Yes, the winds are blowing positively in Kingston! The track and field groups along with St Lawrence College, announced that an-all weather track will be built on St Lawrence Campus, at the corner of King Street and Portsmouth Avenue.
This is truly wonderful news!!
Our young people will be able to train and compete on a fine track, with the exceellent coaching that they presently have.
Congratulations to all the track crowd for making this happen!!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
The Winds of Change
The winds of change are blowing gently through the city of Kingston. Do you hear citizens cheering???!
The Arts, Recreatin and Community Policies Committee (Councillors Garrison, Gerretsen, Glover, Mcleod-Kane and Osanic) met on Tuesday evening. Among the items was one related to the future of Harold Harvey Arena. City staff had recommended closing it, as did a consultant that was hired to recommend the future of this facility as well as Wally Elmer and Cook Bros facilities.
Needless to say, there was consternation among youth groups (and adult groups) that use these facilities, primarily because not only are they still useable, but opening the new multiplex will not do anything for the derth of ice in the Greater Kingston Area. These groups say that actually, there will not be more ice for sport when the new facility opens.
The ARC Policies Committee unanamously recommended that Harold Harvey not be closed, and that discussions get underway with the Church Athletic League (CAL) for them to acquire and operate it.
This action, i.e. recommending retention of the rink, by previous council would have been unheard of.
Newly-minted council members have a different attitude toward their responsibilities. This group seems to be acting in the interests of Kingstonians....the ordinary ones, the typical citizen, just every day people who have children, who run sports and rec programs, who coach their child's team, who shop at Food Basics, who want to enjoy their city and be proud of it.
This new, more community-focussed attitude will be welcomed by city staff, I hope. My experience has been that city staff (while over-extended) are generally a positive bunch who are keen to serve the citizens where they are. They just needed some councillors who had a positive, building attitude rather than the negative attitude that had prevailed.
I lived in a community in which the prevailing attitude was "Sure, we can do that. How can we work together to make it happen?" Perhaps Kingston's "No, we can't do that" attitude is gone.
Let's hope that the breezes of change continue, and become "the winds of change."
The Arts, Recreatin and Community Policies Committee (Councillors Garrison, Gerretsen, Glover, Mcleod-Kane and Osanic) met on Tuesday evening. Among the items was one related to the future of Harold Harvey Arena. City staff had recommended closing it, as did a consultant that was hired to recommend the future of this facility as well as Wally Elmer and Cook Bros facilities.
Needless to say, there was consternation among youth groups (and adult groups) that use these facilities, primarily because not only are they still useable, but opening the new multiplex will not do anything for the derth of ice in the Greater Kingston Area. These groups say that actually, there will not be more ice for sport when the new facility opens.
The ARC Policies Committee unanamously recommended that Harold Harvey not be closed, and that discussions get underway with the Church Athletic League (CAL) for them to acquire and operate it.
This action, i.e. recommending retention of the rink, by previous council would have been unheard of.
Newly-minted council members have a different attitude toward their responsibilities. This group seems to be acting in the interests of Kingstonians....the ordinary ones, the typical citizen, just every day people who have children, who run sports and rec programs, who coach their child's team, who shop at Food Basics, who want to enjoy their city and be proud of it.
This new, more community-focussed attitude will be welcomed by city staff, I hope. My experience has been that city staff (while over-extended) are generally a positive bunch who are keen to serve the citizens where they are. They just needed some councillors who had a positive, building attitude rather than the negative attitude that had prevailed.
I lived in a community in which the prevailing attitude was "Sure, we can do that. How can we work together to make it happen?" Perhaps Kingston's "No, we can't do that" attitude is gone.
Let's hope that the breezes of change continue, and become "the winds of change."
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Very Disconcerting News Item
From The KingstonWhig Standard
Expert, city spar over rink; They pressured me: consultant
Jordan Press Tuesday, June 26, 2007 - 00:00
A consultant hired to assess the condition of Harold Harvey arena says he was asked to amend his report and effectively condemn the aging structure. Gunnar Heissler told the Whig-Standard city staff requested he assess the refrigeration system at the rink as a risk to public health, which he considered outside the mandate of his report. "And that I couldn't do. There's no reason to condemn that facility," said Heissler, who inspected the mechanical portions of the arena on behalf of Ottawa-based consultant Morrison Hershfield Ltd. "If I had seen a leak or seen any evidence of corrosion, I would have said something different, but I didn't."
City officials say Heissler was never asked to change his views. Commissioner of corporate services Denis Leger said "no request was made from staff" to have the report altered. Staff asked Heissler to review the refrigeration system at Harold Harvey to assess the cost of replacing it.
Report omitted risk factor City staff wanted to ensure councillors understood the system could pose a risk and wanted that clear in the report, said arenas manager Kelly Williams. He said staff didn't clearly explain they wanted an assessment of the risk the unit poised. "We have some risk concerns," Williams said. "We have concerns about the fact it's very old and three, five years from now, what are we dealing with?" Williams said Heissler wasn't wrong in the conclusions of his report, but didn't include the risk factor in it.
