Upcoming Concert: Electric Six

Electric Six is coming to Toronto. They will be playing on December 29th, at the Horseshoe. I’m hoping that I will be recovered enough from my injuries to rock the fuck out.

mayoral elections pamphlet endorses sabotage!!!

I found a pamphlet in a taxi the other day on my way home from physiotherapy. At first I thought that the pamphlet was trying to promote one or another of Toronto’s fine mayoral candidates. However, a second, closer glance told me that this pamphlet was different. Indeed, the pamphlet is not promoting any candidate, not urging me to be a good citizen by “voting” — in fact, it is quite the opposite. It is advising the direct sabotage of the elections on October 25th.

I will quote a few of the passages I found particularly radical.

By all means, go to the polling station. But do not go in order to vote. Go there to in order to set fire to ballots, go there in order to pull the fire alarm, flood the building if you can.

Resist corruption! Resistance starts locally! If enough people think city politicians’ are unnecessary, we can eliminate them and the institutions behind them altogether.

Send all mayoral candidates spam-bot e-mails. If you can write a computer virus, infect their systems. If you have access to City of Toronto computer terminals, ruin them in any way you can.

Harm nobody; injuring citizens is not the goal. The goal is to show career politicians that we want to self-organize. The new politics will be based on the idea of local involvement and volunteerism. WE DO NOT NEED PAID OFFICIALS AND OVERWROUGHT BUREAUCRACY IF WE ORGANIZE OURSELVES!

Yeah, I know, its totally propaganda but I do hope this guy’s or girl’s message reaches someone. I wish I knew who wrote this; the pamphlet, however, gives no answers as to where I might locate the individual or individuals responsible for the pamphlet’s creation.

speculum inferni, misfortune rules this existence

Saturday, September, 11, 2010, 3:40 p.m.
IT IS A BEAUTIFUL NEAR END OF SUMMER DAY
I am biking to work on my bright orange bicycle when suddenly a car door opens and I hit the ground. This happens on Gerrard Street East, just west of Greenwood. The driver doesn’t bother to ask if I am OK. I know there is at least one witness who asked if I was OK; I think you were driving a white car … if you saw me get hit by this idiot, please contact me. If you or someone you know lives or works or was in the Greenwood / Gerrard St. E. area (near Little India) on Saturday, September 11th, will you please ask them if they saw me get hit by a car door that day!?

THANK YOU

Here are pictures of my body after the collision. I may need surgery on my shoulder. I can no longer do the most basic things for myself without great difficulty. The driver has been charged but I would like to try to find anyone who witnessed this event.

apparently, signs make theft OK

below is some of the e-mail correspondence i’ve had with the city of toronto’s insurance goons. they seem to be a bunch of women (the future is feminine, after all) who don’t seem to realize that i’m the one who’s out $500+ worth of personal gear. i can tell you, dear reader, that my quality of life has taken a significant dive : (

i wish i had a sign that made it OK for me to fuck and hurt whomever i wanted, to take whatever i wanted, to do whatever i wanted … or just a sign that made it OK for me to get compensated for what was stolen from me. i guess we’re past the sign, the signifier, the signified and all that now.

i have sent e-mails to the city staff asking how having my possessions stolen is providing “the highest quality of excellence and safety,” according to their commitment to the people who patronize their facilities. still, no answer.

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_

Hello CHARM,

Your complaint regarding the theft of your belongings and our staff’s absence from their position has been noted. In my previous communication I indicated that we are investigating different options to improve the security of the changerooms at Main Square Community Centre. I understand your complaint regarding the staff absence but as per my previous email I am not at liberty to discuss specific labour relations issues with you.

Again you have my sincere apology for the poor experience you have had at our facility.

Regards,

Nikki
Nikki Chapman
Aquatic Supervisor
Parks, Forestry & Recreation
phone: 396-2877
fax: 396-2885
nchapman@toronto.ca

>>> Sandra Cramb 7/19/2010 8:53 AM >>>
Hi Dianne,

We are the Independent Insurance Adjusters representing the City of Toronto’s insurers.

