Ryan Geddes http://www.ryangeddes.com

Clarification

I am receiving many comments of support and some of criticism.  I appreciate both as they encourage me  to continue or make me pause to rethink my words or position on issues.  I am an entrepreneur and a businessman at heart and sometimes I think that may cause my comments to appear a little cold or my position to  be  too fluid. I am a veracious reader and have a tendency to use terms or quote the ideas of others that some may not understand or be comfortable with.  I think my phraseology has gotten me into trouble with a few people when my real life feelings and position probably wouldn't.

Much of this has been in relation to my feelings on law and order and on the Native situation.  Here is my stance on it -  I do believe in a regional Police force, I do recognize that we are in a contract with the Provincial Police and I have gone through some worst case scenarios that have landed me in hot water with a few people.  I think we have to work with what we have now as long as they live up to their contractual obligations.  I think there should be a feasibility  study done on the creation of a regional police force which would bring jobs to the community as well as control.  I am not Pierre Trudeau suggesting we should bring in the war measures act and if I have said something like this,  it is in relation to a "sky is falling" scenario not a day to day situation.

All this being said - no matter what I think or feel or believe there are six councillors and one mayor.  Unless three other people agree with me or if they propose something and don't have the same support - we might as well all be golfing (and quit).  I think that the councillors from each ward will clearly know their ridings interests better than I.  The role of mayor is to make decisions for the whole community based on the input of the various councillors; or try to come up with compromises so that a policy brought up by a Ward 6 councillor affecting the people of Dunnville doesn't detrimentally affect the people of Ward 3 Caledonia or the farmers in Ward 1.

I have been knocked off course a little bit by questions about the Native population.  I would like to move back to my hopes and dreams for this county, the modernization of infrastructure and creation of new economic opportunity as well as the protection and support of our farmers (which I personally find important).  Eat local - just please don't hunt illegally on my land (or god forbid steal a cow).

Wild Turkey

I thought it was a bowling term but its also something hunted in my backyard.  I am keeping an eye on my property and hoping people respect the signs, but you never know.

I want to thank everyone who has contacted me directly through email or made comments on the site.  Many of you have seen the story in the paper and have contacted me as a result which I really appreciate.  Its good to know that there are people out there who agree with you (and sometimes its good to even here from the ones who don't).

Thanks,

Front Page News

I actually made the front page of "The Regional" which was unexpected.  I didn't think it was that much of a story.  The title of 29 year old retiree bugged me as its not really accurate or something im trying to "show off".  Unfortunately I am not a welder or something who has a uncomplicated answer to the question of what they have done.  I am a serial entrepreneur who is break for an indefinite amount of time.  I'm not retired as in closed off to doing anything with the rest of my life - I would work a job in sales or something mechanical, I might do consulting or I might start a business again.  I don't have to work again living "modestly" but I am definitely not done with the world, I am not going to sit inside all day starring out the window.  My days as a computer guru I think are over - but I wouldn't discount the fact that I might get excited about some new idea and end up back in technology.

I hope people agree with some of the ideas I have in my platform.  I had one commenter in a previous post say they were scared of me and I came out of the deep south 60s.  Everyone has their opinion but I didnt think I had ever written anything that radical.  Sure - there has been a lot of ugly things that have happened around here, but the desire to correct the situation as much as we can as a city and with a police for is necessary for development.  I think the scrap pile at Douglass Creek Estates looks ugly, and some houses probably would have looked nicer - I dont think that makes me a racist.  I had a native guy mad at me once because I thought Joe Brant was a great Canadian - It wasn't because I referred to him as a Canadian but because I spoke the name of the man who sold off land for 999 years or outright (He was personally given a lot of land, but sold off land on behalf of a community that needed cash).  He was a noble, trustworthy honest guy, so I dont care what anyones political view of him is - he was an important figure in Canadian History.
What a tiring subject, I would much rather talk about something else - but as the poster said "I am not thinking deeply",  maybe he is right.  Maybe the surface is so full of imperfections that its impossible to delve deeper.  Think of driving a car with a mud covered window.
A 'No' uttered from the deepest conviction is better than a 'Yes' merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble. - Mohondas Gandhi

Perception of those outside Haldimand

I was able to get some fresh outside perspective today.   I was taking a class in Stoney Creek on Fire Prevention and cessation; we went through the different classes of fires and how to put out each, which are the most troublesome etc.  The instructor used Caledonia and the burning tires as an example of a fire that is hard to put out.  I knew most people associated Caledonia or Haldiamand with the disputes, but to hear it TODAY as I prepare to run for Mayor makes it hit home all the more.  One my way home I drove through Caledonia, stopped at Zehrs, looked over at the DCE and thought - this place is a nice little town... if you forget about the eyesore.  Unfortunately I think we need the province to clean up that mess... a few missed payments for the O.P.P that doesn't do anything might get some attention.

I visted my parents who live out in Haldimand and asked them what they think about the whole native situation.  My father who is an academic was very sympathetic to their cause, critical of the criminality but thought the government reacts rather than acts proactively in preventing "uprisings".  Agreed.. but his solution is that the federal and provincial government need to sit down with them and work something out.  I think we passed the talking stage years ago - especially in Caledonia when roads were blocked and people assaulted.  My mother thinks the genie is already out of the bottle and needs to be put back in by using law enforcement, and if they cant handle it, the army.  I guess I take after her in that respect - I would have contracted bulldozers to clear the road back in 2006.