Besides Harold Harvey, Heissler inspected the Memorial Centre, Centre 70, Cook Brothers and Wally Elmer arenas. City staff brought him in to assess the condition of each building as the city debates what to do with the old arenas once the multiplex opens next year. As is, the business plan for the multiplex would see Harold Harvey and Cook Brothers lose their ice to ensure the new $33.6-million facility meets its revenue targets.
In a report to councillors this week, city staff wrote that they asked Heissler to review the section of his report dealing with Harold Harvey's refrigeration system. Staff "expressed concern that the presence of the direct- ammonia refrigeration system had not been rated as a greater risk to public health and safety" in the report. They recommended in their report that the system be replaced for $1.2 million. Unlike other arenas in town, Harold Harvey uses ammonia to directly cool the ice. Other arenas use ammonia to cool brine that circulates under the ice. Heissler said while ammonia is one of the most toxic substances on earth, it also reeks. Even the smallest leak would be noticed immediately and people could be evacuated, he said. He wrote the added amount of the substance in the system at Harold Harvey doesn't make it any more dangerous than in the arenas where less is used. As well, being under the concrete slab means a leak "will develop gradually providing some time to implement emergency response procedures."
"Nothing was discovered during the site review that should be causal [sic] for alarm, nor were any technical issues in evidence that would justify a recommendation for the replacement of the system," the report said. His report suggested the city install proper alarms and dump valves. "Then it's a matter of due diligence," Heissler said. "It could go on [working] for 20 years, but it could fail tomorrow - but that applies to others."
Mayor Harvey Rosen said the system at the rink should be changed, but said he was sure staff wouldn't ask a consultant to change his findings. "People interpret inquiries in different ways," Rosen said. "I'm certain no staff member would ask a consultant to amend their report to reflect a particular point of view."
Deputy Mayor Steve Garrison said it would be unacceptable if someone in City Hall asked a consultant to change items in a report. Chief administrative officer Glen Laubenstein said consultants are asked to qualify or clarify statements to make things clear, but never to change findings. "You hire consultants to give you the brutal, hard facts," Laubenstein said.
It's a fact the Church Athletic League wants to continue using Harold Harvey for its games and practices after the multiplex is open. The league wants to lease the building and operate it at no cost to the city. League president Ken Ohtake said the report doesn't bode well for future talks with the city. "We are anxious to sit down with the city and see what we can do," Ohtake said. "Am I optimistic the city will sit down with us? ... I'm not. "Although if we can convince the councillors to take the word of the engineer seriously ...then maybe there's hope." The league's position is that it would take on the arena once the city brought it up to standard, Ohtake said. If that now meant replacing the refrigeration system, "so be it," he said.
The report The report about the condition of the five arenas will go before the arts, recreation and community policies committee when it meets today at 5:30 p.m. at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour. The report is available online at www.cityofkingston.ca/pdf/cityhal l/committees/community/agenda/2007/ARC_A0607-SchedA.pdf.
-30-
This is a very disconcerting report. The City has used consultants for many projects, including a report on the city's need etc for a new aquatic facility, including a 50m pool. Some of those who support a new aquatic facility in Kingston now wonder what parameters were that the city gave the hired consultant. Did the city say, for example, "give us a report on building a 25m pool"? Did the city ask for a "needs assessment"? [we know that this was not part of the RFP because there were not broad consultations, public meetings, mail/telephone surveys of citizens in general. Yes, there were VERY limited user meetings, but no self-respecting consultant would say that what the city got was the results a community/area needs assessment, because there wasn't one]. Did the city ask for a report oon the need, potential inclusions in an aquatic facility? No.
An aquatic facility that will meet the community's need is so much more that a 50m pool.
Expert, city spar over rink; They pressured me: consultant
Jordan Press Tuesday, June 26, 2007 - 00:00
A consultant hired to assess the condition of Harold Harvey arena says he was asked to amend his report and effectively condemn the aging structure. Gunnar Heissler told the Whig-Standard city staff requested he assess the refrigeration system at the rink as a risk to public health, which he considered outside the mandate of his report. "And that I couldn't do. There's no reason to condemn that facility," said Heissler, who inspected the mechanical portions of the arena on behalf of Ottawa-based consultant Morrison Hershfield Ltd. "If I had seen a leak or seen any evidence of corrosion, I would have said something different, but I didn't."
City officials say Heissler was never asked to change his views. Commissioner of corporate services Denis Leger said "no request was made from staff" to have the report altered. Staff asked Heissler to review the refrigeration system at Harold Harvey to assess the cost of replacing it.
Report omitted risk factor City staff wanted to ensure councillors understood the system could pose a risk and wanted that clear in the report, said arenas manager Kelly Williams. He said staff didn't clearly explain they wanted an assessment of the risk the unit poised. "We have some risk concerns," Williams said. "We have concerns about the fact it's very old and three, five years from now, what are we dealing with?" Williams said Heissler wasn't wrong in the conclusions of his report, but didn't include the risk factor in it.
