The votes have been counted and the people have had their say

I hope that the majority of you were able to participate on election day

You didn’t even have to run to the voting sites if you didn’t want to roam

You could mark your X for your favourite candidate from the luxury of home

So “Peter Chirico” is our new Mayor and is poised to take the helm

We also have six new councilors to assist him in his realm

Only four of the  former members were able to retain their chair

So we now have seven new additions if you include the Mayor

Women took the top three spots in this election race

The highest of the incumbents finished in fourth place

This is a major change for our city as a whole

“Chirico” says the new arena and council transparency are two of his goals

Another interesting part when you look at the top ten

They were equally divided with five women and five men

So representation is equal in everything they propose to do

They definitely have the advantage of getting both points of view

“Mr. Chirico” has been wanting for this job so long

It’s time for him to finally prove his critics wrong

These ten members of his council are a perfect mix

The city that we live in requires a major fix

They need to get their goals together and come up with a plan

Then they will have to show the proof that they really can

We can’t just continue to sit back and watch “North Bay” slide

It’s time to get together and restore our sense of pride

There are so many things that have to be done

I am truly excited for these new members to start their four year run

They all agree that this city has to advance

Unlike their predecessors, they might not get a second chance

We have so much needed new blood who have also had enough

They all seem confident to get the chance to finally show their stuff

I am here to say that I am wishing you all the best

The city is hoping you are successful in this arduous quest

This used to be a place where you could walk anywhere carefree

We all just want to get back to the way it used to be

Get this accomplished with “no increase” in our taxes please!!!

I feel like I should be living in a penthouse because I am paying “condo fees”

The weather the last few days has been great

It was looking like this entry was going to be a tad late

I couldn’t seem to find the time to finally put a verse to pen

This as you all well know occurs every now and then

Saturday was beautiful and I figured it was time to get some work done

Decided to rake all the leaves and thought it would be fun

My daughter was here to help me and we gathered them all

Unfortunately this won’t be the last of them before end of fall

The maple out in front still has half its leaves waiting to be shed

I haven’t even touched the backyard so there is more gathering ahead

There’s an oak and three birch growing back there

The ground is coated with leaves everywhere

I can’t even see the grass, that’s tells you how much I got

The leaves aren’t going anywhere because I have a fenced in lot

I will rake them in the surrounding gardens so they can decompose

They will remain in my yard no matter which way the wind blows

The front yard I was more concerned because it can be seen by everyone

This was my top priority and it needed to be done

I took full advantage of this warm day and filled bags that totaled eight

They were filled to the max and fortunately didn’t pack much weight

My wife and I went to the organic drop off station which was just a few blocks away

That’s when we found out that we weren’t the only ones doing yard work this day

Things were going smooth and everything was going right

Until we turned on to the road that led to this site

The cars were bumper to bumper for the entire length of the street

Each of us waiting patiently while sitting in our front seats

Seems like everyone was taking advantage of this day to clean their outdoor space

That’s why there was an abundance of  people gathered at this place

It didn’t really seem all that long until we finally got to dispose of our load

Tossed them in the allotted bin and proceeded up to Station road

Now I have the luxury of just doing a little bit at a time instead

Here’s hoping there will be a few more days like these ahead

I was forced to do something I truly hate today

I decided to  pack all the patio furniture away

We are now only just one week from the start of fall

A step in the preparation for the long haul

The rug I rolled up after giving it a good shake

Stashed it in our shed and then grabbed the garden rake

The coloured leaves from our maple are blanketing the lawn

The reality is slowly setting in that summer is now gone

We are now just one season away from winter with it’s cold and ice

Hoping that most of the  coming days will turn out nice

You know the chill will creep in before December twenty first

The sad thing is that we are now going from bad to worse

So we will all become shut-ins and hibernate from the cold

A lot of our beloved outdoor activities will be put on hold

The baseball season is winding down and the “World Series” is coming up

The NHL has just begun it’s road to the “Stanley Cup”

The CFL with their “Grey Cup” is also coming to an end

I think the “Blue Bombers” will successfully defend

In the NFL, I’m hoping my “Buffalo Bills” will achieve their goal

By representing their division in the “Superbowl”

Will this be the year that the “Maple Leafs” championship will finally be fulfilled?

I have no aspirations for my “Blackhawks” as they are now in a total rebuild

How you choose to bide your time is totally up to you

Bulking up on sports and television series is some of the things I’ll do

That will be between the dog walks and the keeping the driveway clear

No wonder people head south at this time of year!

I’m sure some of our snowbirds will be forced to endure the cold

With all the damage from the hurricanes, their plans may be on hold

Depending on their location, they may not have a place to go

Instead of basking in the sun, they can go out to shovel snow

I like every other “Canadian” will do our annual thing

Endure the hardships of our winters while looking forward to the coming spring

I know Canada and the United States observe Thanksgiving in a similar way

If that is the case, why aren’t they recognized on the same day?

