Ever since, I have ban for life from the Legislature? 
I have been a very busy ADHD political activist.
I have been so occupied that I haven’t blogged much about the people who made this very undemocratic decision.
I just had to confront Tom Mann because I have been told that his letter to the editor was in most Irving’s newspapers around this Province.
What does he know that I don’t?
I heard from some people that a few Union Employees took stress leave because of me.
What happened there?
Did these Government Unionizes workers ran inside the Union Hall crying that I stressed them? I didn't know the employees at the Legislature belongs to a Union.
Sigh...
Many questions and still no clear-cut answers.
I was suppose to meet with Kelly Lamrock at a undisclosed location but he never showed up. 
So at noon, I met my partner in crime and her job is to be in the background and take pictures for my blog. 
She does really good work.
Once inside the building, I met this very nice and polite secretary.
She told me that Tom Mann wasn’t around and if I wanted to set up a meeting?
I didn’t feel comfortable in asking for a meeting so I asked if there was someone I could talk to because the Union went out of their way to condemn me in a letter to the editor.
Do they wished that the poor be exterminated from the Legislature?
I know these are very harsh words but I need to chat with someone.
A woman came down and I chatted with me. 
I told them that a former good friend of mine name Dorothy Dawson told me that Tom Mann was a nice guy.
I heard this from others also but I’m just following the paper trial and it leads me right in this building.
The nice women were a little concern of my partner taking pictures but they never said a word. 
I didn’t know if these girls were afraid of me because if people ran inside the building crying that they were stressed out because of Charles LeBlanc!!!
Well. I can understand their side because they were face to face with a stranger and I can understand their point of view.
So I decided to show the girls that I had a sense of ha ha...
I told them that I had a blog and they should locate it on the internet. 
I wanted to show them the short video of kung fu fighting. 
I still think it’s funny.
After a couple of minutes, I decided to leave but before we left?
I asked for a drink of cold water. 
Then suddenly, I heard someone running down the stairway.
I told the girl - Ok..Get ready!!!! This should be very interesting. The woman must have told someone that there's was a nut downstairs?
Sure enough a guy quickly ran in the office and he introduce himself as David Brown and he said that he was a lawyer. 
At that moment, It didn’t hit me but I chatted with David in the pass while in Saint John.
He once ran for the NDP!!! Is the NDP behind this???
He quickly told the girl not to take pictures.
He asked her who she was?
I told David that it was nice to see a lawyer running down the stairs.
The girl is with me so don’t worry about it.
I told the Union Lawyer that I was following the paper trial and I wanted to know where Tom Mann got his stories?
The lawyer never said much and I even said- Why do I get involved in these issues anyway????
I wanted to show that I wasn’t upset or out of control.
I just wanted some answers from the Union Leader.
The lawyer never said much but he did show me the door.
I told him - Listen you might tell everyone after I leave that I’m just an idiot and should be ignore.
What do you want me to write once I get out of here?
He didn’t seem to care what I wrote so I guess this is the beginning of a confrontation with me and the Union.
A Union leader who speaks out against the poor must resign.
I left my email address so Tom Mann can email me so lets see what’s going to happen?
Stay tune!!!!
Just for the record? I’m using these pictures because they went out of their way to write a letter to all the Irving’s newspapers about me. So therefore I’m returning the favour.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
CHARLES IN THE BUILDING OF THE NEW BRUNSWICK PUBLIC EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION LOOKING FOR TOM MANN!!!!
ON THE HUNT FOR TOM MANN!!!!
I just came from the office and stay tune for more on this issue. Boy??? For a person who's on social assistant? I have been very busy lately!!! I'll write of my experience later on tonight!!!!
BRENT TAYLOR - THE BIGOT LOYAL IRVING EMPLOYEE WHOLE COLUMN!!!
To be fair, I was sent just the part he wrote about moi. Here's the whole column.
