The people of St. John's Metro and larger regional centres are inundated with bundles.
How does one get a bundle if they use one company for telephone and then need another for highspeed?
What about those who want the Aliant connection as they have always had for their telephone - however Aliant only has dialup in the area?
Rural initiatives? Forced choice? Surely it is not equal access right?
Danny, Dean, and Brian Flip this Utility.
Still is a "Solid Gold" idea - right?
Make it expensive, make it confusing, make it political, make the system unstable.
Somebody is getting rich and you are paying the tab.
Showing posts with label fibre optic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fibre optic. Show all posts
Sunday, May 05, 2013
Monday, April 30, 2012
A Liberal Ovation for Beano Deano
So Mr. MacDonald has addressed a group of Liberals at a fundraiser.
That's interesting!
The following is from a story in the Telegram on the event:
In Upper Island Cove Saturday night, MacDonald devoted nearly all of his 30-minute speech to attacking the current government, and making the case that the Progressive Conservatives, led by Premier Kathy Dunderdale, lack vision and cannot competently manage the province.
MacDonald attacked Dunderdale on what he saw as poor fiscal management, and while he said he’s in favour of the Muskrat Falls project, he thinks the government has “fumbled” the process to get it developed. “I don’t think we have a vision. I don’t think we have a plan for the province. I don’t feel that we’re all on a team who all know where we’re headed,” MacDonald said. “The party that’s been in power too long believes their own bullshit, and the party that will sweep into power doesn’t, and that’s us.”
Well now - when exactly did this transformation occur? Was it when the Cabinet - not "Danny Williams" granted his wish for the fibre optic line? That would have meant that Kathy was instrumental in passing through the untendered cash. Is that the Kathy he is talking about?
How about the "fumbled" process on the Muskrat Falls proposed deal with Emera? Was that because he is no longer the Chair of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro? Does he think Ed Martin dropped the ball? Is he saying that Danny dropped the ball? Or is he saying that it's okay to "bullshit" the people now - for his own political gain - now that Danny is gone?
What team is Dean talking about? Is it the Ice-Caps or somehow the political team that he was part of when Danny was the leader of the same party he is now crapping on?
Newfoundland and Labrador is in for a rough ride people - when the word is that only Brian, Danny, or Dean, are intellectually capable enough to run our affairs.
So what's Danny's take on Dean's statements? That should be funny. Perhaps Brian can wade in and let us know what he thinks.
The Telegram reported that the Liberals in attendance gave Dean a standing ovation. For what? Crapping on the PC government that gave him the cash - that the Liberals fought vehemently against? Or is it for Dean supporting the most current PC economic/energy policy regarding the Muskrat deal which the Liberals oppose?
If the Liberals position is that "anybody" can become leader regardless of what they stand for - as long as it returns the party to power - then we can conclude our political system is completely broken.
It is impossible to calculate how stupid they think we are.
That's interesting!
The following is from a story in the Telegram on the event:
In Upper Island Cove Saturday night, MacDonald devoted nearly all of his 30-minute speech to attacking the current government, and making the case that the Progressive Conservatives, led by Premier Kathy Dunderdale, lack vision and cannot competently manage the province.
MacDonald attacked Dunderdale on what he saw as poor fiscal management, and while he said he’s in favour of the Muskrat Falls project, he thinks the government has “fumbled” the process to get it developed. “I don’t think we have a vision. I don’t think we have a plan for the province. I don’t feel that we’re all on a team who all know where we’re headed,” MacDonald said. “The party that’s been in power too long believes their own bullshit, and the party that will sweep into power doesn’t, and that’s us.”
Well now - when exactly did this transformation occur? Was it when the Cabinet - not "Danny Williams" granted his wish for the fibre optic line? That would have meant that Kathy was instrumental in passing through the untendered cash. Is that the Kathy he is talking about?
How about the "fumbled" process on the Muskrat Falls proposed deal with Emera? Was that because he is no longer the Chair of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro? Does he think Ed Martin dropped the ball? Is he saying that Danny dropped the ball? Or is he saying that it's okay to "bullshit" the people now - for his own political gain - now that Danny is gone?
What team is Dean talking about? Is it the Ice-Caps or somehow the political team that he was part of when Danny was the leader of the same party he is now crapping on?
Newfoundland and Labrador is in for a rough ride people - when the word is that only Brian, Danny, or Dean, are intellectually capable enough to run our affairs.
So what's Danny's take on Dean's statements? That should be funny. Perhaps Brian can wade in and let us know what he thinks.
The Telegram reported that the Liberals in attendance gave Dean a standing ovation. For what? Crapping on the PC government that gave him the cash - that the Liberals fought vehemently against? Or is it for Dean supporting the most current PC economic/energy policy regarding the Muskrat deal which the Liberals oppose?
If the Liberals position is that "anybody" can become leader regardless of what they stand for - as long as it returns the party to power - then we can conclude our political system is completely broken.
It is impossible to calculate how stupid they think we are.
Monday, July 04, 2011
Minister Susan Sullivan takes on Broadband - Good Luck with That
Yes let's try again Minister Susan Sullivan says of Rural Broadband access.
Let's do something local hey?
So when Tobin is in power he turns contracts over to Cable Atlantic then owned by Danny Williams - who then almost immediately flipped it to Rogers. (local argument gone)
Then Williams comes to power and gives Persona then owned by Dean Macdonald many millions for a new fibre-optic line. Macdonald then flips almost immediately flipped it to East Link (local argument gone).
In the meantime Newfoundland Tel (Aliant) is the loser in both scenarios - and as a result backs away from continued investment in the province.
You see we are a limited population - there is no room for two or three players. If you bring competition into an underpopulated area - you lose the main service provider. It would be the same if the government decided to let another power distributor in to compete against Fortis. The dollars available to be made would be reduced and investment commitments would be lost.
I know we are creating a lot of millionaires - without any real plan to deal with these communications issues.
What a bloody mess, Minister Sullivan - and the lack of infrastructure and investment is starting to show. Wait till the poles have to be dealt with. Wait until the systems fail without proper investment in maintenance.
Meanwhile - business and tourism will continue to stall without a proper plan.
The government says this time the RBI will be better than the GBI (government broadband initiative) - really Minister Sullivan - and you guarantee this how?
Lit and unlit were the terms then Minister of Duct Tape Trevor Taylor used during the GBI fiasco. No control of funds. Complete mess according to the Auditor General John Noseworthy.
What Tory business faithful have their hands out now?
By the way Minister Sullivan - why do the hospitals in the metro area use a SASKATCHEWAN CROWN corporation to provide cable TV to our patients?
If you want to review the past on this flipping PRESS HERE
Let's do something local hey?
So when Tobin is in power he turns contracts over to Cable Atlantic then owned by Danny Williams - who then almost immediately flipped it to Rogers. (local argument gone)
Then Williams comes to power and gives Persona then owned by Dean Macdonald many millions for a new fibre-optic line. Macdonald then flips almost immediately flipped it to East Link (local argument gone).
In the meantime Newfoundland Tel (Aliant) is the loser in both scenarios - and as a result backs away from continued investment in the province.
You see we are a limited population - there is no room for two or three players. If you bring competition into an underpopulated area - you lose the main service provider. It would be the same if the government decided to let another power distributor in to compete against Fortis. The dollars available to be made would be reduced and investment commitments would be lost.
I know we are creating a lot of millionaires - without any real plan to deal with these communications issues.
What a bloody mess, Minister Sullivan - and the lack of infrastructure and investment is starting to show. Wait till the poles have to be dealt with. Wait until the systems fail without proper investment in maintenance.
Meanwhile - business and tourism will continue to stall without a proper plan.
The government says this time the RBI will be better than the GBI (government broadband initiative) - really Minister Sullivan - and you guarantee this how?
Lit and unlit were the terms then Minister of Duct Tape Trevor Taylor used during the GBI fiasco. No control of funds. Complete mess according to the Auditor General John Noseworthy.
What Tory business faithful have their hands out now?
By the way Minister Sullivan - why do the hospitals in the metro area use a SASKATCHEWAN CROWN corporation to provide cable TV to our patients?
If you want to review the past on this flipping PRESS HERE
Saturday, March 05, 2011
Willderdale Government and Sensational Distractions
Russell Wangersky continues his justified written assault on "tobacco gate" today in the Telegram. He stirs up more questions and comparisons that causes one - who wants to believe in the Willderdale government - to necessarily plug their nose and ears and place a blindfold over their eyes.
Several media outlets have continued to semi-probe the Matthews appointment to the CNLOPB - leaving PC supporters including Ministers like Shawn Skinner to come up with ridiculous excuses to justify the move. Pass out those plugs and blindfolds again.
Since Williams resigned unexpectedly and hurriedly almost immediately after a proposed deal was cut with a publicly traded company (Emera) to develop Muskrat Falls - bits and pieces of sensationalism have cropped up - almost on a weekly basis.