Besides Harold Harvey, Heissler inspected the Memorial Centre, Centre 70, Cook Brothers and Wally Elmer arenas. City staff brought him in to assess the condition of each building as the city debates what to do with the old arenas once the multiplex opens next year. As is, the business plan for the multiplex would see Harold Harvey and Cook Brothers lose their ice to ensure the new $33.6-million facility meets its revenue targets.
In a report to councillors this week, city staff wrote that they asked Heissler to review the section of his report dealing with Harold Harvey's refrigeration system. Staff "expressed concern that the presence of the direct- ammonia refrigeration system had not been rated as a greater risk to public health and safety" in the report. They recommended in their report that the system be replaced for $1.2 million. Unlike other arenas in town, Harold Harvey uses ammonia to directly cool the ice. Other arenas use ammonia to cool brine that circulates under the ice. Heissler said while ammonia is one of the most toxic substances on earth, it also reeks. Even the smallest leak would be noticed immediately and people could be evacuated, he said. He wrote the added amount of the substance in the system at Harold Harvey doesn't make it any more dangerous than in the arenas where less is used. As well, being under the concrete slab means a leak "will develop gradually providing some time to implement emergency response procedures."
"Nothing was discovered during the site review that should be causal [sic] for alarm, nor were any technical issues in evidence that would justify a recommendation for the replacement of the system," the report said. His report suggested the city install proper alarms and dump valves. "Then it's a matter of due diligence," Heissler said. "It could go on [working] for 20 years, but it could fail tomorrow - but that applies to others."
Mayor Harvey Rosen said the system at the rink should be changed, but said he was sure staff wouldn't ask a consultant to change his findings. "People interpret inquiries in different ways," Rosen said. "I'm certain no staff member would ask a consultant to amend their report to reflect a particular point of view."
Deputy Mayor Steve Garrison said it would be unacceptable if someone in City Hall asked a consultant to change items in a report. Chief administrative officer Glen Laubenstein said consultants are asked to qualify or clarify statements to make things clear, but never to change findings. "You hire consultants to give you the brutal, hard facts," Laubenstein said.
It's a fact the Church Athletic League wants to continue using Harold Harvey for its games and practices after the multiplex is open. The league wants to lease the building and operate it at no cost to the city. League president Ken Ohtake said the report doesn't bode well for future talks with the city. "We are anxious to sit down with the city and see what we can do," Ohtake said. "Am I optimistic the city will sit down with us? ... I'm not. "Although if we can convince the councillors to take the word of the engineer seriously ...then maybe there's hope." The league's position is that it would take on the arena once the city brought it up to standard, Ohtake said. If that now meant replacing the refrigeration system, "so be it," he said.
The report The report about the condition of the five arenas will go before the arts, recreation and community policies committee when it meets today at 5:30 p.m. at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour. The report is available online at www.cityofkingston.ca/pdf/cityhal l/committees/community/agenda/2007/ARC_A0607-SchedA.pdf.
-30-
This is a very disconcerting report. The City has used consultants for many projects, including a report on the city's need etc for a new aquatic facility, including a 50m pool. Some of those who support a new aquatic facility in Kingston now wonder what parameters were that the city gave the hired consultant. Did the city say, for example, "give us a report on building a 25m pool"? Did the city ask for a "needs assessment"? [we know that this was not part of the RFP because there were not broad consultations, public meetings, mail/telephone surveys of citizens in general. Yes, there were VERY limited user meetings, but no self-respecting consultant would say that what the city got was the results a community/area needs assessment, because there wasn't one]. Did the city ask for a report oon the need, potential inclusions in an aquatic facility? No.
An aquatic facility that will meet the community's need is so much more that a 50m pool.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
No Pre-World Cup Games for Women's Soccer Team
Word has it that there will not be any home games for Canada's women's soccer team prior to the World Cup. The World Cup, women's version, is getting less ink in this country than any sporting event that matters.
The World Cup, in China September 10-30, 2007, is soccer's premier event. And Canada's National Team will play no games on Canadian soil before they leave.
Disgraceful.
And how much attention is being paid to the men's U20 World Cup being staged soon in Canada? Lots!!!
The World Cup, in China September 10-30, 2007, is soccer's premier event. And Canada's National Team will play no games on Canadian soil before they leave.
Disgraceful.
And how much attention is being paid to the men's U20 World Cup being staged soon in Canada? Lots!!!
Monday, June 25, 2007
A Sad and Disappointing Day
Anglican Journal News: Synod narrowly defeats same-sex blessings
Solange De Santis, staff writerJune 24, 2007
Winnipeg
Canadian Anglicans, meeting at their General Synod governing convention,voted by the slimmest of margins to defeat a proposal that would have permitted church blessing rites for gay couples.
Read this story online at http://www.anglicanjournal.com
Both lay delegates and clergy delegates, in separate votes, approved blessing same-sex unions. but the Church's Bishops in a slim 21-19 vote did not support the proposal. This is most saddening. When the numbers aree put together, there were more votes in support of this resolution than in opposition to it.
