The majority of council seems to be of the opinion that your constant emails are a destructive force. It seems that your negative spin diverts members from focusing on the town's business. Yet when their concerns were placed on the agenda for a public airing you opposed the agenda from the start, then left the meeting to avoid a public discussion of your behavior. It appeared as though you were too cowardly to deal face-to-face, preferring instead to bully behind the scenes. How do you feel knowing that others must delete your words? What is the point of hurting, not helping? ~ March 5, 2008 11:54 AM
I am publishing this comment because I believe it may have come from a member of council. A verbal opinion can sound sensible, depending on vocabulary. When the same thought is put into writing however, it can often be seen in quite a different light.
How can words on a screen "bully" anyone? Or a sensible person be distracted by words?
It is not the first time in history free speech has been deemed heretical. Fascist Nazi book burning and the Spanish Inquisition comes to mind..
Why would a council believe they have a right to publicly debate the conduct of any person? If that right was claimed by all, the catfights would be endless and horrendous. For the sake of civil dialogue, rules of order currently prohibit such an exercise.
The agenda has a place for councillors to promote community events. Much of what we do at council meetings seems to be promoting community events and by the way self-promotion rather than corporation business.
I feel nothing about people not wishing to read what I write. It is the essence of our freedom.
Your last point is plaintive. I feel your pain. What is the point of hurting rather than helping?
From my perspective, it has been clear since 2003 that nothing I have to say is of any interest to councillors who believe democracy is about exercising power by whatever means, fair or foul.
I would prefer writing positively about council's accomplishments if I saw anything of the like happening. But freezing me out has set me free, don't you see? I am not responsible, if your perception of political acumen lies in shutting up the solitary opposition rather than by genuine political dialogue.
I enjoy nothing more than a free open and civil exchange of ideas. On any day, I will take my chances with the power of logic.
I will continue to use the skills I have, to best endeavour. I will provide the community with a play-by-play commentary of what is happening and let the chips fall where they may. In time it will be the electorate which will exercise the only judgement that matters.
Politically reckless and carefree I may be....cowardly never.
By the way, since you have such a driving need to delete my e-mails, why are you reading my blogs?
I think that Councillor Buck is most definitely not a coward. She's just the opposite.
ReplyDeleteIt takes a lot of guts to stand up for what you believe is right. Councillor Buck has served the town well in her forty years of service.
She stands up for the tax bill. You who complain about your taxes being high - well it is not as a result of what she is doing. She says "No!" when eight others say "Yes" at your expense.
Since when is a Municipality supposed to pay for legal cost at twice your expense? There are governing boards that we the taxpayers aready pay for that look after legal battles. Just how many times do you think you should pay these bills? Once is enough in my opinion. You already pay for legal advice on the Town payroll but when some do not like the opinion of the Town's solicitor then you go on a witch hunt looking for the answer you like best, and the taxpayers foot the bill. But of course when you do not get what you want after the legal advice has been paid for, the problem in question seems to go away. Swept under the carpet one might say - never to be talked about again! You don't hear about that in your transparent council.
And how about a quote from the Mayor about how she "believes in freedom of speech but you can't say and do what you like". If that's not a contradiction of terms, I don't know what is! You either believe in the freedom of speech or you don't! If you don't then you do not have Transparency in your council. I think that there is lot going on here with this council that is not transparent at all, and that Councillor Buck is doing her best to inform you of just what is going on.
Changing with the times, I say she has!
Changing the game plan and the rules she does not.
Cowardly is the person who sends a comment and does not sign their name. If Councillor Buck has something to say she always signs her name. You may not like what her answers are, but one thing's for sure you will always know where she stands! Do you think the same of the others who represent you or are you just told what you want to hear with a little sugar coating at no extra charge?