Here's a copy of Gary "Shooter" Lawless's article on the bombers pre-rejecting the appointment of local businessman Jeffrey Rabb to their board of directors. 

 

Rabb is a 59 or 60 yr old lawyer and property manager. He was the mayor's choice to replace disgraced city employee Phil Sheegl who was fired from his city position (ok, asked to resign) in 2013.

 

Brock Bolbuck and Asper told Katz they wanted a house-boy (ie. a shill or civic loafer like Mr Joshi or Mr Ruta) who doesn't have much time to invest in bomber goings on.. . . . ie. a type who'd just rubber stamp everything and serve no useful purpose.

 

Rabb has been a bomber fan since his childhood days. He's a season ticket holder for years with Jets and for decades with Bombers. He's also a bit outspoken and I think thats the reason the current board executive is trying to black-ball him. Imagine a wealthier junior version of Nasty Nate.

 

I hope Katz doesn't back down on this one like he does on most issues. I could understand him withdrawing Rabb's name if he is running for Mayor again (bomber board members could really seal his defeat if they wanted to but if Sammy isn't running why not put in a guy who'll be a bit more circumspect about bomber ops?)

 

This looks like a freakin' mexican standoff - although the bombers have the trump card - they can actually have a board vote to declne on Rabb's appointment. And I think thats what they'll do. God forbid they accept a guy who's not a knife 'n forker or jock-sniffer!

 

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/columnists/battle-over-board-257104111.html

Bauer left, he wasn't fired by the BoD.

Rabb suggested in his interview that the BoD fired him.

Not true...he actually had his fill of the BoD thinking they had all the answers, in particular the incoming Chair at the time Watchorn and felt it was time to move on.

According to several sources Bauer had a pre-existing offer from Ted Hellard in Calgary. When Mike Kelly appeared on a police blotter in pennsylvania the board had an emergency meeting which resulted in Kelly being fired (or relieved of duties as they say). Reports say Bauer refused to fire his buddy Kelly himself.

 

Knowing that this was an act of defiance against the board Bauer triggered the offer from Calgary and ran out of the bomber offices like a scalded dog.

 

If Bauer didn't have that offer I suspect his actions might have been different. He would have faced pure unemployment so he might have abided by the board's decision to fire Kelly. 

 

To me, the simple fact he brought Kelly back into the program was a firing offense.

According to several sources Bauer had a pre-existing offer from Ted Hellard in Calgary. When Mike Kelly appeared on a police blotter in pennsylvania the board had an emergency meeting which resulted in Kelly being fired (or relieved of duties as they say). Reports say Bauer refused to fire his buddy Kelly himself.

 

Knowing that this was an act of defiance against the board Bauer triggered the offer from Calgary and ran out of the bomber offices like a scalded dog.

 

If Bauer didn't have that offer I suspect his actions might have been different. He would have faced pure unemployment so he might have abided by the board's decision to fire Kelly. 

 

To me, the simple fact he brought Kelly back into the program was a firing offense.

 

Another attempt to re-write history. Kelly wasn't arrested until after the press conference where Bauer announced he had resigned. 

 

The day started out ominously for Kelly as Bauer, his greatest champion, informed club staff via conference call that he was resigning. Kelly participated in the conference call but was detained by police just an hour later.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/Bomber-coach-Kelly-charged-with-assault-79557357.html

 

And there had been rumours for weeks that Bauer was going to resign and go to Calgary:

 

The pending resignation has been rumoured for weeks now, with rampant speculation that Bauer will join the Calgary Stampeders organization.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/bombers-president-bauer-resigns-1.823329

 

According to several sources Bauer had a pre-existing offer from Ted Hellard in Calgary. When Mike Kelly appeared on a police blotter in pennsylvania the board had an emergency meeting which resulted in Kelly being fired (or relieved of duties as they say). Reports say Bauer refused to fire his buddy Kelly himself.

 

Knowing that this was an act of defiance against the board Bauer triggered the offer from Calgary and ran out of the bomber offices like a scalded dog.

 

If Bauer didn't have that offer I suspect his actions might have been different. He would have faced pure unemployment so he might have abided by the board's decision to fire Kelly. 

 

To me, the simple fact he brought Kelly back into the program was a firing offense.

 

Another attempt to re-write history. Kelly wasn't arrested until after the press conference where Bauer announced he had resigned. 

 

The day started out ominously for Kelly as Bauer, his greatest champion, informed club staff via conference call that he was resigning. Kelly participated in the conference call but was detained by police just an hour later.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/Bomber-coach-Kelly-charged-with-assault-79557357.html

 

And there had been rumours for weeks that Bauer was going to resign and go to Calgary:

 

The pending resignation has been rumoured for weeks now, with rampant speculation that Bauer will join the Calgary Stampeders organization.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/bombers-president-bauer-resigns-1.823329

 

By that time everyone had been given a heads up.