Kind of like voting in Canadian elections, and certainly the recent vote for mayor in Kingston, where more citizens voted for other candidates than voted for the person who got the most votes of the three candidates.
Soomehow, this just doesn't seem right.
Solange De Santis, staff writerJune 24, 2007
Winnipeg
Canadian Anglicans, meeting at their General Synod governing convention,voted by the slimmest of margins to defeat a proposal that would have permitted church blessing rites for gay couples.
Read this story online at http://www.anglicanjournal.com
Both lay delegates and clergy delegates, in separate votes, approved blessing same-sex unions. but the Church's Bishops in a slim 21-19 vote did not support the proposal. This is most saddening. When the numbers aree put together, there were more votes in support of this resolution than in opposition to it.
Kind of like voting in Canadian elections, and certainly the recent vote for mayor in Kingston, where more citizens voted for other candidates than voted for the person who got the most votes of the three candidates.
Soomehow, this just doesn't seem right.
Friday, June 22, 2007
This is Disgraceful!
Yesterday, Randy reported in his column that a suspended swimming coach is still engaged by parents to coach their children. Here's his follow-up column, dated June 22, 2007 from the Toronto Star..........
Lifetime swim ban sinks like a rock
Coach Russell ignores it; officials at a loss as to how to enforce ruling
June 22, 2007 Randy StarkmanSPORTS REPORTER
There appears to be only one way Cecil Russell's lifetime ban from swimming can truly be enforced – parents must stop letting him coach their kids.
Swim Ontario and Swimming Canada officials held a conference call with legal counsel yesterday to plot their next move in trying to enforce Russell's lifetime suspension.
The lifetime ban was lifted in 2005, after he served eight years of it following a steroid-related conviction. But the ban was reinstated two weeks ago when an Ontario Superior Court judge ruled the 54-year-old purposely deceived an arbitrator when he claimed he was fully exonerated in an ecstasy trafficking ring.
Russell twice was convicted for his role in lucrative drug rings and testified to helping burn a murder victim's body in a silo beside his home.
Despite the ban, Russell has been seen on the pool deck coaching swimmers from his Dolphins Swim Club of Oakville. His lawyer says he's doing it in his capacity as a personal trainer. The Dolphins sent a letter to Swim Ontario saying Russell is now a volunteer coach.
Swim officials seem to be treading water in dealing with the issue.
"Some of the questions we were asking ourselves was, `Let's say the Dolphin Swim Club has five lanes and he rents lane No. 6, is it a breach?'" said Swimming Canada boss Pierre Lafontaine. "These are the little games that can be played."
Hilary Findlay, a lawyer and director of the Centre for Sport and Law, believes the group that holds the ultimate hammer in the Russell affair needs to step up and be counted.
"I'm not sure you can say the responsibility lies 100 per cent with sports officials and rules," said Findlay, an associate professor at Brock University. "I think at some point parents have to take some responsibility here as well in terms of their values."
Indeed, the one big question that seems to hangs over the Russell case for a lot of people is: What are the parents thinking?
"He has a strange power over a lot of people," said Olympic swim champion Anne Ottenbrite, a coach at the Pickering Swim Club. "It just blows me away. I can't fathom how these parents have their children in that program."
Paul Melia, CEO of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, which went to court to have Russell's reinstatement revoked, is equally mystified.
"In education, if a teacher is found guilty of misconduct and removed from teaching and loses their licence to teach, parents don't usually turn around and seek those people as private tutors," said Melia. "I guess this coach's record in producing champions blinds them to other things or creates more latitude in what they will tolerate."
Swim Ontario executive director John Vadeika said they are investigating allegations Russell is continuing to coach and will try to ensure the Dolphins Swim Club is abiding by the terms of Russell's suspension.
"You have to know what's being said, what's being done and under what conditions, because again Mr. Russell is allowed to carry on as Mr. Russell, Canadian citizen," said Vadeika. "He is not allowed to be a swim coach under the governance of Swimming Canada, Swim Ontario and its affiliate programs."
Bruce Kidd, dean of phys ed at the U of T, declined to renew the Dolphins Swim Club's contract to use the pool after the Star published a front-page article detailing Russell's past. They explored the issue of banning him entirely from the pool deck for any meet there but got legal advice against it.
-30-
What can YOU do about this? Express your opinion. Today is the day to start sending those emails:
Coaches Assoociation of Ontario CAO): susan@coachesontario.ca
Coaching Association of Canada (CAC): jbales@coach.ca
Swimming Ontario: info@swimontario.com
Swim Canada: natloffice@swim.ca
Editor, The Star: tolettertoed@thestar.com
Coaches of Canada (Professional Coaches Association): info@coachesofcanada.com
Lifetime swim ban sinks like a rock
Coach Russell ignores it; officials at a loss as to how to enforce ruling
June 22, 2007 Randy StarkmanSPORTS REPORTER
There appears to be only one way Cecil Russell's lifetime ban from swimming can truly be enforced – parents must stop letting him coach their kids.
