An Afterthought

I had a thought while drying the dishes. The parade of lawyers retained and instructed by the Mayor referred to in the previous post have not solely been employed to make a case against me myself alone.

Former Mayor Tim Jones was the first target. There were two lawyers, months of consultations and written opinions not shared with council and finally attendance at a closed session.

During the by-election debate, a lawyer was brought to the council table to steer councillors to the right decision. He was there to provide substance to a weak and contrived argument and to convince the community that all was in order.

Lawyers have been involved behind the scenes in an activity which was both demeaning and degrading to everyone who participated; except for those whose objective was being served.

After my surgery, I gave a lot of thought to how I could continue to participate as a member of this council. Grace Marsh's resignation was a personal blow. I seriously pondered my own stamina. As part of the consistent minority and under the persistent vacuous performance of Mayor Morris, how could I make a valid contribution?

The answer has evolved; the action against John Rogers; the effect on other staff members; the ongoing and transparent determination that one way or another I must be silenced and all criticism squelched has stiffened my resolve.

For forty years I have relied on my own common sense and skills of persuasion to exert my influence on each successive council. Sometimes I was successful. Other times not. I never sensed any lack of respect. Successes outnumbered failures and that was the most I expected from involvement in the democratic process.

If I have had any influence on this council, it is not obvious to me. There is no satisfaction in being a powerless witness to actions which violently offend my sense of fairness and integrity. Discipline acquired over the years does not serve me well in these circumstances.

There is only one option to validate my principles. Whatever I can do to inform people of what may not always be obvious when they watch council on television.I will fill in the blanks.

I will acquire the play by play skills of Don Cherry in the game of politics as she is played in the Town of Aurora in the year of 2008-9-10.

Watch this spa ce.