 

 

According to several sources Bauer had a pre-existing offer from Ted Hellard in Calgary. When Mike Kelly appeared on a police blotter in pennsylvania the board had an emergency meeting which resulted in Kelly being fired (or relieved of duties as they say). Reports say Bauer refused to fire his buddy Kelly himself.

 

Knowing that this was an act of defiance against the board Bauer triggered the offer from Calgary and ran out of the bomber offices like a scalded dog.

 

If Bauer didn't have that offer I suspect his actions might have been different. He would have faced pure unemployment so he might have abided by the board's decision to fire Kelly. 

 

To me, the simple fact he brought Kelly back into the program was a firing offense.

 

Another attempt to re-write history. Kelly wasn't arrested until after the press conference where Bauer announced he had resigned. 

 

The day started out ominously for Kelly as Bauer, his greatest champion, informed club staff via conference call that he was resigning. Kelly participated in the conference call but was detained by police just an hour later.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/Bomber-coach-Kelly-charged-with-assault-79557357.html

 

And there had been rumours for weeks that Bauer was going to resign and go to Calgary:

 

The pending resignation has been rumoured for weeks now, with rampant speculation that Bauer will join the Calgary Stampeders organization.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/bombers-president-bauer-resigns-1.823329

 

By that time everyone had been given a heads up.

 

"Given a head's up" to what? Kelly was arrested AFTER Bauer announced he was resigning. Bauer's resignation was effective the day it was announced. 

Nate do your stories happen to come from your brother's friend's uncle's next door neighbor's sister's cousin's ass by any chance?

Jacquie, I've lived in Calgary for nearly 25 years. I follow the Stamps quite closely here & there were no rumours that Bauer was coming to the Stamps before he resigned. Maybe the CBC in Winnipeg felt that there was rampant speculation he was going to the Stamps but out here there were no stories. Besides, he didn't leave the Bombers & go right to Calgary. He was hired weeks or even months later as I recall. If he had a job with the Stamps to go to he didn't do it right away. If there were stories in the Calgary media BEFORE he resigned, I don't recall them. 

Most Stamps fans & especially the ones at the old Go Stamps Go (now CFL Horseman) site were very concerned that Bauer would gain control of the team from Huff had Hellard stayed as owner. Stamps fans at that time couldn't understand Bauer's hiring given all that happened in Winnipeg under his tenure.... The firing of Ritchie, Daly, Berry & the hiring of Kelly, the subsequent firing of Kelly by the Bomber board & Bauer's sudden departure from the Bombers all in one day. It was not a popular hire here in Calgary. There was a real concern that if Bauer ever got control of the entire team like he had in Winnipeg, he'd run the Stamps into the ground. Especially  the comment  he made after he joined the Stamps that he believed in Mike Kelly & would hire him again if he had the chance. Luckily, he stayed on the business side as we thought eventually there'd be a power struggle between Huff & Bauer. I think a lot of fans heaved blew a sigh of relief when Bauer left the Stampeders organization.

Personally, I hope he never gets any kind of control with the Bombers again. Others may feel differently but I think it's best he stay away.

Nothing will improve in the Bomber organization until the board is abolished.  Corrupt bunch of 'yes' men and entitled goofs.

The bod were given a heads up that Kelly was going to hit his gf. It's unconscionable that they sat on this info.

I think what Kelly did was unconscionable & cowardly. Do you mean that they were given the heads up he was going to be charged by the cops? Or that they were able to see the future from 2500 klms away?

Bauer had no previous deal or offer in place prior to resigning from the Bombers. Huff and Bauer had and have an excellent relationship going back to their playing days in Winnipeg. Huff and Bauer remain in contact with each other. My source.....Bauer.

 

Personally, I hope he never gets any kind of control with the Bombers again. Others may feel differently but I think it's best he stay away.

 

There's only one Bauer who gets to live another day…..

Bauer had no previous deal or offer in place prior to resigning from the Bombers. Huff and Bauer had and have an excellent relationship going back to their playing days in Winnipeg. Huff and Bauer remain in contact with each other. My source.....Bauer.

From the media stories in Calgary at the time of Bauer's resignation, when the Flames bought the Stamps they wanted a Team President who answered to Flames President Ken King. Bauer did not like that arrangement so he walked as he wanted total autonomy. I don't know if he left the Flames organization on good terms but from all accounts Lyle wasn't very happy. 

I think what Kelly did was unconscionable & cowardly. Do you mean that they were given the heads up he was going to be charged by the cops? Or that they were able to see the future from 2500 klms away?

The latter. They were given a heads up by John Titor that Kelly would do that. Obviously.