Here we are in 2010 with an active militia formed in Caledonia.  I think it is pathetic that a group of taxpayers feel they need to form their own volunteer police department to protect their interest.  That sets us back a few hundred year in societal development.  That is why I have labeled this County as regressive.  Dont get me wrong, I love where I live - I wouldnt have invested in property here for any other reason.  I can sit in my forest up in a tree and close my eyes to the waste of tax dollars or I can do something.

My first night here I received a treat - someone burned a brand new truck with a bike on the back on my land.  I had never seen anything like it before.  I called 911 I thought someone may be dying.  The OPP shows up and is like "It happens a few times a week.. no big deal".  I was expecting CSI to come and look for evidence.. nothing was stolen.. the Rims were on the thing.  They just towed it and moved on.  I went down and found all kinds of footprints, a pack of "putters" the forks from the bike they didnt list in their report.. I know it probably is a typical sleepy case that isn't worth digging into.. but at least try to do your job.  They never even got out of their car the whole time.  I don't believe "that's the way it is".. if people thought like that the earth would still be flat and we would be pushing wheelbarrows with square wheels.

Our own Police force might sound expensive - and it might be to start - but it will pay dividends for our children's future, our safety and the regions economic development.

First Interview And Thoughts

I just finished reading comments on yesterdays post - I am glad to see I am not the only fan of Hazel.  A close friend of mines father worked with Hazel to help start the first cab company so I am very familiar with the history of Mississauga Transit its development and the pervasive rumors of TTC subway expansion to Sherway Gardens or Square One.  The challenges that we face with transit in a rural community are similar to those faced in a suburban community; you have small groups of people sprawled all over the place.  The solution is to run a few loops and run on major streets - smaller transit stop at non-designated stops by request.  Systems like Oakville transit even will take you home after a certain hour.  I agree that a few "mini buses" painted Haldimand colours could be an economical solution to begin with (We have quite a few Truck and Coach mechanics we could call on if needed).

The interview today was with Bill Jackson of "The Regional News This Week".  It was pretty much standard background information; the big question of what makes me think im so special and then he went into some specific questions.  He also wanted a photo - I didn't want a glamor shot so I took one by setting the timer on my ATV and running into place.  The shot above is the one that will run, a computer in one hand and a shovel in the other, on the farm and in full garb.  That's what this is about to me bringing a rural county that has a few fair size centers into the 21st century.  The world wide web came out in 1993 yet I am the only candidate with a website - either the others are complacent or unfamiliar.  Regardless, internet usage is essential in today's world no matter where you live.  I have pieced together what the other guys platforms are loosely from newspaper articles.  It has been a real headache.  I am not a fan of making everything electronic, I think there is a time and place for everything, but get a website. The Swiss did away with yodeling, there are few kids who make tin can phones but even these mediums would have saved me time in getting a clear view of the other candidates.

I really dont hold it against them - it just speaks to my heartfelt theory that the county is continuing to regress as a result of lack of innovation.  Old habits die hard.

I was asked the difficult question in addition to my basic questions - the native question.  I am an Irish Citizen in addition to being Canadian (I was born here), in Ireland they call their conflict "the troubles"; I feel the same way about Caledonia.  The reputation has been trashed, there is no denying it.  When most people in Southern Ontario think about it they think about violence and flames and hate.  I was told that TSC (one of my favorite "big box" stores) wanted to build a place on Agryle St. and WalMart wanted to open in Dunnville (though I am sure some local business must like the fact they haven't).  As an investor, I would ONLY put money in Caledonia as a gamble on future change.  The location is fantastic - just far enough from everything but just close enough.  I think everyone can sympathize with the perceived notion that someone has stolen something from you - as the natives feel currently.  If someone stole your bike, you may even go into someones garage to get it back.  The major difference is even if your bike was stolen and you went in someones garage, you could be charged with trespassing and would likely be arrested.  The province sold the city down the river and hasnt done much since.  The police are useless, if a lean wouldnt be placed against your house I am sure many wouldnt pay that portion of their taxes.  The OPP are a waste of money and need to be fired immediately.  We should establish our own regional police force and clean up the problems we have now.  Evict the squatters and the shacks selling cigarettes to children - taxes are one thing, children are another.  If there is another occupation or blockade, the police will handle it to the best of their ability using whatever means necessary within their power and if it gets to big I will do what Mel Lastman did with the snow in Toronto and call in the Army.  The residents of Haldimand should not be fearful of a pseudo native mafia - this is a first world country.  Any intimidation or aggravation on Haldimand soil will and should be met with unrelenting resistance.

That sounds completely cold - but you get what you let.  I think even with the situation in Caledonia repaired it would take 10 years at least to rebuild peoples confidence.  I would propose a name change as part of a new identity once the city was under control (I dont know how many people would like that idea - this is an off the record thought not a policy).  The Native issue I believe is containable but we are sheep in the midst of wolves, so we should be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

I have an interview with the Dunnville Chronicle next - hopefully they will have some good opinion questions to answer.  Things are starting to roll.