Announcer Marty Adler has never been one to shy away from doing things slightly unconventionally. Over the past few months, Adler has targeted his unconventional attitude at the Ontario government and, more specifically, Finance Minister Dwight Duncan.
In June at the Leamington Fair for its annual night of harness racing, Adler used his platform - and microphone - to discuss the plight of racing. Adler's methods landed him in hot water with the Ontario Racing Commission.
"About 700 people with their families attended for a night at the races. I assumed that most fair goers, like many in the province know very little about the sport," Adler remarked to Trot Insider. "OHHA's Brian Tropea was there handing out brochures, and activities for kids were featured. I felt that most would walk away, with the memory of a nice night out; but, I was thinking outside the box, and decided to tell the plight of racing in the province in between races.
"To make it so people would remember, I started telling Dwight Duncan jokes. In particular, Dwight Duncan doesn't get any respect jokes. Like 'Dwight Duncan gets no respect! When he used to play in the sandbox......the cat would cover HIM up!' After the 7th race, I even apologised if anyone was offended."
Adler's lines were nothing worse than what commentary goes on in TV shows such as CBC's Royal Canadian Air Farce, This Hour Has 22 Minutes or the Rick Mercer Report. Nevertheless, one email complaint to the ORC forced an investigation into the longtime announcer's conduct. The investigation continues, as does Adler's fight.
On Friday, Finance Minister Dwight Duncan was at the grand opening of a park in his Windsor-Tecumseh riding. Adler used the opportunity to meet up with the Finance Minister and discuss the horse racing industry.
When Adler asked if Duncan had time for a question after the ceremonies, Duncan replied "not about horse racing." Adler kept pressing, even going so far as to say "I can get you 60,000 votes" to which Duncan came back with "there's not 60,000 in the industry." Duncan even asked Adler to turn off his camera.
Adler is not content to rest here.
"I am not done yet, and when the opportunity presents itself, I will continue to fight for this sport, for the jobs and the horsepeople in Ontario."
Adler's is one of several independent videos that have been posted on You Tube in an effort to bring racing's plight to the public. Everyone in the Ontario horse racing industry is urged to use their video cameras and social media accounts to get the message out to the public. You can tag your messages with "Ontario horse racing" to increase visibility.
Mr Gibson, It is difficult in
Mr Gibson, It is difficult in mere words to explain to you how wrong you are here, but I will try. This is not looney making a snide comment. This is not a " personal tirade" , although one may be warranted:this is a matter of life and death. It is not just the racing business that is in jeopardy here: your provincial government is in the hands of theives at worst , or incompetents at best. God bless Mr Adler.He was exceedingly polite and correct. Mr Duncan is lucky I didn't try to interview him. Jim Feeley
In reply to Mr Gibson, It is difficult in by salt hill
Mike Wassylin says it all.
Mike Wassylin says it all. Its very hard to feel bad about what is happening as all the standardbred society has done since March is blame everyone but them selves. There should be a new leadership group headed by Mr Adler.
i am not surpised at all of
i am not surpised at all of the demise of horse racing.sensor that.look in the mirror and see who is accountable.
It's hard to believe that the
It's hard to believe that the ORC launched an investigation because of one e-mail. Marty is probably in big trouble, the ORC is on a roll. About a month ago, it was reported on this website that 2 year old Moe Rocks pulled up lame just past the wire after winning his qualifier. Doug McNair stood with the horse until the track vet looked at him, sent him to Guelph, where he was euthanized because of a shattered pastern. Many comments were made sending their condolenses to everyone involved. A few days ago, the ORC fined trainer Ron Adams $500 for "failing to inform the director of the death of a horse". After 40 years of watching harness racing, without a doubt, the lowest thing that I have ever seen.
The next time Dwight Duncan
The next time Dwight Duncan reiterates that there are not 60,000 employed, directly or indirectly, in the horse racing industry, the follow-up question should be, "Then how many are employed and what are you basing your numbers on?" Duncan once commented that he only believed the OLG employment numbers. My question...what OLG employment numbers regarding the horse racing industry? Did the OLG do some kind of study while preparing their modernization plan? If they did, where could we get a copy of that study?
Marty, I am very proud of
Marty,
I am very proud of your willingness to put yourself out there for the racing community.
