Corruption in Brampton? Time for a change...

The Toronto Star broke a story this morning that Brampton's current mayor, Susan Fennel, has been up to shenanigans..  Should she change her name to "Funnel"? 

Brampton Mayor's private "community fund" not registered

For five years, Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars from the community for a fund in her name that isn’t registered as a charity, doesn’t issue receipts and has never opened its books to the public.

The fund’s main event is an annual arts gala and its website suggests that since 2006 it has raised between $150,000 and $250,000 each year, proceeds that “are directed to numerous groups in the community who self identify and request assistance.”

At least two Brampton city councillors have expressed concern that they cannot find out exactly how much has been raised and where the money has gone. One donor stopped giving this year because of what he called a lack of transparency.

The seven-member board that administers the Mayor Susan Fennell Community Fund includes Fennell and three women associated with her re-election campaign team, including her campaign manager and a fundraising official.

In an interview with the Star, Fennell said all the net proceeds from the gala go to the organizations listed on the fund’s website. Calls to a sampling of the groups, ranging from schools to an art gallery, brought a mixed response, with some grateful for the support and others saying they received no money.

Fennell said it wouldn’t make sense to have the gala registered as a charity.

“People come for dinner, they come and buy a ticket to be present at the mayor’s gala. It’s not a charity, it’s a dinner, it’s a function, it’s an event. So, that’s what it is. It’s not a charity,” she said.

By law, registered charities can issue tax receipts to donors and must file public reports that show income and how the money is distributed. Private funds, on the other hand, face no such obligation.

Though it can’t offer a tax write-off, the gala draws many of the city’s high flyers. The sponsors are a who’s who of development companies.

One developer, John Cutruzzola, president of the Inzola Group, gave thousands of dollars in past years despite receiving no charitable receipt. He said the mayor solicited him for money.

“The developer is put on the spot,” Cutruzzola said. “He can’t afford to say no to someone who has influence over what he wants or what he needs.”

That the fund isn’t a registered charity is “just stupid,” said Bob Callahan, councillor for wards 3 and 4. “How can they even write a receipt, and how do we know they are reporting interest income to Revenue Canada? This is why I voted for bringing in an integrity commissioner, but the mayor voted it down.”

Asked why the books haven’t been disclosed publicly, Fennell replied: “Members of the public, who are the board, certainly have that in place and they review this with full audited statements. The books are open to the members of the public — leading citizens who sit on my board.”

The mayor declined to give the Star a chance to review the records independently, saying, “I am satisfied with the oversight of the members who sit and give direction on how the disbursements and how this fund should operate.” Later she added that there are “privacy issues associated with who gives and where the money goes.”

The board members listed on the gala’s website in addition to Fennell are:

• Dorothy Wood, the mayor’s neighbour, who has cheque-writing authorization for the fund and handles finances for the mayor’s re-election campaign.

• Bev Adcock, the mayor’s former administrative assistant, who is now her re-election campaign manager.

• Heather Picken, a Brampton development lawyer, who is listed on a Facebook site for Fennell’s re-election as co-chair of fundraising;

• Jennifer Evans, Peel deputy police chief.

• Sharon Hermes, winner of a 2008 citizen of the year award.

• Doug Munro, a business owner.

Board members either did not respond to the Star or directed all questions to Picken, who confirmed by email that the fund is not a charity and the books are not made public.

After Fennell spoke to the Star, Adcock confirmed Wood handles accounts for the Fennell re-election campaign. However, she said Picken has nothing to do with fundraising for the campaign.

Fennell has served three terms as Brampton mayor and was elected with 75 per cent of the vote in 2006. She raised $190,000 for her last campaign, 55 per cent of which came from the development industry. She faces four rivals this election.

Cutruzzola, of the Inzola Group, stopped donating to Fennell’s gala this year.

“I usually gave $5,000 for one table,” Cutruzzola said. “One year I was a sponsor (of the gala) for $25,000. We bought one foursome every year (at a separate golf tournament organized by Fennell), except this year. I didn’t buy nothing this year. I want to know where the money’s going.”