Daily Gleaner | Brent Taylor - As published on page C8 on June 27, 2006
Bloggers can take their messages too far
Brent Taylor
REALITY CHECK
When they were popularized over a decade ago, Internet Web pages usually consisted of static, rather boring, billboards of information put up by companies, governments or other organizations. They acted like road signs or business cards - just sitting there.
Now, though, the World Wide Web has become much more dynamic. Web content can be updated instantly, by users who are sometimes on the move using wireless access.
No longer just the realm of big business and government, the Internet has become a popular vehicle for individuals, some of whom have now taken to creating online diaries, or Web logs, of their daily lives and observations.
These Web logs, or "blogs" for short, have been used by everyone from ordinary citizens to prominent public figures like politicians and entertainers. Local MP Andy Scott has a blog, although it has not been updated in almost a month. News reporters covering the 2006 federal election "blogged" while on the campaign trail. (Yes, blog has become a verb.)
In the United States, bloggers have played an increasingly important role in politics. Dan Rather's fall from grace at CBS, starting in 2004, was precipitated and maintained by bloggers, who tenaciously pursued the story of Rather's use of forged military records in attacking George W. Bush while the "legitimate" media ignored the story.
In Maine, earlier this year, blogger Lance Dutson was sued for defamation by the New York ad agency that holds the contract for the state's tourism campaign.
Dutson had exposed irregularities and shed light on some controversial subjects involving the ad agency and its relationship with the Maine Office of Tourism.
In May, after public pressure was brought to bear on the state government and the ad agency itself, the suit against Dutson was dropped.
Legitimate bloggers are fighting, and winning battles over their accreditation as true journalists.
Recently in California two bloggers won a court ruling confirming that they had as much right, under the First Amendment, to protect their confidential sources as did the print and broadcast media.
While some blogs are adding greatly to public discourse and forcing the mainstream media to keep up, the kook factor continues to rear its ugly head.
While serious bloggers go about their business with discipline and ethics, the kooks cast a pall over the whole medium.
Last week our legislature's administration committee had the unhappy task of banning a self-proclaimed blogger from the property of the assembly.
The directive from the sergeant-at-arms identified several grounds for the eviction, including the continued harassment of government employees at their workplace.
This "blogger" feels he has a right, as a journalist, to ply his craft - which apparently consists mostly of taking candid photos of politicians and private citizens and then posting them with accompanying commentary to his Web site - after some of the photos have been doctored and many of the articles laced with defamatory depictions and statements.
For instance, union representative Tom Mann wrote this newspaper last week defending the blogger's banishment, and was promptly termed a "bigot."
Similar libellous terms have been levelled against dozens of other New Brunswickers from all walks of life. There is no point in any of them suing this blogger, however, for he apparently has no assets and, therefore, nothing to lose.
Despite the kooks, blogging has become increasingly mainstream. In an effort to establish a set of principles to which legitimate bloggers would adhere, the Media Bloggers Association (MBA) was created to gather together those involved in the craft. The MBA adopted the following principles to be followed by its members: honesty, fairness, accuracy, transparency, accountability, trust, and, respect for the privacy of private citizens.
From a founding membership base of 22 blogs, the MBA has grown exponentially to now include 295 blogs, with new applications being received steadily.
To become a member of the MBA a blogger must, among other things, "have a demonstrated history of a serious commitment to blogging evidenced by blogging for more than several months, posting regularly and frequently, and writing posts of some reasonable level of quality."
The Fredericton blogger banned from the legislature would not even come close to meeting the standards set forth by the MBA.
He had previously applied for membership in the legislature's press gallery as a reporter.
The application was not approved, and rightly so.
As the phenomenon evolves the press gallery will, at some point, be presented with an application from a blogger that will be worthy of acceptance.
The MBA guidelines are a good start on what test ought to be applied to a blogger seeking to chronicle the political life of New Brunswick as a full member of the gallery.
Until then, both the legislature and its press gallery need not apologize for evicting harassers and disturbers. The MLAs, the public, and the employees themselves must have a safe and secure environment in which to come together to advance their legitimate causes and do the people's business.
Brent Taylor is a former C.O.R. MLA. He writes each Tuesday from Doaktown.