Please review e-mails from the claimant, Mr. Charm. We have denied his claim, however, he would like to file a complaint regarding the supervision of the entrance and change rooms at the Main Square Community Recreation Centre.

I will leave it to you to follow up and if necessary, contact CHARM. He seems to prefer e-mails rather than phone calls.

Thanks,

Sandra E. Cramb, B.A. CIP
Senior Account Manager
McLarens Canada
5915 Airport Rd., 3rd Floor
Mississauga, ON L4V 1T1
Direct Phone: (905) 740-1169
Toll Free: (800) 668-6100
Fax: (905) 671-1889
www.mclarens.ca

From: CHARM
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 3:12 PM
To: Sandra Cramb
Subject: Fwd: Complaint Fwd: EL75098, claim against City of Toronto

Still waiting for a response.

Best,

CHARM

Begin forwarded message:

From: CHARM
Date: July 14, 2010 1:11:40 PM EDT (CA)
To: Sandra Cramb
Subject: Re: Complaint Fwd: EL75098, claim against City of Toronto

Who do I go to then to complain about City Staff not performing the duties that I pay them to perform? I mean, we all pay them to be there, to watch and make sure the people there are supposed to be there, right? Why do I pay to swim at those facilities when I can just get in for free as nobody is monitoring the entrance to the change room / pool? Please tell me where to go with these issues and I will gladly take these complaints to them.

That’s what I want to know. And, one more thing, why do people file claims with the clerk’s office if none of the property damaged or stolen is insured by the city? This seems to be a real run around for everybody involved.

CHARM
On 14-Jul-10, at 12:59 PM, Sandra Cramb wrote:

Good afternoon CHARM,

I am the Account Manager for the City of Toronto Account.

This matter has been brought to my attention and I have reviewed your claim with Ms. Lockley.

To clarify, the City is not the custodian of your personal property. There is signage up at the facility advising that the City is not responsible for stolen items while in the lockers. I understand your argument that a staff member is usually visible and taking passes from participants, however, their role is not to guard/secure the lockers.

Accordingly, as there is no liability on the part of the City or their staff, we are not prepared to reimburse you for your stolen items. The City is not your personal insurers of your property.

If you wish to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Yours truly,

Sandra E. Cramb, B.A. CIP
Senior Account Manager
Municipal Accounts
McLarens Canada
5915 Airport Rd., 3rd Floor
Mississauga, ON L4V 1T1
Direct Phone: (905) 740-1169
Toll Free: (800) 668-6100
Fax: (905) 671-1889
www.mclarens.ca

From: CHARM
To: John Jones
Sent: Wed Jul 14 12:37:47 2010
Subject: Complaint Fwd: EL75098, claim against City of Toronto

Dear Mr. Jones,

I would like to bring to your attention the poor customer service I have received from Ellen Lockley. She seems unwilling to answer my questions by email, my primary mode of communication.

Begin forwarded message:

From: Ellen Lockley
Date: July 14, 2010 9:52:50 AM EDT
To: CHARM
Subject: RE: EL75098, claim against City of Toronto

Mr. CHARM

I will not go back and forth with you by email any longer. I have suggested that you call me. If you are not near a phone now, you can call me tonight on my cell, 416-873-7188.

Regards,

Ellen Lockley, CIP
McLarens Canada
905-740-1122 (direct line)
ellen.lockley@mclarens.ca

From: CHARM
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 9:46 AM
To: Ellen Lockley
Subject: Re: EL75098, claim against City of Toronto

Okay, just so I’m clear on these issues: people file claims with the Clerk’s office in order to try to recover damages they have lost, yet the property they own, the property that was damaged, is not insured by the city. So what exactly is the point of filing a claim with the city? I doubt anyone who is filing a claim owns “city property,” unless I am mistaken. In my case, the Community Centre staff was pretty liable for my losses. I do not see how having my locker broken into, using the locker they provide, while the staff I’m paying to be there is absent, makes the theft of my property my fault!? Can you explain this to me.

Thank you. I am just trying to understand why the system is so messed up.

