What Does Frustration Look Like?

I just need to vent... so, please bear with me.

I'm having "issues" with Rogers. I switched over to them a year and a half ago - kit and kaboodle - cell phones, internet, digital cable, and home phone.

The home phone works fine.

Cell phones:  I live in Keswick. My cellphone (and my husband's) won't work in or around my house. I think they should work. So, I called tech support. Apparently, Lake Simcoe is interfering with the signal. I'm not that technical, so I don't understand why everyone in Toronto isn't having a problem - after all, it's a much bigger lake... bigger lake = more interference?  I spoke to a very nice tech support person - Lindsay on October 13th. She even opened a case number for me. That's the last I've heard about it. I guess I'm supposed to hound them every day. Not going to happen.

Cable: I had basic cable installed around 3-4 years ago. At the time, I was told that the line from the box to my house needed to be replaced. I just assumed that at some point it was. Nope. In June 2009, I upgraded to digital cable. Channels became inaccessible, others kept breaking up. Either way, I had difficulty watching what I wanted to. Called tech support. A service person came out and checked the lines. The line from the box to the house needs to be replaced. He also noticed his rogers cell phone didn't work in the house.

On Nov. 9th, I couldn't watch what I wanted, so I sent off an angry email to Rogers in which I said I was going to start cancelling services. No answer. No surprise.

Today, I phone Rogers customer support. I spoke to Matthew. He asked me if I wanted to take advantage of the offers on my account. I told him I didn't know what he was talking about. So he raised his voice and repeated it. I pointed out that speaking louder wouldn't help me understand what he was talking about. So he said, fine - I'll just say you're not interested. I asked if he was having a bad day. He was very rude, so I hung up. I phoned back and got Luke. I asked to speak to a supervisor because I wanted to complain about a rep.  So then I got Austin. I explained all my frustrations to him. He took my request to cancel the movie network and related magazine. He said he would do what he could to help.

Then Sarah phoned me about my cable and told me that despite the fact that there was a target date of Dec. 12 for the line replacement, that it probably wouldn't happen this year. But she did give me her number if I wanted to follow up.

Then John phoned me and asked what he could do to help me. I explained my issues. Could he do anything to help? No. He seemed to think that because there's a target date on file, that it will be fixed, even though I told him about Sarah's call. I have no idea why he phoned. He couldn't do anything, but he did give me a case number (but we know they don't mean anything, don't we?). His suggestion - call technical support again about the phones.

Do me a favour Rogers - don't call me again - you're wasting my time. My husband's phone contract will expire in February - we'll find something else. I'll try to find someone to take over my blackberry lease and will find something else.

The internet service seems to be fine (although it's on the same cable that won't give me good TV), so that's safe. I'll wait until Dec. 12 - if the cable line is not replaced, I'm switching to satellite (are you listening Bell?). And the Rogers Mobile Internet I recommended to my mother-in-law... I'll see if I can find another solution for her.

Can you tell that I'm not feeling the love?



This work by Suzette Leeming is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Canada License.

Remember

Note: This is a speech I've written that I will be giving in Alliston on Wednesday.

REMEMBER

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

This poem was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae during the “war to end all wars”, World War I. Over 60,000 Canadians died during this war, one out of every eleven Canadians who served. The poppy has become a symbol for veterans ever since.

Then came World War II. My father, like perhaps many of your parents or grandparents, fought in World War II. Almost 47,000 Canadians died in this war. Without their courage and sacrifice there might not have been a Canada to fight for today.

World War II was followed by the Korean conflict, in which 516 Canadians died. 121 Canadians have died in Peacekeeping missions, and 152 have died in Afghanistan, so far.

Were their deaths in vain? Regardless of the specific issues in each war, they were fighting and dying, so that the world can be free from oppression and tyranny. We may not agree with our involvement in some of their missions, but we must recognize and honour what they were fighting for, and are still fighting for.

On November 11th, we wear the poppy to show our support for our veterans and to honour their sacrifice. But is it enough? Do our children and grandchildren really understand why this day is so important? Make sure your children know. If you visit Ottawa, take them to the Canadian War Museum, which by the way I think should be renamed the Remembrance Museum. Take part in Remembrance Day events in your community. Talk to a veteran. Thank them. Let them know we will not forget.