DO YOU WISH TO SAVE CFBC TALK OF THE TOWN????
I just received this email....
Charles,
I also was concerned if the talk show was returning in the fall.So I sent an e-mail to rob.alexander@mbsradio.com Here was their response.
Thank you for your e-mail regarding Talk Of The Town on CFBC. Listener feedback is very important to us so I appreicate the time you took to send us the note.I want to assure you that we have not undertaken any decision that will the show does not return after it's usual summer break.Again, thanks for your e-mail.It's great hearing from someone who is obviously a big fan of the show.
Have a great summer!
Sincerely,
Rob Alexander
Operations Manager
CFBC/K100/C98
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
VERY IMPORTANT MEETING TONIGHT!!!!
Just this morning a poor guy receive a $80 fine for panhandling. I saw everything. I was going to take a picture but the cop said Hi Charles! I decided to leave the cop alone.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
SOMEONE JUST BECAME MY 100,000TH VISITOR TO OUR BLOG SITE!!!!
BRENT TAYLOR FORMER BIGOT OF THE C.O.R. PARTY AND NOW IRVING LOYAL SOLDIER SPEAKS OUT AGAINST BLOGGERS!!
The final report from the Senate on the Irving Monopoly must have really favoured the Irvings because they are printing stories against me and I'm not allowed to fight back!
A Loyal true bigot is allowed to condenm this Acadian??? My God? It is indeed old Germany again! A bigot is bad enough and now a Irving Employee? Brent Taylor has been against me for years.
I'm certain that the Irvings will reward this bigot well after this latest column. I'm going to phone the editor to fine out if I got the right to reply to this bigot!
Bigot? You should have heard his big Anti-French speech in Campbellon in 1991!
If he had his way? The Acadians would be deported from New Brunswick and now he's a loyal Irving employee!!!!
Bloggers can take their messages too far
Brent Taylor
REALITY CHECK
........
....
While serious bloggers go about their business with discipline and ethics, the kooks cast a pall over the whole medium.
Last week our legislature's administration committee had the unhappy task of banning a self-proclaimed blogger from the property of the assembly.
The directive from the sergeant-at-arms identified several grounds for the eviction, including the continued harassment of government employees at their workplace.
This "blogger" feels he has a right, as a journalist, to ply his craft - which apparently consists mostly of taking candid photos of politicians and private citizens and then posting them with accompanying commentary to his Web site - after some of the photos have been doctored and many of the articles laced with defamatory depictions and statements.
For instance, union representative Tom Mann wrote this newspaper last week defending the blogger's banishment, and was promptly termed a "bigot."
Similar libellous terms have been levelled against dozens of other New Brunswickers from all walks of life. There is no point in any of them suing this blogger, however, for he apparently has no assets and, therefore, nothing to lose.
Despite the kooks, blogging has become increasingly mainstream. In an effort to establish a set of principles to which legitimate bloggers would adhere, the Media Bloggers Association (MBA) was created to gather together those involved in the craft. The MBA adopted the following principles to be followed by its members: honesty, fairness, accuracy, transparency, accountability, trust, and, respect for the privacy of private citizens.
From a founding membership base of 22 blogs, the MBA has grown exponentially to now include 295 blogs, with new applications being received steadily.
To become a member of the MBA a blogger must, among other things, "have a demonstrated history of a serious commitment to blogging evidenced by blogging for more than several months, posting regularly and frequently, and writing posts of some reasonable level of quality."
The Fredericton blogger banned from the legislature would not even come close to meeting the standards set forth by the MBA.
He had previously applied for membership in the legislature's press gallery as a reporter.
The application was not approved, and rightly so.
As the phenomenon evolves the press gallery will, at some point, be presented with an application from a blogger that will be worthy of acceptance.
The MBA guidelines are a good start on what test ought to be applied to a blogger seeking to chronicle the political life of New Brunswick as a full member of the gallery.