1. The Cabana Fiasco - kept the media hopping for weeks as if somebody really relevant had stepped forward. (That has nothing to do with Brad's CFA status - rather the fact that he is a rookie relative to Newfoundland and Labrador affairs). A guaranteed pass apparently into the "new" Liberals club.
2. The Dumeresque Enlightenment on the resale of Upper Churchill power - pointing an already complicit finger at the PC's - while he himself was involved with a) the attempted privatization b) responsible for a deal that made the already inept Churchill Falls deal with Hydro-Quebec even worse.
3. The almost "pee in one's pants" return of the great one as he inserted himself hypocritically into the Humber West by-election.
4. The awarding of the tobacco lawsuit to Danny's former and maybe current business buddies and former partners in his old law firm - including the Phoenix rising from the ashes piece as the "Firm" moved into new offices - after an investigation found nothing on cause of the fire and rendered it "undetermined".
5. The release of the Fisheries Report - designed apparently to show us the way forward on that Ottawa battered and fried resource. The provincial Minister Clyde Jackman claimed the report was useless and not what they were looking for - particularly in an election year. Then we had everyone from Earl McCurdy to Lorraine Michael to Derek Butler weighing in on it.
6. The fibre optic deal - with another of Danny's former business buddies - Dean MacDonald got the go over by the Auditor General - and apparently has us left stranded and unlit.
7. Of course the Elizabeth Matthews nomination by the Willderdale government to be the Vice-Chair of the CNLOPB. That has the whole gang singing her praises - as beautifully and choreographed as if a maestro was hiding behind curtain number one.
All of these things have kept us a safe distance from the real issue before the people now and one which won't cost us $200,000 a year but may risk the future of several generations of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians - the proposed deal on the Lower Churchill. These billions and billions of dollars of potential - the hundreds of millions and thousands of hundreds of thousands ... you know what Joey meant - is sitting unprotected - unquestioned - not debated - in hopes of slipping this Legacy of Shame through.
If you really want history to repeat itself - continue your blind journey into this abyss - and while Emera shareholders and likely Hydro-Quebec delight in the folly - your children and grandchildren will have to make the U-Haul journey across the rails to roads ruts and take an inadequate ferry service to the great Canada beyond - and Labradorians will be left still unserviced providing economic nutrition needed to strengthen Atlantic Canada.
The Liberals, the NDP, and the media must stop this unimpeded Williams parade into this devastating energy giveaway - by truly engaging the people in debate and discourse designed to ensure we are not marching ourselves into decades of regret and moaning over what could have been. Those in power in the sixties could have stopped the Upper Churchill and those in power now must stop the Emera deal.
Several media outlets have continued to semi-probe the Matthews appointment to the CNLOPB - leaving PC supporters including Ministers like Shawn Skinner to come up with ridiculous excuses to justify the move. Pass out those plugs and blindfolds again.
Since Williams resigned unexpectedly and hurriedly almost immediately after a proposed deal was cut with a publicly traded company (Emera) to develop Muskrat Falls - bits and pieces of sensationalism have cropped up - almost on a weekly basis.
1. The Cabana Fiasco - kept the media hopping for weeks as if somebody really relevant had stepped forward. (That has nothing to do with Brad's CFA status - rather the fact that he is a rookie relative to Newfoundland and Labrador affairs). A guaranteed pass apparently into the "new" Liberals club.
2. The Dumeresque Enlightenment on the resale of Upper Churchill power - pointing an already complicit finger at the PC's - while he himself was involved with a) the attempted privatization b) responsible for a deal that made the already inept Churchill Falls deal with Hydro-Quebec even worse.
3. The almost "pee in one's pants" return of the great one as he inserted himself hypocritically into the Humber West by-election.
4. The awarding of the tobacco lawsuit to Danny's former and maybe current business buddies and former partners in his old law firm - including the Phoenix rising from the ashes piece as the "Firm" moved into new offices - after an investigation found nothing on cause of the fire and rendered it "undetermined".
5. The release of the Fisheries Report - designed apparently to show us the way forward on that Ottawa battered and fried resource. The provincial Minister Clyde Jackman claimed the report was useless and not what they were looking for - particularly in an election year. Then we had everyone from Earl McCurdy to Lorraine Michael to Derek Butler weighing in on it.
6. The fibre optic deal - with another of Danny's former business buddies - Dean MacDonald got the go over by the Auditor General - and apparently has us left stranded and unlit.
7. Of course the Elizabeth Matthews nomination by the Willderdale government to be the Vice-Chair of the CNLOPB. That has the whole gang singing her praises - as beautifully and choreographed as if a maestro was hiding behind curtain number one.
All of these things have kept us a safe distance from the real issue before the people now and one which won't cost us $200,000 a year but may risk the future of several generations of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians - the proposed deal on the Lower Churchill. These billions and billions of dollars of potential - the hundreds of millions and thousands of hundreds of thousands ... you know what Joey meant - is sitting unprotected - unquestioned - not debated - in hopes of slipping this Legacy of Shame through.
If you really want history to repeat itself - continue your blind journey into this abyss - and while Emera shareholders and likely Hydro-Quebec delight in the folly - your children and grandchildren will have to make the U-Haul journey across the rails to roads ruts and take an inadequate ferry service to the great Canada beyond - and Labradorians will be left still unserviced providing economic nutrition needed to strengthen Atlantic Canada.
The Liberals, the NDP, and the media must stop this unimpeded Williams parade into this devastating energy giveaway - by truly engaging the people in debate and discourse designed to ensure we are not marching ourselves into decades of regret and moaning over what could have been. Those in power in the sixties could have stopped the Upper Churchill and those in power now must stop the Emera deal.
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Shawn Skinner 2011 same as Trevor Taylor 2007 both bad deals
"...will have the assurance of a redundancy of fibre optic networks connecting the province to the mainland"
Shawn Skinner 2011 Telegram Today
Now its all about redundancy and the importance of having mainland supply for backup. Think about what the Ministers are saying. Same message from Trevor and Shawn and the same arguments created by the Dean MacDonald's and Danny Williams of the world.
Our province should have had security of supply decades ago and it would have been self-reliance. Labrador should be fully powered by hydro - with redundancies - domestic built in - same way for the Island. Now it is make the shocking deal with Emera - necessary - in the same way they made the shocking deal with Persona necessary.
It`s all about getting money into shareholders hands - and not for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. If the media did some fact checking they would find other similarities with the two deals - like why tenders were not called and why our people were and are the ones holding the debt - and how long these two investments would take to pay themselves off.
This is not an energy plan and like the fibre optic deal it is going to cost us a fortune for particular shareholders to make a load of cash. I have not spent 20 years of my life dealing with energy issues in this province - for the sake of criticizing - I have done so to avoid catastrophic deals which in the end will ruin the future for yet more generations to come.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Ottawa will give Loan Guarantee on Lower Churchill
Holding our collective breath? Ottawa will give a loan guarantee on the Lower Churchill development because Nova Scotia (Emera) therefore Peter Mackay wants our power for their own gain.
Imagine the headlines Nova Scotia MP and substitute ABC Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador convinces his boss Stephen Harper that this project is good for Canadian Unity and a "green" project to boot.
This proposed project is "green" alright - if we allow it to happen.
This will be another "pull the wool over the trusting eyes of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians" moment.
If you were a Nova Scotian and you could get security of energy supply from a renewable and have Newfoundlanders and Labradorians pay for it - what would you think?
I predict an escalator bound Kathy Dunderdale waving her arms in the air saying you know "we got it -we got it".
This means much more to Danny (passionate Newfoundlander and Labradorian) Williams than a legacy - we just need to figure out what is driving this Solid Gold idea.
Canada has us believing we are a "have" province and they used Williams to deliver their message. Sue's Blog will post something on this later today.
Now for the cynics that think Quebec might block it - nah - I predict the takeover of Emera will follow shortly thereafter meaning we will be completely controlled by Hydro-Quebec and those fortunate Emera stockholders will experience the thrill of a flip - like when Danny flipped Cable Atlantic or when Dean flipped Persona.
Imagine the headlines Nova Scotia MP and substitute ABC Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador convinces his boss Stephen Harper that this project is good for Canadian Unity and a "green" project to boot.
This proposed project is "green" alright - if we allow it to happen.
This will be another "pull the wool over the trusting eyes of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians" moment.
If you were a Nova Scotian and you could get security of energy supply from a renewable and have Newfoundlanders and Labradorians pay for it - what would you think?
I predict an escalator bound Kathy Dunderdale waving her arms in the air saying you know "we got it -we got it".
This means much more to Danny (passionate Newfoundlander and Labradorian) Williams than a legacy - we just need to figure out what is driving this Solid Gold idea.
Canada has us believing we are a "have" province and they used Williams to deliver their message. Sue's Blog will post something on this later today.
Now for the cynics that think Quebec might block it - nah - I predict the takeover of Emera will follow shortly thereafter meaning we will be completely controlled by Hydro-Quebec and those fortunate Emera stockholders will experience the thrill of a flip - like when Danny flipped Cable Atlantic or when Dean flipped Persona.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
cable atlantic, persona, danny, dean, and brian 1st Fibre Optic 2nd Lower Churchill???
