I guess $210,000 doesn't get you as much as it once did.

No but it is still money into the coffers of a Liberal friendly adfirm

Posted by: Pissedoff at July 8, 2006 02:49 PM

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I want my money back!

Posted by: Joanne TB at July 8, 2006 03:10 PM

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This is a token ad meant to silence those who will claim nothing was done for the money paid out. So we have this weak high school level work to show for 210K. Ridiculous.

When any government is involved, there has to be a competition for the contract, period, otherwise it will always be perceived, correctly, as a sweetheart deal.

Posted by: dmorris at July 8, 2006 03:11 PM

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I'm almost speechless!

How do I start an ad agency for the Fibs? Looks easy, seems to pay well and best of all it can't cost much to set up.

Posted by: Selma at July 8, 2006 04:10 PM

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You have got to de joking! I guess not, after all this is a government initiative.

I think it is time the citizens and business people of Caladonia talk to some lawyers about a class action suit against the provincial government for their losses and non-provision of services (IE policing).

Perhaps they could also look into garnisheeing monies transferred to the band from the federal government as well. If a printer in Montreal could seize a Russian cargo ship after Expo in 1967 when the Soviet government didn't pay a printing bill why can't they hit the natives where it will hurt the most?

Posted by: vieux loup at July 8, 2006 04:37 PM

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Did you hear about the new way to make money all you have to do is have some politicians in your back pocket then buy some First Nations land that is in dispute next after the shit hits the fan the gov't will buy it back plus fair market value. You come out of the deal looking like the one that got shafted even though you recieved an immediate return on your investment plus interest,the First Nations are are made to look like the shit disturbers it's ingenious it works especially well in colonial minded countries and it's the hottest thing going right now for immediate return on your investment. Give it a try.

Posted by: at July 8, 2006 06:05 PM

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Steve, after reading your post, and Stephen Taylors post, I couldn't resist in creating my own version of the "Choose Two".

I have a feeling this could be the "We're not making this up, we're not allowed to do that" of the summer.

Posted by: TrustOnlyMulder at July 8, 2006 11:14 PM

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So this is the ad campaign that $210,000 in taxpayers money buys you.

So Steve, where are these ads appearing? Would it be in, lets say, newspapers in Toronto where even a modest sized ad can run you around $10k per day?

Posted by: at July 9, 2006 01:07 AM

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So Steve, where are these ads appearing? Would it be in, lets say, newspapers in Toronto where even a modest sized ad can run you around $10k per day?

Perhaps. But I think the MAIN point Steve was making is that the Liberals signed an ad agency in about a week and that ad agency is run by people with serious inside connections to the Liberal Party and even to the negotiator of the Caledonia land deal. Regardless of the ads, the ad agency made money (they don't work for free) and David Peterson could very easily be drawing out the negotiations which would probably extend the advertising campaign, thus putting MORE money into the Torsney's pockets.

It just stinks of patronage and bad ethics.

