An Intriguing Tale Of Being An Owner

We just learned that there isn’t going to be any funds coming into town for the new RDA that the town wants to set up – headed and requested by our new MLA.   The Economic Development Minister was invited to town last month to chat about the progress and improvement to this town and he had said he will go back and consider the $100K that was requested – but the answer was no.  Another hit for this town that’s for sure but on the other hand – can you blame the government for not supporting an RDA – after what the last one did.  No ferry, no RDA – cut on the education funding – what else is next?   Is this town dying?  are we in deep trouble?

We are expecting rain in the next few days ! lets hope it doesn’t turn out to be what happened last year – lots of damages to this town and we really cannot afford it.

So the fire marshall had been in a few times now – and finally my el cheapo landlord – or rather his “zhao gow” got some people to come do some  much needed work – to have the safety inspection for the building come up to date.  After renting from the same landlord for more than 5 yrs – he won’t even give us a piece of cheap carpet – what makes the boss think he is going to get a new door that was not ordered by the fire marshall???

No I’m not happy with the “zhao gow” at all – if given a choice – we will move to another place – but because of the current economy – we refused to pay more rent – so we have no choice but to stay put.  But the Chinese have a saying that what you do to others – it will eventually come back to you.  If my landlord is being so el cheapo – with good business tenants like us – i bet – he will be losing some money or lots of it – when his home tenants don’t pay him rent – or wreck his places.  So I just wait and watch and see.  Any decent person would know how to treat a decent tenant well – his lost – if we find some other place to move to.

I find it truly amusing how people think that they can cheat us of our money and we won’t remember them?  we never forget a crook – especially if you cheated us or our family members.  One such crook came into our store and tried to sell us stuff today – and he must think we had forgotten that he cheated my in laws of $800 for selling them a stolen 4 wheeler and a laptop that never showed up.

As soon as he walked into our door – we knew who he was – but he adamantly told us he didn’t know what we were talking about.  I confirmed it was him with 2 people who were cheated by him – together with my in-laws and I told  his new g/f that I take it personally !  how could I not !! my in laws are farmers and they have to pick a lot of peas out in the hot sun and bad weather to make that kind of money.  This crook is in his early 20s when he cheated my in -laws and he and his crook g/f could have worked if they wanted money – cheating an old man of $800 !!!  i hope they rot in hell!   So if you cheated us – we will remember you!

The boss had been receiving some annoying calls in the evenings lately – isn’t it funny that I’m not getting it – but he is.  You see  – usually people hate the woman hahahha!!!  anyhow – it is so old school – if you asked me – that people would call and call him names – way too childish.  Just shows the mentality of the person.  Anyhow, we already traced the calls – and will be taking action if they continued.  So old school!

PS :  It was a blocked call – but they are so stupid to think that blocked calls cannot be traced!  of course they can – S.T.U.P.I.D !

So the people from Scotia Prince came and did their presentation – they are looking for a loan first of $15million from the Province and more money from different municipality of this area to fork up a start up investment for them of up to more than half a million – to bring the ferry here and Maine.

Yes – they promised work for the people here but the ship hands will be foreign and yes – they will bring the tourist in but it sure doesn’t make sense to me that they are asking so much money upfront.  It’s not good business plan as far as I can see  and yes  – some might say – we have to see the big picture.  But the big picture in my humble opinion is they are just here for our money – and they just make the money and not foot out a cent.  That’s not good business sense in any way  – to me it’s not a win-win suitable at all.  To me – it’s like the people from the Ferry are trying to rob us – while we are already down there.  This Province has a deficit of $222milliion in April 2010 – so now – we are going into another debt of $15 million?  that doesn’t make any sense – that the Province will help us.    $3 million as compared to $15 million and more from the municipality?  how can we justify this?

So the ferry looks really gloomy for next year – according to reliable sources that came into our store today.  With all the promises made by some people in this town – now I don’t hear a thing about the ferry at all coming for 2011.  So what does it mean for this town?  I still see the people in this town spending for Christmas like they usually do – I am guessing that those who are currently employed are not worried about losing their jobs since they can go on unemployment – but for how long?  a year?  then what?   And those that are not employed – well – it doesn’t really bother them does it?

