It’s no wonder there are problems in this damned city.

I grew up in the North End, James & Burlington. I’ve seen quite the changes over the last 40 some-odd years. I see some of the hugest potential of any city sitting right at my doorstep……real estate, employment, creativity, all the makings of a great city and place to live.

But there is a problem and as always, it boils down to self-serving politicians(and that means people who are political in nature, not necessarily those who are political by appointment). The world is going through some pretty big growing pains right now and I believe it’s for the better. People need to be starving before someone’s sheltered world view is awakened. People need to be bombed before others realize that it’s really is a bad idea. And now we have people who get paid stupid sums of money for really joe jobs compared to the bigger world of business.

Now given the current economy, a newspaper article with the title “Wages doubled for some bosses” should be A CLUE. Let’s list some of the facts shall we?

Hamilton Health Sciences president and CEO – Murray T Martin.  In 1999 the position paid $339,000.  Our buddy Murray joined in 2001 and as of last year his pay was $705,811.69.  For those who need the math done, that is an increase of 108%!  When was the last time any job you worked hard at, grew (at the expense of your clients) and more than doubled your salary?

Let’s look at what’s going on:

Ontario has already lost 56% of the number of hospital beds per capita since 1990. The Ontario Hospital Association has not calculated recent cuts. Still, Toronto East General Hospital cut its physiotherapy, pain, audiology and cardiac rehabilitation clinics. Hamilton Health Sciences Centre will perform 1,200 fewer surgeries next year and cut 140 jobs, along with closing 50 beds — and these are only a few examples of the effects of cuts.

Fewer surgeries??  I’m pretty sure that the $366,811.69 increase in Mr. Martin’s pay would help get a few more surgeries and supplies needed…..

St Joseph’s Health Care president and CEO – Dr Kevin P. D. Smith.  In 1999 the position paid $311,079.47 and as of last year he raked in a whopping $704,016.11.  That’s 126% increase.  How you like dem apples?  Need I quote the above cutbacks again?

McMaster president – Peter J George.  In 1999 his position paid $240,499 and last year he was making a handsome $536,474.  123% increase.  A nice little quote from his page “He was appointed President and Vice-Chancellor of McMaster University, on July 1, 1995.”  I wonder if he voted ‘yes’ on raising his pay every year for 10 years?  Wouldn’t you love that ability?  What is also interesting is that he is being replaced this year.  I’m pretty sure his retirement package will be more than 90% of what Hamiltonians make after 15 years of service any where….

I can hear the cries of my accusations now.  ”They work for that pay.  They are responsible for hundreds of thousands people every year.  They have done all kinds of good for Hamilton.”  Yeah, like sinking millions into renovations and making things look pretty.  ”But if the position doesn’t pay, there’ll be lesser talent running the place and if it doesn’t look good there’ll be less people willing to get help.”  What??  You telling me that Mr George would not be happy with only $300,000 for running a university?  Seriously?

I wonder if any of these places Boards look at the real world.  Ever heard of Google? How about CEO Eric Schmidt?  Do you know how much that little company made last year?  $4,265,430,000,000.  That’s profit AFTER expenses (and yes the number of zeroes are correct).  Do you think he isn’t responsible for influencing the lives of BILLIONS?  How much do you think he makes? Surprise, he just CUT HIS PAY IN HALF to $245,322 (USD).   Something else you should know.  There were two guys who founded the company, Larry Page and Sergey Brin.  These are the two brains behind that which is Google.  Can you take a wild guess at their salaries?  I bet you won’t even come close.  $1.00.  Yes, the number of zeroes are period are correct.  This would ALSO BE A CLUE  And guess what?  They’ve been making that for the last 5 years!  Guess who else makes a whole whopping $1 salary?  Steve Jobs.  You know, that guy who started that little fruit company called Apple.  There’s a whole list of such people.  That’s not to say they don’t make money in other ways related to their company, we’re talking salary here while the list of local money-bucks do include some taxable-benefits.  Regardless, their pay is way out of line.