Fennell made it clear she doesn’t have signing authority on the accounts, nor does she direct where the funds go.

“We specifically have a community board of directors of citizens in this community who oversee and approve the disbursement of the funds, because I don’t want to be the person pointing where the funds go. I’m just proud to lend my name to an event that helps to raise the funds.”

Fennell said books kept for the gala show that all net proceeds go to the organizations listed on its website. “You can see on the website the number of groups and organizations who’ve been able to be helped through the proceeds.”

The gala’s website lists 88 community groups that “received a donation of funds or the use of the Community Suite at the Powerade Centre (a joint city-private venture) or (the city-owned) Rose Theatre for their fundraising efforts.”

Listed organizations contacted by the Star offered mixed responses.

Fennell “donated her private box to a (Ontario Hockey League) Battalion game in 2008,” said a representative of the Academy of Martial Arts in Brampton. “There was no money donation.”

A non-profit downtown gallery, Beaux-Arts Brampton, confirmed it received a $6,000 donation this summer. “We’re grateful for the mayor’s contribution to us,” said administrator Sharonanne Baillie.

Five Catholic schools are also listed. Bruce Campbell, head of communications for the Dufferin-Peel Catholic board, said two schools were allowed to use the private box at the Powerade Centre to see Battalion games. One received $350 for a student trip and one received access to the Rose Theatre. “I’m not sure for what,” he said.

“One school (on the list) couldn’t find or recall any donation from the mayor, but the principal has only been there for two years.”

Catherine Hinton, executive director of the Peel Children’s Aid Foundation, confirmed the mayor has helped her organization but privacy issues prevent her from specifying how. “I can say the mayor has been very supportive of (us).”

The Brampton Arts Council is also listed, but executive director Marnie Richards said her organization gets no funding from the gala. “What we do get is funding from the mayor’s luncheon (an annual function for the Arts Council that began long before Fennell became mayor).”

As well as the gala, there is the Mayor Susan Fennell Annual Golf Classic. In 2009, it charged $2,000 per foursome and racked up sponsorships at $1,000 to $25,000 per donor. Fennell has pledged $100,000 a year from the proceeds to the new Brampton Civic Hospital, with any excess directed to “a worthwhile charity,” according to the tournament’s website.

Fennell said funds collected from the golf event and arts gala are kept in separate bank accounts.

Anne Randell, president and CEO of the William Osler Health System Foundation, said Brampton Civic Hospital has received a $100,000 cheque from the mayor’s golf tournament for each of the past four years.

The hospital is also listed on the gala website as a beneficiary. But Randell said it hasn’t received any money from that event “that I’m aware of — so that’s interesting. There’s nothing over and above the $100,000 from the golf tournament.”

Regional councillor Elaine Moore, who sits on Brampton’s council, wants to know if some of the many city staff who attend the fundraising events are doing so on the taxpayer’s dime. “I think enormous city resources are being used, but we have no way of knowing.”

Fennell makes a point of a grand entrance at the golf tournament: She has been flown in on a helicopter, arrived atop a Zamboni and had a police escort.

Fennell denies that city resources or staff have ever been used for fundraising events without reimbursement.

A previous donor to the arts gala, who didn’t want to be named, showed the Star an email received last January from Sandra Carpino, a member of Fennell’s staff.

It invites the donor to purchase a table again, and is signed: “Sandra Carpino, Office of the Mayor; City of Brampton.” It lists a City of Brampton phone and fax number. The attached order form also lists the mayor’s office and the city hall address as the place to send cheques, and includes a phone number for the mayor’s office to inquire about sponsorship opportunities.

Fennell acknowledged city staff are involved in fundraising, but insisted they volunteer their time — including Carpino, who she confirmed does much of the work of organizing the golf tournament, soliciting prizes and sponsorships and sending registration letters.

Last November, Moore asked that council revisit its earlier decision not to appoint independent watchdogs, including an integrity commissioner.

The motion was defeated, with Callahan, Moore and two others voting in favour, and Fennell and six councillors against.