Until then, both the legislature and its press gallery need not apologize for evicting harassers and disturbers. The MLAs, the public, and the employees themselves must have a safe and secure environment in which to come together to advance their legitimate causes and do the people's business.
Brent Taylor is a former MLA. He writes each Tuesday from Doaktown.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Sorry I can't blog!!!
SAINT JOHN POLICE FORCE AND CHARLES ON MUSIC VIDEO!!!!!
CHSR INTERVIEW WAS FUN!!!
You can listen to the interview bu clicking on the top left hand side. Thanks to Chris for asking and trusting me on live radio.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
DENIS LOSIER DIED ONE YEAR AGO TODAY!!!!
I wrote this blog last year.
For you long time readers? Remember this guy from the North Shore?
He came down to the Capital to protest the hospital cuts in the North Shore.
His name was Denis Losier.
I just learned that he was one of the two brothers killed over the weekend.
He and his brother were hit by a vehicle that was driven by their best friend.
This guy was suppose to blog en Francais in my blog.
I hung with him all day during their protest!
He was a very nice guy!!!
After this picture was taken. We gave each other a little hug and little did I know that he would be dead months afterwards!!!
My deepest sympathy goes out to all his family and friends on the sad day..
WILL THE IRVINGS PRINT THIS LETTER TO THE EDITOR???
I must admit that the last couple of weeks have been very difficult even for me!
First, I get arrested at “The Altantica Info Meeting / Protest” for taking pictures to put in my blog.
Within a Two day period from then I also find out from my sources that when I return to Fredericton I will
be banned for life from the New Brunswick Legislature!?
Sure enough my sources were indeed right!
I showed up at the Legislature and I was served papers by the Sargent At Arms - Dan Bussieres telling me that I was for harassing the public.
I asked - Who did I harass?, but I receive no answers.
Last Fall, I got hired to do a job for a contractor at the
Legislature. I was told It was to be approximately six months worth of work and it paid me $10 per hour.
But soon after that the contractor was forced to
fire me after I had already worked for four hours because Dan Bussieres told him that I was a security risk.
What is strange here, is that I was still allowed to go into the Legislature every day!?, even when I was labelled as a security risk!?
Very strange.
I now have an ongoing complaint with the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission pending on this issue.
So? Will this action set up a precedent to the rest of the workplace that if you put in a complaint?
You will be fired from your work? Even though your complain had nothing to do with your new employment?
The Legislative Administration Committee is served by 5 P.C.s and 3 Liberals. They held a private meeting and Tanker Malley told the media that I was warned on many different occasions of harassing the public.
This is a complete lie!!!
Not once was I was approached about my behaviour.
I believe that my behaviour is much better than the manners of our elected officials with the way they have been acting in the Chambers during these last few months?
They said that I was harassing famous industrials who visited the Legislature. The only person that I could think in that field was J.D. Irving himself. I approached the Billionaire and wished him a Merry Christmas. I even have a picture on my blog shaking hands with J.D. Irving.
Would this be considered to be harassment?
I have been a free of charge lobbyist for different issues during the last three years.
I have brought a lot of issues to light with our
elected officials as well as helped a lot of people.
I was very surprised to hear on the news that Labour leader Tom Mann congratulated Tanker Malley for banning me from the Legislature!?
Since when does a Labour leader go public and agree with the
Government?, especially on an issue where a poor person is involved?
There are many questions but no clear cut answers.
From my contacts, I heard that it was the bureaucrats who wanted me gone because they know that our present elected officials will be long gone but the bureaucrats will be around for life.
Also in my opinion Bev Harrison would have never be foolish enough to sign any papers to have me banned.
So in light of that fact I believe Dan Bussieres took advantage of Tanker’s weaknesses. So I will end with this-- Is it the People’s House?, Or the Bureaucrats
House?
Charles LeBlanc
Fredericton N.B.
A VIEW ON THE IRVING NEWSPAPERS MONOPOLY IN NEW BRUNSWCK!!!
By KIM KIERANS Community News
A SENATE committee has released a plan to ensure that Canadians will enjoy a wider choice of voices, ideas and debate through their newspapers, radio and television.