Have a look at John Noseworthy's Auditor General Report and scroll below what Sue's Blog posted when the deal was first done. How about the Lower Churchill Deal - designed for a flip???
ORIGINAL POST 2007
I guess most of the readers are familiar with the various TV shows on flipping houses - where the buyer picks up a property - renovates and or adds an addition and flips it for a profit. Newfoundland and Labrador has it's own new program now - called Flip this Utility. I cannot for the life of me figure out why CBC or NTV have not picked up the pilot and a couple of completed programs in the can. The least the Telegram or VOCM could do is give the reader and listener some highlights of the new series so we can encourage one of the TV networks to pick it up. I don't expect "Out of the Fog" would be interested.
The program is filled with energy as the hosts and flippers are interesting well known characters - that give it a kind of soap opera appeal - mixed with a tinge of a reality series.
The creator of the series is a well kept secret but I think it's fair to say that Brian Tobin might be the producer and the government of Newfoundland and Labrador acts as a partial financier of the renos.
Te pilot takes place in Newfoundland and Labrador when Tobin was the Premier. He decided after some encouragement by the local cable company that it was time to reno the government's communications contracts. So Tobin without an RFP or tender call picks Cable Atlantic for the investment.
Cable Atlantic picked up the government contract and away they went. Shortly after the owner of Cable Atlantic flipped the property for a tidy profit to Rogers - not a (local) company.
Dean MacDonald - Danny Williams - Ken Marshall - and Brian Tobin are featured predominantly in the pilot and the backdrop is priceless - as one of the flippers - apparently not believing that Tobin's government had done a good job became the leader of the other political party and went on to become Premier.
The second program starts off with one of the flippers of the first property picking up Persona - and while Danny is becoming Premier - Dean Macdonald leaves Rogers - the purchaser of the renovated Cable Atlantic - and starts to work on Persona. Not to be left out Brian leaves as the Premier and he ends up on the Board of the new property to be renovated and does work for the company that picked up the first flip.
The third show features all the same players - but this time the Premier who was a flipper on the first - decides government needs some reno work itself - and Persona who is ready to be the second property - just happen to come together with the same plan. So instead of going out to the market to find another property to invest in - government decides why not just deal with the same gang. No tender of RFP needed.It worked before. Same storyline - local company gets reno...
Now this episode gets real fun as the biggest communications (telephone) company Aliant experiences a real tragedy and has a fire in one of its buildings knocking out cell and telephone services far and wide. Danny - and Dean - recognizing this irony jump all over this to convince us that another reno is essential.
They send out a new character Trevor - to announce all the plans - and poor Trevor is all over the map as to exactly what it is they are doing for the reno and why. He fondly becomes known as the "duct tape man".
Then our Minister of Business Kevin O'Brien jumps in - to be honest witchu - and starts selling the audience on the real value in this property.
The audience is in for great laughs as everyone runs around trying to figure out if they want strands or a whole network or how many fibres they will need and whether or not they will light them. And if they are lit - who will do it.
The funniest part is when the neighborhood spokesperson won't reveal who is going to pay what for maintenance and the whole meeting goes up when one of the property owners asks for an administration fee to sort it out.Once again the appeal to us the audience is that another local property wants to reno and expand. Unfortunately - once again the audience is torn when the property is flipped to another company on the mainland.
Unlike the first flip where the profit details were available - the producer will keep us guessing as the real profit off this one will not be known.
The producer is not talking but the last episode might go something like this - Danny leaves as Premier - Dean takes that job - and Brian picks up a property to reno and appoints Danny to the Board. The new government under Dean will encourage reno's to that asset and will partially finance the upgrades - without a tender or RFP. I haven't heard yet if they will release the results of that flip and the profits which might accrue.
Utility Flip - coming soon - from your local cable provider.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Marshmallow Report from the AG
The latest special Report of the Auditor General on the fibre-optic deal is a marshmallow.
I am frankly surprised that the man who likes to dig deep has barely scratched the surface on this particular task.
It does nothing to convince me that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians got the "best" deal for its investment - and is particularly weak when it comes to the Lobbyist Act.
First of all the project or "investment" of 15 million was not tendered and there was no request for proposals to achieve the government's stated objectives. On that basis alone we cannot determine if we got the "best" deal our money could buy.
Secondly - the financial assessment of whether or not our 15 million was needed was based on the cost of construction and did not include potential markets and revenues which could be generated for the companies involved. That is not acceptable.
Third - the Auditor General has a radio and a television and presumably keeps up with current affairs - he would then have known that this project was sold to the people as a "consortium" of companies - that did not have a name - as the party that needed the 15 million not Persona alone. In fact when the Electronic Warfare Associates report was - in part - made public - people questioned why Persona's finances could not be investigated - the response was that Rogers was a public company while Persona was private. This supposed consortium did not really exist as Persona is the owner of the system.
Fourthly - the AG determined that officials of Persona were not in violation of the Lobbyist Act as the Act states that 20% of the individuals time had to be spent lobbying. Clearly MacDonald could argue as the President of Persona - he did not spend 20% of his time lobbying for this project. However the Act provides for 2 types of lobbyists - in house - and consultant - The AG and according to him the office responsible for the lobbyist registry - found therefore there was no violation. They apparently ignored the possibility that MacDonald was acting as a consultant lobbyist which has no % of time associated with it.
MacDonald claimed he met with government officials on behalf of the consortium - Rogers - Persona - and MTS. This clearly makes MacDonald a consultant lobbyist as he was not only representing Persona - but a consortium. I therefore continue to believe the Act was violated.
Finally while there has been much fanfare from the AG office over the past year or so concerning the "spending scandal" and while the AG has been quite available for the camera - holding his own News Conferences - this report was floated out following the constituency allowance report on appropriateness of spending which had all taxpayers losing their stomachs and as such went under our radar.
This was a marshmallow report - which in the end did not provide taxpayers value for their money. In fact an imaginary News Release from the so called "consortium" probably would have looked very similar.
No recommendations - no concern about the lobbyist act - and no concern about the "best" value for our dollar.
Between the election call - the constituency spending - and conferences - and regular news events - the media did not have time to blink. I hope when the dust settles this report gets more scrutiny and more questions are asked.
Remember now - one of the key reasons government gave was that one partner of the "consortium" was a local company. Well Persona just as Cable Atlantic before it has been flipped to out-of-province interests.
For further background material on the Lobbyist Act refer to these previous posts:
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Summary
Thursday, September 06, 2007
The Weakest Link
It's real easy to beat up on Gerry Reid today - the polls are miserable for the Liberals - to say the least.As the Leader of the Official Opposition - Gerry's pay is a little more - but he's certainly not compensated for the load placed on his shoulders.
There is no doubt - now - to people who care about the existence of a Liberal Party and who genuinely want to rebuild it - from the bottom up - with complete top-down replacement - that the policies and the people delivering them are not resonating with the voters.
This is not just Gerry Reid - he just wears it. First of all almost half of people who will at least admit they will vote Liberal - will not back their leader - they choose Danny or are undecided. That's a tough one for the party and it's advisers - who chose to place Gerry Reid up-front despite the numbers showing he is lagging behind the party. That was and is a a strategical error in the Liberal campaign. Secondly the Liberal policies (such as they are)are not being supported by Liberals let alone the general population. Thirdly "New Liberalism" is an oxymoron if delivered by Gerry Reid - Danny Dumeresque - Rex Gibbons - John Efford - Norm Whelan - Walter Noel - and Roger Grimes. "New Liberalism" must fall to the party supporters - who clearly want a change in the old "party".
So while Gerry wears the shirt - the rest of them are responsible for manufacturing it.
There are real issues out there to challenge the Premier on - but if the communications director and other staffers and executive - don't see immediate media interest - it is placed on the back-burner. Currently there Liberal leadership seems to take direction from the media - which ultimately traps them into Danny's message. Generally speaking the local "journalists" are frightened to death - disinterested - and/or incapable of doing the necessary investigative pieces needed in a democracy - when the Opposition is weak. There are some exceptions - usually in the Telegram or on the Fisheries Broadcast. Outside of that - we get carnage - school opening - doggy-doo - red herrings - and an update of government News Releases.
The whole cable-gate fibre-optic fiasco would be hammered by Opposition and media alike in any other province. But since Kelvin Parsons made the slip in the House of Assembly of saying - the deal might be alright - while challenging the process - not a word. The Liberal caucus has buried it.
The energy plan that has been promised time and time again - has still not been released - despite the announcement of a wind project - the issuing of a draft on the gas royalty regime - to the major oil and gas players - but not to the public or media. The energy plan still in hiding despite the continuation of Lower Churchill discussions - and work in the field. Without that plan we cannot know what this government believes will be the energy needs for Newfoundland and Labrador for the next 50 years. Therefore the direction for the Lower Churchill is cart before the horse. But the Libs say nothing and worse have not released any suggestions of their own.
