We pay taxes for a multi-million dollar administration. This year , under the Mormac regime, we paid a consultant many thousands of dollars to carry out a "re-organization study". which resulted in thirty-five new positions recommended.
Then we had a" space planning study " We are now occupied with changing the interior design of the town hall to accommodate the re-organized administration.
Of course, more expense.
In the last post, I presented evidence of e-mail messaging which relays to you better than any words of mine, how this administration is functioning ( or not) under the control of Morris and MacEachern.
We spent $53Ks for a Consultant to update our Master Recreation Plan. We gave him terms of reference. The Draft was presented after consultation with interested parties. The concerns and needs of volunteers providing the various recreation programs formed part of the conclusions.
Of Course.
The Draft was referred by Council, no doubt on a motion by the Councillor, to Councillor MacEachern's Leisure Services Advisory Committee. From whence it went to "a work study group" of three which needed to provide no notice or agenda for meetings.
Membership was Councillor MacEachern, the Mayor's friend Ken Whitehurst, and a newly appointed citizen member.
The Draft prepared by the Consultant did not re-appear for more than a year. When it did, it was accompanied by a duplicate prepared by Councillor MacEachern, Mr. Whitehurst and the novice member which reflected the town's future needs according to their views.
Council did not choose the professionally prepared Draft Plan.They chose the MacEachern-Whitehurst Plan.
Councillor Grainger, a participant in the e-mail series,.is a member of the Leisure Services Advisory Committee. He moved the motion in July 2008 that rejected the staff recommendation to provide portable toilets in the parks.Now he apparently has no memory of the resolution let alone the rationale.
At the end of every Council meeting, a Confirming Bylaw is passed. The process makes a bylaw of every decision made during the meeting.
For a statement in the newly adopted Master Recreation Plan , to take precedence over the Bylaw prohibiting port-a-potties in the park, the bylaw passed on July 25th had to be rescinded and replaced.
It never happened.
Staff are subject to Council authority.
Providing amenities where needed in parks has never been something for Councillors to worry their pretty little heads about. The only reason the recommendation was before Council was for funds to be approved.
You had to be there at the time to know no opportunity was ever missed by Councillor MacEachern and friends to remind the former administration who were the new bosses.
If you are searching for even a smidgen of logic or concern for the needs of park users .......don't....you won't find it.
It was and is all about power,man. About wielding the big stick. And making people's lives miserable.
Unless of course, you happened to be a friend.
Sunday, 20 June 2010
E-Mail Series re Pissing in Parks
e.Mail from the resident. June 17th 2010
Thank you for you response below and thanks also to Councillors Wilson and Buck as well as Mr. Giroux for their invaluable input.I understand that the neighbouring towns have resolved this problem by providing temporary or permanent facilities in their sports parks – I wonder why Aurora finds it so difficult to respond to a simple human requirement.28th May 2008 I sent an email to Mr Tree reporting the problem. A portable toilet installed a week later - problem solved in seven days and the portable toilet remained in place for the rest of the baseball season. I had naively assumed that a portable toilet would have been installed the next year also – this was not to be so. July 2008 staff recommended to Council $4,800 be provided to locate fifteen additional Portable toilets in town parks. Council approved the resolution. On 18September 2008 at a meeting of LSAC the recommendation was considered but it was moved by Councillor Grainger and seconded by Judy Norwell that no portable toilets be placed anywhere in town parks. This was carried (LS08-032). Thus no toilets in 2009 – the problems continued> May 2010 and as a result councillor Wilson has requested “staff prepare a report to place a minimum of one portable unit in each of the major playgrounds, sports fields etc. for the months of July and August.” According to your email below this will “allow Members of Council and /or LSAC members the opportunity to discuss the matter further, and also allow Staff , Sports associations, schools and residents an opportunity to offer their input and suggestions about the placement of portable washrooms in sports parks.” I’m not experienced in the internal workings of municipalities but this appears to describe a quite lengthy “process”. I do hope that this can be resolved before the end of the baseball season as a month has elapsed already. If passed, will this be a permanent solution that will be in place next year from May to September (the baseball
season) or do we go through the whole process anew each year?
*******************************************************
Email from Councillor MacEachern , June 18th 2010
Hi Mayor Morris, Ron and Dave,
Ron, thanks for bringing this issue to our attention.
Dave & Mayor Morris thank you for your efforts in trying to resolve this.
To Recap:
May 26, 2010 - Ron you sent an email to Mayor Morris and cc'd the following individuals Tree, Jim; Wilson, Al; Buck, Evelyn; Dave Giroux
May 27, 2010 Mayor Morris forwarded your email to me, as Chair of LSAC and to staff, and enquired on the status of "portable washrooms".
May 27, 2010 I responded to Mayor Morris' email and cc'd Mr. Downey indicating that I understood the portable washroom policy was dealt with through review of the Master Recreation Plan - see copy of email below. Not having heard back on my email I assumed all was well.
After receiving the most recent emails on the matter, I went to the Adopted Master Recreation Plan and found the following applicable sections:
__________
Page 53 of the document reads:
Comfort Facilities
Wherever possible, the Town should cluster the same type of playing fields together to increase a
sense of form and function in active use parks. Such parks should also include washrooms,
electrical outlets, benches and safe, pedestrian‐friendly pathways, etc. The Town should continue to consider permanent or portable washroom
facilities at heavily utilized park and trail locations as these conveniences can attract a greater use by individuals and families.
__________
Page 77 of the document reads:
RECOMMENDATION: Public washroom facilities (through a combination of permanent and portable facilities)
should continue to be provided at heavily utilized parks and key trailheads along the greenway systems. PRIORITY - Highs
I believe the policy is in place and should assist to resolve the matter ASAP.
Evelina MacEachern
Chair, Leisure Services Advisory Committee
----- Original Message -----
From: Evelina MacEachern
To: PMorris@e-aurora.ca ; NGarbe@e-aurora.ca ; adowney@e-aurora.ca
Cc: RSmart@e-aurora.ca ; EMacEachern@e-aurora.ca ; WGaertner@e-aurora.ca ; jtree@e-aurora.ca ; KGobbels@e-aurora.ca
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2010 10:41 PM
Subject: Re: Here we "GO" again
This was discussed at LSAC several times. Most recently during update of the Master Rec Plan.
I don't recall the recommendation/resolution, but, I believe it was NOT that portable washrooms were to be placed at each
park, but, I believe washrooms are to be housed at certain parks.
Mr. Downey perhaps can add to this?
Evelina MacEachern
----- Original Message -----
From:Resident
To: PMorris@e-aurora.ca
Cc: jtree@e-aurora.ca ; bryanhb@rogers.com ; dmdsfusco@sympatico.ca ; r_gray@rogers.com ; aleschristie@yahoo.com ; s.rycombel@sympatico.ca ; dedmunds12@rogers.com ; lwillert@trebnet.com ; carolemgir@aol.com ; thicks@rogers.com ; javed@empression.ca ; lurrywilson@bell.net ; scalam1@gmail.com ; coralg@rogers.com ; jwagg1392@rogers.com ; kieffer@rogers.com ; davegiroux1@aol.com ; AllCouncillors@e-aurora.ca
Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2010 11:16 AM
Subject: Portable Toilets in James Lloyd Park
Ms Mayor,
Thank you for you response below and thanks also to Councillors Wilson and Buck as well as Mr. Giroux for their invaluable input.
I understand that the neighbouring towns have resolved this problem by providing temporary or permanent facilities in their sports parks – I wonder why Aurora finds it so difficult to respond to a simple human requirement.
On 28th May 2008 I sent an email to Mr Tree reporting the problem. A portable toilet installed a week later - problem solved in seven days and the portable toilet remained in place for the rest of the baseball season. I had naively assumed that a portable toilet would have been installed the next year also – this was not to be so.
On 15th July 2008 staff recommended to Council $4,800 be provided to locate fifteen additional Portable toilets in town parks. Council approved the resolution. On 18th September 2008 at a meeting of LSAC the recommendation was considered but it was moved by Councillor Grainger and seconded by Judy Norwell that no portable toilets be placed anywhere in town parks. This was carried (LS08-032). Thus no toilets in 2009 – the problems continued.
I sent an email to you on 26th May 2010 and as a result Councillor Wilson has requested “staff prepare a report to place a minimum of one portable unit in each of the major playgrounds, sports fields etc. for the months of July and August.” According to your email below this will “allow Members of Council and /or LSAC members the opportunity to discuss the matter further, and also allow Staff , Sports associations, schools and residents an opportunity to offer their input and suggestions about the placement of portable washrooms in sports parks.”
I’m not experienced in the internal workings of municipalities but this appears to describe a quite lengthy “process”. I do hope that this can be resolved before the end of the baseball season as a month has elapsed already. If passed, will this be a permanent solution that will be in place next year from May to September (the baseball season) or do we go through the whole process anew each year?
Yours Sincerely,
Resident
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
e-mail from Mayor Morris
your email concerns have been forwarded to staff for their review and a response.
Mr Giroux has advised us all that he is following up with the teams from his club who are using the fields
And in addition following these communications - Cllr. Wilson has just this week raised the same issue by way of giving Notice of Motion
When Councillor Wilsons motion is tabled all Members of Council and /or LSAC members will get the opportunity to
discuss the matter further.
And Staff , Sports associations, schools and residents will also all have an opportunity to offer their input and suggestions at that time
about the placement of portable washrooms in sports parks
Regards
Phyllis Morris
Mayor
********************************
Hi Mayor Morris, Ron and Dave,
Ron, thanks for bringing this issue to our attention.
Dave & Mayor Morris thank you for your efforts in trying to resolve this.
To Recap:
May 26, 2010 - Ron you sent an email to Mayor Morris and cc'd the following individuals Tree, Jim; Wilson, Al; Buck, Evelyn; Dave Giroux
May 27, 2010 Mayor Morris forwarded your email to me, as Chair of LSAC and to staff, and enquired on the status of "portable washrooms".
May 27, 2010 I responded to Mayor Morris' email and cc'd Mr. Downey indicating that I understood the portable washroom policy was dealt with through review of the Master Recreation Plan - see copy of email below. Not having heard back on my email I assumed all was well.
After receiving the most recent emails on the matter, I went to the Adopted Master Recreation Plan and found the following applicable sections:
__________
Page 53 of the document reads:
Comfort Facilities
Wherever possible, the Town should cluster the same type of playing fields together to increase a
sense of form and function in active use parks. Such parks should also include washrooms,
electrical outlets, benches and safe, pedestrian‐friendly pathways, etc. The Town should continue to consider permanent or portable washroom
facilities at heavily utilized park and trail locations as these conveniences can attract a greater use by individuals and families.