I decided to do a little research to find out why this is so

There are probably other people who would like to know

It might surprise you that Canada’s origin was before the States

“Martin Frobisher” hosted it in Newfoundland and 1578 was the date

Forty three years later the “Pilgrims” at “Plymouth Rock” would have their celebration

Many years before either one of our countries was a nation

What “Frobisher” started would evolve into a harvest festival over many years

It was at the time of the “American Revolution” before a turkey dinner would appear

Neither country over the years would have a fixed date

It became official in 1941 for the “United States”

It is on the last Thursday in November and is a four day long weekend down there

This is their busiest weekend as people are traveling everywhere

In 1957 “Canada” would choose the second Monday in October as the holiday

It’s a three day stretch up here, we didn’t get that extra day

All fifty states celebrate this holiday throughout the land

In “Canada” it is optional in “Prince Edward Island”, “New Brunswick”, “Nova Scotia”, “Labrador” and “Newfoundland”

The meals are very similar on each side of the border

There might be a little variance in the spices of your order

“Black Friday” is the date when the most money is being spent

These four days in America are filled with so many events

Remember this is just a month before “Christmas” and everything’s on sale

You have the option of standing in long lines or get your items in the mail

It is so robust that “Canada” follows their lead

They really haven’t a choice if they are hoping to succeed

Up here we may have a couple of “CFL” football games on our day

The “Americans” don’t hold back and just go all the way

More sports than you can possibly watch and even a parade

There is no way you will be able to catch every game that’s played

This year we have the “Blue Jays” on a playoff drive

Hoping after this weekend that they are still alive

“NHL” doesn’t start until Wednesday so there are no games to view

Hope you enjoy the holiday no matter what you decide to do

Nowadays “Thanksgiving” garnishes so much more appeal

We are more concerned about “sales” and “sports” than we are about the meal

The municipal elections are now just weeks away

It’s time for us to pay attention to what the candidates have to say

There was already a debate that was held last Thursday night

This only involved the campaigners in the Mayoral fight

The former occupant isn’t running, so the position is free

The ones vying for his job only number three

Now let’s factor in the ones that are battling for a council seat

Just getting them all to attend one event will be a major feat

We have officially set a record for candidates this fall

The number of people seeking these positions totals twenty nine in all

With what little time is left before the upcoming election

How are we going to know each of their platforms for us to make a selection?

Three of the incumbents have decided not to run at all

One of them resigned last year late into the fall

Another one has decided to take a shot for “Mayor”

Seven of the others are hoping they retain their chair

With so many running are we going to know who said what and where?

How can you give equal time to each and make it all look fair?

The cream will have to come to the top before we make our choice

The ones who want it bad enough will certainly have to sound their voice

I’m not sure if it hurts or helps the present council in this case

You have twenty two eager campaigners hoping to take their place

Most of our citizens aren’t happy with our present members on the board

These are the ones who won the prestigious “Code Of Silence” award

Not to mention that some of them that hold this position

Think they don’t need any pointers from an “Integrity Commission”

Do we need a new recreational centre is another issued that needs to be resolved

This probably won’t be settled before our current council is dissolved

This is a city but it has a small town feel

I think it would be nice to see some new recruits take the wheel

Some that may steer us on a steady course

From what we have experienced, could it get any worse?

You know the people in “North Bay” that have contributed to this city

The ones who have taken a stake in it and served on some committees

People you just know who deserve this chance to stake their claim

That’s the hopeful you want to help and mention them by name

That’s the only way we will be able to find that “diamond in the rough”

From what I am hearing, people have certainly had enough

If your wish list is maybe just three or four

Then just make them your selection, there’s no need to vote for more

“Up to ten” is an option, but how many is up to you

Choosing  just the ones you actually like is the best thing you can do

I know who I am voting for in this election run

I may just help them the best I can and choose to vote for one

I am trying not to get optimistic, but I am loving the latest news

The one that “Donald Trump” will finally have to pay his dues

Hats off to the New York Attorney General “Letitia James”

She may be the one who initiates the end to his illegal games

Her announcement interrupted every American television station

The news she had was more important than the speeches from the “United Nations”

She basically said that the “Trump” Foundation has been corrupt for years

Turns out “Donald” isn’t as well off as he likes to appear

He thinks his property is much more valuable than it actually is

That’s the way the “Trumps” have always ran their biz

The apple didn’t fall far from the tree

He learned from his father who was as crooked as can be

“Don Jr”, “Ivanka” and Eric carry on the ruthlessness in this place

All three of them have also been implicated in this case

Fraud and misrepresentation was coupled up with years of financial wrongdoing

Just add this to the cases of them “unlawfully” screwing

Over valuing his properties by hundreds of millions was his favourite scam

Then lowering their worth at tax time to cheat “Uncle Sam”