As they say: "No guts - No glory!"
Dan Fraleigh
A member of a harness racing family (Paul and Mary Jo Fraleigh - Arvaleigh Acres) that has put hundreds of thousands of dollars into the harness racing business spanning over five decades!
Just recieved a response from
Just recieved a response from the auditor general's office, which says it cannot repond to INDIVIDUAL "experiences", but they keep all complaints on file for future reference. I would like to suggest that everyone write to the auditor general and make a complaint about the cancellation of the SAR program and the sweet deal Tannenbaum & Godfrey cooked up at our expense. If enough people write in, they may have to at least look at the situation.
If everyone puts "Cancellation of SAR & OLG" in the subject matter, it will eventually connect for someone in the office.
Going to a town hall meeting with Monte McNaughton tonight in Strathroy. Should be able to get the SAR situation in front of the few in the area who don't know what is going on.
The 55,000 horseracing
The 55,000 horseracing industry jobs that Dwight Duncan quoted as recently as 2010 have gone where in 2012 as the industry itself has grown over two years? The 60,000 votes that he says "are not in the industry" are very likely doubled. I can assure Mr. Duncan that in my area of rural Ontario alone, the few stalwart Liberal votes have diminished considerably due to this fiasco and damage done. Millions of dollars that were to renovate and rebuild our two local hospitals was clawed back after two Liberal MPPs lost their seats to the Conservatives. Does he really think that alone won't change how people will vote in the next election? There are a lot of rural and agricultural businesses that our industry supports. Are they and their employees going to be voting Liberal again? Doubt it. I've spoken to so many people in our area that are completely fed up and disgusted with what the Liberals have done and are doing to our province and to our industry in particular. I don't think McGuinty will get their votes either.
As for Marty Adler---way to go Marty! To hell with the ORC. I'm pretty sure the majority of the folks at Leamington were in full agreement with you. Duncan has been lying to and stealing from the taxpayers of Ontario from the get go. Respect and dignity are something you earn from the people. He hasn't earned either. Carry on, Marty!
Marty, you should tell Dwight
Marty, you should tell Dwight that one of the 60,000 jobs lost will be yours and that you will need something to do with your spare time, like making more of these clips. You and Dwight can hang out every second of every day. Ask him, see what he says.
This would be a great tape to
This would be a great tape to get on the air somewhere. Include The Burgess report and also try to incorporate how much money the government would actually be losing (unemployment, welfare, increased taxes etc.). Not really the government but education, healthcare the municipality's that support the slots, etc will all be losing money and the tax payer will get it up the >>> again.
Try W5,Goldhawk, the bigger Picture for example.
Great job Mr. Adler, wish the horse associations were this in your face on this life and death issue.
Greg Parke
Ms. Rae Mr Adler is not being
Ms. Rae
Mr Adler is not being investigated by the government for asking Mr Duncan a question while at a public function. The ORC is looking into the comments he made about Mr Duncan while in the capacity of race announcer at the Leamington fair. Mr Adler even admitted to apologizing to the people in attendance for his comments later in the evening. Obviously even he felt it in appropriate as he made the apology.
Well, once again Dwight
Well, once again Dwight Duncan has shown himself to be smug, and unwilling to hear the concerns of people representing not only the horse racing industry, but the agriculture industry as well. It seems strange that the Ontario "liberal government" is so closed minded. This whole situation wreaks of dishonesty, disregard for a large portion on Ontario residents, and frankly, the arrogance and refusal to discuss the matter is a failure on the politicians part to do his job and serve the people of Ontario. Let's not forget that it is the tax dollars of horsemen and women, just the same as doctors and lawyers, that pay this man's salary. How about a little respect for the people who pay your salary through their tax dollars Mr. Duncan ! (And good for you Marty Adler)
Marty Adier You've raised the
Marty Adier You've raised the bar. Getting up and close to finance minister Dwight Duncan. It took a lot of guts to do what you did. This is the sort of thing that all horse people need or should be attaining to because our future is so bleak. Although, you had not received any response from the finance minister, you did get an ultimatum. That response being the door is closed to any future discussions. It seems to me that if your attempt at getting any response with respect to the SAR (slots at racetracks) issue, is already closed. So any further attempt from any organization, be it OHRIA, OHHA, etc. is irrelevant. So what is the next plan? Could you leave an email address or phone number so we can contact you. ?