__________
Page 77 of the document reads:
RECOMMENDATION: Public washroom facilities (through a combination of permanent and portable facilities)
should continue to be provided at heavily utilized parks and key trailheads along the greenway systems. PRIORITY - Highs
I believe the policy is in place and should assist to resolve the matter ASAP.
Evelina MacEachern
Chair, Leisure Services Advisory Committee
----- Original Message -----
From: Evelina MacEachern
To: PMorris@e-aurora.ca ; NGarbe@e-aurora.ca ; adowney@e-aurora.ca
Cc: RSmart@e-aurora.ca ; EMacEachern@e-aurora.ca ; WGaertner@e-aurora.ca ; jtree@e-aurora.ca ; KGobbels@e-aurora.ca
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2010 10:41 PM
Subject: Re: Here we "GO" again
This was discussed at LSAC several times. Most recently during update of the Master Rec Plan.
I don't recall the recommendation/resolution, but, I believe it was NOT that portable washrooms were to be placed at each
park, but, I believe washrooms are to be housed at certain parks.
Mr. Downey perhaps can add to this?
Evelina MacEachern
**********************************************8
From Councillor Grainger
Councillor Evelina: I appreciate your response to our Mayor, Ron and Dave as Chair of LSAC and concur as a member of LSAC that this area was originally discussed on a related subject item by the LSAC committee but I'm not entirely sure either of the specifics of the case item that was before us at the time. Later as you have mentioned, LSAC through the Master Recreation Plan supported this subject area as being of importance.Its application may require further discussion and clarification and I look forward to receiving such information. I have been following the e-mail's of this issue Ron has expressed to our Mayor, and other individuals copied watching closely how this would go forward in being addressed internally. I can appreciate Ron's concern and it has been helpful in seeing how this issue is to resolve in light of the input from yourself and the Master Recreation Plan document approved by Council. I look forward to seeing what further actions may be considered either by staff, Council or LSAC in the resolution of this matter. Sincerely,Councillor Grainger
*******************************************
From the Mayor to Resident June 19th
By way of an update :
The CAO has indicated that the matter of Councils earlier direction and endorsement of portables in active parks will be addressed by staff
This means LSAC, Council and the community can look forward to "portable washrooms " being provided in the Towns active Aurora parks shortly
Regards
Phyllis M.Morris
Thank you for you response below and thanks also to Councillors Wilson and Buck as well as Mr. Giroux for their invaluable input.I understand that the neighbouring towns have resolved this problem by providing temporary or permanent facilities in their sports parks – I wonder why Aurora finds it so difficult to respond to a simple human requirement.28th May 2008 I sent an email to Mr Tree reporting the problem. A portable toilet installed a week later - problem solved in seven days and the portable toilet remained in place for the rest of the baseball season. I had naively assumed that a portable toilet would have been installed the next year also – this was not to be so. July 2008 staff recommended to Council $4,800 be provided to locate fifteen additional Portable toilets in town parks. Council approved the resolution. On 18September 2008 at a meeting of LSAC the recommendation was considered but it was moved by Councillor Grainger and seconded by Judy Norwell that no portable toilets be placed anywhere in town parks. This was carried (LS08-032). Thus no toilets in 2009 – the problems continued> May 2010 and as a result councillor Wilson has requested “staff prepare a report to place a minimum of one portable unit in each of the major playgrounds, sports fields etc. for the months of July and August.” According to your email below this will “allow Members of Council and /or LSAC members the opportunity to discuss the matter further, and also allow Staff , Sports associations, schools and residents an opportunity to offer their input and suggestions about the placement of portable washrooms in sports parks.” I’m not experienced in the internal workings of municipalities but this appears to describe a quite lengthy “process”. I do hope that this can be resolved before the end of the baseball season as a month has elapsed already. If passed, will this be a permanent solution that will be in place next year from May to September (the baseball
season) or do we go through the whole process anew each year?
*******************************************************
Email from Councillor MacEachern , June 18th 2010
Hi Mayor Morris, Ron and Dave,
Ron, thanks for bringing this issue to our attention.
Dave & Mayor Morris thank you for your efforts in trying to resolve this.
To Recap:
May 26, 2010 - Ron you sent an email to Mayor Morris and cc'd the following individuals Tree, Jim; Wilson, Al; Buck, Evelyn; Dave Giroux
May 27, 2010 Mayor Morris forwarded your email to me, as Chair of LSAC and to staff, and enquired on the status of "portable washrooms".
May 27, 2010 I responded to Mayor Morris' email and cc'd Mr. Downey indicating that I understood the portable washroom policy was dealt with through review of the Master Recreation Plan - see copy of email below. Not having heard back on my email I assumed all was well.
After receiving the most recent emails on the matter, I went to the Adopted Master Recreation Plan and found the following applicable sections:
__________
Page 53 of the document reads:
Comfort Facilities
Wherever possible, the Town should cluster the same type of playing fields together to increase a
sense of form and function in active use parks. Such parks should also include washrooms,
electrical outlets, benches and safe, pedestrian‐friendly pathways, etc. The Town should continue to consider permanent or portable washroom
facilities at heavily utilized park and trail locations as these conveniences can attract a greater use by individuals and families.
__________
Page 77 of the document reads:
RECOMMENDATION: Public washroom facilities (through a combination of permanent and portable facilities)
should continue to be provided at heavily utilized parks and key trailheads along the greenway systems. PRIORITY - Highs
I believe the policy is in place and should assist to resolve the matter ASAP.
Evelina MacEachern
Chair, Leisure Services Advisory Committee
----- Original Message -----
From: Evelina MacEachern
To: PMorris@e-aurora.ca ; NGarbe@e-aurora.ca ; adowney@e-aurora.ca
Cc: RSmart@e-aurora.ca ; EMacEachern@e-aurora.ca ; WGaertner@e-aurora.ca ; jtree@e-aurora.ca ; KGobbels@e-aurora.ca
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2010 10:41 PM
Subject: Re: Here we "GO" again
This was discussed at LSAC several times. Most recently during update of the Master Rec Plan.
I don't recall the recommendation/resolution, but, I believe it was NOT that portable washrooms were to be placed at each
park, but, I believe washrooms are to be housed at certain parks.
Mr. Downey perhaps can add to this?
Evelina MacEachern
----- Original Message -----
From:Resident
To: PMorris@e-aurora.ca
Cc: jtree@e-aurora.ca ; bryanhb@rogers.com ; dmdsfusco@sympatico.ca ; r_gray@rogers.com ; aleschristie@yahoo.com ; s.rycombel@sympatico.ca ; dedmunds12@rogers.com ; lwillert@trebnet.com ; carolemgir@aol.com ; thicks@rogers.com ; javed@empression.ca ; lurrywilson@bell.net ; scalam1@gmail.com ; coralg@rogers.com ; jwagg1392@rogers.com ; kieffer@rogers.com ; davegiroux1@aol.com ; AllCouncillors@e-aurora.ca
Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2010 11:16 AM
Subject: Portable Toilets in James Lloyd Park
Ms Mayor,
Thank you for you response below and thanks also to Councillors Wilson and Buck as well as Mr. Giroux for their invaluable input.
I understand that the neighbouring towns have resolved this problem by providing temporary or permanent facilities in their sports parks – I wonder why Aurora finds it so difficult to respond to a simple human requirement.
On 28th May 2008 I sent an email to Mr Tree reporting the problem. A portable toilet installed a week later - problem solved in seven days and the portable toilet remained in place for the rest of the baseball season. I had naively assumed that a portable toilet would have been installed the next year also – this was not to be so.
On 15th July 2008 staff recommended to Council $4,800 be provided to locate fifteen additional Portable toilets in town parks. Council approved the resolution. On 18th September 2008 at a meeting of LSAC the recommendation was considered but it was moved by Councillor Grainger and seconded by Judy Norwell that no portable toilets be placed anywhere in town parks. This was carried (LS08-032). Thus no toilets in 2009 – the problems continued.
I sent an email to you on 26th May 2010 and as a result Councillor Wilson has requested “staff prepare a report to place a minimum of one portable unit in each of the major playgrounds, sports fields etc. for the months of July and August.” According to your email below this will “allow Members of Council and /or LSAC members the opportunity to discuss the matter further, and also allow Staff , Sports associations, schools and residents an opportunity to offer their input and suggestions about the placement of portable washrooms in sports parks.”
I’m not experienced in the internal workings of municipalities but this appears to describe a quite lengthy “process”. I do hope that this can be resolved before the end of the baseball season as a month has elapsed already. If passed, will this be a permanent solution that will be in place next year from May to September (the baseball season) or do we go through the whole process anew each year?
Yours Sincerely,
Resident
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
e-mail from Mayor Morris
your email concerns have been forwarded to staff for their review and a response.
Mr Giroux has advised us all that he is following up with the teams from his club who are using the fields
And in addition following these communications - Cllr. Wilson has just this week raised the same issue by way of giving Notice of Motion
When Councillor Wilsons motion is tabled all Members of Council and /or LSAC members will get the opportunity to
discuss the matter further.
And Staff , Sports associations, schools and residents will also all have an opportunity to offer their input and suggestions at that time
about the placement of portable washrooms in sports parks
Regards
Phyllis Morris
Mayor
********************************
Hi Mayor Morris, Ron and Dave,
Ron, thanks for bringing this issue to our attention.
Dave & Mayor Morris thank you for your efforts in trying to resolve this.
To Recap:
May 26, 2010 - Ron you sent an email to Mayor Morris and cc'd the following individuals Tree, Jim; Wilson, Al; Buck, Evelyn; Dave Giroux
May 27, 2010 Mayor Morris forwarded your email to me, as Chair of LSAC and to staff, and enquired on the status of "portable washrooms".
May 27, 2010 I responded to Mayor Morris' email and cc'd Mr. Downey indicating that I understood the portable washroom policy was dealt with through review of the Master Recreation Plan - see copy of email below. Not having heard back on my email I assumed all was well.
After receiving the most recent emails on the matter, I went to the Adopted Master Recreation Plan and found the following applicable sections:
__________
Page 53 of the document reads:
Comfort Facilities
Wherever possible, the Town should cluster the same type of playing fields together to increase a
sense of form and function in active use parks. Such parks should also include washrooms,
electrical outlets, benches and safe, pedestrian‐friendly pathways, etc. The Town should continue to consider permanent or portable washroom
facilities at heavily utilized park and trail locations as these conveniences can attract a greater use by individuals and families.