First of all it wants to control the slide towards too few people owning too much of these media.
The standing Senate committee on transportation and communications, which included former journalists Joan Fraser, Jim Munson and Pat Carney, found concentration of media ownership has accelerated and
reached unacceptable levels.
In Atlantic Canada the problem is bigger than ever.
Back in 1970 the Irving family’s domination of the media in New Brunswick was a highlight of the report of Senator Keith Davey. Ten years later the Irvings were again under fire from the Kent Commission.
This Senate committee finds that in 2006, the Irvings have an even tighter grip on media in New Brunswick.
"Probably the most emotional testimony was prompted by the extensive and growing ownership by the Irving family of New Brunswick," the report stated.
The concern is that Irving is "a dominant media force linked to a dominant industrial base."
The family owns all three English-language dailies, most weeklies and a growing number of French publications in New Brunswick. It also owns most of the presses in the province and has three radio stations. It is also estimated to have 300 companies in areas such as oil, transportation and forestry and employs eight per cent of the population.
"Competition is a great thing and personally I don’t think there’s enough," said Senator Jim Munson
He said journalists in Atlantic Canada told him that working in an environment with one dominant player created a prevailing feeling of self-censorship.
"That’s worrisome," he said. "The argument has been made that, ‘Oh, our editorials are different and we have different editorial boards.’ Somehow along the way in an economic environment like New Brunswick people have a tendency to perhaps look the other way or if you want to continue working look further away and I think those kinds of issues have to be addressed."
While the concentration in New Brunswick is a concern, the report noted that in a province with a population of just 752,000, Irving group ownership is likely responsible for the continued existence of the three dailies and many weeklies in the province.
Outside New Brunswick, Montreal-based Transcontinental Media has come to dominate the Atlantic newspaper industry.
Transcon now owns all the daily newspapers in Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia with the exception of the Halifax Chronicle Herald.
It also owns almost all the weeklies in Newfoundland and a good chunk in the Annapolis Valley and southwestern Nova Scotia.
While this is an area of concern, Senator Joan Fraser said it’s not lethal. "Things change. I don’t think either the Irving interests or the Transcontinental interests or anybody’s interest are eternal." She noted that at one point Lord Black owned a "gigantic proportion of Canadian print and in rapid order he didn’t anymore."
The Senate report is clear. There’s no way to turn back the clock and undo the concentration and cross ownership of the media that the Davey Committee and Kent Commission predicted.
"The horse has left the barn. You can’t change all that," said Senator David Tkachuk.
"You have to start somewhere and build for the future," said Senator Fraser.
So, the senators envision a future with more competition and diversity of media voices. For that to happen, lawmakers will have to adopt rules for media mergers and sweeten the pot for new ventures.
The committee recommends financial aid to encourage new publications and to help them through those first tough years; more licences for community radio and TV; and improved broadband service in rural areas.
It wants the CRTC to make private broadcasters, especially radio stations, provide more local news and information, something most abandoned years ago.
It’s a tall order. Now it’s up to the public to look more closely at what the committee is suggesting. Don’t expect our concentrated media to provide you with much help.
Without public pressure it’s unlikely our MPs will soon be debating these recommendations and suggestions in Parliament, which means the Senate committee report will be added to the pile of well-intentioned but ignored studies into Canadian media.
Kim Kierans is director of the school of journalism at University of Kings College.
Online: www.parl.gc.ca/common/Committee_SenRecentReps.asp?Language=E&Parl=39&Ses=1
I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR TO THE IRVING'S NEWSPAPER!!
The issue is getting is little out of control.
Tom Mann a labour leader writing a letter to the editor praising Tanker Malley of signing papers to have me ban for week and there were a few lines in the other irving paper that wasn't true.
But I do have one problem.
The Irvings have blocked my email address. I can't send them a letter. Maybe after last week Senate report.
The Irvings will have the power to deny my letter and I would have to say- Here we go again.
I'm going to write a letter this afternoon and lets see what's going to happen.