The sale of FPI - and the disregard of this government respecting the value of the marketing arm - and it's disposal to Nova Scotia. The joke of a fisheries conference and the continued out-migration of our people caused by the instability in this our most valuable natural renewable resource.
Instead of hammering and hammering on the Stephenville mill or the situation with the Metis - they continue to fall all over the Hebron MOU and the Premier's position with the oil magnates.
Inconsistency in policy by this Premier when it comes to equity positions and demands for processing facilities - goes unchallenged.
The non-response to the restructuring of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro - and what the real potential problems might be. The piece meal privatization of generation projects such as the wind project - which sees Newfoundlanders and Labradorians paying the Italian Government for energy.
To hold a News Conference to say - we will lower fees for your automobile - seems a little shallow when compared to the astronomical decisions which have to be made.
It still amazes me that cling-ons of the Liberal Party - demand to keep control - and do - despite the outright rejection of the voters. This is what happened to the federal Tories and if this continues here - there will be a wipe-out of this Liberal Party.
MHA Roland Butler was just on VOCM talking about matters in his district - when Randy Simms asked him about the poll. He answered "...we can't ignore what the polls are saying..." well yes Roland - unfortunately the Party is ignoring what the polls have been and are saying - that is the problem. Roland also mentioned the polling is done with 400 or so people - no - that's wrong - they alter the numbers every other poll - this time over 800 people were polled. This is something the staffers might have advised him on.
The Liberal Party has chosen to promote its weakest link heading into this fall election - I only hope there are Liberals who are seeking office - who reject this decision and keep their feet firmly on the ground in their chosen districts - and stick to what works for their particular constituency. Remember people - there are and could be some backbench members that will have less of a voice than a strong Opposition member.
Although the numbers for the PC Party are astronomical - Danny is still ahead of his party - that's something neither the Liberals nor the NDP can campaign on. The NDP may hang on to their traditional vote and may even take some from the Liberals - but Lorraine's leadership is limited to maintaining the one seat the Party has kept - primarily because Signal Hill - Quidi Vidi has become a seat of entitlement for the NDP - something which also must change.
I await with interest to see if the hold-up in the St. John's East Tory nomination - is not being held to "Marshall" the cable guy's agenda. Will we see Ken or Steve come forward in the next couple of days? Despite Jerome Kennedy's billing as the star winger - the center-man has yet to emerge for the Ballard - oops I mean William's team.
For Newfoundland and Labrador - the loss in not restricted to the Liberals imploding - it may also include the loss of the Lower Churchill as a key growth potential for Labrador - as the Premier gets drunker on "power".
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Flip this House (Utility)
First posted in 2007 by Sue's Blog - Every Time Dean speaks we should remind ourselves of the following:
I guess most of the readers are familiar with the various TV shows on flipping houses - where the buyer picks up a property - renovates and or adds an addition and flips it for a profit.
Newfoundland and Labrador has it's own new program now - called Flip this Utility. I cannot for the life of me figure out why CBC or NTV have not picked up the pilot and a couple of completed programs in the can. The least the Telegram or VOCM could do is give the reader and listener some highlights of the new series so we can encourage one of the TV networks to pick it up. I don't expect "Out of the Fog" would be interested.
The program is filled with energy as the hosts and flippers are interesting well known characters - that give it a kind of soap opera appeal - mixed with a tinge of a reality series.
The creator of the series is a well kept secret but I think it's fair to say that Brian Tobin might be the producer and the government of Newfoundland and Labrador acts as a partial financier of the renos.
Te pilot takes place in Newfoundland and Labrador when Tobin was the Premier. He decided after some encouragement by the local cable company that it was time to reno the government's communications contracts. So Tobin without an RFP or tender call picks Cable Atlantic for the investment.
Cable Atlantic picked up the government contract and away they went. Shortly after the owner of Cable Atlantic flipped the property for a tidy profit to Rogers - not a (local) company.
Dean MacDonald - Danny Williams - Ken Marshall - and Brian Tobin are featured predominantly in the pilot and the backdrop is priceless - as one of the flippers - apparently not believing that Tobin's government had done a good job became the leader of the other political party and went on to become Premier.
The second program starts off with one of the flippers of the first property picking up Persona - and while Danny is becoming Premier - Dean Macdonald leaves Rogers - the purchaser of the renovated Cable Atlantic - and starts to work on Persona. Not to be left out Brian leaves as the Premier and he ends up on the Board of the new property to be renovated and does work for the company that picked up the first flip.
The third show features all the same players - but this time the Premier who was a flipper on the first - decides government needs some reno work itself - and Persona who is ready to be the second property - just happen to come together with the same plan. So instead of going out to the market to find another property to invest in - government decides why not just deal with the same gang. No tender of RFP needed.It worked before. Same storyline - local company gets reno...
Now this episode gets real fun as the biggest communications (telephone) company Aliant experiences a real tragedy and has a fire in one of its buildings knocking out cell and telephone services far and wide. Danny - and Dean - recognizing this irony jump all over this to convince us that another reno is essential.
They send out a new character Trevor - to announce all the plans - and poor Trevor is all over the map as to exactly what it is they are doing for the reno and why. He fondly becomes known as the "duct tape man".
Then our Minister of Business Kevin O'Brien jumps in - to be honest witchu - and starts selling the audience on the real value in this property.
The audience is in for great laughs as everyone runs around trying to figure out if they want strands or a whole network or how many fibres they will need and whether or not they will light them. And if they are lit - who will do it.
The funniest part is when the neighborhood spokesperson won't reveal who is going to pay what for maintenance and the whole meeting goes up when one of the property owners asks for an administration fee to sort it out.Once again the appeal to us the audience is that another local property wants to reno and expand. Unfortunately - once again the audience is torn when the property is flipped to another company on the mainland.
Unlike the first flip where the profit details were available - the producer will keep us guessing as the real profit off this one will not be known.
The producer is not talking but the last episode might go something like this - Danny leaves as Premier - Dean takes that job - and Brian picks up a property to reno and appoints Danny to the Board. The new government under Dean will encourage reno's to that asset and will partially finance the upgrades - without a tender or RFP. I haven't heard yet if they will release the results of that flip and the profits which might accrue.
Utility Flip - coming soon - from your local cable provider.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Is this a Pork Barrel?
A pork barrel,The term is commonly used as a political metaphor for the appropriation of government spending for projects that are intended primarily to benefit particular constituents or campaign contributors.
Let's look at the situation in its very basic form.
According to government - they wanted to own strands on a fibre optic network.
According to Dean MacDonald a consortium of Persona - MTS Allstream - and Rogers wanted to build a second fibre optic infrastructure in the province.
Aliant currently operates one fibre optic facility.
If government wants to own strands - then issue a Request for Proposals outlining specifically what government wants - for how long - including what additional services and maintenance may be required.
No - not here - not in Newfoundland and Labrador - the place of Kings - where our piece of geography is essentially owned and controlled by various families.
There is no consortium! There is an owner of the new fibre-optic infrastructure (Persona) and clients purchasing/renting/leasing strands.
It was pointed out originally by government that the consortium of MTS Allstream - Rogers - and Persona required government investment. It was later learned - that was based on a consultant's (Electronic Warfare Associates - Canada Ltd.) report which stated in part:
"Persona has declined to disclose its financial statements for the reason that they are privately held company and that they are involved in many other projects in other parts of the country which are not of concern to this project."
I guess Bragg Communications had no problem having a look before they agreed to buy them right?
This is it in a nutshell - Dean MacDonald wanted Persona to build and own a fibre optic network in Newfoundland and Labrador. He found two parties who would buy/rent/lease strands from the new infrastructure - he then wanted the government to invest 15 million in the deal - thereby gaining another client for the strands and additional value for Persona. That does not include the maintenance management fee and risk for catastrophic failure + renegotiated positions in 20 years.
Dean asked his buddy's government for the investment and got it. Now Persona is being sold having just reached the legal deal with government for the initial investment and other services. Dean will gain personally from his buddy's government investment.
The government should not have travelled this route and should have issued an RFP. There is more than a potential conflict here - there is an ethical conflict.
Dean MacDonald having brokered the deal with his buddy's government - is now involved in the sale of that same company to a wholly owned subsidiary of Bragg Communications in Nova Scotia.
The best part is - they only just signed the legal papers - yet the network is almost built. The Auditor General is "reviewing" the deal - but the legal papers are signed.
Regardless of the advantages Williams or Taylor espouse regarding cost savings - there was no reason for an RFP not to be issued - and there is no proof that an RFP would not have netted a better deal.
We were clearly told that all parties who could be in this "consortium" were. First of all it is not a consortium - secondly - the entirety of Persona is being sold to Bragg Communications - why couldn't they be involved in the so-called original consortium.
This was a flipper for MacDonald who had just come off the sale of Cable Atlantic to Rogers - shortly after invested in the purchase of Persona - and is now flipping it in 2007 - with increased value partially paid for by the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
What a crock - people - what a crock.
We have not seen the complete deal with Persona and there are many serious questions that need to be asked - regarding maintenance and equipment to convert the dark fibres to lit fibres - and the risks associated with catastrophic failure. Also - how much of the network (strands) percentage-wise will we but/rent/lease? Will the complete contract be released?