__________
Page 77 of the document reads:
RECOMMENDATION: Public washroom facilities (through a combination of permanent and portable facilities)
should continue to be provided at heavily utilized parks and key trailheads along the greenway systems. PRIORITY - Highs
I believe the policy is in place and should assist to resolve the matter ASAP.
Evelina MacEachern
Chair, Leisure Services Advisory Committee
----- Original Message -----
From: Evelina MacEachern
To: PMorris@e-aurora.ca ; NGarbe@e-aurora.ca ; adowney@e-aurora.ca
Cc: RSmart@e-aurora.ca ; EMacEachern@e-aurora.ca ; WGaertner@e-aurora.ca ; jtree@e-aurora.ca ; KGobbels@e-aurora.ca
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2010 10:41 PM
Subject: Re: Here we "GO" again
This was discussed at LSAC several times. Most recently during update of the Master Rec Plan.
I don't recall the recommendation/resolution, but, I believe it was NOT that portable washrooms were to be placed at each
park, but, I believe washrooms are to be housed at certain parks.
Mr. Downey perhaps can add to this?
Evelina MacEachern
**********************************************8
Councillor Evelina: I appreciate your response to our Mayor, Ron and Dave as Chair of LSAC and concur as a member of LSAC that this area was originally discussed on a related subject item by the LSAC committee but I'm not entirely sure either of the specifics of the case item that was before us at the time. Later as you have mentioned, LSAC through the Master Recreation Plan supported this subject area as being of importance.Its application may require further discussion and clarification and I look forward to receiving such information. I have been following the e-mail's of this issue Ron has expressed to our Mayor, and other individuals copied watching closely how this would go forward in being addressed internally. I can appreciate Ron's concern and it has been helpful in seeing how this issue is to resolve in light of the input from yourself and the Master Recreation Plan document approved by Council. I look forward to seeing what further actions may be considered either by staff, Council or LSAC in the resolution of this matter. Sincerely,Councillor Grainger
*******************************************
From the Mayor to Resident June 19th
By way of an update :
The CAO has indicated that the matter of Councils earlier direction and endorsement of portables in active parks will be addressed by staff
This means LSAC, Council and the community can look forward to "portable washrooms " being provided in the Towns active Aurora parks shortly
Regards
Phyllis M.Morris
Saturday, 19 June 2010
Another Daft Scheme
Aurora has been creating a trail system for over forty years. The constant has been resident Klaus Wehrenberg He initiated the concept.
Europeans have enjoyed rights of way across private lands since before the wheel was invented. Walking is a popular activity in Europe. Vacations are organised walks of hundreds of miles.They hike over hills , down dales and the entire length of a river.Hostelries are available and companionship of people who share the same joy. We will never know that.
Our trail has been pieced to-gether.We've never had resources to purchase land. We had to wait for development to acquire it through site plan dedication.
Klaus sometimes ran out of patience with the pace. But he never lost interest. Staff have known him forever as a valuable resource.
The link with Newmarket has been a long time coming. It was finally possible with the site plan for a new building. The Town acquired the necessary link. The first location was changed, to take it further from the building. A budget was approved at $250Ks. An $80Ks Regional grant was obtained.To cut down cost, Park staff would construct the board walk over the Marsh. Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority gave environmental approvals.
But Newmarket got stalled. They had to expropriate the land .
The Nokiida Trail goes to Holland landing and is intended to reach Lake Simcoe
Then Hadley Grange residents were shown the plans.
They were not impressed. They feared undesirable activity on the trail and invasion of their privacy. Councillors received e-mails soliciting support to stop the trail.
I did not agree with the concerns. We have had trails for years and no experience of the problems cited . The trail was planned before the building and residents became its fortunate tenants.
I support the trail.
The residents were not persuaded. Under his authority the Chief Administrative Officer retained a “Problem Facilitator” Consultant. at a price OF $20Ks.
Congenial luncheon meetings followed between the“problem facilitator” and residents. Money was soon exhausted. Council approved a further $30Ks for more tea and sympathy.
A further $70Ks ,was spent, all from the original budget of $250Ks. Three enormous weighty publications of almost a hundred glossy cardboard pages with more blank space than content were circulated. Coloured pictures and vacuous verbiage were the sum and substance.
Council were advised the residents concerns had to be taken seriously.
Cost of the project ballooned to almost $800Ks. It was indicated grants were available from South Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority to pay for the crazy scheme.
None of the Hadley Grange residents expressed support for the spending. Even the resident opposed to the trail didn't believe Council would spend taxpayer's money that way.
On Tuesday, Council were informed no money was available from South Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority'
At theMeeting, Councillor Wilson left before the item came up for debate. Councillor Gallo left during the debate.
I left at ten-minutes past ten, when there was no obvious sign the Mayor was going to stop an endless dissertation on the marvels of the plan.
The “Problem Facilitator” had apparently solved the problem for the Mayor and followers with a recommendation to spend an additional half million dollars, having already swallowed $130Ks. of the original budget to produce nothing of any intellectual value whatsoever.
Friday, 18 June 2010
The Ends Were Too Loose.
I will be away for a week.I'm taking a trip to Vancouver with my daughters, Heather and Theresa.. They have never been to the West coast and we have never taken a trip together, just our three selves.
We will dip down to Tacoma in Washington and spend a few days with my grand-daughter Vanessa and husband James. Vanessa and the twins ,Claire and Reid will come back with us
to spend the summer at the family cottage on Georgian Bay.
Vanessa spent all her childhood summers there . As did her mother.The intention is that CLaire and Reid will enjoy the same advantage.
We will take a lap-top but whether or not I will master it and continue with a blog every day.
we will have to see.
I've been away for a few days from time to time in the past four years.
This may be a good time to take a break from blogging.
I started out with the intention of keeping a journal on Council events. I've done that. To be sure it has been a dreary recital.
I wish it could have been different.
It's our first four year term of office. I think it's too long. Probably most people in Aurora would agree. I'm not aware that any other municipality has had the same experience .So, it's
unlikely the Province will turn the clock backwards to a shorter term.
To clarify the last post; the first lawyers were retained by the Mayor very early in the term. She discovered telephones in the unsecured Councillors' room had been monitored for a spell and was convinced her privacy had been invaded by the former Mayor whom she had defeated in the very recent election.
The next lawyer retained was George Rust D'Eye. The Mayor had met him at a recent conference and he had advised her of the advantage of a Code of Conduct with penalties yet to deal with the problem of a Councillor who persisted in speaking her mind in public even after the majority had made decisions.
That wasn't the end of it.
I've been reviewing the term during the last few weeks, because of the upcoming election .
In a few short weeks, we will have an opportunity to make a change. We need to remember this will be our only chance to decide for another four years.
After a little break I might turn my thoughts to what might be.
We have a beautiful town , a great place to be and a new opportunity coming up to make it better.
We will dip down to Tacoma in Washington and spend a few days with my grand-daughter Vanessa and husband James. Vanessa and the twins ,Claire and Reid will come back with us
to spend the summer at the family cottage on Georgian Bay.
Vanessa spent all her childhood summers there . As did her mother.The intention is that CLaire and Reid will enjoy the same advantage.
We will take a lap-top but whether or not I will master it and continue with a blog every day.
we will have to see.
I've been away for a few days from time to time in the past four years.
This may be a good time to take a break from blogging.
I started out with the intention of keeping a journal on Council events. I've done that. To be sure it has been a dreary recital.
I wish it could have been different.
It's our first four year term of office. I think it's too long. Probably most people in Aurora would agree. I'm not aware that any other municipality has had the same experience .So, it's
unlikely the Province will turn the clock backwards to a shorter term.
To clarify the last post; the first lawyers were retained by the Mayor very early in the term. She discovered telephones in the unsecured Councillors' room had been monitored for a spell and was convinced her privacy had been invaded by the former Mayor whom she had defeated in the very recent election.
The next lawyer retained was George Rust D'Eye. The Mayor had met him at a recent conference and he had advised her of the advantage of a Code of Conduct with penalties yet to deal with the problem of a Councillor who persisted in speaking her mind in public even after the majority had made decisions.
That wasn't the end of it.
I've been reviewing the term during the last few weeks, because of the upcoming election .
In a few short weeks, we will have an opportunity to make a change. We need to remember this will be our only chance to decide for another four years.
After a little break I might turn my thoughts to what might be.
We have a beautiful town , a great place to be and a new opportunity coming up to make it better.
Loose Ends
When Mr. Rust D'Eye presented his report to Council, he stressed solicitor/client privilege
and complete confidentiality. He didn't mention Council has authority to waive privilege at any time
I left mine on the table to be collected by staff. I obtained another copy later. I noticed something, I hadn't before. The date on the document was weeks earlier than it was received by Council.
It was worth noting but hardly surprising.
When the Mayor retained first one and then a second lawyer to advise on " invasion of her privacy" at the beginning of the term, that dialogue went on for two years .
It ended with the second lawyer attending a conference with Council. That's a pricey item.
No evidence of invasion of privacy was opined. Had there been, it would be a civil matter and subject of a civil suit. Damage would have to be proven for compensation.
Of course, it had never been about damage. I believe destroying a political adversary's reputation was the solitary focussed objective.
You really have to be there to appreciate the depth of hostility.
In the conference. the lawyer referred to previous communications. He was surprised to learn Council was never privy to his communications.
When the Mayor first discovered what she considered a plot against her and reported to Council for authority to retain a lawyer, she made the statement then;
"I'm not going to be spending any of my money "
It went on for two years. Two separate law firms were retained. Council never knew the cost of the exercise.
Whatever it was , was wasted.
and complete confidentiality. He didn't mention Council has authority to waive privilege at any time
I left mine on the table to be collected by staff. I obtained another copy later. I noticed something, I hadn't before. The date on the document was weeks earlier than it was received by Council.
It was worth noting but hardly surprising.
When the Mayor retained first one and then a second lawyer to advise on " invasion of her privacy" at the beginning of the term, that dialogue went on for two years .
It ended with the second lawyer attending a conference with Council. That's a pricey item.
No evidence of invasion of privacy was opined. Had there been, it would be a civil matter and subject of a civil suit. Damage would have to be proven for compensation.
Of course, it had never been about damage. I believe destroying a political adversary's reputation was the solitary focussed objective.
You really have to be there to appreciate the depth of hostility.
In the conference. the lawyer referred to previous communications. He was surprised to learn Council was never privy to his communications.
When the Mayor first discovered what she considered a plot against her and reported to Council for authority to retain a lawyer, she made the statement then;
"I'm not going to be spending any of my money "
It went on for two years. Two separate law firms were retained. Council never knew the cost of the exercise.
Whatever it was , was wasted.
