Jay Fitzsimmons

I just subscribed thanks to your bad ass description of the pod. Thanks for all the great work you do Shireen!

Wildlife rehabbers operate by donation, so consider throwing them some $ if they take the bat.

Bats can live up to ~40 years, which is absurd for such a tiny animal. This makes their lives more precious. Especially after their populations have been rocked by white nose syndrome the past decade.

Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary - Helping Orphaned Animals Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary helps injured and orphaned wildlife get back home to the wild.

Hi Tom. Be aware that about 1% of bats in ON carry rabies, which is 100% fatal in humans. So be cautious.

Call a pro to catch the bat and assess where it came from. Bring it to a wildlife rehabber who hibernates bats. I think Rideau Valley might? www.rideauwildlife.org

Public transparency with an online dashboard wouldn't fix Metrolinx. Not on its own. But I like it as part of a solution. Transparency can allow accountability.

Ontario isn't getting the bang for our buck with public transit. We've spent so much to get so little.

On a train, 420% chance I'm stoned af just having the ultimate philosophy time while enjoying the view outside.
We need more trains.

Good on you for putting up boundaries like this. It's not just about you giving your time and expertise, it's the emotional labour you're putting into the discussion. I respect that.

I'm curious about public transit options for small cities (e.g., Peterborough). The default now is buses on streets, which can be fine. Under what conditions is it good to go with a tram or bus rapid transit or other options? And when should bus routes be grid vs hub-and-spoke?

Thanks!

I feel seen. 😂

Ok I'm in.

#ElectoralReform is critical to our democracy. So I've signed up with the federal NDP to support @avilewis.ca's leadership bid.

I'm pretty jaded, but he actually gives me hope. We need big changes in Canada, starting with how elections should reflect the will of the people.

I agree, this is a great format.

By the way, I saw your video asking for video from other cities. My son and I will take videos of Peterborough and send them to you. Our transportation infrastructure is nothing special at all, but it's good to have footage of mediocrity.

Peterborough is a small city (~80,000 people). But with the high-speed rail line proposed to stop here, I expect our city to grow FAST with GTA commuters.

I wonder if now is the time to start planning and building tram, to be ready for growth.

I want video as part of the reporting requirement. :)

Sometimes my work is boring.

And sometimes I get to issue an authorization to a researcher to use a vibrator to collect turtle semen. 🐢🍾

Thanks for this analysis Alex!

The suburbs built in Ontario's cities the 1960s - 80s are gonna hit us hard financially with their maintenance. Low-density housing brings revenue to the city short-term, but it loses big money long-term.

When his feet are the same size as yours, get him niiiice shoes. They'll be yours next year.

I'm still wearing the nice soccer cleats my son grew out of a couple years ago. Woulda never splurged like that for myself, this is a loophole.

Interesting idea.

"Look for the helpers," is what Fred (Mister) Rogers said. These times are rough, but there are so many people doing good here in #Ptbo and beyond. Thanks to the Mortons and all other generous helpers.

Evidence-based decision-making. Thank you!

I love Boardwalk Lounge. My favourite place in Peterborough! Dylan and Connor are wonderful, and the vibe is welcoming and fun. Plus one of the best local brew selections.

This is actually the type of legislative change they might pass. The government has already changed legislation to facilitate public transit growth, just in the past year. An email to the Minister of Transportation, cc'ing your MPP, could actually work.

I appreciate your going right to the sections of the Act. Thanks for your work and expertise.

When the revolution comes, you'll be the one blasting the tunes!

That's the best way to help the artists, and to actually own the songs. And that tactile feeling of vinyl adds to the experience.

Congrats on getting rid of spotify!
I went from spotify to Tidal a few years ago and it's been good. Similar price and song selection, but better audio quality and a higher rate of $ going to the artists. If you still want a streaming service I'd recommend it.

Screenshot of a graph and text showing how Ontario residents with rate protection will continue to pay little for hydro distribution, whereas those without such protection (i.e., urban residents) will pay lots more.

I just learned that Hydro One has a thing called "distribution rate protection". It caps rural residents' hydro distribution rates. So the huge increase in hydro distribution costs will be paid for, disproportionately, by urban Ontarians.

This is an example of cities subsidizing rural Ontario.

This is it exactly. When my kids were younger I wasn't worried about stranger-danger. I was worried about actual danger from the trucks zipping everywhere. It's natural for kids to run around unpredictably, and that can be deadly near roads (which are everywhere).

I wonder if refs and coaches rating each other could foster civility in games.

It's like how Facebook Marketplace allows buyers and sellers to rate each other. And this gives incentive to both parties to behave well.

Anyways, the episode made me think. Thanks @refsneedlovetoo.bsky.social!

5/5

Also interesting to hear that The Referee Advocates in Minnesota have experimented with not only providing coaches the opportunity to rate refs, but also refs rating coaches. And it's pretty funny that refs just didn't bother. It's hard to get refs to submit scores, never mind rate coaches. 😆

4/5