Abbotsford: City of Character <http://www.abbycharacter.com/> Transcript of Abbotsford mayor Bruce Banman's words in the above video Part of this, when I first heard it, when I heard of "city of character," it was not lost on the fact that I said, "Hey, this is perfect, because I'm a bit of a character." [Laughter] Respect. Responsibility. Integrity. Courage. Empathy.Empathy And truly, what I believe Abbotsford is, is service. My grandfather truly was a man of character, and what I learned from him was, is that you don't hold people down. You reach out with your hand, and you help pull people up. You treat people with respect, and you take responsibility for the city that you live in, and you serve. Because I want Abbotsford to become one of the friendliest cities in the world. We're already one of the most giving. Basically we want everyone, especially our young, our children, to understand what character is . embracing [?] who and what we are, describing who we are, and becoming cities of character.character I'm Mayor Bruce Banman. Please join us. Abbotsford News articles reporting Mayor and Councillor views on the LFL, and a variety of issues of concern to LFL players <http://www.abbynews.com/news/139232018.html> Abbotsford Mayor Banman wouldn't watch lingerie football, but doesn't oppose it By Kevin Mills - Abbotsford News Published: February 13, 2012 11:00 AM Updated: February 13, 2012 4:11 PM The debate has begun on whether lingerie football is an appropriate form of entertainment in Abbotsford. It was announced Thursday that the Lingerie Football League (Canada) would put a new team in B.C. which will play out of the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre (AESC). While some argue it is a harmless form of sports entertainment, others have expressed concerns that women playing a contact sport, wearing sports bras and panties, is unacceptable in a city-owned facilityfacility. "The entertainment and sports centre is similar to Tradex – they're both run by independent parties and the city's position is we will not interfere in determining what is appropriate or inappropriate entertainment as long as these events do not involve safety considerations for the city or its residents," said Abbotsford Mayor Bruce BanmanBanman. He said Global Spectrum, which runs the AESC, was given a mandate to find entertainment for the building and that's what the company is doing. "Personally, it's not something I would want to go watch," Banman said. But he pointed out there are plenty of other forms of entertainment that people may not find acceptable. "There are people who find Gene Simmons (from the rock group KISS) incredibly inappropriate as well. But not only did he come here and perform here and sell out, but Abbotsford ended up being on one of his segments on TV." Banman said citizens "can vote with their wallets" on what they feel is entertainment and council does not need to weigh in on the subject. He said opinions are too varied. "I'm a chiropractor and concussions are an issue. There are those people who think the violence in hockey is offensive and needs to go ... I'm not the morality police," said Banman.Banman Abbotsford Coun. Bill MacGregor has been involved with football for years. He sees the new league as being more entertainment oriented than sports. "Let me tell you what I said to my colleagues: It isn't good football." He said the reason people go to watch lingerie football is not about the quality of the game. MacGregor has three daughters and the eldest was both a B.C. Lions and San Francisco 49ers cheerleader. He said he has a bit of insight into the voyeuristic aspect of the sport. "I didn't particularly care for the male ogling of that ... this is that amped up on steroids as far as I'm concernedconcerned." However, he said he believes it should be allowed to take place in this community. "WouldWould I go and see it? No ... But you know, thank God we live in a democratic society, most of the time, and people can choose." He said the sport does fill stadiums in the U.S. and he puts it in the same vein of mixed martial arts fighting. "Some people like it." Coun. Simon Gibson spoke out against the sport on Thursday. The new team will join Toronto and five other Canadian cities, yet to be named, to create the Canadian division of the Lingerie Football League. The season begins in August and the squad will play just two home games. <http://www.abbynews.com/news/140882353.html> Controversy follows lingerie football league By Kevin Mills - Abbotsford News Published: February 29, 2012 8:00 AM Updated: February 29, 2012 8:58 AM Injury concerns, threats of litigation, and a mass exodus of players from the Toronto-based team are issues which have centred around the Lingerie Football LeagueLeague, which will bring games to Abbotsford this summer. While the provocative nature of the sport has created public controversy, some former players have voiced concerns regarding medical coverage and other safety issuesissues. Asked about these complaints, LFL founder and chairman Mitch Mortaza said most of the reports are a result of “disgruntled” players “spreading misinformation.” “There are a handful of players that have not followed very simple league policy and, as a result, their coverage has been delayed, but all have been covered up to their contracted coverage,” he said. LFL players are encouraged to take out their own health insurance policies, or buy the league policy at a cost of $250. The policy covers up to $100,000 in medical expenses for injuries which occur during a game or practice and there is no deductible. According to Mortaza, if an injury takes place, the player must report it to the medical contact at the league office within 24 hours. Then an examination and treatment by a physician will be scheduled. If a player does not contact the league, or “goes outside of the league’s network of physicians” they risk not being covered. Mortaza said the league deals with a network of more than 400 women playing full-contact tackle football. Injuries are part of the game. While there are a “handful” of players voicing concerns, he claims there are another 80 to 100 injured players who were “well taken care of because they simply followed league policy.” The LFL, which features women in bikini-style uniforms playing tackle football, has landed at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre (AESC) with the formation of the BC Angels. The team joins the Toronto Triumph and a newly announced squad in Regina as the first half of a six-team Canadian league. Three more locations will be announced in the coming weeks. All the Canadian teams will be owned by the league. Players in the LFL are amateurs and are not paid. They pay the league a $45 fee each season to play. Canadian players would be covered by their provincial plans when playing in the country. Jason Blumenfeld, general manager of the AESC, confirmed the league provides insurance options for athletes and patrons. “We are not liable,” he said. The season consists of just four games, two home and two away, with the possibility of up to two playoff games. Mortaza said the short season allows the league to control the growth of the sport, and protect its players. “Their body types, most of these women, until they get conditioned for the game of football, are not made to sustain a six-, eight-, 10-game season.” The B.C. squad will be made up of local players from around the Lower Mainland. No date for tryouts has been set. The LFL’s first Canadian team, in Toronto, formed last year and after one game became the centre of controversy. Players voiced concerns regarding safety, including inadequate equipment, ill-fitting shoulder pads and the use of hockey rather than football helmets. Players also complained about the coaching. They appealed to the coaches and the league to improve playing conditions, but claim nothing was done. In the end, four players were released from the squad and another 16 resigned. Mortaza said the incident had little to do with safety, noting the team was issued “exactly” the same equipment used by U.S. squads. All the LFL teams use hockey helmets, he said. “The actual issue was the head coach. Don Marchione fired an assistant coach, Sebastian Clovis, who was a team favourite. The players threatened to quit unless the assistant coach was re-hired. When he was not re- hired, those players quit ... blaming it on safety,” claimed Mortaza. On more than one occasion, the LFL has threatened legal action against former players who publicly complain. Mortaza said “any business would” if someone was spreading “misinformation.” Since the announcement of the new Abbotsford-based team, public reaction has been mixed. Critics maintain it is sexually based entertainment rather than sport. Mortaza responds, “The unique thing about the LFL is that we’re blatantly honest – in fact, to a fault. You know, sex has been used for decades and eons as far as marketing individual athletes and a sport. Today you see David Beckham in his boxers in Times Square on a big billboard. “This goes on, on both sides of the fence, and it’s gone on well before the LFL. We’re just more honest about it – that, hey, that’s part of our gimmick to initially bring fans in, bring in media attention.attention.” The lure of scantily clad women has some complaining that fans are merely hoping to see some “accidental nudity.” The league has a disclaimer stating that nudity could occur, and that players are forbidden from wearing anything under their uniforms.