Thursday, 17 June 2010
Hope You Sorted It Out
I did the cut and paste thing. I don't know why the e-mails from the resident came out in large blue letters. It wasn't intentional. When Theresa comes home, she will probably be able to show me how to change that.
Slowly and steadily, being dragged through the bushes backwards, I will acquire more computer literacy.
The story would have unwound from start to finish, had I started with my e-mail, then the Mayor's and then the residents two e-mails of complaints. Now I'm afraid to change it in case I mess it up.
So I am depending on readers to sort it out for themselves.
I am currently being accused by a loyal supporter of Councillor MacEachern of making things up, carrying on a vendetta and losing sight of the town's interest
It's been interesting to observe the various strategies to Put The Blame On Mame.
First, I was the source of Council's dysfunction in the last term.
Then, I wasn't right in my head.
Then, "No-one pays any attention to Evelyn Buck"
Then I "vote against things just to draw attention to myself"
Now , "she makes things up" And "she has a vendetta against the Mayor and Councillor MacEachern and doesn't care about the Town"
The real truth is I can't resist telling the story. I know the wise political strategy is not to say anyhting that will make enemies of the other guys friends. But that was before the advent of social media. It may be a while before current conventional wisdom sorts itself out.
I think people have a right to know all the juicy details of what's going on behind the scenes and form a picture in their own minds.I do not refer to legitimate in-camera sessions.
The Mormac Twins are just the gift that keeps on giving.
The Mayor copied her e-mail to the resident, to the rest of Council and parks staff.
I had responded to the resident's first e-mail and was copied the next two.
The information on staff's recommendation on 15 portable toilets at a cost of $4,800, Councillor MacEachern's motion to refer it to the Leisure Services Advisory Committee and that committee's subsequent decision to reject staff''s recommendation, is a matter of public record.
It happened in July 2008. I had hip joint surgery that month.
I believe the Mayor knew all that when she responded to the resident's e-mail.
On the heels of the recommendation, supported by the Mayor, Councillors MacEachern, Gaertner and Grainger, to plant four trees at a cost of $8,000. to obscure a light pole barely visible through a forest, for a person who openly claims the Mayor and Councillor MacEachern as friends, the similarities between the two situations and difference in response by the same actors, is simply too precious not to share.
The real difference between myself and Mormac Twins and their followers , is I believe all politics should be done as if the entire town is watching. If it won't stand up to the light of day, it shouldn't be happening.
It's another reason why having nine people on a Council is not a bad thing. The chances nine will see things the same way and be willing to stay quiet and take the rap for the things they think are wrong are distinctly remote.
There's no vendetta here.
There's just a feast.
In another life, I may well have been a Wandering Minstrel.
Slowly and steadily, being dragged through the bushes backwards, I will acquire more computer literacy.
The story would have unwound from start to finish, had I started with my e-mail, then the Mayor's and then the residents two e-mails of complaints. Now I'm afraid to change it in case I mess it up.
So I am depending on readers to sort it out for themselves.
I am currently being accused by a loyal supporter of Councillor MacEachern of making things up, carrying on a vendetta and losing sight of the town's interest
It's been interesting to observe the various strategies to Put The Blame On Mame.
First, I was the source of Council's dysfunction in the last term.
Then, I wasn't right in my head.
Then, "No-one pays any attention to Evelyn Buck"
Then I "vote against things just to draw attention to myself"
Now , "she makes things up" And "she has a vendetta against the Mayor and Councillor MacEachern and doesn't care about the Town"
The real truth is I can't resist telling the story. I know the wise political strategy is not to say anyhting that will make enemies of the other guys friends. But that was before the advent of social media. It may be a while before current conventional wisdom sorts itself out.
I think people have a right to know all the juicy details of what's going on behind the scenes and form a picture in their own minds.I do not refer to legitimate in-camera sessions.
The Mormac Twins are just the gift that keeps on giving.
The Mayor copied her e-mail to the resident, to the rest of Council and parks staff.
I had responded to the resident's first e-mail and was copied the next two.
The information on staff's recommendation on 15 portable toilets at a cost of $4,800, Councillor MacEachern's motion to refer it to the Leisure Services Advisory Committee and that committee's subsequent decision to reject staff''s recommendation, is a matter of public record.
It happened in July 2008. I had hip joint surgery that month.
I believe the Mayor knew all that when she responded to the resident's e-mail.
On the heels of the recommendation, supported by the Mayor, Councillors MacEachern, Gaertner and Grainger, to plant four trees at a cost of $8,000. to obscure a light pole barely visible through a forest, for a person who openly claims the Mayor and Councillor MacEachern as friends, the similarities between the two situations and difference in response by the same actors, is simply too precious not to share.
The real difference between myself and Mormac Twins and their followers , is I believe all politics should be done as if the entire town is watching. If it won't stand up to the light of day, it shouldn't be happening.
It's another reason why having nine people on a Council is not a bad thing. The chances nine will see things the same way and be willing to stay quiet and take the rap for the things they think are wrong are distinctly remote.
There's no vendetta here.
There's just a feast.
In another life, I may well have been a Wandering Minstrel.
The Story Unwinds
Good Day To You Mr. Resident
I have followed up a sequence of events and have this information to provide to you.
On July 15th 2008 staff recommended to Council $4800 be provided to locate fifteen additional portable toilets in town parks
.
On a motion by Councillor MacEachern seconded by Councillor Gallo, the recommendation was referred to the Leisure Services Advisory Committee. of which Councillor MacEachern is chair.
Council approved the resolution
.
On September 18th at a meeting of L.S.A.C the recommendation was considered
.
It was moved by Councillor Grainger seconded by Judy Norwell that no portable toilets be placed anywhere in town parks.
The Committee's recommendation would have been approved by Council in a meeting of October or November 2008
In effect, town staff have recommended the provision of portable toilets and town council has denied the recommendation.
The only thing missing from the record is a logical explanation for council's decision not to approve the recommendation.
There is no mystery to uncover. Nor reports to await.
Staff recommended the amenity. Council denied it.
And now you have the indignity of being obliged to witness from your dining room window, the sight of a grown man relieving himself full frontage.
Evelyn Buck
The Mayor's Response
Thank you for your email
expressing your concern over residents using public parks as a washroom
Re;
"After three weeks not one response from the mayor so I am assuming that my complaint is not too high on the priority list."
For clarification -when your email was received it was read and the concerns expressed were made a priority and were immediately forwarded to town staff for appropriate action(s)
I personally checked into the matter with staff on your behalf . And at that time I expressed that: "Its understandable that Mr. and Mrs. Binding would be upset at an unknown person relieving himself in a public place within sight of their home "
Our Parks Manager Mr Tree quickly responded to let me know that he was going to " advise Mr. Downey of this latest incident and seek further direction in this regard"
After some internal emails were exchanged - Mr Giroux also responded and copied all and mentioned he would notify his coaches etc
To summarize - your email concerns have been forwarded to staff for their review and a response.
Mr Giroux has advised us all that he is following up with the teams from his club who are using the fields
And in addition following these communications - Cllr. Wilson has just this week raised the same issue by way of giving Notice of Motion
When Councillor Wilsons motion is tabled all Members of Council and /or LSAC members will get the opportunity to
discuss the matter further.
And Staff , Sports associations, schools and residents will also all have an opportunity to offer their input and suggestions at that time
about the placement of portable washrooms in sports parks
Regards
Phyllis Morris
expressing your concern over residents using public parks as a washroom
Re;
"After three weeks not one response from the mayor so I am assuming that my complaint is not too high on the priority list."
For clarification -when your email was received it was read and the concerns expressed were made a priority and were immediately forwarded to town staff for appropriate action(s)
I personally checked into the matter with staff on your behalf . And at that time I expressed that: "Its understandable that Mr. and Mrs. Binding would be upset at an unknown person relieving himself in a public place within sight of their home "
Our Parks Manager Mr Tree quickly responded to let me know that he was going to " advise Mr. Downey of this latest incident and seek further direction in this regard"
After some internal emails were exchanged - Mr Giroux also responded and copied all and mentioned he would notify his coaches etc
To summarize - your email concerns have been forwarded to staff for their review and a response.
Mr Giroux has advised us all that he is following up with the teams from his club who are using the fields
And in addition following these communications - Cllr. Wilson has just this week raised the same issue by way of giving Notice of Motion
When Councillor Wilsons motion is tabled all Members of Council and /or LSAC members will get the opportunity to
discuss the matter further.
And Staff , Sports associations, schools and residents will also all have an opportunity to offer their input and suggestions at that time
about the placement of portable washrooms in sports parks
Regards
Phyllis Morris
Correspondence With The Mayor
Good morning Ms Mayor,
We communicated last year on the problem of the Aurora Grove ballpark lack of facilities and still the problem has not been resolved.
Once again this evening my wife and I while enjoying our dinner were greeted with the sight of a man relieving himself in the trees just beyond our back yard. Would you enjoy this sight from your dining room?
The ballpark was recently resurfaced over a period of days at a cost of most likely thousands of taxpayer dollars but still you have not seen fit to provide a Johnny-on-the-spot for the participants. This head in the sand approach does disservice to us as well as the ballplayers and their supporters – surely facilities are just as important as the resurfacing.
Please do not brush me off as you did last year but address this situation before the season progresses much further.
Hi Al,
Noticed your card in my door today – and am assuming your visit was regarding my email below. You were the only one to visit last year when I made this same complaint and I appreciate your interest in the matter.
After three weeks not one response from the mayor so I am assuming that my complaint is not too high on the priority list. There has been one more incident in that time so the problem for the ballplayers and our discomfort continues. I can’t understand how the town can provide the costly ball diamonds and lighting but ignore the common decency of portable toilets for the participants.
I hope that you can use your influence to correct this situation.
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Things That Stick
It might have been because the two were co-incident .
It's more than twenty-years since I attended a Public Works conference in New Orleans. We stayed in a heritage hotel in the French Quarter. We arrived on Sunday . On Monday morning,the air was filled with the sound of police sirens and fire engine horns.
Municipal public servants were parading in protest of city cut-backs.
Police and Firefighters were losing their jobs and pay rates were being cut .
The city was withdrawing maintenance service to public housing projects. In effect, they were abandoning their own property
At the same time, talk on radio and in newspapers was of mega-million dollars City expenditure for a newly built domed stadium, first of its kind in North America.
The Mayor, whose name I do not recall, although for some reason Bone is in my head, was recipient of the criticism.
It might have been then or another time,a news item was about the mechanism of the stadium roof. It didn't work. The roof wouldn't close.
