Memories of Jag

For a second, I thought we might have another Jag on our hands.
Who can forget Jag Bhaduria.
The famous Markham-Whitchurch-Stouffville MP got kicked out of the Liberal caucus in 1994 for making threats and telling lies about his past, including his education.
Jag claimed to have an LL.B. (Int)., giving the impression he held a Bachelor of Law in international law.
In fact, Jag possessed no law degree.
Jag also came under fire when it was learned he was fired from the Toronto Board of Education for writing threatening letters to school administrators.
Many media folk, me included, were on Jag’s hit list. He threatened to sue me when I wrote other area MPs, including Dan McTeague from Pickering and Alex Shepherd from Durham, were straddled with Jag’s constituency work. Some residents of Markham and Whitchurch-Stouffville refused to deal with Jag and sought help from neighbouring MPs. 
After giving Dan and Alex the old what-for, Jag yelled at me. He never did follow through on his threats to file legal suit. Since my story contained the truth, Jag lost the wind from his sails.
An outstanding question needs an answer: What ever happened to Jag? 
Education levels and candidates came up at a forum in Schomberg last week.
At the meeting, resident Stephen Gleason questioned King Township mayoralty candidate Steve Pellegrini about his education. Mr. Gleason then wrote me an e-mail about Mr. Pellegrini.
“The brochure mailed to each home has a carefully worded paragraph which gives the impression that Mr. Pellegrini has an Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree,” Mr. Gleason writes.
Having lived through the Jag years, I checked Mr. Pellegrini’s brochure and his education achievements.
Here’s what I found: 
Mr. Pellegrini’s brochure clearly states that he holds an international management professional designation and has completed the York University School of Business masters program.
The brochure does not state that Mr. Pellegrini holds a MBA.
Mr. Gleason also writes that apparently Mr. Pellegrini has “no other university education” .
He’s the scoop on the six-year veteran of King Township council.
After graduating from Lorn Park Secondary School in Mississauga, Mr. Pellegrini obtained a degree in urban and economic geography from the University of Toronto. He also has a certificate in information technology from McGill University in Montreal. He then attended the York Schulich School of Business at York University where he earned the international project management professional designation. 
Now, we can now turn to Steve Pellegrini and say, “You’re no Jag”.

Comments

[terry lewis]

I worked on Steve's campaign and I found him to be very knowledgeable, straightforward, honest and caring. Steve can hold his head very high after this election. His campaign never used smear tactics.

I want to thank you for clearing this item up. Steve did not lie about his education.

I can tell you that I was very proud of being part of the team that worked for Steve and I would not hesitate for a minute to work with Steve again, in any capacity. Steve Pellegrini should be Mayor of King Township and it is the township's loss.