Len Campbell jr.
You can contact me at 519 636 4481 or [email protected]
In reply to Marty Adier You've raised the by Len campbell jr.
Marty: we remember you and
Marty: we remember you and Brian Tropea back in the days we raced at Orangeville .We had lots of laughs until the mayor of the town sold us out to wall mart ,and we were given to the end of the month to get out? Many of us still follow the horses and admire your push on one of the three stooges..More action needs to be done We need to print more signs like MARV CHANTLER DID and when we go from the silence to the protest publicly will follow! Could you please come to ELORA on industry day? Bring your camera and we will ask the press a few Questions like is there going be fair racing after march 31 2013? Lots of Laughs MARTY. We need someone like Tim HUDAK to be there with the candidate from KITCHENER - WATERLOO ...MAYBE YOU COULD STOP AND pick him up on your way here? P.s. YOU MIGHT TELL HIM IT'S A FUND RAISER..lol Tom kelly Orangeville....MEET US IN THE LIGHTHOUSE RESTURANT 9 am MONDAY AUG 6 INDUSTRY DAY. I THINK WE FOUND OUR SPOKESMAN!!!!!!
I believe the comment made
I believe the comment made referring to WHO would contact the ORC and lodge a complaint is probably accurate, Dwight Duncan. When confronted by Marty and asked very respectfully "could he ask the Minister a question?" the Minister's very quick response "Not about Horse Racing" was accompanied by "the deer in the headlights stare". It was very interesting that when he first met Marty, he acknowledged by out-reached hand and comment "Good to see you Marty" knowing full well he was on camera. He sure changed his tune in a hurry, when he thought he was going to have to deal with a very unpopular topic, especially in his own back-yard.
And on top of all the lies and arrogance, this Government now has the audacity to think they can infringe on an individual's rights and freedoms, ie Freedom of Speech, by "investigating a person who very politely and respectfully asks a question of a Public Figure and his own Member of Parliament, on public property. I guess I foolishly held true to the belief that Ontario was still part of a DEMOCRACY, NOT A DICTATORSHIP WHETHER OR NOT THIS LIBERAL GOVERNMENT BELIEVES THE SAME IS NOW EVEN MORE, SOMEWHAT DOUBTFUL!
Marty, great job. If 700
Marty, great job. If 700 people attended the Leamington fair and there was only one nrgative email sent to the ORC... that must mean thaat 699 must have agreed with you. Perhaps Mr. Duncan should take note of that.
Regarding a recent posting on standardbred canada it was my understanding that our ombudsman was going to review the current OLG Slots at Racetrack program. Still no word from him or his office? It was also stated the minister did not have to take the reccomendations of the ombudsman or the ombudsman's staff. I polled everybody at the farm that Iam stabled at and nobody ever remembers voting for an ombudsman. So, lets get this straight, an appointed official who apparently has assistants can make a reccomendation that apparently falls on deaf ears. Great system. If the Liberals are so set on saving money, maybe they should look at this redundant office of 50 or so people with a budget of 10.5 million.
Its a shame so many condone
Its a shame so many condone Mr Adlers behaviour,especially making comments while conducting his duties as a licenced race announcer. Everyone has the right to their opinion but to impose his on the people in attendance at the Leamington fair was not the proper approach. For his comments to be compared to TV shows is not fair as the station can be turned off if those watching are offended. Mr Adlers comments could not.Good for the ORC to investigate. If Adler is the ambassador for this sport he had better learn some proper etiquette.
In reply to Its a shame so many condone by Josh
My reply is for Tom
My reply is for Tom Gibson
Mr. Adler didnt even need to apologize.
In this particular case, the ORC should remove themselves from any investigations or rulings against Mr. Adler. Afterall, the ORC reports to the Liberal government. Can you imagine the uproar of the horse racing community if the ORC fines Mr. Adler? Let's face it, Dwight Duncan should be investigated for crimes against the people of Ontario but that won't happen. Politicians have a bullseye on them for good reason. They make a lot of money, get a ridiculous pension and do less work than all of us. In fact they only work at getting re-elected. We count on them to represent us, not defraud us. In my opinion, Mr. Duncan and the Liberals should be insulted every time they make a public appearance. Look at the jokes George Bush had to endure. If there is an investigation by the ORC I will be amongst the first to call foul and stand behind Mr. Adler.
