowed the adversaries occupying the park to know what the plans were to remove them. That would have been stupid of city council to reveal.

Whatever the case, the process worked and the protestors were removed from the park in under an hour, eliminating the threat of their possibly disrupting or gaining media attention during the much more important Remembrance Day ceremonies. If "in-camera meetings" were a part of that success, then they were proved to be appropriate for the circumstances.

Re: A new chapter begins

Karen SchulmanDupuis — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:27:32 -0000

Enjoy the new path!!

Re: A new chapter begins

Stuart Clark — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 10:26:06 -0000

Thank you very much for your kind words Glen it means a great deal to me. Looking forward to what lies ahead.

Re: A new chapter begins

Stuart Clark — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 10:24:50 -0000

Thanks Craig, it amazing how at peace I am with the decision.

Re: A new chapter begins

Glen Pearson — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 05:23:50 -0000

Congratulations Stuart. I'm somewhat in a similar position and have been enjoying doing many of the things I care about. I just want to thank you for your fine example of dedicated citizenship over these last few years, as I've followed some of your efforts on the Net. All the best. Glen Pearson

Re: A new chapter begins

Craig Hunter — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 22:59:04 -0000

Best of luck Stuart! Enjoy the opportunity to step back and pursue some passions. :)

Re: Something New – Presenting TWILT

Todd Dailey — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:41:27 -0000

Do you find it difficult to speak in sentences only 140 letters long?

Re: 0% is a false promise

Todd Dailey — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:59:36 -0000

Agree. Another example is the recent vote to proceed with the green bin pilot; an expensive project that London doesn't need. Some councillors appear to not have basic budgeting skills. A no-tax-increase mandate means unessential expenses should be cut or postponed. I do it with my home budget every month; there are some things, no matter how nice they might be to have, that do not fit into the budget and we don't buy them. If I can do it, I expect councillors to be able to do it too.

Re: It’s Not About The Chickens

thatguyinlondon — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 22:37:50 -0000

I agree with Michael and thank you for sharing this.

Re: It’s Not About The Chickens

Michael Clark — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 22:32:32 -0000

I actually just started reading about the topic this evening and I agree, it really isn't about the chickens. Yours is, by far, the best article I've come across on the topic so far.

Thanks for sharing,
Michael

Re: Community Engagement Task Force Kickoff

Stuart Clark — Mon, 16 May 2011 12:56:34 -0000

Looking forward to seeing you at the next meeting.

Re: Community Engagement Task Force Kickoff

Sqedmonton — Sun, 15 May 2011 09:23:06 -0000

i was supposed to be there but then life invaded at the last moment. I will be follow-up ad trying to be at the next gathering. Glad you were there. sqedmonton ad trying to be at the next gathering. Glad you were there. sqedmonton