Swim Ontario and Swimming Canada officials held a conference call with legal counsel yesterday to plot their next move in trying to enforce Russell's lifetime suspension.
The lifetime ban was lifted in 2005, after he served eight years of it following a steroid-related conviction. But the ban was reinstated two weeks ago when an Ontario Superior Court judge ruled the 54-year-old purposely deceived an arbitrator when he claimed he was fully exonerated in an ecstasy trafficking ring.
Russell twice was convicted for his role in lucrative drug rings and testified to helping burn a murder victim's body in a silo beside his home.
Despite the ban, Russell has been seen on the pool deck coaching swimmers from his Dolphins Swim Club of Oakville. His lawyer says he's doing it in his capacity as a personal trainer. The Dolphins sent a letter to Swim Ontario saying Russell is now a volunteer coach.
Swim officials seem to be treading water in dealing with the issue.
"Some of the questions we were asking ourselves was, `Let's say the Dolphin Swim Club has five lanes and he rents lane No. 6, is it a breach?'" said Swimming Canada boss Pierre Lafontaine. "These are the little games that can be played."
Hilary Findlay, a lawyer and director of the Centre for Sport and Law, believes the group that holds the ultimate hammer in the Russell affair needs to step up and be counted.
"I'm not sure you can say the responsibility lies 100 per cent with sports officials and rules," said Findlay, an associate professor at Brock University. "I think at some point parents have to take some responsibility here as well in terms of their values."
Indeed, the one big question that seems to hangs over the Russell case for a lot of people is: What are the parents thinking?
"He has a strange power over a lot of people," said Olympic swim champion Anne Ottenbrite, a coach at the Pickering Swim Club. "It just blows me away. I can't fathom how these parents have their children in that program."
Paul Melia, CEO of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, which went to court to have Russell's reinstatement revoked, is equally mystified.
"In education, if a teacher is found guilty of misconduct and removed from teaching and loses their licence to teach, parents don't usually turn around and seek those people as private tutors," said Melia. "I guess this coach's record in producing champions blinds them to other things or creates more latitude in what they will tolerate."
Swim Ontario executive director John Vadeika said they are investigating allegations Russell is continuing to coach and will try to ensure the Dolphins Swim Club is abiding by the terms of Russell's suspension.
"You have to know what's being said, what's being done and under what conditions, because again Mr. Russell is allowed to carry on as Mr. Russell, Canadian citizen," said Vadeika. "He is not allowed to be a swim coach under the governance of Swimming Canada, Swim Ontario and its affiliate programs."
Bruce Kidd, dean of phys ed at the U of T, declined to renew the Dolphins Swim Club's contract to use the pool after the Star published a front-page article detailing Russell's past. They explored the issue of banning him entirely from the pool deck for any meet there but got legal advice against it.
-30-
What can YOU do about this? Express your opinion. Today is the day to start sending those emails:
Coaches Assoociation of Ontario CAO): susan@coachesontario.ca
Coaching Association of Canada (CAC): jbales@coach.ca
Swimming Ontario: info@swimontario.com
Swim Canada: natloffice@swim.ca
Editor, The Star: tolettertoed@thestar.com
Coaches of Canada (Professional Coaches Association): info@coachesofcanada.com
Thursday, June 21, 2007
from The Star, by Randy Starkman, 21 June 2007
Ex-con coach back at poolside with kids TheStar.com - Sports - Ex-con coach back at poolside with kids
Despite his lifetime ban, Cecil Russell spotted at Burlington centre
June 21, 2007 Randy StarkmanSPORTS REPORTER
Clutching a stopwatch in each fist, Cecil Russell patrolled the pool deck yesterday like he owned it.
His intense gaze may have been borne of defiance: Russell is refusing to turn in his whistle even after his lifetime ban was reinstated two weeks ago.
Russell was convicted of involvement in two lucrative drug rings and testified to helping burn a murder victim's body in a silo beside his home.
Following up on complaints from parents who say they've witnessed Russell coaching despite his suspension, the Star caught the head coach of the Dolphins Swim Club of Oakville in action yesterday at Tansley Woods Pool in Burlington.
Swim Ontario executive director John Vadeika said he also has evidence of Russell coaching despite his ban and called the situation "very disturbing." Vadeika said he will be discussing the issue today in a conference call with Swimming Canada officials and their legal counsel.
Russell refused comment yesterday, but his lawyer Gary Boyd said the 54-year-old Burlington resident is exercising his right to work as a personal trainer and is not "coaching" the kids in the Dolphins Swim Club.
"Maybe we're splitting hairs to some extent, but we're dealing with someone trying to make a living," Boyd said.
Told that Russell could be clearly seen coaching about 15 kids from the pool deck yesterday, Boyd replied: "I suspect he has contracts with all of them. The Dolphins Swim Club has no rules preventing a personal trainer from being on the pool deck."
Paul Melia, CEO of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, which fought to have Russell's lifetime ban reinstated, isn't buying Boyd's rationale.
"It doesn't matter if you change the title from coach to personal trainer, Mr. Russell is not permitted to participate in any part of the Canadian sports system," said Melia.