Jacquie, I've lived in Calgary for nearly 25 years. I follow the Stamps quite closely here & there were no rumours that Bauer was coming to the Stamps before he resigned.

Written by Ed Tait in the FP in the November 21, 2009 edition:

There may be smoke, but Lyle Bauer insists there's no fire to one of the hottest rumours circulating through the CFL -- that he is leaving the Winnipeg Blue Bombers after a decade of service.

The Bombers president and CEO denied Friday the growing speculation that has come with two variations: 1. He was leaving the club for a job in the business world and 2. He was leaving to join the Calgary Stampeders organization.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/bombers/is-lyle-leaving-to-join-stampeders-70690087.html

It may have not been reported in Calgary but the rumours were there.

There was nothing in Calgary immediately before or after his resignation. The rumours started a few days before his actual hire. Not anytime before.

There was nothing in Calgary immediately before or after his resignation. The rumours started a few days before his actual hire. Not anytime before.

You've complained about the media coverage of the Stamps in Calgary so is it surprising they didn't report it but the Winnipeg media did. Ed Tait said there were rumours so you can bet there were rumours.

I'm surprised Katz didn't try to nominate himself to the Bombers BoD since he will soon be unemployed (but will still have all the money he embezzled from taxpayers in his Shindico/Sheegl schemes).

I sort of thought the same thing but then wondered if trying to get Rabb there was planting a seed for a future attempt to get himself on the board. I wouldn't put anything past Sammy. Surely he's looking at the deals and subsidies the Bombers have received and is wondering what he can get for the Goldeyes.

Nate do your stories happen to come from your brother's friend's uncle's next door neighbor's sister's cousin's ass by any chance?

That.. And it all happens inside his head no less! Theres alot goin on up there..

Kelly was not even charged eventually and yet people STILL say he beat the chick, blah blah blah...

If he truly beat her up like people keep claiming, anger management wouldnt have been his only real punishment..

Juas sayin' villify him for his on field failures but cut the guy some slack, crazy broad cried foul and the justice system managed to put 2 and 2 together..

 

There was nothing in Calgary immediately before or after his resignation. The rumours started a few days before his actual hire. Not anytime before.

You've complained about the media coverage of the Stamps in Calgary so is it surprising they didn't report it but the Winnipeg media did. Ed Tait said there were rumours so you can bet there were rumours.

 

Sure Jacquie whatever you say. 

There was nothing in Calgary immediately before or after his resignation. The rumours started a few days before his actual hire. Not anytime before.

You've complained about the media coverage of the Stamps in Calgary so is it surprising they didn't report it but the Winnipeg media did. Ed Tait said there were rumours so you can bet there were rumours.

Sure Jacquie whatever you say.

It's not what I say. It's what Ed Tait (one of the all-time great Bomber beat reporters) and every other media outlet in Winnipeg said at time.

And contrary to what you say, it was reported by the Calgary media weeks before Bauer was hired. From the Calgary Herald - Dec 14, 2009:

Speculation has current Winnipeg Blue Bombers president Lyle Bauer possibly moving into the Calgary job but Forzani wouldn't say who he's been talking to.

http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/sports/football/story.html?id=2338648

You just can't stand it when someone questions you, eh Jacquie? I don't care about the Herald story you quote as it was just speculation at the time by some guy named Sean Myers. I subscribe to the Herald & my response is, who the hell is Sean Myers? He doesn't write about the Stamps & never did. He probably is a junior reporter covering for Al Cameron the regular Stampeder beat writer at that time on that particular day.

In the article, former Stamps owner John Forzani didn't say he talked with Bauer. He didn't say he hired him. All he said was he knew him & that he was a qualified candidate at the time the story was published & was interested in talking to him. There might have been 10 people that Forzani knew that he wanted to talk to that were also qualified. It was two lines at the very bottom of a story about Scott Ackles.There was no proof or anything Earth shattering in that story saying Lyle Bauer would be the next Stampeders President. Or that he resigned from the Bombers to go directly to the Stampeders.

The guy resigned from the Bombers 3 days before under suspicious circumstances. He was a high profile CFL exec suddenly out on the street looking for a job so naturally his name would come up in a question by the reporter to Forzani. Like I said, the rumour mill started weeks later when the actual hiring process took place. That's  when the real  Lyle Bauer rumours started out here.

Sure, the Stamps ultimately hired him to  run the business side of the team but so what? Where in that story did it say Forzani had already hired Bauer? He was just another name "out there" under consideration at the time. But carry on Jacquie as you know sooooo much. Besides, who the hell cares? Bauer isn't even with the Stamps or in the CFL anymore.

The reporter was out  on a fishing trip that day throwing out a line to see what he could catch.