What I'm going to do is write one and blog it right in here so the readers will see if they change the story. Stay tune....
MOLLY'S IS THE PLACE TO BE FOR A GOOD PRIVATE CONVERSATION.
Just for the record? No one paid me to write this little blog.
During my 6 months protest in front of the Legislature, I would always walk downtown especially at night.
The Capital is beautiful in the evenings. There’s no hills to walk up and it’s peaceful.
I would always walked by the many restaurants or stores on Queen Street.
I remembered one place across from Officer’s Square call - Molly’s!!!
I walked in there on a few occasions but didn’t really noticed much until last summer.
I bumped into an old friend and we wanted to have a conversation in private so he suggested Molly’s?
I said - Sure! Why not???
I was in for a huge big surprise.
Once inside, it was pretty dark but the guy kept on walking through the building until he directed me in the back.
Once outside, I noticed a cool water fountain, gold fishs nice chairs, garden and many huge umbrellas over the table so a person could escape the hot City sun.
I might add there’s good food such as Sandwiches, Soups and Ice Cream.
They always have specialties of the house. They also have any alcohol drinks you want. I might add that the coffee is fantastic. It's from another country!!!
The main reason that I decided to write about this place is the privacy a couple or anyone can have.
I remember one day, one politician wanted to chat with me but it was very difficult to have a conversation in private because all the restaurants are in the open and of course we could be distracted by other people.
In this case? It’s sort of a paradise centre on Queen Street.
A person doesn’t notice the place from the street!
It’s beautiful!!!!
I would suggest to anyone who wishes to have a meeting or chat in private over a couple of drinks or coffee?
Molly’s on Queen Street is the place to be!!!
My God! What a nice set up they have in that area.
Once again???? For the record?
Molly’s never paid me to write this blog about their fine place. They don’t even know that I’m writing this story!!!
I saw it with my own eyes and I was very impressed.
I believe that other citizens should have the right to know there’s a private paradise centre on Queen Street!!
Molly’s is located across from Officer's Square!!!
Molly's is the place to be!!!
href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/httpoldmaisonblogspotcom/171657975/" title="Photo Sharing">
By the way? If you go? Please let me know because I’m curious to know if I’m the only one who feels this way?
Saturday, June 24, 2006
WHO IS BIGOT TOM MANN ANYWAY????
I never heard of this bigot in the past. Can someone please give me some details on this bigot labour leader?
Merci.
FREDERICTON POLICE FORCE- MOVE ON YOU PIECE OF SH@T!!!!
This afternoon, I bumped into this guy.
I asked him if the Frdericton Police Force have bothered him?
He told me last night around 2:00am? He was surrounded by five police officers and they kicked him.
He couldn't understand what was going on?
They told him - MOVE ON YOU PIECE OF SH@T!!!!
They turned around and gave the guy a $70 ticket.
So? Did this story truly happen?
Is the Police truly out of control? Who knows? 
I have been told that I shouldn't be walking alone at night. I don't get scare easily.
TOM MANN - LABOUR UNION BIGOTED AGAINST THE POOR OF NEW BRUNSWICK??
Can someone send me the letter in the Gleaner that he said that the poor should be exterminated from the Legislature. He never said it that way but pretty darn close.
Hey? If he can say lies about me? I'm going to return the favour.
Someone appraoched on the streets and he told me that he read it in the French Newspaper.
Now? We have a labour leader going against the poor.
As far as I'm concern? This man should resign but I can't wait ti face this BIGOT in person.
What else do you call an individual who goes public against the poor of this Province?
Send me that letter. Merci Beaucoup!!!!
YOU CAN LISTEN TO CHARLES'S INTERVIEW BY CLICKING ON THE TOP LEFT HAND SIDE!!
I just listen to it for the very first time and I must admit that it's not bad. What's your take?
BIGOT LEADER TOM MANN IS THE REASON THAT I'M BANNED FROM THE NEW BRUNSWICK LEGISLATURE????