Posted by: TrustOnlyMulder at July 9, 2006 08:45 AM

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Yes, Steve, it is apparent you're not an ad man, because if you were, you'd put a little more thought into your criticisms.
1. "How about a picture of a town landmark?"
Look at the picture of the fisherman. There are two "town landmarks" in the photo -- the Grand River which runs through the middle of town and has a well-deserved reputation as a great place for fishing, boating, waterskiing and even moonlight dinner cruises. Visit the Caledonia Dam on a sunny Sunday and you'll see dozens of people enjoying the river, many of them out-of-towners from Hamilton and other nearby regions. (There's a great fishing tackle place across the street.)
Look a little closer and you'll see a big white building in the background. That's the 160-year-old Caledonia Mill, a town symbol and one of the few remaining mills on the Grand, reflective of the pioneer days of the town and this part of Ontario.
2. "I am just as likely to go to Peterborough or the Muskokas.".
Ah, Toronto, centre of the universe. Yes, if everyone lived in Toronto, they would go to Peterborough or the Muksokas for an afternoon of outdoor recreation. If they could get there through the traffic.
But, sad to say, not everyone lives in Toronto. Some people (shudder) live in Hamilton, St. Catharines, Brantford and London. For those folks, Caledonia is a quick and pleasant drive, 15 minues to an hour away along scenic county roads and uncluttered highways. They go there for the river, the antique stores, the quaint main street and the pleasant smalltown atmosphere.
That's the target market for this campaign: people who are close enough to visit, but either a) aren't aware of the town's charms or b) know them, but have some concerns about visiting.
In an earlier post, one of your correspondents asked: "Who in their right mind would visit Caledonia at this point in time?"
How sad that this sentiment would come from someone who, on the surface, would seem to be a supporter of the "regular folks" of Caledonia who are caught in the middle of a mess not of their own making. It's really not a very supportive attitude, is it?
Get a few blocks away from the occupation zone, and it's the same old Caledonia - a delightful town with many 19th century charms.
Bad publicity has hurt local businesses. Maybe some good publicity -- even if if has to be paid for -- will help undo the damage. The MSM certainly isn't giving them any help.
In fact, I know that the bad publicity surrounding the occupation has hurt river-recreation businesses as far away as Brantford. I wouldn't be surprised if it has affected business in the Six Nations community which is major tourist draw in this part of Ontario. There are businesses -- native and non-native -- that depend on tourism dollars. They're innocents here, but they're suffering nonetheless.
The prism of the occupation (and the media focus) has distorted our views of both communities. Those who are fair and open-minded will see for themselves before judging.
Before you fall all over yourself alleging that I work for the ad agency or the Town of Haldimand, I don't. I know some of the people in Haldimand who are working hard to get through these tough times and I have some respect for what they're going through as they try to cope with this.
What I am, is someone who visits the town from time to time and has always found it to be a nice place to enjoy a sunny afternoon while soaking in its atmosphere.
Perhaps all of the folks so concerned about "Adscam lite" should spend some time getting to know Caledonia too and they wouldn't be so quick to criticize. If they really wanted to show their concern for the folks of Caledonia, they'd take a Sunday afternoon drive down and maybe spend a few bucks. That way, there won't have to be another ad campaign and we can all save some tax money.
(PS. The ad contract was awarded by the Town of Haldimand. I guess you could conclude that they're corrupt or in McGunity's pocket. Some evidence would be nice, though.)

Posted by: des at July 9, 2006 09:14 AM

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Correction: Make that "The ad contract was awarded by the COUNTY of Haldimand."

Posted by: des at July 9, 2006 09:17 AM

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des:
it's nice to have some coherent commentary instead of the racist banter steve's articles seem to elicit. not as bad as deadanimals and dusty but almost.

officially:
"Regardless of the ads, the ad agency made money (they don't work for free) and David Peterson could very easily be drawing out the negotiations"
peterson's not negotiating anymore. duh. got an agenda?

Posted by: Ottawa Core at July 9, 2006 12:09 PM

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Steve, too bad Clara's not around anymore.
She knew where the beef was.

Posted by: Paul MacPhail at July 9, 2006 02:56 PM

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Cons on the right of me, Liberals on the left. Their little social clubs each get their money in their own self justifying way. If they had just rounded up the local business people they could have done a cable net audio/video that could run for a year with that kind money. Word of mouth there after would have drawn curiosity seekers to see for themselves and perhaps media dough heads such as yourselves. Anybody who really gave crap about it would have look.

Fate' compli construction in disputed lands, not smart.

Posted by: psyengine at July 9, 2006 06:48 PM

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Thanks Des for standing up for Canadians of whichever stripe. For not letting sheer ignorance and fear get away with blanketing an entire town and surrounding nation about some penny-ante ad campaign which is only intended to entice the alien money spenders up to summer cottage country.
Everybody there has an intersst in their town or area. If there happened to be someone who truly cared, they would advertise on their own dime and not expect or accept any government handout.
Take what slop the government swills the town's way, and be happy. It could be worse.
Imagine a true Conservative town: the Indian problem would be solved, the border would be open, and the shopkeepers would be taking money in below par.
Things could be worse.

Posted by: Angry in Canada at July 11, 2006 01:51 AM

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