But what about some business owners like us?  what about the gift stores?  the restaurants, the hotels?  I think the small business owners are the ones who are going to be hit hard first – and that includes the restaurants and the hotels – they just write it off – as a tax credit.  But eventually, the people will suffer and ultimately the tax payer? because the government gets their unemployment money from tax and they owe more money and no reserve?  well, well! JOY!

I just received a call from a customer and she told me that her son bought a N64 from us a month ago – but the next day it didn’t work anymore.  She also said she spoke to a “man” and he had told her she could come in an exchange it for another one.   So she asked if we had one – i replied that we do – in which she replied that she want us to make sure that it works and that she wants us to SHOW her it works – before she will bring it home.  I replied – “sure!”.

So she came in – about 30 mins later – brought her old one – that she brought a month ago – we had our new one set up and working ready for her to see.  We took hers – plugged it into our tv – and it booted right up – tested all her games which she said she brought from us – and it all worked – and tried her power cords and it still work.  *slap forehead*.  So what was wrong?  Hell if we knew – but all i can say is – before you get upset with a store – make sure you are sure it doesn’t work before sending it back to us.  We don’t know whether to laugh or to be irate ourselves.  Just because we sell used stuff doesn’t mean that we sold you something broken – I don’t understand why people don’t understand this.

Poor Zach Churchill – the new MLA for this town – after watching the video on Friday during the Question Period – where he tabled numerous facts how the leading party’s decision on not funding the boat from Maine to Yarmouth is affecting this province more than dear Mr Dexter is trying to tell everyone – may indeed need some  anti aging product for Christmas presents.  Why?  well dear Mr Dexter is not letting up on his story either – and kept saying that tourism is up – while we all know here – that tourism is not up – people are not out looking for jobs because they are hopeful nor are rooms occupied in the hotels here.

I certainly applaud Mr Churchill’s attempt to bring the truth in plain English and facts – and like i said – he is not having it easy either.  The NDP’s are bringing him and all of us on a merry-go-round – when will this end.  In fact, if we don’t see a boat coming in Yarmouth next summer – we all know that not only Mr Churchill will need anti-aging products – a lot of us here will be needing it as well.  Already lots of local business men are packing up and closing shop because of the lost of ferry/boat -  so how can the Premier said it isn’t affecting us?  We certainly didn’t elect the wrong MLA – Zach Churchill – keep up the good work!

The people back home said that there is no political freedom of speech at home – but let me tell you dear fellowmen from home – even though there is freedom of speech in Canada – the reports fall short here.  As I sit here after listening to 3 full days of question period in the House of Legislature for our town – I’ve yet to see a lot of report on it.  Back home – this would be covered – even though – the leading party would be getting all the excitement.  So if you think that the grass is greener at the other side – think again.   The big news on the local papers here is how a hockey team won – a hairdresser won big and about the local food economy.  What about  the serious business?  what about the livelihood of the Nova Scotians?  what would next year bring?  where is the media on that?  I’m disappointed – that is an understatement!

I’m currently watching LIVE!  the Nova Scotia Legislature for almost an hour thus far – and am almost falling asleep – for all the notices of motion – except for 2 – seems to be something that requires immediate attention.  Besides welcoming friends – and introduction of family/girlfriend  plus recognizing someone dead or paralyzed  – I’ve yet to see something that will impact our situation here in Y-Town.   *roll eyes*

Alright !  at 3.30pm – we are finally seeing – some action – Question period! our MLA just came up in the house – and Percy Paris claimed that tourism is up in Nova Scotia – 2010!  BULLL SHITTTT!!!  maybe everyone else in Nova Scotia – but not on this end!

I went out to get a coffee like I usually do – and the minute I walked out – I could see dogs’ poop every where and I had to be careful – else i would walk straight into one.  With all the hype about revitalizing downtown – I seriously think – the councils – or someone should do something about the doggie poop on Main Street.  Owners of these dogs have to be fined heavily – to stop all these from happening.  It is because all talk and no action from the town – therefore – people are being so ignorant and letting their dogs poop just anywhere and everywhere.  So sickening!

So I’ve just heard that our new MLA  met up with the Economic Development Minister and some out Director from Team Southwest and Team West.  And the only project that they are pushing is cranberry production.  Someone on Facebook had said that if we wanted cranberries – we could get them at our local grocery stores and with the $200K that was allocated for them to promote economic growth in West Nova – then I think they are failing big time.