Georg Leber-ICR Racing
In reply to My reply is for Tom by Gleber
Perhaps all of the fines for
Perhaps all of the fines for misconduct and conduct prejudicial to racing posted on this site should be overturned as well. Let the racing industry govern itself,a free for all. How about all announcers across Ontario go on personal tirades in between races against people they dislike. Because the ORC reports to the liberal government are you suggesting they can not conduct any type of investigation? After reading some of the comments regarding this issue your comments come as no surprise. Racing in Ontario is in bigger trouble than I thought with this type of logic. Mr Adler is accountable for his actions just like any other participant. At least I would hope the Leamington fair board would look elsewhere for next years announcer......if there are races held.
I think that Duncan and
I think that Duncan and Godfrey should make the ruling on this one LOL ...Keep up the good work Marty
Mr Duncan if there are not
Mr Duncan if there are not 60,000 jobs how many are there? 50,000?40,000?30,000?20,000? Still a lot of jobs!!!!!!. Somebody should ask him or "McGunty" what is their number as to how many jobs that will be lost.
As much heat as he's been
As much heat as he's been getting, as much as he's been vilified and condemned, as much as he's made himself to look like a complete fool, I somehow don't feel one iota of sympathy for Dwight Duncan. He's brought it all upon himself.
Thanks Marty... What a
Thanks Marty... What a Joke, did you hear him say there is NOT 60,000 Votes. LMAO Has he never Heard and he knows two people, and She Knows Two People..lol AS Always A TRU politician (Minister Dwight Duncan) They Only LISTEN @ Election time... Make Them LISTEN THEN...
Can you say conflict of
Can you say conflict of interest? The ORC cannot investigate Mr. Adler any more than they have the right to investigate Duncan. It is a complete conflict of interest and impartiality is not their forte. They are owned and controlled by Duncan so if they are to be impartial, they must also include the lies and deceptions of Duncan to mislead the public and standing up for one's beliefs has to be completely against the charter of rights and freedoms. Perhaps it is time to put on the war paint and really do battle. And I was thinking! Where are the people from Wikileaks and Anonymous? Why can't they help expose the secrets and back room deals going on with this? Duncan and company have a lot to hide and if they were exposed for what they are, then justice can truly be done.
John Patterson
Thank you Marty both for your
Thank you Marty both for your perseverance and for showing Duncan's true colours!! Well done, keep on him!
This is a quote from years
This is a quote from years ago but it illustrates just how the Liberals are....and Duncan seems to have forgotten what he raved about back in 2008 & 2004.
"Earlier this week Ontario's Finance Minister Dwight Duncan stated that the employment figures showing 60,000 people are employed directly or indirectly by horse racing are "grossly exaggerated," and that "nobody" buys that number. Clearly one group outside racing does buy that number: the Liberal government.
In an article posted on CBC.ca Friday morning, two Liberal government reviews support horse racing's job figures.
According to CBC, a report to the Minister of Government and Consumer Services penned in 2008 reads: "The horse racing and breeding industry is labour intensive and supports approximately 55,000 full and part-time jobs, many of which are in the agricultural sector of Ontario and would be difficult to replace."
Back in 2004, a report to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal gave an estimate that "40,040 Ontarians owe their permanent jobs to the horse racing and horse breeding industries."
Duncan's comments came on Wednesday, along with statements that Ontario's 17 tracks make up one quarter of all the racetracks in North America. Taking into account the three breeds in Ontario, North America's total number of Standardbred, Thoroughbred and Quarter-horse tracks is around 200.
D(dummer) Duncan has such a selective memory..but this information is on record
for his use back in 2004 & 2008
Thanks Marty!
Thanks Marty!
Was Marty Adler at the track
Was Marty Adler at the track when he confronted D(DUMMER) Duncan ??? No he was attending an open event as a spectator....THEREFORE how can the ORC take him to task...??keep up the vocals with these LIBERALS and the world will be a better place. We have to get rid of them first tho and hopefully that will happen sooner rather than later. The ORC too might be frustrated with all of this bull but they are employed by this provincial government and therefore their hands are tied to some degree and they possibly can not be as vocal as they might like. I was surprised to see Duncan out in public. did he have security with him ?