In New Orleans, I saw a tall thin figure in rags, barely recognizable as human, eating out of a restaurant garbage bin on the sidewalk opposite the hotel. It was a sultry day in August.
One of the speakers at the conference talked about labour-management relations and the reason for strikes.
"The problem is" he said. "Management requires labour to hang up their brains with their hats when they punch the time clock in the morning"
Back home, I read an article about the Japanese auto industry in the U.K. It was in the Star Weekend magazine. Long gone now.
The article was about why Japanese auto makers, drawing from the same work force in Britain, never had strikes.
It was full of figures and comparisons. But the gist of it was, the Japanese treat each other with respect.
Workers are invited to share their ideas. If they see something in the course of their work that could lead to improvement, they are not only welcome, they are expected to bring it to the attention of management.
I remember a comment made by a management person in Sterling Drug during a strike.
He was quoted in The Aurora Banner; " We could teach monkeys to do what they do" he said.
He was talking to the community about Aurora working families who are the community.
I thought "Oh My God!! How does a person so obviously lacking in intelligence get to a position of influence. No wonder, employees are on strike"
Sterling Drug was a good employer and corporate citizen. When they came to Aurora from Windsor, key people who came with them, quickly became fully participating citizens. The late Bill Dinsmore is one I remember.
Major Fred Tilston , a Victoria Cross winner , came from Windsor with Sterling. When the new Aurora Legion was built, it proudly bore his name.
Many folk were glad to have long term jobs in the plant in Aurora until retirement. At that time such jobs were scarce on the ground.
But the comment struck a chord I never forgot.
It's more than twenty-years since I attended a Public Works conference in New Orleans. We stayed in a heritage hotel in the French Quarter. We arrived on Sunday . On Monday morning,the air was filled with the sound of police sirens and fire engine horns.
Municipal public servants were parading in protest of city cut-backs.
Police and Firefighters were losing their jobs and pay rates were being cut .
The city was withdrawing maintenance service to public housing projects. In effect, they were abandoning their own property
At the same time, talk on radio and in newspapers was of mega-million dollars City expenditure for a newly built domed stadium, first of its kind in North America.
The Mayor, whose name I do not recall, although for some reason Bone is in my head, was recipient of the criticism.
It might have been then or another time,a news item was about the mechanism of the stadium roof. It didn't work. The roof wouldn't close.
In New Orleans, I saw a tall thin figure in rags, barely recognizable as human, eating out of a restaurant garbage bin on the sidewalk opposite the hotel. It was a sultry day in August.
One of the speakers at the conference talked about labour-management relations and the reason for strikes.
"The problem is" he said. "Management requires labour to hang up their brains with their hats when they punch the time clock in the morning"
Back home, I read an article about the Japanese auto industry in the U.K. It was in the Star Weekend magazine. Long gone now.
The article was about why Japanese auto makers, drawing from the same work force in Britain, never had strikes.
It was full of figures and comparisons. But the gist of it was, the Japanese treat each other with respect.
Workers are invited to share their ideas. If they see something in the course of their work that could lead to improvement, they are not only welcome, they are expected to bring it to the attention of management.
I remember a comment made by a management person in Sterling Drug during a strike.
He was quoted in The Aurora Banner; " We could teach monkeys to do what they do" he said.
He was talking to the community about Aurora working families who are the community.
I thought "Oh My God!! How does a person so obviously lacking in intelligence get to a position of influence. No wonder, employees are on strike"
Sterling Drug was a good employer and corporate citizen. When they came to Aurora from Windsor, key people who came with them, quickly became fully participating citizens. The late Bill Dinsmore is one I remember.
Major Fred Tilston , a Victoria Cross winner , came from Windsor with Sterling. When the new Aurora Legion was built, it proudly bore his name.
Many folk were glad to have long term jobs in the plant in Aurora until retirement. At that time such jobs were scarce on the ground.
But the comment struck a chord I never forgot.
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
A Reader Commented
"It was too bad you didn't realise it right back at the beginning"
I thought that too . I've been trying to take myself back to the situation to understand my reactions at the time.
First, Morris had complete control of Council. Five members were without experience and naturally taking direction from "the leader" Councillors MacEachern and Gaertner were firmly ensconced.
I had already been marginalized during the election. There were many small indicators. Election night and the vote revealed the extent of the effort to ensure my defeat.
No time was wasted. At the first meeting, on being recognized by the chair, I started to speak. Six words in, Councillor MacEachern raised a point of order. I expressed regrets and proceeded . A few more words and Councillor Wilson raised a point of order. A tad slower, I again showed suitable humility.
I kept up the meek and mild, more or less, for several months.There were only a couple of episodes of spontaneous eruption when staff were being harassed.
The communications manager presenting an annual report was an instance.
Exception was taken by the Terrible Twins to reference to the term "corporate communications" They took turns jabbing and demanding an explanation.
However often and civil the response , their tone became meaner and more spiteful.
Until I exploded and shouted "Stop it"
There had been no intervention from senior staff.
From then, no media release appeared on the web site without comment from Mayor Phyllis Morris, however inappropriate and out of context.
The fight was over.
It may have been the moment, I realized the administration was without fortitude.
About the same time it became evident, I would not be permitted to contribute.
I stopped playing nice and started the blog. If I could not contribute normally , I would contribute differently.
Then it was town's solicitor's turn to be required to bring me to heel.
It took a couple of written opinions stating Councillor Buck has every right to express her views before that option was surrendered.
The north-east "traffic calming" issue and approval of the quarter of a million dollar boondoggle came and went, with the Mayor declaring once more with feeling, how the neighbourhood was special and my vociferous but orderly opposition to the concept.
Then came Knowles Crescent. Councillor MacEachern moved quickly to solve "the problem" The solution was to unceremoniously shove the acting - works- director out of the way, retain a consultant at a cost of $20Ks to do the director's job and distribute $60ks in cheques to a handful of people, one for $10Ks.
It may have been then I said; "Had I voted for that, I would consider myself to be in betrayal of my Oath of Office"
The statement reflected the strength of my conviction.
About the same time, The Auroran broke the news in November, Council had refused to sell land we had for sale to the Region for planned new police headquarters in September.
The story was factual. It appeared three months after the decision was made. It had not been reported out by Council, as it should have been.When it appeared in the newspaper, the Mayor declared. there had been "a leak from an in-camera meeting" and legal Counsel had been retained to "investigate"
In the middle of a Council meeting, she declared EMERGENCY...EMERGENCY and called an in- camera meeting. Mr. George Rust D'Eye had ALREADY been briefed . He was in the Council Chamber,she said.
I respectfully queried the purpose of the in-camera meeting.
"Ah no, Councillor Buck" the Mayor responded. " You will not drag me into that trap"
Notwithstanding that rules require the purpose of an in-camera meeting be public beforehand, Councillors dutifully left their seats and trooped into a back room. Five Councillors were new to the job. The others were Morris, MacEachern, Gaertner and myself.
The Mayor brought Mr. Rust D'Eye around the council table because " He would like to have a few words with you, Councillor Buck"
Their body language suggested I leave my seat and the Chamber. Gut instinct persuaded me not to oblige.
I cordially urged Mr. Rust D'Eye to grab a chair and make himself comfortable.
The solicitor inquired had I retained legal counsel.
That was a surprise, "What reason would I have for that, Mr. Rust D'Eye " I asked.
"Oh, I'm not suggesting it, Councillor" he answered.
He went on to explain the Conflict of Interest Act. Stressed how much more serious it was to be found in a Conflict of Interest than it used to be. Penalties are very severe, he said.
It occurred to me to wonder why he thought he had a right to speak to me in these terms.
But the conversation continued until it became obvious the object was to persuade me not to attend the in-camera meeting of council.
I had not been quick to leave my chair when the Mayor declared the meeting within the meeting, behind closed doors.
I was taking a minute to think before deciding whether or not to attend .
The Mayor and Mr. Rust D'Eye intervened .
When the intent was to stop me from attending became obvious, that 's when I decided I would.
I informed Mr. Rust D'Eye. "It is a meeting of Council. I am a member of Council. I have a right to attend any meeting of Council. And that's what I intend to do right now"
I left him to follow my lead into the back room.
The entire Council was in place. Briefed beforehand no doubt.
The Clerk of the Municipality was there. The solicitor retained and briefed by the Mayor as noted, followed me in.
It was unknown territory. Nothing in my experience prepared me.
I was clearly the target.
I listened.
The solicitor's instructions were to carry out an investigation to determine the source of "the leak"
It was awkward for them but entertaining for me to listen to the talk without a name being mentioned.Obviously, they could not accuse me without evidence of a crime.
That Council refused to sell land the town had for sale to the region to build York Regional Police Headquarters with 700 well paying jobs to contribute to the local economy, appeared not to be relevant.
That the story was well known months in advance in police circles was also disregarded .
That the entire regional council must have been in on the deal was also not referenced.
A new political instrument of retaining legal counsel, had been created at the beginning of the term in the still on-going effort to find a former political adversary guilty of imagined wrong-doing
A second hunt was on and once again, the cloak of solicitor/client privilege was evoked to permit it to happen out of the public eye.
And again the taxpayers were picking up the tab.
I thought that too . I've been trying to take myself back to the situation to understand my reactions at the time.
First, Morris had complete control of Council. Five members were without experience and naturally taking direction from "the leader" Councillors MacEachern and Gaertner were firmly ensconced.
I had already been marginalized during the election. There were many small indicators. Election night and the vote revealed the extent of the effort to ensure my defeat.
No time was wasted. At the first meeting, on being recognized by the chair, I started to speak. Six words in, Councillor MacEachern raised a point of order. I expressed regrets and proceeded . A few more words and Councillor Wilson raised a point of order. A tad slower, I again showed suitable humility.
I kept up the meek and mild, more or less, for several months.There were only a couple of episodes of spontaneous eruption when staff were being harassed.
The communications manager presenting an annual report was an instance.
Exception was taken by the Terrible Twins to reference to the term "corporate communications" They took turns jabbing and demanding an explanation.
However often and civil the response , their tone became meaner and more spiteful.
Until I exploded and shouted "Stop it"
There had been no intervention from senior staff.
From then, no media release appeared on the web site without comment from Mayor Phyllis Morris, however inappropriate and out of context.
The fight was over.
It may have been the moment, I realized the administration was without fortitude.
About the same time it became evident, I would not be permitted to contribute.
I stopped playing nice and started the blog. If I could not contribute normally , I would contribute differently.
Then it was town's solicitor's turn to be required to bring me to heel.
It took a couple of written opinions stating Councillor Buck has every right to express her views before that option was surrendered.