CHARM
On 14-Jul-10, at 8:15 AM, Ellen Lockley wrote:

They would tell you to file a claim because they are not aware of the liability aspect. We deal with that part when we investigate the claim.

Yours truly,

Ellen Lockley, CIP
McLarens Canada
905-740-1122 (direct line)
ellen.lockley@mclarens.ca

From: CHARM
Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2010 10:16 PM
To: Ellen Lockley
Subject: Re: EL75098, claim against City of Toronto

If that’s the case, why would the staff at the community centre tell me to file a claim with the clerk’s office?

On 13-Jul-10, at 8:09 PM, Ellen Lockley wrote:

We insure the City’s property. Your own personal insurance should cover your own property.

Yours truly,

Ellen Lockley, CIP
McLarens Canada
905-740-1122 (direct line)
ellen.lockley@mclarens.ca

From: b.vorpal@gmail.com [mailto:b.vorpal@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2010 1:50 PM
To: Ellen Lockley
Subject: Re: EL75098, claim against City of Toronto

Still waiting for a reply. Still not near a telephone.

Sincerely,

CHARM

On 2010-07-08, at 10:48 AM, Ellen Lockley wrote:

Please call me at the number below. I am leaving the office in the next 10 minutes so if you dont get me today I will be in on Monday.

Yours truly,

Ellen Lockley, CIP
McLarens Canada
905-740-1122 (direct line)
ellen.lockley@mclarens.ca

From: CHARM
Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2010 10:45 AM
To: Ellen Lockley
Subject: Re: EL75098, claim against City of Toronto

So, let me get this straight, you do “not insure the property of others.” What exactly do you insure then? I’m just curious.

CHARM.

On 8-Jul-10, at 9:49 AM, Ellen Lockley wrote:

Dear CHARM

While we sympathize with your situation, the City’s insurance policy does not insure the property of others.

We regret we are unable to consider your claim and would suggest that you contact your own home insurers in this regard.

Yours truly,

Ellen Lockley, CIP
McLarens Canada
905-740-1122 (direct line)
ellen.lockley@mclarens.ca

From: CHARM
Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2010 3:46 PM
To: Ellen Lockley
Subject: Re: EL75098, claim against City of Toronto

Dear Ellen,

Of course I realize that there are signs that say the community centre is not responsible for lost or stolen property. However, my claim has more to do with the fact that the person supposed to be on duty was not there, and that the Parks and Recreation’s “commitment” to its patrons is to “provide the highest standard of excellence and safety.” An absent employee hardly seems to be “the highest standard of excellence and safety.”

The staff at Main Square Community Recreation Centre have admitted that their staff was not performing her duty on the night of the theft.

Sincerely,

CHARM.

On 7-Jul-10, at 8:05 AM, Ellen Lockley wrote:

Dear Sir

I am not sure if this email reached you yesterday so I am sending again.

Attached is a copy of our letter of June 14, 2010.

Yours truly,

Ellen Lockley, CIP
McLarens Canada
905-740-1122 (direct line)
ellen.lockley@mclarens.ca

a ramble

G20 / G8 protesters VS G20 / G8 security = negative dialec-trix or rage degree zero.

north american protesters should take a lesson from greece and thailand or study a little bit of history and read robespierre or mao: revolution requires blood for its fuel, like freedom, like liberty – unlike luxury, and the whorish pseudo-philosophical attitude: “love of truth.”

Seek for food and clothing first, then the Kingdom of God shall be added unto you.
- Hegel, 1807

america: where did we go wrong? democracy since BUSH is the equivalent of a MOSCOW show trial (V. Putin, Ahmadinejad, S. Berlusconi, more to come, surely others will follow; at least Kim Jong-Il does not pretend he is anything but a dictator).

response from TORONTO PARKS AND RECREATION

[received earlier today. notice how this cunt makes no mention of reimbursing the loss her incompetent, negligent staff caused. typical.]

Dear CHARM,

Please allow me to apologize for the very poor experience you had at Main Square Community Centre. We endeavor to provide a better service than this to our users. I wanted to follow up with you as to our follow up regarding this situation.