And Trev is on open-line trying to commend the deal.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Don't miss this Blueberry Festival
Six weeks before the next provincial election - a blueberry happening of major proportions is occurring - be sure not to miss it.
It's taking place P.O. Box 220 Oxford Nova Scotia - the mailbox of Oxford Frozen Foods Limited and now the mailbox of Eastlink Persona Holdings Inc.
Now up until Thursday of last week Eastlink Persona Holdings Inc. was named 4402511 CANADA INC.
This is important because the CRTC last Friday posted the following request:
Ottawa, 24 August 2007
The Commission has received the following applications. The deadline for submission of interventions/comments is 13 September 2007.
1.Across Canada Application No. 2007-0791-1
Persona Communications Corp. (Persona), on behalf of itself and Bragg Communications Incorporated (Bragg), filed two applications that would authorize 4402511 Canada Inc. (4402511 Canada), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bragg, to acquire ownership and control of Persona and its wholly-owned subsidiary Northern Cablevision Ltd. (Northern). One application is seeking authority to transfer the shares and effective control of Persona to 4402511 Canada and a second one is seeking authority to transfer the effective control of Persona’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Northern, to 4402511 Canada.
Persona is the licensee of cable distribution undertakings in Sudbury and Timmins, Ontario, Marystown, Newfoundland and Labrador and Delta and Sechelt/Gibsons, British Columbia, and of a radiocommunication distribution undertaking in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. 4402511 Canada is committed to operate both undertakings under the same terms and conditions as those in effect under their current respective licences. Persona also owns some 600 Class 2 and Class 3 broadcasting distribution undertakings across seven provinces.
Northern is the licensee of a cable distribution undertaking in Grande Prairie, Alberta. 4402511 Canada is committed to operate that undertaking under the same terms and conditions as those in effect under the current licence.
The Commission is consequently inviting comments on the particulars of these applications, as well as on the potential effects that approval of these applications would have on the broadcasting industry as a whole.
Applicant's address:
P.O. Box 12155, Station "A"
17 Duffy Place
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
A1B 4L1
Fax: 709-754-3883
E-Mail: dmacdonald@personainc.ca
And today - just a couple of days later - the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador signs the fibre-optic contract that gives great additional value to Persona - right upon the sale of the company.
And was it the great deal talked about?
Who knows?
The government issued a -
SUMMARY OF CONTRACT
between
Persona Communications Corporation and Government of Newfoundland and Labrador - not the consortium talked about during the whole debate on the potential conflict between the head of Persona - Dean MacDonald and our Premier.
From the details provided - MTS Allstream - Rogers and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador are owners/users of numbers of strands on a network - that Persona will build and own - referred to as the Atlantic Cable Facility.
Indefeasible Right of Use Agreement (IRU) - The IRU granted between Persona and the Provincial Government is for an initial term of 20 years, with the right to renew.
Does this mean we own the strands for 20 years?
Who has the right to renew - at what cost?
I thought we would own them!
Then there is this:
All fibre strands are "dark", that is, the equipment necessary to use the fibres will be the separate responsibility of government. Persona will make available, should the Provincial Government request it, space, electricity, back-up power, air conditioning, etc. at any of its equipment shelters along the fibre route.
How much will it cost to have use of the Persona equipment?
Will that form another agreement - value adding to Persona again?
Then this:
The Provincial Government has an initial 10-year period in which maintenance will be provided at Persona's cost. After this period, the actual average annual cost will be determined and shared amongst the IRU parties based on a sharing formula, with Persona performing the work for an administration fee based on 25 per cent of the costs.
Well now - after 10 years and after Danny is gone - we have maintenance costs - which we cannot know - because we don't have the sharing formula - we don't know what percentage of this we "own/lease/rent".
And to top it all off we add value again to Persona by contributing to an administration fee equalling 25% of the maintenance cost (?).
And last but not least this:
Persona and the IRU parties will share in the cost of catastrophic failure of the cable. For instance, should a break occur on the underwater portion, a ship would be retained to raise the cable and repair it. Costs will be shared on a formula based on the number of strands each party owns in the segment that failed.
We have no clue what portion of what segment we own - we are not told - but we could be responsible for close to an entirety of a catastrophic failure - even though we are not the owners of the facility - we are IRU's for 20 years. Once again adding to the value to Persona.
And all of this comes on the wake of CRTC announcing the request for Personna to be sold to Bragg Communications under a wholly owned subsidiary - and a few days after 4402511 CANADA INC changes it's Corporate name.
What is the value to Dean MacDonald personally from this transaction?
What value has been added to this pending sale based on the contract with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador?
Remember what was said when we all asked why a Request for Proposals was not issued by government for a new fibre optic arrangement. It was said and widely reported by government and Dean MacDonald that all parties that could be involved were.
That's strange - because on the heels of the sweetheart deal with Persona - Bragg Communication has no problem getting involved - in fact they are going to buy Persona - to get in on the action.
And back to that mailbox - Oxford Frozen foods sells quite a few blueberries.
Blueberries can be pretty potent when left to ferment - and then any politician can get drunk with power.
Anybody other than me find it ironic that the new fibre-optic facility is called Atlantic Cable? That's original - the last one the boys sold was Cable Atlantic. I wonder is this just an inside joke?
It's taking place P.O. Box 220 Oxford Nova Scotia - the mailbox of Oxford Frozen Foods Limited and now the mailbox of Eastlink Persona Holdings Inc.
Now up until Thursday of last week Eastlink Persona Holdings Inc. was named 4402511 CANADA INC.
This is important because the CRTC last Friday posted the following request:
Ottawa, 24 August 2007
The Commission has received the following applications. The deadline for submission of interventions/comments is 13 September 2007.
1.Across Canada Application No. 2007-0791-1
Persona Communications Corp. (Persona), on behalf of itself and Bragg Communications Incorporated (Bragg), filed two applications that would authorize 4402511 Canada Inc. (4402511 Canada), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bragg, to acquire ownership and control of Persona and its wholly-owned subsidiary Northern Cablevision Ltd. (Northern). One application is seeking authority to transfer the shares and effective control of Persona to 4402511 Canada and a second one is seeking authority to transfer the effective control of Persona’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Northern, to 4402511 Canada.
Persona is the licensee of cable distribution undertakings in Sudbury and Timmins, Ontario, Marystown, Newfoundland and Labrador and Delta and Sechelt/Gibsons, British Columbia, and of a radiocommunication distribution undertaking in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. 4402511 Canada is committed to operate both undertakings under the same terms and conditions as those in effect under their current respective licences. Persona also owns some 600 Class 2 and Class 3 broadcasting distribution undertakings across seven provinces.
Northern is the licensee of a cable distribution undertaking in Grande Prairie, Alberta. 4402511 Canada is committed to operate that undertaking under the same terms and conditions as those in effect under the current licence.
The Commission is consequently inviting comments on the particulars of these applications, as well as on the potential effects that approval of these applications would have on the broadcasting industry as a whole.
Applicant's address:
P.O. Box 12155, Station "A"
17 Duffy Place
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
A1B 4L1
Fax: 709-754-3883
E-Mail: dmacdonald@personainc.ca
And today - just a couple of days later - the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador signs the fibre-optic contract that gives great additional value to Persona - right upon the sale of the company.
And was it the great deal talked about?
Who knows?
The government issued a -
SUMMARY OF CONTRACT
between
Persona Communications Corporation and Government of Newfoundland and Labrador - not the consortium talked about during the whole debate on the potential conflict between the head of Persona - Dean MacDonald and our Premier.
From the details provided - MTS Allstream - Rogers and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador are owners/users of numbers of strands on a network - that Persona will build and own - referred to as the Atlantic Cable Facility.
Indefeasible Right of Use Agreement (IRU) - The IRU granted between Persona and the Provincial Government is for an initial term of 20 years, with the right to renew.
Does this mean we own the strands for 20 years?
Who has the right to renew - at what cost?
I thought we would own them!
Then there is this:
All fibre strands are "dark", that is, the equipment necessary to use the fibres will be the separate responsibility of government. Persona will make available, should the Provincial Government request it, space, electricity, back-up power, air conditioning, etc. at any of its equipment shelters along the fibre route.
How much will it cost to have use of the Persona equipment?
Will that form another agreement - value adding to Persona again?
Then this:
The Provincial Government has an initial 10-year period in which maintenance will be provided at Persona's cost. After this period, the actual average annual cost will be determined and shared amongst the IRU parties based on a sharing formula, with Persona performing the work for an administration fee based on 25 per cent of the costs.
Well now - after 10 years and after Danny is gone - we have maintenance costs - which we cannot know - because we don't have the sharing formula - we don't know what percentage of this we "own/lease/rent".
And to top it all off we add value again to Persona by contributing to an administration fee equalling 25% of the maintenance cost (?).