He also exaggerated about his suite in his high rise

It turns out that it was only about the third of that size

They have over two hundred examples of this family’s treachery

The business will have to come up with two hundred and fifty million from their treasury

“Forbes” estimates that “Donny” has three hundred and seventy five million on hand

Seems like filling a tax return is something he can’t understand

His arrogance precedes him and his older children fit this mold

“Letitia” is also recommending putting their business on hold

She wants Trump Corporation’s property buying put on a five year wait

Have him and his company banned permanently from the “Empire” state

He  won’t be serving any jail time because it’s just a civil suit

But it could prove disastrous if he is unable to borrow any more loot

Nobody will loan him money if he is convicted of this crime

He will eventually go bankrupt, just a matter of time

Now like everything else, he isn’t convicted and is still running free

This is just another example of having to wait and see

The evidence gathered has been forwarded to the U.S. Justice to peruse

It still remains to be seen if he will finally pay his dues

In case you haven’t heard, “Queen Elizabeth” passed away

The coverage of her funeral started at five am today

She was all of ninety six years old when she left our earth

Five hundred million dollars is said to be her net worth

Over seventy years as Queen would be the length of her reign

This is a record that seems impossible to attain

She was just twenty five years old when she ascended to the throne

To most of her loyal subjects she is the only monarch they have known

The British national anthem now won’t have that familiar ring

It’s going to be hard to get used to singing “God save the King”

She was a ruler that was loved by most countries that she served

Her entire nation has been displaying it since the state of mourning was observed

She died at “Balmoral Castle” in Scotland and the procession would start there

The final service for her should be quite an affair

Some mourners stayed in line for sixteen hours in order to pay their respects

They went on for miles at “Westminster Hall” where her body was being kept

This flow of grievers hasn’t ceased since she was laid in state

To all of these people she was truly great

Now her children have to carry on this role that she has vacated

The popularity of this Royal Family has been openly debated

Charles, now being King will be the leader of the clan

In a lot of the circles, he is not a popular man

He had more notoriety when he and “Lady Diana” shared the same space

Even then he would come in a distant second place

“Elizabeth” was the glue that kept her family in tow

Now that she is gone, who knows which way they’ll go?

Families can rebound and decide to reunite

Or just to choose to crumble, bicker and fight

The new King will always be remembered for the death of his first wife

He will be forced to carry that scar for the rest of his life

Everyone remembers that tragic day when “Lady Diana” died

Knowing that the lady he cheated with is now there by his side

Then you have his brother “Andrew” who was involved in the “Jeffrey Epstein” case

If “Epstein” had not committed suicide, would there be charges he would have to face?

The reporters interviewed him, which only made him look worse

Now he chooses to remain hidden and unwilling to converse

“Harry and Meghan” left the country and choose to continue on their own

There’s a rift between them and the family and off to “America” they have flown

“William and Kate” seem to be alright but they have had issues too

Will the two brothers resolve their differences? I certainly haven’t a clue

So now “King Charles” is left with all of this to manage

Seems the new job he inherited comes with a lot of baggage

“Elizabeth” ruled the roost and was very clever

Charles will hopefully continue to endeavor

These are situations that this family has dealt with all their life

It all started when “Edward VIII” married “Wallis Simpson” as his wife

Because she was previously divorced he abdicated his position as King of the land

His brother “George VI” was the second in command

A scandal for the ages is what got “Elizabeth’s” father in the chair

So the legacy of this family will continue on from there

Look at what they have been through and yet they continue to strive

They may have to do some major retooling if they want their popularity to survive

We were all longing for summer to arrive, do you remember?

Look at your calendar, it’s now the fifth of September!

It doesn’t seem so long ago when we were waiting for the first crocuses to appear

Tomorrow the children embark on another school year!

Time seems to pass so fast in the blink of an eye

The older I get, the more time appears to fly

There never seems  to be enough hours in the day

Is there any way of slowing things down or causing some delay?

Labour day already! It just doesn’t seem right

Hell, the NFL season home opener is this Thursday night

The pennant races are on because baseball is winding down

The “Battalion” will soon be playing in our local town

The leaves are still green on the majority of the trees

Soon to be changing colours and getting detached in the breeze

Just weeks from now, the NHL will get into gear

Then how much longer will it be when the first snowflakes appear?