As you indicated in your email our preliminary investigation has shown the staff that monitors the hallway was not in position making the change areas easily accessible for unauthorized access. Staff will be held accountable for any failure to perform their duties as required. I am not at liberty to disclose the specifics of labour relations issues.

We are taking steps to try to improve the general security at this location. While we do have some security cameras at the location, the camera did not pick up any suspicious activity during the swim in question. We are working with corporate security to add an additional camera on this level of the building. Due to the ever increasing need for cameras at all our locations we are unsure as to when we will be able to secure this additional camera for this site.

I am also following up with our Facilities staff and suppliers to determine if there are modifications that can be made to the lockers that would make them tamper resistant. We are exploring either modifications to the existing lockers or conversion to another style.

I know these responses are not providing a resolution to your situation but please know that we do take these issues seriously and wish to provide a safe and secure locker room area for our community centre users.

Regards,
Nikki

Nikki Chapman
Aquatic Supervisor
Parks, Forestry & Recreation
phone: 396-2877
fax: 396-2885
nchapman@toronto.ca

OFFICIAL COMPLAINT TO TORONTO PARKS AND RECREATION

[sent this to dassinc@toronto.ca, mfranco@toronto.ca, and nchapman@toronto.ca]

Charm

Toronto, ON

June 8, 2010

General Manager

Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation

Toronto City Hall

100 Queen Street West, West Tower, 4^th Floor

Toronto, ON  M5H 2N2

Dear General Manager:

This is an official complaint and request for reimbursement for my possessions which were stolen from a pay locker at Main Square Community Recreation Centre, 245 Main Street, 416 392 1070.

Between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm of June 7, 2010, I went for a lane swim with the 3-month swimming pass I bought a few days previous. I paid $0.25 for locker #11 that Main Square Community Recreation Centre provides and went swimming.
When I returned, I found that my locker had been broken into: my wallet was missing and so was my iPod. The person supposed to be “On Duty” monitoring the change rooms was instead off somewhere else, not able to see or hear who went into and out of the change rooms (possibly seeing or hearing who could have taken my possessions).

The other staff members working that evening were Paul and James and one of these employees took the key for locker #11.

My complaint is with the entire organization and structure of Main Square Community Recreation Centre’s security measures at protecting patrons’ personal property and the staffing of such facilities.

Why am I paying $0.25 for a locker that is easily broken into?

Why am I paying for staff that are supposed to be monitoring who enters and exits the change rooms, if the staff were not even there? This staff member wasn’t even there to see if people entering the change rooms belonged there or not!

Why do the facilities only offer lockers that they know have been broken into before and not lockers for which swimmers could bring their own locks for?

Why do the lockers at Main Square Community Recreation Centre force  you to pay rent on them, $0.25 / lane swim, if they do not even  provide the service of security?

Another gentleman also complained of his locker being broken into and said it had happened in the past; if the staff know that lockers have been broken into before, why does the pattern of theft persist and is persistently ignored by city staff?

I have filed a police report, the number of which is 3843867. The badge number of the officer assisting me is 0000.

I have spoken with Marlene Franco and Dianne Assindc, the Community Recreation Programmer Aquatics, at Main Square Community Recreation Centre. Marlene Franco can be reached at 416 392 0156. The name of  the Aquatic Supervisor is Nikki Chapman, and she can be reached at 416 396 2877. I would like this e-mail forwarded to all 3 of these individuals, if possible.

Possessions lost and their purchase costs are:
Wallet and $30 cash inside $ 80

- TTC June Metropass                                            109

- 3-month Lane Swimming Pass                            62
- Alumni Card                                                            20
- Student Copy / Print Card                                      1

-  driver’s license

- credit /debit cards / health, library card etc.

iPod 219
leather iPod case 30
Headphones 30

Replacement cost for driver’s license 10

$561

I am seeking reimbursement from the City Clerk as advised by Dianne Assindc or from Toronto Parks and Recreation for the loss of my possessions and have not included the cost and time required to run around and cancel/replace credit and identification cards and the stolen items.

Sincerely,

Charm

Copy: Ms Robin Richardson

Manager, Policy & Compliance – Claims