Above: Wade Greenlaw (IBEW); Daniel Légère (CUPE); and Tom Mann (NBU)
I had a very busy week. Running here and there. Even for a person with ADHD? It can bring a person down.
So, a couple sent me an email asking me if I would be interested to attend a BBQ and of course lots of beers?
I gladly accepted their offer.
There I was in la la land on their deck relaxing with a nice cold beer.
No bloggling, no MLA, no police officers. NO NOTHING!!!
I decided to listen to CBC radio for the news at 5:30pm.
I almost chocked on my beer when I heard that Labour leader Tom Mann speaking in support of me being banned from the Legislature?! 
This appointed official told the listeners that I was harassing the employees of the Union.
THIS IS A LIE!!!!!
Well, trust me! I don’t care how big the labour movement!!!
They’re not going to get away with this one.
C.U.P.E. is supporting a Communist system?
Trust me, I’m going to walk in their office next week and I’m going to get to the bottom of this.
Maybe Bob Hicks put in a complaint when I took this picture? 
Maybe Bob Davidson told the security staff that I was harassing him? 
I don’t know but I’m going to get to the bottom of this.
How can the Saint John Police Force investigate my complaint if they belong to a Union????
Did you know that the members of the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission belong to C.U.P.E.!
Ok....Maybe this is the reason that those people wouldn’t accept my case?
Shame on the union and I will confront these people next week and of course I will have someone with me taking pictures!
This is changing into a war! They would love that I crossed the line but I flatly refuse to do so.
They go public with these statements and what did they expect me to do?
Always something......I will go in the office of the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission next week and demand a non-union person investigates my case.
Stay tune!!!!
FAPO HAS A MEETING ABOUT PANHANDING WEDNESDAY!!!
I took this picture yesterday and the guy told me that he was surprised that he wasn't arrested by the Fredericton Police Force.
It's About Poverty - Not Panhandling
Public Forum June 28, 2006 - 7 - 9 pm
(June 19, 2006 - Fredericton, NB) - The recent crackdown on panhandlers in Fredericton's downtown core will be the topic of discussion at a public forum organized by the Fredericton
Anti-Poverty Organization (FAPO). The event will be held on Wednesday, June 28, from 7-9 pm at the Monsignor Boyd Family Center, 120 Regent Street, Fredericton.
Guest speakers include Pat Carlson, Executive Director of the Fredericton Emergency Shelters and George Piers, Administrator of the Fredericton Community Kitchen.
Dan Weston, FAPO Coordinator, says the panhandling issue is a lightening rod for the underlying issues facing the poor in Fredericton and throughout New Brunswick.
"The province of New Brunswick has the lowest welfare rates in the country and an affordable housing crisis sparked by soaring energy costs," Weston said. "Single welfare recipients who get $270 a month cannot afford decent housing or food: consequently, they're out begging on the street to make ends meet."
Weston says it was bad enough before the price of oil "went through the roof" but he predicts it's just going to get worse over the next few months as expected rent increases take effect.
"Expect to see more people begging in the streets and getting arrested. At least they'll have a roof over their heads and three square meals a day courtesy of the taxpayer," says Weston.
Weston believes that it's in everybody's interest to come up with better ways to get people off the streets. He suggests "jobs and affordable housing are a very good place to start and if we can't
give them jobs, then the provincial government has to raise welfare rates to accommodate rent increases."
Both Pat Carlson and George Piers have worked for many years with the city's poor and homeless and view the rising tide of poverty with alarm.
"Understanding the root causes of social issues means examining poverty," says Carlson, whose men's and women's emergency shelters provide housing for the city’s poor. Calling panhandling "a by-product of poverty," she invites everyone, including the city's poor and homeless, to attend the public meeting.
Refreshments and sandwiches will be served and all are welcome.
- 30 -
For further information, please contact:
Dan Weston / Melynda Jarratt, FAPO, 458-9102 / 474-3476 (cel)
Pat Carlson, Fredericton Emergency Shelters 462-9806
George Piers, Fredericton Community Kitchen, 457-1788