And last but not least this:
Persona and the IRU parties will share in the cost of catastrophic failure of the cable. For instance, should a break occur on the underwater portion, a ship would be retained to raise the cable and repair it. Costs will be shared on a formula based on the number of strands each party owns in the segment that failed.
We have no clue what portion of what segment we own - we are not told - but we could be responsible for close to an entirety of a catastrophic failure - even though we are not the owners of the facility - we are IRU's for 20 years. Once again adding to the value to Persona.
And all of this comes on the wake of CRTC announcing the request for Personna to be sold to Bragg Communications under a wholly owned subsidiary - and a few days after 4402511 CANADA INC changes it's Corporate name.
What is the value to Dean MacDonald personally from this transaction?
What value has been added to this pending sale based on the contract with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador?
Remember what was said when we all asked why a Request for Proposals was not issued by government for a new fibre optic arrangement. It was said and widely reported by government and Dean MacDonald that all parties that could be involved were.
That's strange - because on the heels of the sweetheart deal with Persona - Bragg Communication has no problem getting involved - in fact they are going to buy Persona - to get in on the action.
And back to that mailbox - Oxford Frozen foods sells quite a few blueberries.
Blueberries can be pretty potent when left to ferment - and then any politician can get drunk with power.
Anybody other than me find it ironic that the new fibre-optic facility is called Atlantic Cable? That's original - the last one the boys sold was Cable Atlantic. I wonder is this just an inside joke?
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Of Pesticides - Water Management - and Cable Guys
IBL
What is an IBL
They say:
Information Brokerage Ltd. (IBL) takes great pride in developing innovative information technology solutions, which provide increased efficiencies through the use of spatial analysis.
What are they at:
Start Date: July 2004
Completion Date: Ongoing
Development Effort: Two persons with budget of approximately $100,000
Client: Department of Environment and Conservation Pesticide Management Division
Description: The pesticide information management system is designed with a user-friendly interface that the client can use to monitor the use of Pesticides in the Province. The system also tracks and maintains various information on the pesticide applicators, operators, such as qualifications, professional development, licensing, fees paid, etc. The application also offers a mapping interface where users can perform various mapping functions, including insert points via Internet tools. ....
and so on
and then there is:
Water Management and then ...
There's this Land Gazette thing for surveyors...
Start Date: January 2005
Completion Date: January 2006
Development Effort: Five persons with total budget of $800,000
Client: Private initiative by the Company in collaboration with the Association of Newfoundland Land Surveyors
Sounds reasonable and then -
It's an important milestone for the company, which has been involved in a private placement share offering of $250,000 to develop and launch LandGazette, an online web-enabled graphical representation of private land holding in the province.
The private investment is being leveraged at a ratio of approximately 3:1, which means that for every private investment dollar raised the company will receive 3 dollars from provincial and federal funding agencies.
So who are IBL?
Approximately 20 shareholders hold ownership in IBL and it has its head office located in Marystown, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. IBL has a diverse Board of Directors who have expertise in the legal, communications, surveying and land administration professions.
Board of Directors?
Well here's a couple of pretty influential guys:
Dean MacDonald and Steve Marshall
Mr. MacDonald has recently become President and Chief Operating Officer of Persona Communications Inc., a privately held company with national outlets in cablevision and Internet services. In the past Mr. MacDonald has served in the capacity of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Rogers Cable Inc and President of Cable Atlantic Inc., where he was a Director and minority shareholder for 18 years. He is Chairman of the Board of the Canadian Television Association (CCTA) and also currently sits on the Board of the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC). Mr. MacDonald is past chair of Canadian Cable in the Classroom, past Chair of Canadian Standards Foundation and past President of CTAM of Canada. He is a Director of Airborne Entertainment, a wireless content provider and a past Director of Oceanex (1997) Inc., a reliable and efficient ocean carrier recognized as North America's Newfoundland and Labrador connection.
In addition to his cable endeavors Mr. MacDonald recently stepped down as Chair of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro Corporation, Churchill Falls Labrador Development Corporation, Lower Churchill Development Corporation Ltd. Twin Falls Labrador Corporation and Gull Island Power Limited.
(I assume this is a little out of date or Dean has stepped down??)
In 1982, Mr. Marshall graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland with a Bachelor of Commerce. He furthered his education at the University of New Brunswick where he was the recipient of awards for academic achievement and graduated with his Bachelor of Laws in 1985.
Mr. Marshall was called to the Newfoundland and Labrador Bar in April of 1986, having served articles under Daniel E. Williams, Q.C.. He practiced with Williams, Harris, Roebothan & McKay and was admitted to the partnership of Williams, Roebothan, McKay and Marshall in 1990
Then there is the advisory board for the Land Gazette Project and one of them happens to be:
Ken Marshall
Vice President,
Atlantic Region, Rogers
Cable
Mr. Marshall is responsible for the management and operations of Rogers Cable Atlantic Region. Mr. Marshall brings a wealth of business expertise to the project team.
Time for a Trooper Song
Here they come
The boys in the bright white sports car
Waving their arms in the air
Who do they think they are
And where did they get that car....
Thought of the day:
Last time I checked Liquefied Natural Gas is as good as Solid Gold. Do sports cars use that?
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
The Amazing Persona and the Magic Hat
That always sounded like a magic act to me. And presto - now you see em now you don't.
I wonder if that's what happened to the Dean Macdonald "this is a local company" cable operator?
One thing for sure - this company with it's partners in the great "Newfoundland" fibre optic trek - apparently needed money to make the "second" line project viable.
The thing that bothers me most about this magic trick - is the company that ended up buying out the Amazing Persona.
Here's the News Release
What's up with this?
You see - if you think back and remember what was said regarding the contribution of public money to the fibre optic project - Macdonald and Williams along with Minister Taylor explained the money was needed because there were no other possible partners to go in on the deal. They had the only possible partners in the deal - so government money was needed.
Now let's be logical - East Link - Bragg Communications can afford to buy out the entirety of the Amazing Persona but what? Could not afford to be a partner in the fibre-optic project? I think not!
So what is the truth?
Where does this leave the Auditor General's review - considering a portion of it would be to review Persona's need for Government money?
Which companies are involved in the fibre-optic project now? Which one received government money? Is there an official consortium yet? Does it have a name?
The sale made the whole thing look more questionable to me - who will go after the answers?
Are MTS and Rogers still involved?
Will their interests in the project be bought out?
Did the government money help the sale potential of Persona?
I wonder if that's what happened to the Dean Macdonald "this is a local company" cable operator?
One thing for sure - this company with it's partners in the great "Newfoundland" fibre optic trek - apparently needed money to make the "second" line project viable.
The thing that bothers me most about this magic trick - is the company that ended up buying out the Amazing Persona.
Here's the News Release
What's up with this?
You see - if you think back and remember what was said regarding the contribution of public money to the fibre optic project - Macdonald and Williams along with Minister Taylor explained the money was needed because there were no other possible partners to go in on the deal. They had the only possible partners in the deal - so government money was needed.
Now let's be logical - East Link - Bragg Communications can afford to buy out the entirety of the Amazing Persona but what? Could not afford to be a partner in the fibre-optic project? I think not!
So what is the truth?
Where does this leave the Auditor General's review - considering a portion of it would be to review Persona's need for Government money?
Which companies are involved in the fibre-optic project now? Which one received government money? Is there an official consortium yet? Does it have a name?
The sale made the whole thing look more questionable to me - who will go after the answers?
Are MTS and Rogers still involved?
Will their interests in the project be bought out?
Did the government money help the sale potential of Persona?
Monday, July 09, 2007
Where is the gas royalty regime and where is the media?
You know you are in trouble when the people of the province do not see a draft of the gas royalty regime formula before - at the same time - or at least a month after the major oil gurus do.
Danny let that little one slip when on Mike Duffy Live a while ago. Another key part of the energy plan revealed or at least partially revealed to the public - after the fact. Wind power contracts - we have not seen the terms. No talking to the Metis on their wind project until after the plan is released. Then there is that stuff about LNG terminals. Uranium - hydro - wind - tidal - wave - new legislation new corporation but no energy plan.
Where is the Opposition?
Where are the various media?
I am not seeing any hard news - while human interest stories - carnage - and prepared news releases and court reports are available.
What's happening in the pulp and paper sector?
What's the latest on out-migration - not just the stats - the story?
The fishery? It's on it's way to be owned by Iceland and Nova Scotia!
There is nothing being asked - our news is reactive and the rest is just reporting.
How is it hundreds of thousands of adults watch tens of thousands of educated youth leave Newfoundland and Labrador and the most they can muster is complaining at the coffee shop?
Then again - the leadership is non-existent!
Danny let that little one slip when on Mike Duffy Live a while ago. Another key part of the energy plan revealed or at least partially revealed to the public - after the fact. Wind power contracts - we have not seen the terms. No talking to the Metis on their wind project until after the plan is released. Then there is that stuff about LNG terminals. Uranium - hydro - wind - tidal - wave - new legislation new corporation but no energy plan.
Where is the Opposition?
Where are the various media?
I am not seeing any hard news - while human interest stories - carnage - and prepared news releases and court reports are available.