“People ask, ‘Where is all this money going?’ ” Moore said. “Councillor Callahan’s tried his best to engage at the council table, but gets shut down by the mayor every time, because (she says), ‘It has nothing to do with the city.’ ”

Fennell said Callahan brought up the question of the community fund during the city budget process. “And the chair of the budget says, ‘Councillor Callahan, we’re talking about the city budget today. That is not a city event, it’s not city money. So could we please get back to the budget.’ ”

Update on Denver Dias vs. Denver case

Thought you might want to hear of a new update in the Denver court case Dias vs. Denver. This case was filed in 2007--that one that's making its turtle-slow plod through the federal judicial system.

 

Anyway...on September 29th, the judge ruled in our favor in Denver's motion for summary judgment. To briefly recap what this means...Denver filed in January that we should not be allowed to go to trial because this issue had already been decided in previous cases in court and we had no possibility of winning. The judge ruled with us that this case should be tried. In fact, in the ruling, he wrote these glorious words...

 

"...a reasonable trier of fact may find that Plaintiffs' experts are correct and there exists no rational basis for a breed specific ordinance. Accordingly, summary judgment would be inappropriate."

 

So...this is a really good thing for this case and yet another loss on Denver's part. I've attached the ruling in case you might be interested in seeing it. What might particularly be of interest is the section where the judge talks about some of the expert witness testimony beginning on page 8.

 

For a much better write-up of this summary judgment, check out this web site, http://gamedogguardian.com/node/180 The author of the article on the site, Katie B, worked with our lawyer, Karen Breslin to help write our answer to Denver's summary judgment motion. She also was instrumental in getting Topeka, Kansas to overturn their breed ban, which they did this week! All in all, there's a lot of momentum moving toward sane dog laws, and it's going to get even better!

 

Now...on to trial. When the judge sets the trial date, I'll let you know!

Your friend,

SD

 

Additional great news!!...

 

October 4th, Bill Bruce, the director of Animal Bylaws for Calgary, Alberta, is coming to do a presentation in front of Denver's City Council and it is open to the public.

 

As you might recall, Bill has created the model animal community in Calgary and goes throughout the United States and Canada to speak about their success at various animal control associations, humane society meetings, etc. He's achieved this success and made dog bites almost a thing of the past in his city--roughly the size of the Denver metro area--through sane laws, great community service-based animal control officers, and a culture that doesn't allow for discriminating against dogs by how they look.

 

Bill was here in 2009 and did an abbreviated presentation to some of the city council members and on Monday he will do his full and recently-updated presentation at the City and County Building at 1437 Bannock Street. It is open to the public. I cannot get the exact time or room number yet--I get different info from Bill and the City Council, so I will have to let you know that later. As far as I can tell it will be between 2:00 and 3:30 p.m. and in room number 451 or 391.

Cheri DiNovo speaks with Fight Network

About Hershey's Bill

Rui's Story an Interview by Let's Adopt Canada

An interview with Rui Branco and Ciaron Lewis

Fight Network gives great coverage

Thank you to the Fight Network for the great coverage of last weekend's Hershey's Bill Rally.

Rally for Hershey's Bill on the 5th Anniversary

Dog owners want same laws for all

Local MPP’s bill calls for end to pit-bull ban

Brendan KennedyStaff Reporter

Ontario’s controversial ban on pit bulls — now five years old — is under fire once again as a coalition of dog-loving groups rallied Sunday to support a local MPP’s efforts to have the law changed.

“They’re ripping family pets away from people based on very vague legislation,” said Rui Branco, who successfully fought the City of Brampton earlier this year by proving his family pet, Brittany, was not a pit bull.

The American bulldog-boxer mix was seized and held by the city for three months before an independent veterinarian was able to determine its breed.

“An animal control officer looked at her and said she was a pit bull. Then she was taken away from us.”

The law, as it stands, requires owners to prove their dogs are not pit bulls, which can be difficult if the dog was adopted from a shelter and its lineage is unknown.

A few hundred people and dozens of muzzled pit bull-type dogs gathered at Coronation Park on Lake Shore Blvd. W. Sunday afternoon to listen to speakers and to protest the current ban, which took effect in 2005 after a series of vicious attacks across Ontario involving pit bulls.