So, the next time you are sitting at McMaster waiting for hours for your child to see a doctor in emergency, keep in mind how well the ruling body of the HHS thinks the CEO is doing and his $700,000+ salary.  I’m sure you’ll find it comforting.

Smokes, castration and “Nope, no extras here”

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Original blog:

http://www.900chml.com/Blogs/BillKellysBlog/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10052161

Are you kidding me? With all the other stuff out there to be concerned about about, they have to pick on a local business??? These are people who haven’t the foggiest clue about economy and society. This is NOT the 50′s where a woman would never dare wear anything that revealed a shoulder lest she be labeledlabelled a ‘lady of the night’ or somesuch.

Have these people even paid attention to the way the Catholic girls are ‘dressing’? They certainly show more skin than some stupid sing ever will! Not saying that it’s wrong but merely pointing out an obvious sexual demonstration compared to a frickin sign.

I suspect that it was some fat chick who couldn’t afford the belly dancing lessons so has taken it upon herself to campaign against such wanton display of sexuality.(see http://media.ebaumsworld.com/mediaFiles/picture/238063/916229.png) You’d think that the store put out a red light for business….sheesh. Hell, I’ll donate one just for kicks!

Canadians have much to learn about how the world really works.

That question is meant in both senses.  Meaning that the question is asked OF Hamilton Leaders AND from the people who refuse to let anything seriously good come here.

There has been ths long cry for jobs in this city.  Everyone whines about Stelco and Dofasco shutting down and the massive amount of jobs that have been lost.  And yes, people are whining.  I, for one, love the fact that I can _almost_ see Buffalo through the light purple haze that hovers over our city.  The air doesn’t smell as bad (they still really need to work on CVOP in Burlington St…) and the value of land is going up!

For those that are missing the bot, the services industry has ALWAYS been where the money is at.  Don’t believe me?  I would like to point out that cost of a car part versus the cost of actually putting it on.  A friend of mine had complete brake work done on his 2000 Mustang GT and it cost him $2800 at a Ford dealership.  I can pretty much gaurantee you that the parts were less than $1000.  Labour has always been more than the parts and that is where the money is.  And this trend is ont he rise with the Health Sector getting more and more employee

So, here’s the problem.  Toyota wanted to setup shop in Flamborough.  Toyota pays well and looks at things in an extremely long term view.  They aren’t the ‘oops, economy is bad so we’ll just shut down the new plant we spent millions opening up’ type of guys.  Yet Hamilton said no.  So they went to Brantford who is now reaping the benefits of a major manufacturer with land values and JOBs increasing.  What a waste.

Now we have a MAJOR Canadian businesman who has MONEY to put a NHL team in HAMILTON and guess what….because of some petty little commisioner, it’s being screwed.  It’s like noone wants Hamilton to get any where.  This buracratic red tape bullshit has got to go.  Petty people who simply get in the way of progress should get a pair of cement shoes and dropped into the Bay.

The sad thing is that this is a common problem with Canadians.  There is no pressure to do any better.  They are simply satisifed with the status quo unless they get something from it.  It’s the passive WIIFM (what’s in it for me) mentality that is killing our economy and our creativity.  It’s also the ‘<shrug> we’ll get around to it’ or the “yeah, you got a good idea there……….” and then nothing else.  While it may be a funny joke that Canadian over who’s teh more polite (You go throught he door….no you go first…..no I instist that you go first….. no dammit I said YOU go first…..) it is the same in business.  Noone feels any pressure to do anything worthwhile.

It’s no wonder that I don’t so well here in business…..if you ain’t part of the ‘good ol boys club’ then you simply don’t get anywhere significant.  This world will be overrun why the Chinese because they have it worse than us.  Here the Gov’t will take care of you…..there the Gov’t will just take you.  Pretty good motivation to do something and make something of yourself.  Canada just sleeps.