The north-east "traffic calming" issue and approval of the quarter of a million dollar boondoggle came and went, with the Mayor declaring once more with feeling, how the neighbourhood was special and my vociferous but orderly opposition to the concept.
Then came Knowles Crescent. Councillor MacEachern moved quickly to solve "the problem" The solution was to unceremoniously shove the acting - works- director out of the way, retain a consultant at a cost of $20Ks to do the director's job and distribute $60ks in cheques to a handful of people, one for $10Ks.
It may have been then I said; "Had I voted for that, I would consider myself to be in betrayal of my Oath of Office"
The statement reflected the strength of my conviction.
About the same time, The Auroran broke the news in November, Council had refused to sell land we had for sale to the Region for planned new police headquarters in September.
The story was factual. It appeared three months after the decision was made. It had not been reported out by Council, as it should have been.When it appeared in the newspaper, the Mayor declared. there had been "a leak from an in-camera meeting" and legal Counsel had been retained to "investigate"
In the middle of a Council meeting, she declared EMERGENCY...EMERGENCY and called an in- camera meeting. Mr. George Rust D'Eye had ALREADY been briefed . He was in the Council Chamber,she said.
I respectfully queried the purpose of the in-camera meeting.
"Ah no, Councillor Buck" the Mayor responded. " You will not drag me into that trap"
Notwithstanding that rules require the purpose of an in-camera meeting be public beforehand, Councillors dutifully left their seats and trooped into a back room. Five Councillors were new to the job. The others were Morris, MacEachern, Gaertner and myself.
The Mayor brought Mr. Rust D'Eye around the council table because " He would like to have a few words with you, Councillor Buck"
Their body language suggested I leave my seat and the Chamber. Gut instinct persuaded me not to oblige.
I cordially urged Mr. Rust D'Eye to grab a chair and make himself comfortable.
The solicitor inquired had I retained legal counsel.
That was a surprise, "What reason would I have for that, Mr. Rust D'Eye " I asked.
"Oh, I'm not suggesting it, Councillor" he answered.
He went on to explain the Conflict of Interest Act. Stressed how much more serious it was to be found in a Conflict of Interest than it used to be. Penalties are very severe, he said.
It occurred to me to wonder why he thought he had a right to speak to me in these terms.
But the conversation continued until it became obvious the object was to persuade me not to attend the in-camera meeting of council.
I had not been quick to leave my chair when the Mayor declared the meeting within the meeting, behind closed doors.
I was taking a minute to think before deciding whether or not to attend .
The Mayor and Mr. Rust D'Eye intervened .
When the intent was to stop me from attending became obvious, that 's when I decided I would.
I informed Mr. Rust D'Eye. "It is a meeting of Council. I am a member of Council. I have a right to attend any meeting of Council. And that's what I intend to do right now"
I left him to follow my lead into the back room.
The entire Council was in place. Briefed beforehand no doubt.
The Clerk of the Municipality was there. The solicitor retained and briefed by the Mayor as noted, followed me in.
It was unknown territory. Nothing in my experience prepared me.
I was clearly the target.
I listened.
The solicitor's instructions were to carry out an investigation to determine the source of "the leak"
It was awkward for them but entertaining for me to listen to the talk without a name being mentioned.Obviously, they could not accuse me without evidence of a crime.
That Council refused to sell land the town had for sale to the region to build York Regional Police Headquarters with 700 well paying jobs to contribute to the local economy, appeared not to be relevant.
That the story was well known months in advance in police circles was also disregarded .
That the entire regional council must have been in on the deal was also not referenced.
A new political instrument of retaining legal counsel, had been created at the beginning of the term in the still on-going effort to find a former political adversary guilty of imagined wrong-doing
A second hunt was on and once again, the cloak of solicitor/client privilege was evoked to permit it to happen out of the public eye.
And again the taxpayers were picking up the tab.
Monday, 14 June 2010
Therein Lies a Difference.
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Next Went The Public Works Director":
The Public Works Director sounds too fragile and delicate. He would not survive in my private organization.
Believe me my colleagues and I have dealt with a 100 times worse single situations, many times over.
*****************
It's a common assumption , and inaccurate, the private and public sector are the same.
There are many differences. Most obvious is the job is public not private.
Publicly denigrating a professional in the municipal sector is not wise. Especially in a small town. Especially in the GTA.
A Director has options.
Head-hunters prowl the corridors like predators.
A competent director is a precious commodity indeed.
Any sensible politician knows the value of a director who takes professional pride in doing his job well.
At the time the Mayor decided to blame the Director for a problem not of his making, he apparently received a phone call inviting his interest in another opportunity.
He didn't need to go looking.
He would have already understood the potential liability of staying.
In the public sector, a director acquires a reputation. A good one becomes sought after in his field.
A municipality acquires a reputation too. It can be good, bad , indifferent or just plain bloody awful.
The Mayor's response to news of the Director's departure was ; "There are plenty more out there"
Well, you know ....
The Public Works Director sounds too fragile and delicate. He would not survive in my private organization.
Believe me my colleagues and I have dealt with a 100 times worse single situations, many times over.
*****************
It's a common assumption , and inaccurate, the private and public sector are the same.
There are many differences. Most obvious is the job is public not private.
Publicly denigrating a professional in the municipal sector is not wise. Especially in a small town. Especially in the GTA.
A Director has options.
Head-hunters prowl the corridors like predators.
A competent director is a precious commodity indeed.
Any sensible politician knows the value of a director who takes professional pride in doing his job well.
At the time the Mayor decided to blame the Director for a problem not of his making, he apparently received a phone call inviting his interest in another opportunity.
He didn't need to go looking.
He would have already understood the potential liability of staying.
In the public sector, a director acquires a reputation. A good one becomes sought after in his field.
A municipality acquires a reputation too. It can be good, bad , indifferent or just plain bloody awful.
The Mayor's response to news of the Director's departure was ; "There are plenty more out there"
Well, you know ....
The Leave Taking Continues
It wasn't long before the acting-director of public works followed the director. He was in charge during the Knowles Crescent Caper.
After almost fifty years of ditches and culverts and a ribbon of asphalt running down the middle of the right-of-way, it was Knowles Crescent's turn to have a street constructed of urban design. The contract was let for $992 Ks.
When the road bed was in place and curbs installed, some residents became convinced the incline at the end of their driveways was too steep. The panic was on. They refused to accept the engineer's assurance the slope was less than it needed to be .
Councillor MacEachern attended in a home for a meeting with those concerned.
Consequently a delegation appeared at Council with a request for, among other things, a "go-to person" not the Acting Public Works Director, preferably Councillor MacEachern.
Reference was made to litigation against the municipality.
In true pandering form, a consultant was retained at a cost of $20ks to do the director's job and satisfy the demands for a "go-to person".
The contractor stopped work. The equipment was pulled off the job. The project was barely completed before the snow fell.
Five cheques were distributed . One for $10ks .Just in time for Christmas.
Knowles Crescent is a small by-way of fifty-four homes. It's as serene a pocket neighbourhood as any to be found in an Aurora subdivision. The new road with curbs and gutters and wide sweeping lots made it picture perfect.
It's hard to imagine how anyone could seriously suggest the municipality could be sued for spending more than a million dollars for such outstanding improvement.
There was a time it could not have been contemplated without imposing a local improvement tax.
Property values on Knowles Crescent certainly improved by more than the value of the town's investment.
But they did threaten suit. The Mormac twins echoed the possibility. Council was appropriately spooked by the prospect.
It wasn't long after the assistant public works director accepted the post of public works director in a municipality not too far distant.
After almost fifty years of ditches and culverts and a ribbon of asphalt running down the middle of the right-of-way, it was Knowles Crescent's turn to have a street constructed of urban design. The contract was let for $992 Ks.
When the road bed was in place and curbs installed, some residents became convinced the incline at the end of their driveways was too steep. The panic was on. They refused to accept the engineer's assurance the slope was less than it needed to be .
Councillor MacEachern attended in a home for a meeting with those concerned.
Consequently a delegation appeared at Council with a request for, among other things, a "go-to person" not the Acting Public Works Director, preferably Councillor MacEachern.
Reference was made to litigation against the municipality.
In true pandering form, a consultant was retained at a cost of $20ks to do the director's job and satisfy the demands for a "go-to person".
The contractor stopped work. The equipment was pulled off the job. The project was barely completed before the snow fell.
Five cheques were distributed . One for $10ks .Just in time for Christmas.
Knowles Crescent is a small by-way of fifty-four homes. It's as serene a pocket neighbourhood as any to be found in an Aurora subdivision. The new road with curbs and gutters and wide sweeping lots made it picture perfect.
It's hard to imagine how anyone could seriously suggest the municipality could be sued for spending more than a million dollars for such outstanding improvement.
There was a time it could not have been contemplated without imposing a local improvement tax.
Property values on Knowles Crescent certainly improved by more than the value of the town's investment.
But they did threaten suit. The Mormac twins echoed the possibility. Council was appropriately spooked by the prospect.
It wasn't long after the assistant public works director accepted the post of public works director in a municipality not too far distant.
Sunday, 13 June 2010
Next Went The Public Works Director
Relining of sanitary sewer pipes has been going on in the town for a number of years.
The process involves cleaning out the pipes and inserting a liner. The liner needs to be joined in places and that calls for an adhesive. The adhesive has a strong odour but had never before presented as a problem of odour escaping into a home.
If I recall correctly, a couple of homes were involved. One family had a child with a chronic illness. The family were understandably worried and upset
The re-lining project was being contracted out.
The Public Works Director took control immediately.
The family were housed in a hotel. Giant fans were installed in the home and whatever else was required to return the home or homes to clean and clear air.
The odour was not toxic. There was never a risk to health. But the odour was strong and offensive and frightening for a family with a sick child.
No time was wasted, no expense spared, to re-assure the family and ensure their comfort.
The incident was unexpected . Everything that needed to be done was done immediately.
The director had a reputation for fast action. His usual telephone command.
"Stop whatever you're doing and get after "this or that, whatever the need happened to be
My own experience with the Director was faultless.
None of that stopped the Mayor holding the Director responsible for the problem. Making sure no part of the blame fell on her shoulders.
A short time later,Council was informed the Public Works Director had accepted an offer of employment as Public Works Director in the City of Peterborough.
He and his wife lived in Markham. He had worked in Toronto before taking the position in Aurora. He explained , their plans were to retire to Kawartha Lakes. They would be buying a home in that area in preparation.
Discretion is a necessary attribute in the Ontario Municipal Public Service.
Last I heard,not unexpectedly, they never left Markham.
The Director is currently, perfectly, content not to be employed in Aurora.