The Dog Owner’s Liability Act was amended to ban the breeding, sale and ownership of pit bulls. Dogs born before Nov. 26, 2005 are allowed to live, but must be sterilized, and muzzled and leashed in public. Dogs born later must be put down.

A pit bull is not a specific breed of dog, so the province’s definition of pit bulls includes pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers and any dog “that has an appearance and physical characteristics that are substantially similar” to those breeds.

Critics of the current law say its description of pit bulls is too vague, gives bylaw officers too much power and leads to harmless pets being removed from their homes at taxpayers’ expense.

They want the province to go after bad owners, rather than target any specific breed.

“You can’t tell a dog’s breed by how it looks,” said Kelly Turnbull, a member of Stop K9 Profiling, the group that organized Sunday’s event.

After a series of legal challenges, the group contacted the MPP for Parkdale-High Park, Cheri DiNovo, o owns an English bull terrier herself. Earlier this year DiNovo tabled a private member’s bill calling for the repeal of the breed-specific aspect of the Dog Owner’s Liability Act.

Named “Hershey’s Law” (for a pit bull that was barred from continuing its therapy work with seniors when the current law came into effect), Bill 60 received its first reading in the Legislature in May.

“This isn’t about the dog, it’s about the owner,” DiNovo said, adding the law has been ineffective in curbing the number of dog bites in the province.

She said she would like to see more responsibility and liability for dog owners, without targeting specific breeds.

“It doesn’t need the (breed specific legislation) to be effective.”

The Ministry of the Attorney General stands behind the current law, saying it ensures fewer opportunities for pit bull attacks and that the law has not been around long enough to accurately measure its effectiveness.

One of the most anticipated speakers of the day was Bill Bruce, director of Calgary’s Animal Control Services, heralded for its education, training and early intervention approach to animal control, which has drastically reduced the number of dog bites in the city.

“All dogs bite,” Bruce said. “I don’t care what kind of dog it is. If the dog is aggressive, it needs to be corrected.”

Sunday’s rally was followed by a pit-bull march along Queens Quay and a candlelight vigil at the Ontario Legislature to acknowledge all the pit bull-type dogs euthanized under the current legislation.

August 29 CGN testing

At the August 29th event at Coronation Park in Toronto (see post below) the DLCC will not only have a booth but we are also conducting CGN testing from 12:00 noon to 4:30pm.


We will be running 2 rings simultaneously. The more dogs that get their certificate in CGN, the better! What an awesome documentation to have in hand. Let's show the government that we are responsible dog owners and our dogs are properly trained and socialized.


Dogs must be 6 months old to get a certificate.


The price for testing at the event is $25.00 which is a savings of $10.00 off. 


If you are interested in booking a time slot please email me 
dlccevents(at)gmail.com


Here is the criteria for the testing;

Canine Good Neighbour Program

The Canadian Kennel Club, Canine Good Neighbour program identifies and rewards responsible and caring owners and their canine partners.

The purpose of the Canine Good Neighbour Program test is to ensure that one of our most favoured companions, the dog, is accepted as a valued member of the community.  Canine Good Neighbours can be counted on to present good manners at home, in public places and In the presence of other dogs.  The program embraces both purebred and mixed-breed dogs and has been created to assist canine owner’s combat anti-dog sentiments which often target dogs as a whole. Additionally, the program enhances community awareness of responsible dog ownership and the benefits associated with dog ownership.

Canine Good Neighbour training is fun, rewarding, and useful. It can enable owners to achieve a better relationship with their dogs.

The test is not a competition calling for precision performance by the handler and dog.  Rather, it assesses the handler and dog's relationship together with the handler's ability to control the dog.

Dogs are evaluated on their ability to perform basic exercises as well as their ability to demonstrate good manners in everyday situations. 

