Making Condominiums Democratic

Posted on September 18, 2013 by Edward Brain

I’d like to discuss how to make condominiums democratic.  This can be handled easily, with easy amendments to the Condominium Act.

Let’s discuss those changes:

1)      Limit or remove proxies.  While I would like to say that proxies should be eliminated totally, it is practical to limit the number of proxies that a single person may hold.  This allows owners who legitimately cannot attend a meeting to still be represented.  But this still stops a small group of people from controlling the outcome of a meeting.  I am suggesting a limit of one proxy per person for a condominium under 100 units and two proxies per person above this.  Why the difference?  Simple, in a smaller condominium fewer owners means that if one person has three votes (their vote and two proxies) means that the person has more influence over the final vote.   But in a larger condominium, more owners can attend in person which means that the two ‘extra’ votes do not have as much influence. Continue reading →

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R.A. Dickey Shuts out the Yankees

Posted on September 17, 2013 by Edward Brain

Tonight R.A. Dickey pitched a solid seven shut out innings, as the Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees 2-0.  Colby Rasmus opened the scoring in the bottom of the 4th with a solo homerun to right field off Andy Pettitte.  Rajai Davis followed in the bottom of the 7th inning off Shawn Kelley, the first batter Kelley faced after replacing starter Pettitte.

Sergio Santos pitched a perfect 8th inning, despite an error charged to Ryan Goins which allowed Curtis Granderson to reach first.

The bottom of the 8th inning saw Adam Lind pinch hit for Mark DeRosa, and Anthony Gose pitch hitting for Kevin Pillar.  The Blue Jays almost made it 3-0 when with two out Gose hit the ball into left field, but Lind was caught out at home plate.  Lind would stay in the game at first base, and Gose took over for Pillar in left field.  J.P. Arencibia entered the game in the 9th inning, replacing Josh Thole.

For the 9th inning, closer Casey Janssen came in and struck out the side to end the ballgame.

R.A. Dickey improved to 13-12, finishing seven innings while giving up no runs, four hits, two walks and eight strikeouts.  His ERA for the season dropped to 4.21.  Andy Pettitte dropped to 10-10, pitching 6.2 innings, one earned run, six hits, two walks, and five strikeouts.  Casey Janssen picked up his 31st save this season.

The Blue Jays improved to 69-81 while the Yankees fell to 79-72.  The Yankees are now 3.5 games out of a wild card position, 12.5 games back of division leading Boston Red Sox.

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Why Condominiums are Undemocratic

Posted on September 15, 2013 by Edward Brain

At the moment, condominiums in Ontario are not democratically run.  The current Condominium Act allows a Board of Directors a virtual dictatorship over the operation of a condominium.

You might be sitting there saying that this is not possible in a democratic country like Canada, but this is the case.  Let’s just look at how this is the case: Continue reading →

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Damage Caused by Common Elements

Posted on September 6, 2013 by Edward Brain

Gerry Hyman has written a new article.  Let’s discuss what he had to say:

QUESTION:  It has always been the practise in our townhouse condominium that dogs be taken to the adjoining hydro corridor to do their business. A recently elected director, followed by his next-door neighbour, has begun allowing his two dogs to relieve themselves on the common-element front lawns, causing considerable damage. The rules state only that owners must clean up after their dogs. I believe that the majority of the owners agree that that the rule should specify that dogs must be taken off the common elements. Can anything be done? Continue reading →

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Should the Island Airport be Extended?

Posted on September 4, 2013 by Edward Brain

The City is now in the process of deciding on whether or not is should support the extension of the runway at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, on a request by Porter Airlines.

First, a brief history: the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (‘ the airport’) opened in 1939 as the Port George VI Island Airport, in honour of the reigning King who visited Canada that year.  The airport was used by the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNAF) and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) as a training centre during World War II.  The airport was renamed in 1994 as the Toronto City Centre Airport, and saw Air Canada subsidiary Jazz operate regional service out of the airport.  Porter Airlines began operating from airport in 2006. Continue reading →

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Blue Jays Beat Kansas City

Posted on August 30, 2013 by Edward Brain

The Toronto Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals tonight 3-2 thanks to great pitching from Mark Buehrle and some timely hits.

The Blue Jays went up 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back.  Rookie Ryan Goins, in only his seven MLB game, reached first on a throwing error with one out in the first.  Edwin Encarnación then doubled, moving Goins to third.  Adam Lind then stepped up and hit a single scoring Goins and Encarnación. Continue reading →

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1983 Grey Cup Champions

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Edward Brain

The Toronto Argonauts recently honoured the 1983 Grey Cup Champions.  You may be wondering why the defending Grey Cup Champions (the Argos having won the Cup back in November) are honouring a team from 30 years ago, but there is one important reason: prior to 1983 the Argonauts had not won the Grey Cup since 1952.  As such this team played an important role in the history of the Argos.

The game was also the first Grey Cup to be played indoors and the first to be played in B.C. Place in Vancouver.  Hank Ilesic played for the six straight Grey Cup championship team, and seventh straight Grey Cup appearance.  Continue reading →

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Cecil Blows Save but Lawrie Saves the Day

Posted on August 15, 2013 by Edward Brain

Last night, the Toronto Blue Jays beat the visiting Boston Red Sox 4-3 in the 10th Inning on a base hit by Brett Lawrie.

Esmil Rogers started for the Blue Jays last night, on his 28th birthday, against the Red Sox’s Jon Lester.  Rogers pitched a great six innings, giving up only one run on five hits, one walk, and 6 strikeouts.  Lester pitched 6 1/3 innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Continue reading →

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Questioning a Board Decision

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Edward Brain

Today I would like to talk about Gerry Hyman’s latest article.  There was a question which brings up an important issue:

QUESTION: I asked at the last AGM why the property manager used a company located 126 kilometres from our condo for paving work and whether tenders had been received from local contractors. One of the board members was about to respond when the property manager advised her that the owners elect the board to make decisions and that the directors do not have to defend their decisions. Was I not entitled to an answer?

ANSWER:  Absolutely! The Condominium Act provides: “At an annual general meeting, an owner may raise for discussion any matter relevant to the affairs and business of the corporation.”

Yes, an owner is entitled to ask this type of question, and if the property manager does not want the owners to know the answer, which this question clearly suggests, one has to wonder why.  If the contractor had the best quote, or provided another benefit (i.e. they would do the work when the Board was planning to do the work, or had a faster schedule to complete the project, etc.) the owners are entitled to know this. Continue reading →

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Sir John Graves Simcoe

Posted on August 5, 2013 by Edward Brain

As today is Sir John Graves Simcoe Day in Ontario, I would like to discuss the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada from 1791 to 1796.  Of course Upper Canada would later become the Province of Ontario.

Born in Cotterstock England in 1752, Simcoe would be educated at Eton and spent one year at Oxford.  He joined the 35th Regiment of Foot, as an ensign, in 1770.  He purchased a captaincy in the 40th Regiment of Foot and was injured in battle during the American Revolution.  He was responsible for a successful battle in the battle of Crooked Billet.

He became Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada in 1791 when the British Government created the Province of Upper Canada out of land around the Great Lakes that stayed part of the British Empire after the American Revolution.  Simcoe would see to the building of two major roads:  Yonge Street (named after Sir George Yonge then the Minister of War), and Dundas Street (named after Henry Dundas, later the 1st Viscount Melville.)  Originally built for defensive purposes, later both streets served to help settlement Upper Canada, and as trading routes. Continue reading →

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