Russell certainly looked yesterday to be fulfilling the same role of head coach he had when the Star visited one of his practices one year ago. He was clearly in charge as he gave out all the instructions, surrounded by a gaggle of youngsters at one point as he mimicked stroke technique.
One swimming parent who saw Russell coaching on Saturday at Nelson Pool in Burlington called it a travesty and questioned the ability of Swimming Canada and Swim Ontario to police the sport.
"It makes a mockery of all the police checks you have to go through to volunteer and to coach," said the parent, requesting anonymity. "This guy can have a lifetime ban and just swats it away. It sets such a bad example ..."
Vadeika, whose organization is ultimately responsible for enforcing the ban, agreed that Russell is making a mockery of the system.
"It's very disturbing," he said. "If people aren't going to follow the rules governing our sport, it means everyone can do whatever the hell they want."
Vadeika said they are trying to clarify just what Russell is allowed to do under the rules of a lifetime suspension. There is also some question about the ability of community pools to keep Russell out. An official with Oakville Parks and Recreation said they are waiting for a directive from Swim Ontario before taking action. A request for comment from Burlington Parks and Recreation went unreturned.
There was concern that authorities would have trouble giving the suspension some teeth when it was reinstated. While Russell was originally banned for life in 1997 for spearheading a lucrative steroid ring, he was seen still doing some coaching in Canada and abroad.
"We all saw it coming," said Vadeika. "We're trying to manage the situation the best we can and get the best interpretation (of the rules) we can."
Russell was reinstated in 2005, but that was voided this month when an Ontario Superior Court Judge ruled he purposely deceived an arbitrator when he claimed he was fully exonerated in an international ecstasy trafficking ring.
A story in the Saturday Star last July prompted an Arizona court to unseal documents showing Russell had in fact pleaded guilty in September, 2003, to conspiracy to possession with intent to distribute ecstasy. The U.S. authorities were concerned Russell was misrepresenting his case.
rstarkman@thestar.ca
-30-
This is outrageous. Here's support for Swim Ontario, Swimming Canada and CCES for his immediate removal from the deck and contact with young people.
Thanks, Randy, for this column.
Despite his lifetime ban, Cecil Russell spotted at Burlington centre
June 21, 2007 Randy StarkmanSPORTS REPORTER
Clutching a stopwatch in each fist, Cecil Russell patrolled the pool deck yesterday like he owned it.
His intense gaze may have been borne of defiance: Russell is refusing to turn in his whistle even after his lifetime ban was reinstated two weeks ago.
Russell was convicted of involvement in two lucrative drug rings and testified to helping burn a murder victim's body in a silo beside his home.
Following up on complaints from parents who say they've witnessed Russell coaching despite his suspension, the Star caught the head coach of the Dolphins Swim Club of Oakville in action yesterday at Tansley Woods Pool in Burlington.
Swim Ontario executive director John Vadeika said he also has evidence of Russell coaching despite his ban and called the situation "very disturbing." Vadeika said he will be discussing the issue today in a conference call with Swimming Canada officials and their legal counsel.
Russell refused comment yesterday, but his lawyer Gary Boyd said the 54-year-old Burlington resident is exercising his right to work as a personal trainer and is not "coaching" the kids in the Dolphins Swim Club.
"Maybe we're splitting hairs to some extent, but we're dealing with someone trying to make a living," Boyd said.
Told that Russell could be clearly seen coaching about 15 kids from the pool deck yesterday, Boyd replied: "I suspect he has contracts with all of them. The Dolphins Swim Club has no rules preventing a personal trainer from being on the pool deck."
Paul Melia, CEO of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, which fought to have Russell's lifetime ban reinstated, isn't buying Boyd's rationale.
"It doesn't matter if you change the title from coach to personal trainer, Mr. Russell is not permitted to participate in any part of the Canadian sports system," said Melia.
Russell certainly looked yesterday to be fulfilling the same role of head coach he had when the Star visited one of his practices one year ago. He was clearly in charge as he gave out all the instructions, surrounded by a gaggle of youngsters at one point as he mimicked stroke technique.
One swimming parent who saw Russell coaching on Saturday at Nelson Pool in Burlington called it a travesty and questioned the ability of Swimming Canada and Swim Ontario to police the sport.
"It makes a mockery of all the police checks you have to go through to volunteer and to coach," said the parent, requesting anonymity. "This guy can have a lifetime ban and just swats it away. It sets such a bad example ..."
Vadeika, whose organization is ultimately responsible for enforcing the ban, agreed that Russell is making a mockery of the system.
"It's very disturbing," he said. "If people aren't going to follow the rules governing our sport, it means everyone can do whatever the hell they want."
Vadeika said they are trying to clarify just what Russell is allowed to do under the rules of a lifetime suspension. There is also some question about the ability of community pools to keep Russell out. An official with Oakville Parks and Recreation said they are waiting for a directive from Swim Ontario before taking action. A request for comment from Burlington Parks and Recreation went unreturned.