Sorry to ramble on, I guess I was starting to get frantic

There is no reason whatsoever to get myself into a panic

I need to enjoy what is left of our warm summer and take the rest in

Welcome the coming autumn when it begins

I’m sure there are many more nice days left for us to partake

Go for some nice walks and even swim  in our lakes

I am planning to get out every day and enjoy it all

Hoping we will have a really nice fall

I’ll adjust to the changing climate like all us Canadians have to do

No matter how things progress we will all make it through

The drop in temperature at this time of year is something I like

It’s ideal weather for me to go for a ride on the bike

It’s also much better for the dog when we walk on our beat

He doesn’t have to pant so much to beat the heat

The pavement isn’t so hot on his paws as he walks about

He looks so much more handsome without his tongue hanging out

Thanks for taking the time for reading everything I said

Remember it was early spring when the clocks went  ahead

There is no way we can make up for time that we sorely lack

So find something exciting to do when we soon get our lost hour back

Being that I’m an early bird, I seldom watch any late night news

I search sites on the internet to get all the points of view

I try to make the effort of watching the six pm edition

Watching the eleven o’clock news to some, was a tradition

Once again I am going back to when there was just CBC or CTV

“Lloyd Robertson” or “Harvey Kirck” were the anchors for you to see

When you only had two national broadcasters, it was down to either or

Now with all the stations available there are so many more

This seemed to be a job for a seasoned veteran to hold

Every station anchor in Canada and America seemed to fit this mold

We all remember “Walter Cronkite” who did the news for CBS

His departing catchphrase “and that’s the way it is”

When they got this post, to all of them, it would appear

They were allowed to retain it until they called it a career

“Cronkite” was there for nineteen years before he said goodbye

“Harvey Kirck” spent twenty one years as CTV’s news guy

“Lloyd Robertson” holds the North American record and still is employed with CTV

Forty one consecutive years counting the ones at CBC

He was seventy seven when he did his final show

Still he reports on “W5”, how much longer can he go?

It finally did come time to find someone to fill his vacant space

“Lisa LafLamme was the chosen one selected to take his place

She got the word last week that her days doing the news was done

This would mean she would have an eleven year run

When matched against the men before her, it doesn’t even compare

The reason for her dismissal, the colour of her hair?

Since the beginning of the “Covid 19” crisis, she decided to let her hair go grey

Her contract hasn’t been renewed and she has been sent on her way

So “Lisa” has been ousted from “Bell Media’s network newscast

This has never happened to any of the other employees in the past

These men were given the luxury of calling their own shots

They were allowed to maintain their position now matter how old they got

Open letters accusing this company of “ageism” and “sexism” are starting to stack

“Lloyd Robertson” is defending her and says he has her back

The head of CTV news has gone on leave since issuing his decree

What will become of this? I guess it’s all wait and see

“Lisa” is not ready to call it quits and wants to continue through

As far as the network goes, I have no clue what they’ll do?

This is certainly looking like a solid case of abuse

“Lisa Laflamme” is now the major story in the news

I noticed there has been a lot of talk lately about the homeless in our city

Maybe we should get a group together or at least form some kind of committee

Something that everyone could adhere to or at least be on the same page

Group all these factions together and get them to engage

I can’t understand what the attraction is here in North Bay?

Of all the cities in Ontario, why is it here that they choose to stay?

Is it always the same people that we run into every day?

Or is it just a steady flow of them passing through this way?

Being right on the Trans-Canada highway, we have a lot of traffic coming through

Some may just find this as a stopover before they decide what they want to do

No matter what direction, you can get to anywhere from here

Maybe that is why there are so many that appear

I think more of them go as far as Sudbury when they are heading west

As for the other three directions we seem to get the rest

We are just big enough to handle this particular crowd

If we were a tiny town, they wouldn’t even stick around

Area wise, North Bay has plenty of open space

Because it is so vast you can go from  place to place

Take all your belongings with you and be able to stay out of sight

Lots of locations for you to camp out overnight

We also have facilities in our vicinity to cater to all their needs

A lot of people think our city is suffering in trying to help them succeed

Methadone clinics all along Main Street to help these addicts in their plight

Most people’s choice is to help them but keep them out of sight

Storekeepers are complaining, foot traffic is at an all time low

As far as shopping in our area, it’s the last place people want to go

Perhaps with all these conveniences, these users choose to remain

There isn’t even enough railway traffic for them to catch a freight train

If everyone is avoiding them, they can simply roam free

Maybe that is why Main Street is the place they choose to be?

So there are groups in our city doing everything they can

I know they are committed and I can understand

I am not saying they are wrong, I really think they should

But what about the gangs that case the neighborhoods?

They steal anything they can to continue with their addiction

These vandals far outweigh the ones they cure of this affliction

Despite all their best efforts, this city’s reputation is going downhill

The residents are getting frustrated and most have had their fill

I am also trying to stay optimistic amidst all this aggravation

I think the main cause of most of this is our location, location, location