The Canadian Kennel Club encourages all dog owners to participate in this program, thereby ensuring that our beloved canines are welcomed and respected members of our communities.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT AND MATERIAL  

The handler is required to bring the following equipment to the test

•         Proof of vaccination certificate
•         Dog license
•         Test fee
•         A leash not less than .75 metres (2’) nor longer than 2 meters (6’) in length is required (acceptable collars include a well-fitting slip, buckle or martingale collar, made of fabric, leather or chain.  All other types of collars are unacceptable.
•         A grooming tool – either brush or comb
•         A plastic bag for picking up after the dog
•         For the registration form you need

o        Owner’s name

o        Full address

o        Phone number

o        Email address

o        Dog’s registered name

o        CKC registration number (if registered)

o        Breed

EXERCISE DESCRIPTION

Demonstrating confidence and control, you and your dog must complete theses 12 steps.

TEST I - Accepting A Friendly Stranger

This test demonstrates the dog's ability to allow a friendly stranger to approach and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday manner.

The evaluator will walk toward the handler and dog and greet the handler by shaking hands and briefly chatting. The dog should remain under control with only gentle verbal or leash assistance, if necessary. The dog should not go to nor jump on the evaluator. It must not exhibit any signs of shyness by hiding behind the handler or by attempting to avoid the evaluator, and must not exhibit any signs of resentment.

TEST 2 - Politely Accepts Petting

This test demonstrates the dog's ability to allow a friendly stranger to pet it while out with its handler.  The evaluator will pet the dog on the head and shoulders. The dog may sit or stand quietly beside the handler and may change position, but must not exhibit any signs of resentment or shyness.

TEST 3 - Appearance and Grooming

This practical test demonstrates that the dog will accept being groomed and examined and will permit a stranger to do so. The evaluator inspects the dog, brushes the dog briefly on the back and sides, and lightly examines its ears and front feet. The evaluator then quietly walks behind the handler and dog, returning to face the dog. The dog does not have to hold position, but should not have to be restrained: minor movement is allowed. The handler may assist the evaluator and talk quietly to the dog.

TEST 4-Out For A Walk

This test demonstrates the ability of the dog to walk politely on a loose leash as well as the handler's ability to control the dog. The evaluator will have the handler and dog walk a course, which will include at least one right and left turn and a 180º-degree turn. It is not necessary for the dog to be exactly aligned with the handler or sit when the handler stops. The handler may talk to the dog.

TEST 5 - Walking Through a Crowd

This test demonstrates the dog's ability to walk politely beside the handler in pedestrian traffic while remaining under control at all times. The dog and handler walk through and close to several [at least five] people.  Throughout this test the handler may talk to the dog, giving praise and encouragement. The dog must maintain a position close to the handler without becoming unduly stressed or unruly. The dog may show some interest in the strangers but should not go to them.

TEST 6 - Sit/Down On Command and Stay In Place (Long Line)

This test demonstrates the dog's ability to respond to the handler's commands. The handler may take a reasonable amount of time and use more than one command to sit and down the dog. If required, the handler may touch the dog gently to assist it.

Once the dog has responded to both a sit and down command, the handler will decide in which position the dog is going to be left. The handler will then tell the dog to stay, and walk forward & meters (20 ft), before turning around to face the dog, then will return to the dog.

TEST 7 - Come When Called (Long Line)

This test demonstrates the dog's ability to come when called by the handler. The evaluator will stand near the dog, and instruct the handler to position the dog in either a sit, down or stand position.  The handler will then leave the dog and go to a distance of 3 meters (8 - 10 ft) before turning and calling the dog.  The dog may change position, but must remain in place.  The dog should come readily to the handler; the handler may encourage the dog.

TEST 8 - Praise/Interaction

This test demonstrates that the dog can be easily calmed following a play session or praise. After playing with the dog for approximately 10 seconds, the handler then calms the dog. More than one command may be used, but the dog must display controlled behaviour when told to settle by the handler. The evaluator is looking for evidence of a good relationship between the dog and handler.

TEST 9 — Reaction to Passing Dog

This test demonstrates the dog's polite behaviour while in the presence of other dogs and handlers. Two handlers, with their dogs, approach one another from approximately 6 meters (20 ft). They stop, shake hands, briefly chat, and then continue walking for approximately 2 meters (6 ft). The dog should exhibit no more than mild interest in the other dog, and should not cross over to it.