There was concern that authorities would have trouble giving the suspension some teeth when it was reinstated. While Russell was originally banned for life in 1997 for spearheading a lucrative steroid ring, he was seen still doing some coaching in Canada and abroad.
"We all saw it coming," said Vadeika. "We're trying to manage the situation the best we can and get the best interpretation (of the rules) we can."
Russell was reinstated in 2005, but that was voided this month when an Ontario Superior Court Judge ruled he purposely deceived an arbitrator when he claimed he was fully exonerated in an international ecstasy trafficking ring.
A story in the Saturday Star last July prompted an Arizona court to unseal documents showing Russell had in fact pleaded guilty in September, 2003, to conspiracy to possession with intent to distribute ecstasy. The U.S. authorities were concerned Russell was misrepresenting his case.
rstarkman@thestar.ca
-30-
This is outrageous. Here's support for Swim Ontario, Swimming Canada and CCES for his immediate removal from the deck and contact with young people.
Thanks, Randy, for this column.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
New Era of Governance
If you don't read Alan Abrahamson's blog and you are interested in Olympic things, start with his most recent piece.
http://www.nbcsports.com/alanabrahamson/blog/2007/06/not_boring_stuff_really.html#more
Abrahamsoon is one of the top two Olympic commentators in the English-speaking world. He has the ear of IOC members, has viewed the sport world for many years, and knows the players well.
This entry, dated June 19, 2007 is about the *new era* in sport. It is really about conducting business openly, with transparency, and with honour. While it refers specifically to the international boxing federation, it could just as easily be referring to NSGBs/NSOs or proovincial sport organizations, or local clubs or municipal government.
The new era has dawned, and those who persist in conducting business the *old* way, will be pushed aside. It is only a matter of time.
http://www.nbcsports.com/alanabrahamson/blog/2007/06/not_boring_stuff_really.html#more
Abrahamsoon is one of the top two Olympic commentators in the English-speaking world. He has the ear of IOC members, has viewed the sport world for many years, and knows the players well.
This entry, dated June 19, 2007 is about the *new era* in sport. It is really about conducting business openly, with transparency, and with honour. While it refers specifically to the international boxing federation, it could just as easily be referring to NSGBs/NSOs or proovincial sport organizations, or local clubs or municipal government.
The new era has dawned, and those who persist in conducting business the *old* way, will be pushed aside. It is only a matter of time.
A basket of miscellaneous thoughts.....
Back froom a vacation in Western Canada. My, those mountains look great, and the prairie looks even better!
From the runour mill, it seems that the track and field fans, coaches, and movers, are finally going to get an all-weather track in Kingston. Well, THEY made it happen!!! This is great news. It will be at the corner of King Street and Portsmouth Avenue. Our young people will be able to train and compete on a *real* track, instead of the slightly-better-than-cinders track at the university.
The next thing (after the 50m pool and related community services!!) will be a field house with tennis courts/badminton courts/field hockey surface along with an indoor track, jumping pits etc. Then our citizens will really bee able to "get active," become healthier, enjoy sport more, and build a stronger community.
Amen.
Sport Kingston will be meeting in July to set a pro-active course for the next year. It's time! The city is developing a master plan for recreation and sport development, and Sport Kingston wants to be part of that.
Together, we can do more than we can separately. A lesson learned in the city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where so much is accomplished by combining resources. The sum is grater than the parts.
From the runour mill, it seems that the track and field fans, coaches, and movers, are finally going to get an all-weather track in Kingston. Well, THEY made it happen!!! This is great news. It will be at the corner of King Street and Portsmouth Avenue. Our young people will be able to train and compete on a *real* track, instead of the slightly-better-than-cinders track at the university.
The next thing (after the 50m pool and related community services!!) will be a field house with tennis courts/badminton courts/field hockey surface along with an indoor track, jumping pits etc. Then our citizens will really bee able to "get active," become healthier, enjoy sport more, and build a stronger community.
Amen.
Sport Kingston will be meeting in July to set a pro-active course for the next year. It's time! The city is developing a master plan for recreation and sport development, and Sport Kingston wants to be part of that.
Together, we can do more than we can separately. A lesson learned in the city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where so much is accomplished by combining resources. The sum is grater than the parts.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
VERY IMPORTANT MEETING
Aquatics enthusiasts in the Kingston, Ontario area are strongly encouraged to attend a meeting of like-minded citizens on Monday, June 25th at 6.30pm at Artillery Park Centre in Kingston.
At that meeting, disucssions will take place about what might be included in the proposed new aquatic facility in Kingston. Many aquatics fans would like a pool that has a moveable bulkhead and that can be set-up for training/competitions that meet international standards. A 25m, short-course pool will not allow our children to train at the highest levels, nor will it allow Kingston to host national and international competitions.
Get to the meeting, and help us develop an aquatic facility that will be versatile, flexible, and highly useable for everyone from cradle to grave. Babies, seniors and everyone in between can be served by a new and future-looking facility. For this kind of money, we need to be sure that in 35 years, the facility will still serve the community (unlike the new KRSEC that is being built downtown in Kingston).