What's happening in the pulp and paper sector?
What's the latest on out-migration - not just the stats - the story?
The fishery? It's on it's way to be owned by Iceland and Nova Scotia!
There is nothing being asked - our news is reactive and the rest is just reporting.
How is it hundreds of thousands of adults watch tens of thousands of educated youth leave Newfoundland and Labrador and the most they can muster is complaining at the coffee shop?
Then again - the leadership is non-existent!
Monday, February 19, 2007
Anybody remember the Fibre Optic Deal?
As the fibre optical illusion slips from our memory ROGERS reminds us once again why they don't need our 15 million dollars.
This is a paragraph from story in the Globe and Mail
Read the story and see if you can find one reason they need taxpayer dollars to build infrastructure.
Here's another piece of the story!
If the Premier is upset at the oil companies looking for a handout via a tax break - what must he think of Rogers looking for provincial cash.
This is a paragraph from story in the Globe and Mail
Ted Rogers could be forgiven for enjoying a moment of schadenfreude as his company, cable operator Rogers Communications Inc., reported growing demand for all its services last year, leaving phone companies in the dust.
Revenue increased 14 per cent in the fourth quarter, driven by the addition of wireless, Internet, basic and digital cable, and phone customers, along with rate increases earlier in the year. For the full year, revenue rose 21 per cent.
Read the story and see if you can find one reason they need taxpayer dollars to build infrastructure.
Here's another piece of the story!
Rogers forecast that revenue this year will rise to between $9.7-billion and $10-billion from $8.84-billion in 2006. It expects an increase in 2007 operating profit to between $3.25-billion and $3.4-billion from $2.89-billion in 2006. And free cash flow is expected to jump to between $800-million and $1-billion in 2007 from $543-million last year.
If the Premier is upset at the oil companies looking for a handout via a tax break - what must he think of Rogers looking for provincial cash.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Attention Natural Resources and NLH
Attention officials at the Department of Natural Resources and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro - please take note:
From Oilweek Magazine:
European Union fines 10 companies US$978 million for power gear cartel (EU-Energy-Gear-Cartel)
BRUSSELS(AP) _ EU regulators fined 10 companies a combined US$978 million on Wednesday for running a cartel to fix prices for heavy equipment used by power utilities, with Siemens AG ordered to pay more than half the total.
Several of the other companies penalized in what the EU called the largest set of fines on a single cartel were Japanese businesses that struck a deal to stay out of Europe, while the Europeans steered clear of Japan‘s market.
The European Commission said the companies rigged bids for contracts to supply power plants, fixed prices, shared projects between themselves, carved up markets and exchanged commercially important and confidential information from 1988 and 2004.
It increased Siemens‘ fine by half to 396.5 million euros ($517 million) _ making this the second-highest cartel fine it has ever levied _ because the company played a leadership role in fixing prices.
Siemens immediately said it would appeal the “exaggerated‘‘ fine, claiming the EU had made a “blanket accusation‘‘ when price-fixing had occurred only in isolated cases.
But EU spokesman Jonathan Todd said regulators were “extremely sure‘‘ their decision was legal.
Japan‘s Mitsubishi Electric Corp. had the next biggest fine of 118.5 million euros ($154.5 million), followed by Toshiba Corp.‘s 90.9 million euros ($118.5 million).
Mitsubishi said it was considering its response, while Toshiba denied any wrongdoing. “Our own investigations show that we have not engaged in any actions that violate European competition laws, and we plan to fight this decision in European courts,‘‘ Toshiba said in a statement.
France‘s Alstom SA must pay 65 million euros ($84.7 million). Areva was fined 53.5 million euros ($69.7 million) for the actions of a subsidiary it bought from Alstom just four months before investigators launched surprise raids. Both fines were increased by 50 per cent for the companies helping organize the cartel.
Hitachi Ltd. must pay 51.75 million euros ($67.5 million). It had no immediate comment.
Siemens is also responsible for its Austrian unit VA Technologie AG‘s 22-million-euro ($28.7-million) fine. It bought the company after the end of the cartel.
The commission said the parent company was responsible for the fine if it had “decisive influence over commercial behaviour of its subsidiaries.‘‘
Schneider Electric SA must pay 8.1 million euros ($10.56 million), Fuji Electric Holdings Co. Ltd. must pay 3.75 million euros ($4.9 million) and Japan AE Power Systems _ a joint venture between Fuji, Hitachi and Meidensha Corp. _ was fined 1.35 million euros ($1.76 million).
“These companies accounted for virtually all the supply of these products on the European market,‘‘ said Todd.
“The commission regards this cartel as totally unacceptable behaviour on behalf of the companies concerned and we sincerely hope that companies will see the large fines imposed as what awaits them if they were inclined to follow this bad example,‘‘ he said.
The basic fines are calculated on the companies‘ share of the European market but the Japanese fines were based on total worldwide turnover.
ABB Ltd. received full immunity for blowing the whistle, escaping a potential 215-million-euro fine. The Swiss-Swedish electrical engineering company said in 2004 that it discovered price-fixing during an internal audit and had dismissed two managers.
“The commission has put an end to a cartel which has cheated public utility companies and consumers for more than 16 years,‘‘ EU competition commissioner Neelie Kroes said.
The companies all handled gas-insulated switchgear, heavy electrical equipment used to control energy flows in electricity grids that is an important part of auxiliary power stations where electrical current is converted from high to low voltage or the reverse.
The equipment is usually sold to utilities at public tenders where companies pitch bids and the lowest is chosen.
Regulators said the suppliers co-ordinated their bids to allow each company to get a certain quota of contracts or keep to a minimum bidding price. The deal to keep Japanese companies out of Europe ultimately hurt European consumers, the commission said, fining several Japanese companies even though they sold no power gear in Europe.
Officials said management met regularly to discuss strategic issues while lower-level executives divided projects and prepared sham bids by companies who were not supposed to win the tender “in order to leave an impression of genuine competition.‘‘
The cartel tried very hard to cover its traces, using code names for rival companies and communicating via anonymous and encrypted e-mail, the commission said. It published a message from one unidentified cartel organizer to another, forbidding e-mail from home and company computers and urging the use of anonymous e-mail addresses.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please try to stay all over this - okay....And watch the communications sector as well...
From Oilweek Magazine:
European Union fines 10 companies US$978 million for power gear cartel (EU-Energy-Gear-Cartel)
BRUSSELS(AP) _ EU regulators fined 10 companies a combined US$978 million on Wednesday for running a cartel to fix prices for heavy equipment used by power utilities, with Siemens AG ordered to pay more than half the total.
Several of the other companies penalized in what the EU called the largest set of fines on a single cartel were Japanese businesses that struck a deal to stay out of Europe, while the Europeans steered clear of Japan‘s market.
The European Commission said the companies rigged bids for contracts to supply power plants, fixed prices, shared projects between themselves, carved up markets and exchanged commercially important and confidential information from 1988 and 2004.
It increased Siemens‘ fine by half to 396.5 million euros ($517 million) _ making this the second-highest cartel fine it has ever levied _ because the company played a leadership role in fixing prices.
Siemens immediately said it would appeal the “exaggerated‘‘ fine, claiming the EU had made a “blanket accusation‘‘ when price-fixing had occurred only in isolated cases.
But EU spokesman Jonathan Todd said regulators were “extremely sure‘‘ their decision was legal.
Japan‘s Mitsubishi Electric Corp. had the next biggest fine of 118.5 million euros ($154.5 million), followed by Toshiba Corp.‘s 90.9 million euros ($118.5 million).
Mitsubishi said it was considering its response, while Toshiba denied any wrongdoing. “Our own investigations show that we have not engaged in any actions that violate European competition laws, and we plan to fight this decision in European courts,‘‘ Toshiba said in a statement.
France‘s Alstom SA must pay 65 million euros ($84.7 million). Areva was fined 53.5 million euros ($69.7 million) for the actions of a subsidiary it bought from Alstom just four months before investigators launched surprise raids. Both fines were increased by 50 per cent for the companies helping organize the cartel.
Hitachi Ltd. must pay 51.75 million euros ($67.5 million). It had no immediate comment.
Siemens is also responsible for its Austrian unit VA Technologie AG‘s 22-million-euro ($28.7-million) fine. It bought the company after the end of the cartel.
The commission said the parent company was responsible for the fine if it had “decisive influence over commercial behaviour of its subsidiaries.‘‘
Schneider Electric SA must pay 8.1 million euros ($10.56 million), Fuji Electric Holdings Co. Ltd. must pay 3.75 million euros ($4.9 million) and Japan AE Power Systems _ a joint venture between Fuji, Hitachi and Meidensha Corp. _ was fined 1.35 million euros ($1.76 million).
“These companies accounted for virtually all the supply of these products on the European market,‘‘ said Todd.
“The commission regards this cartel as totally unacceptable behaviour on behalf of the companies concerned and we sincerely hope that companies will see the large fines imposed as what awaits them if they were inclined to follow this bad example,‘‘ he said.