Does our government really appreciate what these men and women have sacrificed for us? Our government no longer wants to give disabled veterans a pension. They want to give them a lump sum payment and then forget about them. For the most severely disabled, this would amount to approximately $276,000. $276,000 to compensate for a lifetime of lost income. Is this the right thing to do? My father received a partial pension. It did not completely compensate him for the horrors and injuries that he faced in WWII, but it made him feel as if his service was appreciated. Don’t all our veterans deserve the same?

There are no more veterans left from World War I. Less than 2% of veterans remain from World War II.

On November 11th, at 11 a.m. we will pause for two minutes to remember those veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice. Is two minutes  enough? In the US, November 11th is Veterans Day - a federal holiday. An entire day to remember. Remembrance Day is a statutory holiday in all provinces except for Manitoba, Quebec, and Ontario. Shouldn’t we do the same as the US for the 107,789 Canadians who have sacrificed their lives so far, so that we can be free from tyranny, free to live as equals regardless of colour or religion or gender, free to voice our opinions without fear of oppression, free to live in a democratic society.

Nobody likes war and it’s easy to say we shouldn’t get involved in another country’s problems, or it doesn’t affect us - so why are we there? What if WE were born in that country? Would we not want someone to help us? To free us? Remember, all it takes for evil to survive, is for good men to do nothing and the price of peace is eternal vigilance.

Let us stand by the brave people who serve in our military. Let us show our appreciation for our wounded veterans with a pension, not a payoff. Let us remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for us, with a national holiday on November 11th.

As Laurence Binyon wrote in his poem to the fallen,

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Remember them.

This work by Suzette Leeming is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Canada License.

Municipal Elections

It hasn't been a week yet since our municipal elections, and I thought I would share my thoughts/opinions.

Apparently, municipalities throughout Ontario were voting for change and elected new people to council. Not so in Georgina. Mind you, I wanted our Mayor back in. Rob Grossi is good for the people in Georgina. It may have taken longer than expected, but we are getting most of the things we asked for - businesses in town, improved roads, etc.

Two wards - ward 1 and ward 2 had no incumbents running, so we have new people in those wards. It will be interesting to see how they fare. I really wasn't happy with anyone in my ward - ward 1. I should have run myself. Maybe next time.

Ward 2 was interesting. I can't even remember the name of the person who won - I just know it wasn't Dan Fellini, who would have been absolutely amazing had he won. He only lost by 24 votes. So, anyone in ward 2 who didn't vote - shame on you!

Ward 3 had a Councillor that many complained about, but he was returned anyway. He didn't impress me in the all candidates meetings. Two new contenders - Becky Rundle and Jason Laidler brought great hope. I pinned my hopes on Becky, and even suggested to Jason that he drop out of the race and throw his support behind her. He didn't. He came in 3rd; Becky was second. Votes for Becky and Jason together would have overwhelming surpassed the votes for the incumbent. By not dropping out of the race, the vote ended up being divided and the incumbent returned. If Jason's intent was to get the incumbent out of office, he should have thrown his support to Becky. Becky would have been amazing - she attends most council meetings, has the flexibility in her job to be a "full time" councilor and really cares about the community and her ward. I sincerely hope she runs again next time.

Ward 5 was another interesting race. Newcomer Iris Cancian-Staniscia looked very promising. I have been listening to Pefferlaw residents bitch and complain for years. They had a chance to change things. They returned the incumbent. Those who voted for him no longer have the right to complain. Those who didn't vote at all - shame on all of you. Now be quiet and sit down. You've gotten what you deserve!

The biggest threat to the current Mayor was Peter Juras. He challenged Grossi last time and lost, and he lost again. He attends no council/committee meetings and only reads minutes after the fact, which as we all know don't really reflect the "feeling" of the meeting. Pretty gutsy going for the top job (most people would want to be a Councillor first), but he defended that because the Mayor's job pays more.

Danny Wheeler was challenged by Don Slessor for Regional Councillor. Regional Councillor is a big deal, and not only does Slessor not have council experience, he's also a newcomer to the area, having just moved here in June. If he decides to run again in four years though, he stands a good chance of being successful. He's charismatic, friendly, has connections, etc. Definitely a contender. He should have run to be a Councillor first though. That would have indoctrinated him into the ways of our community first.

All in all, an interesting election. Congratulations to Rob Grossi for holding onto his job, and best wishes for the next four years!

To Naomi Davison in ward 1 - we'll be waiting for that pool you promised us in four years. I have a very good memory!



This work by Suzette Leeming is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Canada License.