At that meeting, disucssions will take place about what might be included in the proposed new aquatic facility in Kingston. Many aquatics fans would like a pool that has a moveable bulkhead and that can be set-up for training/competitions that meet international standards. A 25m, short-course pool will not allow our children to train at the highest levels, nor will it allow Kingston to host national and international competitions.
Get to the meeting, and help us develop an aquatic facility that will be versatile, flexible, and highly useable for everyone from cradle to grave. Babies, seniors and everyone in between can be served by a new and future-looking facility. For this kind of money, we need to be sure that in 35 years, the facility will still serve the community (unlike the new KRSEC that is being built downtown in Kingston).
Monday, June 04, 2007
Is this a Game?
The NHL minds probably don't wonder why their viewing numbers aren't constantly going up. If they DID wonder, though, there are a lot of sports fans who would tell them two things: violence on ice isn't what we want to see, and the present game isn't interesting to watch.
Let's just get rid of the Chris Prongers of the game. Last night's elbowing incident is his 7th flagrant foul. That is seven too many. The game can be played with finesse and skill, and there are times when he has shown both. But 7 incidents like this in about 12 years is just too many. A one-game suspension is ridiculous.
Out for the rest of the season and a hefty fine might be sufficient deterrent for others to think twice about trying to mame another player in order to get him out of the game.
If the NHL REALLY cared about its players, and cared about the fans (real and potential), they'd get tough.
Oh, yes...and the other reason the fan numbers are down? Who wants to watch "dump it in, chase after it, smash bodies on the boards" ? Not a game. Not sport.
Let's just get rid of the Chris Prongers of the game. Last night's elbowing incident is his 7th flagrant foul. That is seven too many. The game can be played with finesse and skill, and there are times when he has shown both. But 7 incidents like this in about 12 years is just too many. A one-game suspension is ridiculous.
Out for the rest of the season and a hefty fine might be sufficient deterrent for others to think twice about trying to mame another player in order to get him out of the game.
If the NHL REALLY cared about its players, and cared about the fans (real and potential), they'd get tough.
Oh, yes...and the other reason the fan numbers are down? Who wants to watch "dump it in, chase after it, smash bodies on the boards" ? Not a game. Not sport.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Swim in Lake Ontario!
Considering how much water there is close to or in Kingston, it's amazing that there is almost no place to swim in the lake or river. One can go to Grass Creek to swim on a nice sandy beach, but people without vehicles can't get there.
We need a swimming place along the city's waterfront. The location has to be central to citizens, and served by public transit. Children and their parents need to be able to hop on a bus, and get there easily. And we need it soon.
Richardson Beach would be a great start! Yes, there are issues that would have to be addresssed. Let's ask the people! What would they like? Where? How can we overcome some issues around Richardson Beach? Is that the best place for a "swimming hole"?
Talk is easy. Act. Set a date. Go for it.
We need a swimming place along the city's waterfront. The location has to be central to citizens, and served by public transit. Children and their parents need to be able to hop on a bus, and get there easily. And we need it soon.
Richardson Beach would be a great start! Yes, there are issues that would have to be addresssed. Let's ask the people! What would they like? Where? How can we overcome some issues around Richardson Beach? Is that the best place for a "swimming hole"?
Talk is easy. Act. Set a date. Go for it.
Wading Pools
It's good news that the Arts, Recreation and Communitiy Policies Coommittee (ARC) of the city of Kingston is going to take a careful look at the city's paddling pools (aka wading pools),spray pools etc.
There's nothing like a wading pool for little people! Yes, it is necessary to have supervision when there is water in the pool. One of the positive initiatives that the city could take is to ask the community what hours it would like the paddling pool open, then do as the people want! This will likely be a juggling act because staff work eight hour days, and finding the "right" eight hours might be difficult. They could hire 2 people, and have them share supervision duties at 2 or more paddling pools....one person start at Ron Lavallee at 9am, and another person start at another paddling pool at 1pm and share duties. Not difficult to arrange, if the will is there.
Let's hope that the wading poool in Ron Lavallee park will be open for business in 2008 for local children.
Cities are meant to serve the people, so let's get that pool open for the children and parents to use and socialize around.
Thanks to Counsellor Steve Garrison for taking this step!
There's nothing like a wading pool for little people! Yes, it is necessary to have supervision when there is water in the pool. One of the positive initiatives that the city could take is to ask the community what hours it would like the paddling pool open, then do as the people want! This will likely be a juggling act because staff work eight hour days, and finding the "right" eight hours might be difficult. They could hire 2 people, and have them share supervision duties at 2 or more paddling pools....one person start at Ron Lavallee at 9am, and another person start at another paddling pool at 1pm and share duties. Not difficult to arrange, if the will is there.
Let's hope that the wading poool in Ron Lavallee park will be open for business in 2008 for local children.
Cities are meant to serve the people, so let's get that pool open for the children and parents to use and socialize around.
Thanks to Counsellor Steve Garrison for taking this step!
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