This is unofficial party season in our
had turned the deciding game into a snore.
fair land.
If the BIA is to survive and thrive, it will
With summer, our shortest season, just
require, among other vital elements, a good
warming up, we have many reasons to be
dose of feel-good.
happy — school is out, pools and tennis
Anyway, while it is not always easy to
courts are open again, golf courses are
put on a happy face, a smile is a free and
lush, fire flies dance in meadows and you
essential component of doing business.
can hear the corn growing. Is life grand or
People do not want to do business with
what?
grumps. That’s why successful salespeople
There are also several opportunities to
Time to vent, celebrate
are always content, or at least pretend that
take part in official festivities. We have St-
they are always glad. When everything is
Jean-Baptiste, Canada Day, and
equal, consumerswill buy frompeoplewho
Detractors say the commission has run its
Multiculturalism Day.
that are taxed by the commission. About 25
enjoy what they are doing.
course; defenders insist the main drag will
Wetendtoforgetthatin2002,thefederal
people attended the annual meeting.
Fortunately, the gloomy gusses are a
be toast if the BIA dissolves.
government decreed that June 27 of each
The paltry turnout could be linked to the
minority and the vast majority of business
As expected, certain members were not
year would be observed as Canadian
fact that the meeting was competing for
operators go out of their way to ensure that
pleasedwithmembership fees, even though
MulticulturalismDay, “an opportunity to
attention with Game 7 of the Stanley Cup
their customers are happy.
the charges have been reduced this year and
celebrate our diversity and our
final. But themeeting started an hour before
As we prepare to celebrate St-Jean-
the budget more than halved. Business
commitment to democracy, equality and
the puck dropped, and wrapped up shortly
Baptiste and the birthday of Canada, we
owners have legitimate concerns about the
mutual respect and to appreciate the
after the second period had begun. Besides,
should take some time to consider how
past and the future of the organization.
contributions of the various multicultural
theHabs weren’t playing, so it wasn’t a vital
fortunate we are to live in a country that
However, some aimed their aspersions
groups and communities to Canadian
contest.
offers us so much freedom and choice,
at former and current board members.
society.”
Fortunately, the meeting ended on a
whether it is in a public forum or in the
The persistent criticism got to the point
Everyone could use an opportunity to
generally positive note, and before Boston
marketplace.
where, Reno Viola, one of the brave
reflect on what makes us so special, or to
volunteers trying to save the BIA, observed,
simply stop and smell the roses. It is hard
“Jesus Christ was only crucified once.”
Letter to the Editor
to look at the Big Picture when you are
Clearly, certainmembershave issues that
fixated on a tiny screen, talking on a cell
cannot be resolved by the BIA. For instance,
phone and trying to make a living, all at
Do unto others...
shots were taken at a restaurant patio that
the same time.
was set up last summer. The big beef was
It seems that, despite all of the
see how the election turned out and that
that the installation resembled a cattle pen.
The Editor,
technological advances that are supposed
they had confidence in Mr. Harper to give
While everyone is entitled to his or her
I was glad to read the letter by Lorie
to make our lives easier, our stress levels
him a majority government, and we saw
opinion, and a bovine motif may not help
Boudreau (Vars), “Terrible Attacks,”
are reaching historic levels. The
that the people didn’t have confidence in
corral any more consumers, obviously, the
Tribune-Express, May 27, 2011.
communications explosion helps us get
Mr. Ignatieff. What Mr. Ignatieff wanted for
BIA cannot take on the role of Good Taste
How many times I said how terrible Mr.
messages out easier and faster, however,
Mr. Harper came on his own head. Defeat.
Police. Neither can the town be expected to
Ignatieff was in his calling Mr. Harper a liar
communication skills are deteriorating.
Apparently, his own party did not want
interveneaslongasthebusinessisrespecting
or referring to him as telling lies, etc. Mr.
Like that old song said, there are many
him any longer either. He even lost his own
municipal regulations.
Ignatieff brought about this past election by
people who are talking without speaking,
seat.
Of course, it is healthy to express your
a non-confidence vote, saying the people
peoplewho are hearingwithout listening.
frustrations and to “vider le coeur.”We can
W INONA M AC L EAN , G RENVILLE
had no confidence in Mr. Harper. Well, we
Face-to-face, “sit-down” meetings are
talk about problems until the cows come
becoming less frequent because of the
home, however, griping can be contagious.
dominance of gizmos.
Imaginarium opens for Pagliaro
Negative sentiments tend to spread much
Another reason for this trend may be
faster than positive vibes.
that occasionally, certain people use
newsroom@eap.on.ca
As it was pointed out, Hawkesbury’s
meetings to vent their frustrations about
H AWKESBURY
downtown business community must
matters that are not on the agenda.
accentuate the positive if it is to effectively
For example, the recent annualmeeting
promote the core.
Québec veteran rocker Michel Pagliaro and local group Imaginariumwill be among
oftheHawkesburyBusinessImprovement
One of the biggest challenges is apathy.
the entertainment at Canada Day festivities at Confederation Park inHawkesbury July
Area Commission at times resembled a
It was telling that of the 16 members
1.
gripe session. The goal of the gathering
present,notonevolunteeredtojointheBIA’s
The fun starts at 8:30 a.m. with a brunch. Following the official opening at 10 a.m., there
wastoclarifythefutureoftheorganization,
board of directors. After seeing the current
willbeanassortmentofactivitiesleadinguptotheshowfeaturingPagliaroandImaginarium
whichhas been indoubt since the boardof
board slammed, nobody in the hall was
at 7:30 p.m. The event will be capped by a fireworks display at 11 p.m.
directorsquit enmasse inDecemberof last
going tostepforwardandriskbeingblasted,
Because many celebrants bring their best, four-legged friends to the party, the town is
year.
too.
waiving its ban on dogs this year. Owners must keep their dogs on leashes, and pick up
TheBIAhassplitMainStreetmerchants.
There are about 180 business premises
after them.
Université d’Ottawa
University of Ottawa
2011 CENSUS Count yourself in!
Centre d’enseignement et d’apprentissage médiatisés Service d’appui à l’enseignement et à l’apprentissage Consultez l’horaire des cours hors campus pour la session d’été 2011 de l’Université au www.horaire.uOttawa.ca . Les cours de la session d’été débutent le 17 juin 2011. Inscrivez-vous dès maintenant! Centre for MediatedTeaching and Learning Teaching and Learning Support Service View the University’s Summer 2011 off-campus course timetable at www.timetable.uOttawa.ca. Courses begin on June 17, 2011 for the Summer session. Register today!
Renseignements / Information Francine Levac La Cité collégiale, 570 Kitchener Hawkesbury ON 613-632-1657 | flevac@uOttawa.ca
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