He did what I couldn't do: defend his reputation against a decree that limited his rights.
Charged with trespass and given a one year ban is by the Niagara Region which prevented Fred from attending Niagara Regional Council Meetings, he took it further; a judge ruled that the ban violated the Charter of Rights. Read about it HERE.
A few years ago, Richard Berry was banned from Fort Erie Council Meetings in the same type of intimidation ploy. If I remember correctly, some of the same people who are now at the regional level were involved.
But Fred Bracken showed them!
I don't always agree with Fred, but I believe he has a perfect right to express himself in public. I found it laughable that Debby Zimmerman felt "threatened" by his behaviour during a presentation he made at Regional Council. Yeah, right. The former Regional Chair and longtime player in the vicious local political blood sport was threatened? I don't believe that for a minute.
So, as those of us who are American celebrate Thanksgiving,, I would like to express my gratitude for people like Fred. I've met many like him on both sides of the border and I always admire that they are willing to stand up for what they believe and they do not let local officials get too full of themselves.
Note to Fred: in your remark on another news site, you expressed your disdain for "progressives." You seem to have a far different understanding of the term than I do. I am a proud progressive. A progressive is the polar opposite to a "conservative" in political terms. I have never agreed with the conservative viewpoint and never will. Some people refer to Progressives as "liberals" in some places. I prefer to be called a progressive because I take the term literally, meaning I'm looking ahead, not behind or staying in place like the conservatives. (Actually, after studying Political Science, I discovered that I'm really a Democratic Socialist, but that's another conversation.)
SCOTT HERON SENTENCED TO FOUR MONTHS IN JAIL
The picture in the Review shows a beefed-up Heron on his way to court. Oh Boo-Hoo. He is so sorry for his "mistakes." Yeah, right. He's sorry he got caught. He was so full of himself back when he and Bernie Polino were smuggling cheese and chicken wings from the States and making lots of money under the table. "Mistake?" My ass. I observed the goings-on and how these two skirted the law every chance they got when Bernie ran the snack bar in the sand at Bay Beach. I was famously told by Bernie, "I have friends in the NRP" when I pointed out a dangerous situation at his sand(wich) shop.
All these cops and former cops should be ashamed that they stole from the public by avoiding taxes and duty on their smuggled cheese.
How can anyone be expected to respect the local police after this? The stories are still there and many of us know them all.. Right near me, a drug house operates with impunity; a dealer sits near Tim Hortion's, beard braided, announcing to the world that he is carrying and the police do nothing about it. They know. Yet they look the other way or they get their information from the local stalker and in return, they let him get away with all manner of mayhem.
There is a lot more house cleaning to be done at 23 Division. A lot more.
you want to see the ol boy network sh!t themselves.........elect Fred to council.
ReplyDeleteDon't always see it his way but he always holds himself to a high standard and expects our elected AND non elected staff to do the same. That's why the dirt bags with suits dislike him so much. He reminds them just how filthy some of them have become and threatens their sweet little side deals. Sounds a lot like Richard Berry as you said Madam Editor.
Thanks for the post Sharon.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I fear progressives as the people at both the Region and the Town of Fort Erie who had me trespassed, as well as arrested, call themselves progressive.
:)
Whatever you want to call them, they are, to me, a bunch of fascists. As per Ms. Zimmerman's "personal life," rumours have been flying for years and she is now the co-owner of a house with a man who is not her husband. Nothing wrong with that; they are both free to do what they want to. But they weren't always. Don't set yourself up as a moral authority unless you live a moral life. That seems to be the theme of local politics. Such hypocrites.
DeleteDebbie was named as the mistress of the Mayor of St Catharines at the time, Brian McMullan in Ruth McMullan's divorce papers which are a public record subject to FOI.
DeleteThere were obvious conflict issues as they were both voting on the same issues while sleeping in the same bed, while never making that known to the public.
If you cheat on your wife or husband, there is no doubt you will cheat the taxpayer.
I do agree, if a person didn't have moral scruples in his own marriage, he also sure didn't show any in Council last term either.
ReplyDeleteFive months for smuggling across the US/CAN border? Should have been five years. SH sure must be breathing a cheesy sigh of relief. Five months at the mens club. He can work on his tennis game and catch up on some light reading. We all knew how easy he would get off but nobody expected anything this light. Well with the dough he made as a uniform he sure had the juice to pay an well connected lawyer.
ReplyDeleteMakes you sick, doesn't it? Heron was also involved in a fatal accident that was whitewashed to protect the participants. Again, well-connected. Sure, we've all made mistakes, but these guys got away with theft and fraud and they knew exactly what they were doing. Big Whoop. A few months in jail while they laughed all the way to the bank with their ill-gotten gains.
DeleteThe now private citizen , was a regular visitor two houses away from my place, his /our police car parked for hours on time , for social purposes not for any other legitimate purpose, they are relatives of his school chum , after that horrible accident , I never saw much of him, my police sources informed me, about what was found at that accident scene , which leads me to believe , we will hear a lot more about Mr Heron when he is released from the pokey.!! Harry Schlange is involved in not enforcing Town By-Laws at that same location , never did get a reply to my 3 page letter, nothing , not a peep, also my neighbours never got any satisfaction .This will be another can of worms when it is finally opened up.
DeleteIts not 5 months its 4, and thats if there isnt an appeal and the whole thing isnt thrown out like last weeks garbage. 4 months. About 120 days and the very good chance for a two third write off, out in about one month or so, at worse. Its starting to look like the way cops are treated in some third world country when they are caught neck deep in a federal criminal scam. Border smugglers ? The police department? They may want to consider renaming the patrol area to El Niagara. Bienbientos amigos, nostramos criminalies y sur protectalies. No problamos!!
ReplyDeleteI often wonder if Mrs. Zimmerman's son had any knowledge of her affair and if so did it have any affect on his sudden passing. It would be a complete shame if this were the case.
ReplyDeleteI certainly hope that wasn't the case. The loss of her son must have been devastating. Let's leave it at that.
DeleteThe paper mentioned that Revenue Canada will no doubt be looking at some tax money from Mr.Heron, so it's not over yet. They will no doubt keep him away from the general prison population , he may meet some old friends or enemies.
ReplyDeleteI think that this manure pile of a Town, needs somebody with a pitchfork to clean up the rampant odour that has taken over, our Town is on the brink of collapse. Fred, should run and with enough support help overturn this betrayal of the people's interests.
ReplyDeletetotally agree with you Porgey but it was tried and war declared on 4 good men about 2 minutes after the 2010 election when the ol boys insiders financial club realized that their sweet little side deals were in jeopardy of being exposed after decades of abuse and mismanagement.
DeleteThey OWN the press and with the collective intellect level being what it is around here, lies, half truths and cheap parlour games dupe the unsuspecting other 95% of the town who actually pays for all this expensive stupidity to keep a few very rich and very near the lucrative public trough.
A decade or so ago Richard Berry tried the same wake up call in Fort Stupid and like The Four was subject to heaps of abuse and as long as the main stream media does nothing to expose rather than promote these soft crimes, it will be left to the next generation to clean up this massive dung heap created to line insiders pockets.
Take a look at your tax bills people, we all get them then ask hard questions where millions disappear regularly. You don`t need a degree in political science or economics to figure this out, just some common friggin sense and a nose for bullsh1t.