THANK YOU MR. ADLER.!!!
Good job Marty ! The only
Good job Marty !
The only problem here is that there wasn't enough litter in the box for the cat to finish his job !
Congratulations for at least
Congratulations for at least trying. Are we surprised by the ministers response? Of course not, he*s not prepared to admit a terrible mistake has been made by this uncaring government! I hope many more make he and his incompetent government uncomfortable. Keep it up folks! How many world class industries do we have in Ontario besides HORSERACING? None I can think of that haven*t already moved out! I have said publicly that as an individual that I do care deeply about my brothers and sisters across the province and this includes those in Sudbury, Windsor, Ottawa, Toronto and places in between! One more lost job to hard working tax paying family raising citizens is a crime against society. In my world everybody should have a job and hold their heads up proudly and continue to be the proud Canadians we used to be! I am a senior citizen who wears my heart on my sleeve and will continue to do so till this madness is ended.
Duncan may think there are
Duncan may think there are not 60,000 people in our industry....but he fails to account for a great number of supportive non-industry friends and relatives of those of us who are. There are way more than 60,000 votes up for grabs here. And with every insensitive remark from him, the number goes up!
Absolutely hilarious Marty.
Absolutely hilarious Marty. Well done. To bad you hadn't asked Dwight if he delivered the eulogy for the owner of Windsor raceway funerals and who might be or might have been the single largest donor to the Liberal party is???? Think he wouldn't answer those either.
Also ask him what the property at Windsor Raceway is going to be used for ??? A Walmart and maybe the lauching pad for the new bridge or its ancilliary uses. Any interesting leases here like the Tannenbaum HMS Host leases on the Enroute centers on the 400 series highways. Don't stop, Keep up the heat in Windsor We are trying to crank it up in Toronto.
I stand with Murray
I stand with Murray Brown....Go Marty Go. Mr. Duncan's "turn off the cameras" comment says it all.Google: scandals and Dwight Duncan....Yikes!!!By the way, Canada is still a free country, is it not? So the ORC doesn't have the authority to limit free speech. Or am I being naive here. Mr Adler...KEEP IT UP.
Mr Adler has Intestinal
Mr Adler has Intestinal Fortitude. If only others in the Racing Community had!
Good for you, Marty
Good for you, Marty Adler!
There's nothing to lose at this point and Mr. "uncomfortable" Duncan should understand that this is an issue that affects a lot of people. To be honest, I doubt that 60.000 people is actually enough, as far as who is gonna be effected...
Thanks for keeping up the fight!
way to go marty. nice that
way to go marty. nice that the weasel wouldnt answer any questions from u you. Cant we get something about the horse racing devastation on a show like the fifth estate?
Great ambush by Marty Adler.
Great ambush by Marty Adler. Hopefully this will be the last new park that the Honourable Dwight Duncan will have the opportunity to open and he will be defeated in the next election. Even people in Windsor are now wise to the mess he is making of the entire gaming business in Ontario. Keep up the good work Marty and thanks for sticking your neck out for the hard working racing families.
Pass this on to your Facebook
Pass this on to your Facebook or Twitter. People need to know how insensitive the Liberals are being about the plight of 60,000 jobs in Rural Ontario. Way to go Marty...publicity is good. I bet it was Duncan that reported you to the ORC. The Liberals seem to have a lot of friends that will try and silence the voices of the Horse Industry. We cannot give up.
BRAVO MARTY, I raced with you
BRAVO MARTY, I raced with you at windsor back in the seventies with Gerry Aikins and you never had your tongue zipped in your pocket,ha ha , very good.LET'T keep up the fight, do not let your gouvernment do what the quebec gouvernment did to us in quebec. I was at the Ormstown fair yesterday and spoke with a lot of horsemen and organizers and they praying that the Ontario's citizens will not let the liberals get away with this, can you just imagine, trying to destroy a profitable bussness HORSE RACING,to open a non-profitable bussness CASINOS,(it is said that they, the casinos lose millions of dollars a year)Tell me do you smell something FISHY in this this?????.The fight is not over until THE BATTLE is won. KEEP THE TRUMPETS BLOWING. Have agood day.