TEST 10 - Reaction To Distractions

This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with common visual and auditory distractions such as the sudden opening or closing of a door, crutches, wheelchairs, baby strollers, joggers, etc.

The dog may express natural interest and curiosity at the distraction, or may startle temporarily, but should not panic or show aggression or fear. One or two barks are permitted but the dog must not continue to bark at the distraction. The handler may encourage and talk to the dog throughout this test.

TEST 11 - Supervised Isolation

This test demonstrates the dog's ability to be left alone with a trusted person other than its handler, while maintaining a calm acceptance of the situation. The handler asks another person to hold the dog, and tells the dog to stay or wait.  The handler will leave the area and go to a pro-designated location, out of sight of the dog. The handler will wait 3 minutes until called to return by the assistant evaluator. The dog is not required to stay in a particular position, but should not show excessive stress or nervousness by pulling on the lead or trying to get away. Excessive panting, barking, whining, or seeking attention from the evaluator is not acceptable.

TEST 12 - Walking Through A Door/Gate

This test demonstrates the dog's response to the handler's commands as well as the handler's ability to control the dog in a restricted area while moving ahead of the dog and through a door/gate. The handler may speak quietly to the dog as they approach the door/gate.  The handler commands the dog to sit/wait and walks through the door/gate, while instructing the dog to follow calmly and join him. Alternatively, the dog and handler may proceed through the door/gate together, with the dog accompanying the handler on a loose leash.  The dog must not go through the door/gate before the handler instructs him to do so.

August 29, 2010 marks the 5th Anniversary of Ontrario's breed ban

Support Hershey's Bill

Great article in Orillia Packet and Times

This past weekend we had a booth and ran CGN testing at the Barrie Kennel and Obedience Club Show at Odas Park, Orillia.


A reporter for the Orillia Packet and Times attended the show and dropped by our booth to get the real scoop about what we are about and what we stand for..

Group makes noise about pit bull ban

Train, contain and socialize.

"If you're doing these three things, you're a responsible dog owner," said Lori Gray, chair of events with the Dog Legislation Council of Canada (DLCC).

The DLCC, which had a booth at ODAS Park during the Barrie Kennel and Obedience Club's annual dog show on the weekend, is making noise about the breed-specific portion of the Dog Owner's Liability Act, which targets the American Staffordshire terrier, American pit bull terrier and the Staffordshire bull terrier -- the breeds commonly referred to as pit bulls, which have been banned in Ontario since 2005.

Combined, there are less than 1,000 of those dogs in the province, Gray explained.

"To ban a breed where there are only 30 in the province is just ridiculous," she said. "Why aren't we going after the owners?"

The DLCC was trying to garner support for a bill that was introduced in May by Parkdale-High Park MPP Cheri DiNovo. The NDP MPP's bill -- Hershey's Bill -- would repeal the breed-specific portion of the Dog Owner's Liability Act.

DiNovo's bill is named after a dog that had to stop being a therapy dog -- certified as such by St. John Ambulance-- when the ban took effect.

DiNovo isn't the only provincial politician trying to bite back against the ban.

Julia Munro, Progressive Conservative MPP for York-Simcoe, introduced a similar private member's bill in 2004.

"This is just a PR thing, really," Munro said of the ban. "If there's a problem, it's because they're dangerous, not because of what they look like."

Munro said she filed a freedom-of-information request to find out how much taxpayer money has been spent "going after innocent dog owners." That information was "not available," said Munro, whose six-year-old standard poodle, Trump, competed in the BKOC dog show on the weekend.

The BKOC was glad to be able to help bring the issue to the attention of competitors and spectators.

"We're afraid it's just going to get bigger and bigger and bigger, and that they're going to add more dogs and add more dogs to the list," said BKOC public relations chair Cheryl Drake. "It has to be about responsible dog ownership."

Opponents of the breed-specific legislation say the province didn't listen to local and international experts when implementing the legislation.

To learn more about the DLCC, visit www.dlcc.ca.

ntaylor@orilliapacket.com

Huge thank you to Nathan Taylor for dropping by the booth and chatting with us. We appreciate your taking the time to get the real story and put it into print..