The basic fines are calculated on the companies‘ share of the European market but the Japanese fines were based on total worldwide turnover.
ABB Ltd. received full immunity for blowing the whistle, escaping a potential 215-million-euro fine. The Swiss-Swedish electrical engineering company said in 2004 that it discovered price-fixing during an internal audit and had dismissed two managers.
“The commission has put an end to a cartel which has cheated public utility companies and consumers for more than 16 years,‘‘ EU competition commissioner Neelie Kroes said.
The companies all handled gas-insulated switchgear, heavy electrical equipment used to control energy flows in electricity grids that is an important part of auxiliary power stations where electrical current is converted from high to low voltage or the reverse.
The equipment is usually sold to utilities at public tenders where companies pitch bids and the lowest is chosen.
Regulators said the suppliers co-ordinated their bids to allow each company to get a certain quota of contracts or keep to a minimum bidding price. The deal to keep Japanese companies out of Europe ultimately hurt European consumers, the commission said, fining several Japanese companies even though they sold no power gear in Europe.
Officials said management met regularly to discuss strategic issues while lower-level executives divided projects and prepared sham bids by companies who were not supposed to win the tender “in order to leave an impression of genuine competition.‘‘
The cartel tried very hard to cover its traces, using code names for rival companies and communicating via anonymous and encrypted e-mail, the commission said. It published a message from one unidentified cartel organizer to another, forbidding e-mail from home and company computers and urging the use of anonymous e-mail addresses.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please try to stay all over this - okay....And watch the communications sector as well...
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Oops what about that Fibre Optic Deal?
No it's not gone away - and we have to watch the situation despite the Opposition's break in dealing with the issues.
So that was 15 million the un-named consortium "needs" right?
MTS Allstream
Rogers
Persona
Together known as ????? - continues to claim the absolute need for taxpayers cash in order for the project to move forward. I can't wait for John Noseworthy's take on the financial information.
Anyway - the purpose of this post is to make an announcement - one which Mr. Rogers and his neighbourhood is quite proud of.
Here's the quote from the Globe and Mail:
Cable king Ted Rogers reached a milestone this month in his battle against rival BCE Inc. when his company became the largest communications service provider in Canada by market value.
The combined market value of Rogers Communications Inc. class A and class B shares at the close of trading Monday on the Toronto Stock Exchange was $24.09-billion, Bloomberg data shows BCE, which is still the biggest communications company when it comes to customers and revenue, finished the day with a market cap of $23.67-billion.
Now if that's not the proof to "con"vince taxpayers of Newfoundland and Labrador that they need our 15 million dollars - I don't know what else they could say.
Trevor - any chance you could put some duct-tape over that hole in our treasury barrel?
So that was 15 million the un-named consortium "needs" right?
MTS Allstream
Rogers
Persona
Together known as ????? - continues to claim the absolute need for taxpayers cash in order for the project to move forward. I can't wait for John Noseworthy's take on the financial information.
Anyway - the purpose of this post is to make an announcement - one which Mr. Rogers and his neighbourhood is quite proud of.
Here's the quote from the Globe and Mail:
Cable king Ted Rogers reached a milestone this month in his battle against rival BCE Inc. when his company became the largest communications service provider in Canada by market value.
The combined market value of Rogers Communications Inc. class A and class B shares at the close of trading Monday on the Toronto Stock Exchange was $24.09-billion, Bloomberg data shows BCE, which is still the biggest communications company when it comes to customers and revenue, finished the day with a market cap of $23.67-billion.
Now if that's not the proof to "con"vince taxpayers of Newfoundland and Labrador that they need our 15 million dollars - I don't know what else they could say.
Trevor - any chance you could put some duct-tape over that hole in our treasury barrel?
Monday, December 11, 2006
The Cable Guy...
The Cable Guy
Remember that movie? The creepy Cable Guy who wants people to like him and "no" is not an acceptable answer. Well I woke up this morning and I think the Cable Guy has arrived in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Here were Ray Dillon - President of the Board of Trade - and employed by Rogers (cableco) and Ron Ellsworth St. John's City Councillor - and President of CableLync (cable serviceco) and sits on the Premier's Business Advisory Board - talking about tax hikes for taxpayers.
I rolled over and thought - my god - the Premier (past owner of Cable Atlantic cableco) sold to Rogers (cableco) with Ken Marshall moving from Cable Atlantic (cableco) to Rogers (cableco) and sitting on the Board of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. Then of course Dean MacDonald past partner with the Premier in Cable Atlantic (cableco) who then moved to Rogers (cableco) and now heads up Persona (cableco) and now Ken and Dean are getting the 15 million commitment from Danny for a new super (cableco) yet unnamed. Don't forget Dean is the Chair of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and Dean sits on the Premier's Business Advisory Board - with by the way Ron Ellsworth (cableco) and Paul Hatcher of Persona (cableco).
Now all of that was worrysome enough until I got to the computer and found a new buddy in the (cableco) network - none other than John Risley (FPI) infamy is making money down south from a group that came from the old Persona (cableco) now into let me see now Columbus Communications which owns Cable Bahamas Ltd. (cableco) - Carribean Crossings Ltd. (cableco)
Merit Communications Ltd. (cableco) - FibraLink Jamaica Ltd. - and the cable company of Trinidad and Tobago.
And who's with Risley on this venture - apparently George Armoyan and Risley bought into Persona Communications years back - then when Persona went to the Caribbean to expand some of the investors liked it others did not - the company was split and apparently the boys John and George bought up the Caribbean assets and we know who's involved in Persona back home. Who is on the Board of the Caribbean cable conglomerate?
John Risley - FPI and Clearwater - formerly a Board Member of Persona and currently on the Board of the cableco Caribbean conglomerate under Columbus Communications.
Brendon Paddick - past President CEO of Persona - formerly on the Board of FPI - currently CEO of the cableco Caribbean conglomerate.
Maxwell Parsons - past CFO of CHC Helicopter Corporation (Dobbin fame) and in the past held a senior position with Newfoundland Capital Corporation (VOCM and Steele connect)...This fellow Max also must know Mark Dobbin (CHC) because both sat on the Vector aerospace board Max as VP and CFO and Mark was Chairman and CEO. Mark also sits on the Premier's Business Advisory Board and did a stint at Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. Not to be outdone as Max held a senior position with Newfoundland Capital Corporation he must know John Steele VP NewCap who also sits on the Premier's Business Advisory Board.
So the truth is we are being run by the Cable Guy and you'd better like him...he does not take no or rejection kindly.
Here were Ray Dillon - President of the Board of Trade - and employed by Rogers (cableco) and Ron Ellsworth St. John's City Councillor - and President of CableLync (cable serviceco) and sits on the Premier's Business Advisory Board - talking about tax hikes for taxpayers.
I rolled over and thought - my god - the Premier (past owner of Cable Atlantic cableco) sold to Rogers (cableco) with Ken Marshall moving from Cable Atlantic (cableco) to Rogers (cableco) and sitting on the Board of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. Then of course Dean MacDonald past partner with the Premier in Cable Atlantic (cableco) who then moved to Rogers (cableco) and now heads up Persona (cableco) and now Ken and Dean are getting the 15 million commitment from Danny for a new super (cableco) yet unnamed. Don't forget Dean is the Chair of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and Dean sits on the Premier's Business Advisory Board - with by the way Ron Ellsworth (cableco) and Paul Hatcher of Persona (cableco).
Now all of that was worrysome enough until I got to the computer and found a new buddy in the (cableco) network - none other than John Risley (FPI) infamy is making money down south from a group that came from the old Persona (cableco) now into let me see now Columbus Communications which owns Cable Bahamas Ltd. (cableco) - Carribean Crossings Ltd. (cableco)
Merit Communications Ltd. (cableco) - FibraLink Jamaica Ltd. - and the cable company of Trinidad and Tobago.
And who's with Risley on this venture - apparently George Armoyan and Risley bought into Persona Communications years back - then when Persona went to the Caribbean to expand some of the investors liked it others did not - the company was split and apparently the boys John and George bought up the Caribbean assets and we know who's involved in Persona back home. Who is on the Board of the Caribbean cable conglomerate?
John Risley - FPI and Clearwater - formerly a Board Member of Persona and currently on the Board of the cableco Caribbean conglomerate under Columbus Communications.
Brendon Paddick - past President CEO of Persona - formerly on the Board of FPI - currently CEO of the cableco Caribbean conglomerate.
Maxwell Parsons - past CFO of CHC Helicopter Corporation (Dobbin fame) and in the past held a senior position with Newfoundland Capital Corporation (VOCM and Steele connect)...This fellow Max also must know Mark Dobbin (CHC) because both sat on the Vector aerospace board Max as VP and CFO and Mark was Chairman and CEO. Mark also sits on the Premier's Business Advisory Board and did a stint at Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. Not to be outdone as Max held a senior position with Newfoundland Capital Corporation he must know John Steele VP NewCap who also sits on the Premier's Business Advisory Board.
So the truth is we are being run by the Cable Guy and you'd better like him...he does not take no or rejection kindly.
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