The process involves cleaning out the pipes and inserting a liner. The liner needs to be joined in places and that calls for an adhesive. The adhesive has a strong odour but had never before presented as a problem of odour escaping into a home.
If I recall correctly, a couple of homes were involved. One family had a child with a chronic illness. The family were understandably worried and upset
The re-lining project was being contracted out.
The Public Works Director took control immediately.
The family were housed in a hotel. Giant fans were installed in the home and whatever else was required to return the home or homes to clean and clear air.
The odour was not toxic. There was never a risk to health. But the odour was strong and offensive and frightening for a family with a sick child.
No time was wasted, no expense spared, to re-assure the family and ensure their comfort.
The incident was unexpected . Everything that needed to be done was done immediately.
The director had a reputation for fast action. His usual telephone command.
"Stop whatever you're doing and get after "this or that, whatever the need happened to be
My own experience with the Director was faultless.
None of that stopped the Mayor holding the Director responsible for the problem. Making sure no part of the blame fell on her shoulders.
A short time later,Council was informed the Public Works Director had accepted an offer of employment as Public Works Director in the City of Peterborough.
He and his wife lived in Markham. He had worked in Toronto before taking the position in Aurora. He explained , their plans were to retire to Kawartha Lakes. They would be buying a home in that area in preparation.
Discretion is a necessary attribute in the Ontario Municipal Public Service.
Last I heard,not unexpectedly, they never left Markham.
The Director is currently, perfectly, content not to be employed in Aurora.
What's Mormac?
I've changed from Mormac Regime, my erstwhile title for the current Council.
I've been writing Blog since August of 2007. My readership has grown steadily. I fancy most are residents of Aurora and familiar with the names of Councillors.
It is my perception a consistent block of votes have been influenced by Mayor Morris and Councillor MacEachern. I adapted the names for ease of reference.
Mostly I have used the term "Mormac Regime"
However, a change has occurred in the voting pattern.
An Official Plan Amendment application which had been stalled repeatedly, finally received approval with votes of two Councillors who were part of the block.
Last week, a second vote slipped from Mormac control
It's been a long time coming. I never would have thought a block would have held fast this long in a nine member council.
So, for now , it is no longer a Regime.
It is simply Mormac
I had a critical comment. I am accused of making politics in Aurora "a blood sport" and making up denigrating names for my colleagues. "Making up" is a favourite accusatory phrase of one Councillor.
She promises I will not receive her vote.
Long since, I came to terms with the unlikelihood of receiving votes from Mormac followers. I didn't get them in the last election. I've done little to cajole them since.
Politics is the one area in our society where differences are not only to be expected but their absence is conspicuous.
This blog costs me nothing but ownership of a computer.
It costs my readers the same.
Any member of Council could be doing what I do. It's not their choice.
Putting ideas and opinions into writing is not the conventional wisdom of politics
I favour the practice.
I think people are entitled to know what I think. I want them to know.
If I'm willing to speak frankly and freely, without fear or favour and call a spade a spade and celebrate the freedom we enjoy every day of my life, I am not likely to be discouraged by someone who thinks it's not very nice.
You do it your way. I will do it mine.
I've been writing Blog since August of 2007. My readership has grown steadily. I fancy most are residents of Aurora and familiar with the names of Councillors.
It is my perception a consistent block of votes have been influenced by Mayor Morris and Councillor MacEachern. I adapted the names for ease of reference.
Mostly I have used the term "Mormac Regime"
However, a change has occurred in the voting pattern.
An Official Plan Amendment application which had been stalled repeatedly, finally received approval with votes of two Councillors who were part of the block.
Last week, a second vote slipped from Mormac control
It's been a long time coming. I never would have thought a block would have held fast this long in a nine member council.
So, for now , it is no longer a Regime.
It is simply Mormac
I had a critical comment. I am accused of making politics in Aurora "a blood sport" and making up denigrating names for my colleagues. "Making up" is a favourite accusatory phrase of one Councillor.
She promises I will not receive her vote.
Long since, I came to terms with the unlikelihood of receiving votes from Mormac followers. I didn't get them in the last election. I've done little to cajole them since.
Politics is the one area in our society where differences are not only to be expected but their absence is conspicuous.
This blog costs me nothing but ownership of a computer.
It costs my readers the same.
Any member of Council could be doing what I do. It's not their choice.
Putting ideas and opinions into writing is not the conventional wisdom of politics
I favour the practice.
I think people are entitled to know what I think. I want them to know.
If I'm willing to speak frankly and freely, without fear or favour and call a spade a spade and celebrate the freedom we enjoy every day of my life, I am not likely to be discouraged by someone who thinks it's not very nice.
You do it your way. I will do it mine.
Back To The Exodus
The Mayor and Council's administrative assistant was first to leave.
I noticed e-mails emanating from her office late in the evening. Long past time she should have been home enjoying life with her family. It wasn't the norm. It was steadily growing.
At the beginning of the previous term, Councillor Morris had stationery printed" From The Office of the Deputy-Mayor". Former Councillor George Timpson had done the same thing when he topped the poll his second time out.
On that occasion,the Clerk lost no time informing him it was out of order. The Mayor alone has authority to communicate on behalf of Council; the Clerk communicates on behalf of the municipality.
This time, the administrative assistant was charged with the unpleasant task. It shouldn't have been that way but it was.
The late hours of work for the administrative assistant in the new regime caused me concern which I relayed to the CAO. A person accepts employment with certain working conditions. I do not believe an employer has a right to change the conditions except in extraordinary circumstances.
There were no extraordinary circumstances. Aside from my personal concern for the employee's well-being, I foresaw a need being contrived for additional staff.
It took longer than I thought. Inevitably the day came when the employee took her leave.
Her relationship with the former Mayor and Councillors had been mutually respectful, always helpful, professional and friendly.
It was a personal loss and a sad day.
A dinner was arranged at a local restaurant. Director's attended. Councillor Collins Mrakas brought flowers. The Mayor attended and left before the tab was extended.
I noticed e-mails emanating from her office late in the evening. Long past time she should have been home enjoying life with her family. It wasn't the norm. It was steadily growing.
At the beginning of the previous term, Councillor Morris had stationery printed" From The Office of the Deputy-Mayor". Former Councillor George Timpson had done the same thing when he topped the poll his second time out.
On that occasion,the Clerk lost no time informing him it was out of order. The Mayor alone has authority to communicate on behalf of Council; the Clerk communicates on behalf of the municipality.
This time, the administrative assistant was charged with the unpleasant task. It shouldn't have been that way but it was.
The late hours of work for the administrative assistant in the new regime caused me concern which I relayed to the CAO. A person accepts employment with certain working conditions. I do not believe an employer has a right to change the conditions except in extraordinary circumstances.
There were no extraordinary circumstances. Aside from my personal concern for the employee's well-being, I foresaw a need being contrived for additional staff.
It took longer than I thought. Inevitably the day came when the employee took her leave.
Her relationship with the former Mayor and Councillors had been mutually respectful, always helpful, professional and friendly.
It was a personal loss and a sad day.
A dinner was arranged at a local restaurant. Director's attended. Councillor Collins Mrakas brought flowers. The Mayor attended and left before the tab was extended.
Eight Thousand Not Spent
I referred to Councillor Gaertner's rationale for supporting the plan to obscure the winter view of part of a baseball lighting pole from the dining room window of a house where the residents are not planning to reside.
Councillor MacEachern took up the cudgels and related the matter to council's previous approval of height for a Condo Building on the north corner of Centre and Yonge Street. The Councillor's comments were directed at Councillors Gallo and Wilson.
On the O.P. Amendment, Councillor Gallo had first voted for Councillor MacEachern's motion to defer. When it failed he voted for the Amendment which allows a site plan to proceed.
In essence, both Councillors were being criticised by Councillor MacEachern for judgement in a previous vote.
It's a clear contravention of The Rules. But not in Mormac
The next Council meeting is the last to be televised before the election.Whatever happens from then on will not be on camera . Unless Councillors object to the shut down.
Newmarket Council meetings are televised until the election.They probably see the service as much a benefit to electors as incumbents.
Councillor MacEachern took up the cudgels and related the matter to council's previous approval of height for a Condo Building on the north corner of Centre and Yonge Street. The Councillor's comments were directed at Councillors Gallo and Wilson.
On the O.P. Amendment, Councillor Gallo had first voted for Councillor MacEachern's motion to defer. When it failed he voted for the Amendment which allows a site plan to proceed.
In essence, both Councillors were being criticised by Councillor MacEachern for judgement in a previous vote.
It's a clear contravention of The Rules. But not in Mormac
The next Council meeting is the last to be televised before the election.Whatever happens from then on will not be on camera . Unless Councillors object to the shut down.
Newmarket Council meetings are televised until the election.They probably see the service as much a benefit to electors as incumbents.
Saturday, 12 June 2010
A Question
Anonymous said...Where does your lawsuit stand ?
The law suit is in process. It's not the only action on Kevin's calender. It has to take it's turn.
I must simply wait to hear and say nothing that will get in the way of Kevin doing his job.
From time to time I have to forward new material for his attention.
I must say, I think it's very odd for someone elected to represent people to have to resort to legal counsel to have the freedom to do the job.
But not more odd than a council spending hundreds of thousands of public resources to fight political battles, settle political scores and squelch political debate with a member of the council of which they too are members.
The law suit is in process. It's not the only action on Kevin's calender. It has to take it's turn.
I must simply wait to hear and say nothing that will get in the way of Kevin doing his job.
From time to time I have to forward new material for his attention.
I must say, I think it's very odd for someone elected to represent people to have to resort to legal counsel to have the freedom to do the job.
But not more odd than a council spending hundreds of thousands of public resources to fight political battles, settle political scores and squelch political debate with a member of the council of which they too are members.
The Continuing Story Unfolds
The town solicitor left in 2008. Whitby was setting up a legal department and our solicitor was the candidate chosen for the job. It was good fortune. Whitby was practically within her neighbourhood. It wasn't unusual to have to stay over at the Howard Johnston when Council meetings continued until past midnight and the only thing going on was the Mayor's relentless chatter.
Leo Groellette , chief building official.had left in 2007. One reason was the Town of Vaughan had daytime meetings.Then Councillor Morris was in the habit of extending Council hours with endless "new business" items of her own.The Mayor gave her free rein. Much good it did him.
But the solicitor had other problems to deal with in Aurora.
The Mormac Twins had trouble dealing with a Councillor inclined to expound an opposite view to their own, beyond the perimeters of the Town Hall. Even after a majority decision had been made by Council.
How outrageous!!!
The solicitor was frequently solicited to take a legal position.