the liberals announced last
the liberals announced last week that the orc is being folded under other government ministries..the days of the ORC as you all now it are over...eventually will be minimized or even eliminated
so stuff coming out of them in days ahead need to be listened to knowing there's a liberal flavor built in.
jctoronto
Has the matter of the ORC vs
Has the matter of the ORC vs Marty Adler been adjudicated yet? If not I would assume that Marty is entitled to a hearing. If and when this happens I would suggest that hundreds or even thousands of horse people show up to show their support for someone who has more brains and is more caring of our industry than the whole lot of them. Its time for action.
Good on you Marty. YOu heard
Good on you Marty. YOu heard it from the horses mouth "Its done" we can negotiate all day long but this govt has made its mind up so we need up front approaches like Marty's to keep the issue in the spotlight nothing to lose right?
Look at New York racing's quarterly profits.... over 600 million since their transition to the Ontario model. You have TVG sitting on the sidelines and have been for some years now wanting to bring the betting exchange model into Canadian Racing now would be the time to do it wether you like it or not it will generate revenue... nothing to lose right ...... the only chance we have is to bring the govt down and bring some sense to this whole economic liberal plan ask the doctors teachers and any public service worker who is on a wage freeze. Unfortunatly for the gaming revenue innitiatives to work we need the govt say so.Instead of doing a deal with the devil lets promote our interests before we have none....... tractor meets and car shows in the winter dont work.
I use to be stabled next to
I use to be stabled next to Marty back in the early '70's at Windsor Raceway and he was then and continues to be a person who represents our industry in a most professional manner - thank you for speaking out for all of us, and it is a sad day when the ORC would take Marty to task for speaking out against what the Liberals are trying to do to all of us.
If only we had 25 or 30,000
If only we had 25 or 30,000 more Marty Adlers, we might have a chance. What business is it of the ORC to say anything to Marty. He was not racing a horse he was talking about the entire industry, and did not a thing wrong except mirror the feelings of the rest of us. I wanted to send comments to OLG and they don't even have a legitimate e-mail address. Seems everyone in liberal circle afraid to answer questions. Keep it up Marty.
Not only does Duncan lack
Not only does Duncan lack planning ability, fiscal management, honesty, and a myriad of other attributes, he has no sense of humor! Go Marty. I forwarded the clip to as many people as I could.
Last night, we spoke with a number of non-racing folks, and when they were told about Duncan's " not 60,000 votes", comment, they all said that there were in fact, more than 60,000, because friends and relatives of horse people were against this move. We are getting the word out, a few people at a time.
If anyone watched Sun Media
If anyone watched Sun Media on TV last night, the comments by the investigative reporter were absolutely brutal towards the Liberal government handling of the health portfolio. If managed correctly, the deficit would be wiped out. It appears three health ministers had no idea of the mismanagement of this portfolio. The auditors are having difficulty following the money trail due to the shell companies set up by e-health and ornge. Dwight Duncan has no idea how he is going to make up the 1.4 billion in lost revenue due to the collapse of the SAR program. Bruce T. Winning
Thank you Marty for your
Thank you Marty for your efforts to communicate with Dwight. This just reaffirms my previous comments that the decision to end the SAR program has ALREADY BEEN MADE. The only way to reverse this decision is to throw out the Liberals and elect a NEW gov't who will support horse racing and the 60,000+ people whose livelihoods depend on it.
Isn't that just like Duncan.
Isn't that just like Duncan. He is afraid to answer questions because he knows that the Liberals haven't done their homework or have they and just decided that the American casino owners,Godrey,McQuinty & Tannenbaum will personally benifit more from them than from the horse racing industry. Who cares about 60,000 Ontarians & rural Ontario ? Not the liberals or the NDP.I applaud you Marty. The ORC should be investicating why the decision to end the SAR program was made not what people at OUR racetracks are commenting on.This fight is not over yet & with advocates like you we have a fighting chance.Bye the way, WHO, on earth would have been so insensitive to the plight of our industry to have contacted the ORC in the first place?
Although I barely know him,
Although I barely know him, Marty Adler is my hero. This has to somehow go viral to show Ontarioans the wonderful people that they have ruling their destiny.