I certainly agree with what some people are saying that Team SouthWest and Team West are a big joke and what great planning Mr Paris has for us after terminating the ferry – which is a very important source of income for the people here in Nova Scotia.  So what was his “BIG PLAN” after all?  Cranberries?  oh come on!!!

So I heard they are bringing in another air service to this small town.  At about $400 from here to the city round trip isn’t that expensive if one person was going – but if then entire family was heading up to the city – that would be way to much to pay.   First we lost the only air service we had – with government subsidy – then they brought in one and now they want another – but we still don’t have the Ferry.  So is it really feasible?  I really don’t know – for such a small town – why would one need another plane now especially when the cold weather is hitting us.  I can understand bringing something in for the summer season for the tourists but now?  Wow!  how much did the town spend to negotiate the air service to come?  More tax payer’s money spent? unnecessarily.

But after you go dig for the wires or the parts that they need it so bad – and you tell them it’s $10 – they tell you – they need to come back for it – after they get some money!  *roll eyes*  Or another time – this guy came in to repair his game – the boss tells him it’s $5  – he said great!  he asked when he can get it back?  the boss said – come back in 30 mins.  He came back – the repair is done – he tells the boss – he needs to go home to get the money.  The boss said ok – he came back – told the boss – he only got $2 – can he trade in 2 games – old ones and pay $2 for them *slap forehead*.  And these are big man not kids we are talking about!  holy moly!!!  you don’t even have $5??????  yes  they need it so bad!  *roll eyes*

Photo credit : Tina Comeau from Yamouth Vanguard

So they say !   but a few tourists in town claimed that they couldn’t  get a signal at all.  So we stood out  in  front door and tried  to prove that our town was indeed spending the $16K derservingly and that we can all benefit from it – not just a few  but sadly  to be proven wrong.  No!  – we didn’t get any signal either.  *hang my head low* – quite embarrassing actually for us.   We are not going to grieve about it – coz’ we’ve got our own wireless – but once again -  I’m at a lost of words – don’t know what to think.

Yes, we buy, trade and sell – but that doesn’t mean that if you buy a game from us and beat it in 2 days – we have to trade another game for you – at the same value?  How are we ripping you off if we say  – yes we will trade but not at the same value – that is how we do business right? how else do you expect us to eat and pay rent?  if we did that for you – you are trying to rip us off!

Some people can get on your nerve by saying that we are not losing out on anything – if we trade with them at the same value and insist on getting another game for the same value?  either he is being a moron or just crazy!  call us anything you want – but we ain’t doing it buddy! plus if the game only cost you $8 – and you are fighting over $8 – I feel bad for you!

I’m sure by now – you all know we have a wonderful town.  The other day – I received a call from this guy who asked if I knew anything about the xbox 360 that he just bought not too long ago.  He said he doesn’t have the 3 lights blinking on his console – but only one – so is there anything that can be done for it?  or do I know what is wrong with it?  The boss wasn’t around – so I wasn’t able to pass the phone.  But you see I’ve smarten up too – and asked me – where did he purchase the console – in which he replied – oh – at Zellers!   So I replied – well – give Zellers a call – maybe they can help – haha!  Once again – why do people feel that we need to help them – when they never bought the console from us?

Yes! small town but lots of young crooks – and this youth we know because many years ago – he came into our store and stole from us.   We caught him on camera and guess what – his mother called to say she wasn’t happy we put his picture up on our wall for stealing from us.  Now he is charged with robbery – i wonder how pleased his mother is of him now.  I wished i had her number to call her and asked her that.

You see – I knew this was going to happen – with a mom like that – the kid is definitely going that way – the mom was just digging his grave for him.  Charges is currently laid now – because he is no longer a minor – now had his mother – not been so darn ignorant when he was caught stealing from us – this might not have happened.  Well, they say the apple don’t fall far from the tree eh.

We have a digital photo frame that is out where the movies are – playing screeners – and I can understand that some people are so curious that they need to hold the frame and turn it all around to see how the digital photo frame works – in order to play movies – even though there is a “do not touch” sign on it.  But to have someone lift up a three-legged frog – that we have inside our counter – WITHOUT asking for permission – plus this is an adult !! NOT A KID!!  *slap forehead* – mannn!!  doesn’t that make you mad?   Surely people have a little bit more manners – you would think?  but nope this customer – didn’t even blink his eyes – when he was taking it out of the counter – and not even feeling bad that he was being rude.