Eventually, she put her position in writing. I had an opportunity to read it.
"Councillor Buck has every right to state her views. She goes right to the line but she never crosses the line"
Well the ladies were not pleased. They took to adding e-mails of mine to the agenda and bringing up my Letters to the Editor to debate.
They were informed they had no authority to do that either. But as long as the soon-to- retire Municipal Clerk was willing to follow orders. they did it anyway.
I opted to leave the Chamber rather than engage in personal dispute. Councillor MacEachern took it to signify, I was without courage.
On the eve of the 2007 election, a very angry resident of the Mosaic Town House Complex came to Council.
Canadian Tire had decided to conserve power and turn off parking lot lights at ten-thirty P.M. A rear right of way, required by the town for emergency purpose, was subsequently in darkness at that hour.
The resident raged that Canadian Tire had no right. The residents needed to use the right of way. It was closest to the bus stop.
Following, and no doubt during, the election, the issue became of prime importance to the newly elected Mayor.Months of "discussion" went into solving "the problem"
Meetings were held. Hours of title and contract searching were undertaken by staff. Contracts involving three separate property owners were discovered and forty seven pages of problem-solving instruments were registered on title.
The Town of Aurora was party to none of them.
Ultimately, " the problem" was solved by concrete being broken out and three Canadian Tire parking lot lights being hooked up to Town of Aurora street lights.
Once again, the Mormac Twins had ridden, like Zorro, to the rescue.
It may have been the last time the Town's solicitor expended significant effort to advise Council on the Town's legal responsibilities.
The CAO had also urgently advised, the legal department had spent many hours and town resources researching documents to discover the issue was entirely private.
The Town had no role.
No matter.
Months later, Executive Board Members of the Mosaic Complex came to Council as a delegation to express profound appreciation for the assistance of the Mayor and Council in resolving "the problem".
All's well that ends well.
The CAO and Town Solicitor had departed for better climes long since.
Leo Groellette , chief building official.had left in 2007. One reason was the Town of Vaughan had daytime meetings.Then Councillor Morris was in the habit of extending Council hours with endless "new business" items of her own.The Mayor gave her free rein. Much good it did him.
But the solicitor had other problems to deal with in Aurora.
The Mormac Twins had trouble dealing with a Councillor inclined to expound an opposite view to their own, beyond the perimeters of the Town Hall. Even after a majority decision had been made by Council.
How outrageous!!!
The solicitor was frequently solicited to take a legal position.
Eventually, she put her position in writing. I had an opportunity to read it.
"Councillor Buck has every right to state her views. She goes right to the line but she never crosses the line"
Well the ladies were not pleased. They took to adding e-mails of mine to the agenda and bringing up my Letters to the Editor to debate.
They were informed they had no authority to do that either. But as long as the soon-to- retire Municipal Clerk was willing to follow orders. they did it anyway.
I opted to leave the Chamber rather than engage in personal dispute. Councillor MacEachern took it to signify, I was without courage.
On the eve of the 2007 election, a very angry resident of the Mosaic Town House Complex came to Council.
Canadian Tire had decided to conserve power and turn off parking lot lights at ten-thirty P.M. A rear right of way, required by the town for emergency purpose, was subsequently in darkness at that hour.
The resident raged that Canadian Tire had no right. The residents needed to use the right of way. It was closest to the bus stop.
Following, and no doubt during, the election, the issue became of prime importance to the newly elected Mayor.Months of "discussion" went into solving "the problem"
Meetings were held. Hours of title and contract searching were undertaken by staff. Contracts involving three separate property owners were discovered and forty seven pages of problem-solving instruments were registered on title.
The Town of Aurora was party to none of them.
Ultimately, " the problem" was solved by concrete being broken out and three Canadian Tire parking lot lights being hooked up to Town of Aurora street lights.
Once again, the Mormac Twins had ridden, like Zorro, to the rescue.
It may have been the last time the Town's solicitor expended significant effort to advise Council on the Town's legal responsibilities.
The CAO had also urgently advised, the legal department had spent many hours and town resources researching documents to discover the issue was entirely private.
The Town had no role.
No matter.
Months later, Executive Board Members of the Mosaic Complex came to Council as a delegation to express profound appreciation for the assistance of the Mayor and Council in resolving "the problem".
All's well that ends well.
The CAO and Town Solicitor had departed for better climes long since.
Friday, 11 June 2010
A New Thought
In a discussion about the Code of Conduct and its purpose, a new thought has occurred to me.
Every one knows the short list items of public business a Council may discuss behind closed doors.
The right to privacy requires individuals may not be identified. Confidentiality must be observed.
Bargaining in good faith in union negotiations requires confidentiality.
If the Town is suing or being sued and solicitor/client advice is being received, the Town's interest must be protected. Therefore discussion must be behind closed doors.
Ditto when the Town is buying or selling real estate and price and/or conditions are being discussed.
The purpose of the legislation permitting a municipality to adopt a Code of Conduct allows an individual who knows or suspects wrong-doing on the part of an elected representative, to bring the matter to the attention of an Integrity Commissioner to privately investigate and determine if there is substance to the complaint.
In the computer scandal in Toronto, there must have been many who knew what was going on a long time before the scandal came to light. Hundreds of thousands ,maybe millions of dollars of public funds must have been misappropriated before the whistle was blown.
Provincial theory might have been, A Code of Conduct and possibility of being outed, disgraced and effectively expelled from Council would have a cautionary effect on anyone contemplating thievery and skulduggery.
I don't think so. Sensible people don't do stuff like that. Those who do, are compelled by reasons having nothing to do with honesty, common sense, the public trust or normal stuff like that. It has everything to do with greed and maniacal compulsion.
Plotting a strategy to bring down a political adversary with the help of solicitors paid for at taxpayers expense, is not listed as a reason for closed door discussion.
No provision exists in Code legislation for a group of politicians aggrieved by criticism , to file a complaint against another politician. The lawyer told them that. In writing already.
It follows therefore, when a number of Councillors decided to take revenge for real or imagined slights in the political arena, they had no right to do it behind closed doors.
The corporation's interest was never at risk.
If they had been compelled to do what they did publicly, with cable catching every phrase and evil glance and winging it through to the audience at home, I think the story might have been very different.
They would have had a hard time justifying spending unbudgeted funds on lawyers expenses to carry out their nefarious scheme.
Let alone refusing to disclose how much it cost after they spent it.
Every one knows the short list items of public business a Council may discuss behind closed doors.
The right to privacy requires individuals may not be identified. Confidentiality must be observed.
Bargaining in good faith in union negotiations requires confidentiality.
If the Town is suing or being sued and solicitor/client advice is being received, the Town's interest must be protected. Therefore discussion must be behind closed doors.
Ditto when the Town is buying or selling real estate and price and/or conditions are being discussed.
The purpose of the legislation permitting a municipality to adopt a Code of Conduct allows an individual who knows or suspects wrong-doing on the part of an elected representative, to bring the matter to the attention of an Integrity Commissioner to privately investigate and determine if there is substance to the complaint.
In the computer scandal in Toronto, there must have been many who knew what was going on a long time before the scandal came to light. Hundreds of thousands ,maybe millions of dollars of public funds must have been misappropriated before the whistle was blown.
Provincial theory might have been, A Code of Conduct and possibility of being outed, disgraced and effectively expelled from Council would have a cautionary effect on anyone contemplating thievery and skulduggery.
I don't think so. Sensible people don't do stuff like that. Those who do, are compelled by reasons having nothing to do with honesty, common sense, the public trust or normal stuff like that. It has everything to do with greed and maniacal compulsion.
Plotting a strategy to bring down a political adversary with the help of solicitors paid for at taxpayers expense, is not listed as a reason for closed door discussion.
No provision exists in Code legislation for a group of politicians aggrieved by criticism , to file a complaint against another politician. The lawyer told them that. In writing already.
It follows therefore, when a number of Councillors decided to take revenge for real or imagined slights in the political arena, they had no right to do it behind closed doors.
The corporation's interest was never at risk.
If they had been compelled to do what they did publicly, with cable catching every phrase and evil glance and winging it through to the audience at home, I think the story might have been very different.
They would have had a hard time justifying spending unbudgeted funds on lawyers expenses to carry out their nefarious scheme.
Let alone refusing to disclose how much it cost after they spent it.
Thursday, 10 June 2010
Going Back In Time
A baseball backstop can't just go any place.It has to be planned.
Why are you so sure? you ask.
Well. ..because we did it wrong once.
The first diamond we built was in Fleury Park years ago. We didn't know it was facing the wrong way until it was played. The setting sun blinded the players so they couldn't see the pitching ball coming at them.
We had to re-locate the whole fandango. Fortunately no lights had to be moved. There were none.
I didn't post yesterday. The issue in the forefront of my mind required listening to the tape of a February meeting. .
I hate that. Listening to the Mayor's endless dissertations once is hard enough. Doing it a second time is unendurable. I never watch Council on T.V.for that reason.
A Leslie Street resident's outrage at having to look at part of a light pole at the new diamond through leafless winter trees from her dining room window, was the issue at hand.
Staff had visited the home to view the offending pole. It was recommended to move the pole at a cost $7 Ks plus. Council was not inclined. The matter was placed in the hands of the Chief Administrative Officer for management of the outcome.
It's what happens when the vote appears not to be going the Mayor's way.
Notwithstanding a favourable recommendation, the resident requested delegation. Context of her complaint was failure to consult when the diamond was being planned They came home one day to find a pole was practically in the backyard.
It was another night to Dump on the Director . Even though the pole was recommended to be moved.
At the end of the lengthy complaint, I asked the resident if she had been informed a favourable recommendation had been made.The decision was pending.The matter was not on the agenda.
She acknowledged notification prior to requesting delegation status.
That fact clarified, I asked why had she had come to the meeting. Why was she there?
Mystified, the resident needed the question repeated before she understood.
Finally she did. She had previously referred to speaking to "Evalina" , now waved her arm toward the Mayor and said "Phyllis told me".
"Ah Yes " I said, almost to myself, barely refraining from the jock gesture of triumph.
Councillor Wilson on a point of order, objected to my "cross-examining" the delegate.
The Mayor agreed with the Councillor and added it was "disgraceful behaviour"
The tape of the Mayor's discourse continues for more than twelve minutes of baffle-gab seemingly striving to bury the fact she had told the resident to attend Council and fulminate at large in a complaint against staff for failing to advise of plans to build a diamond in her backyard without providing an opportunity to object to placement of lights.
Staff were the real villains of the piece. The opportunity to point that out without personally making the statement herself , could not be missed.It was classic Morris tactics.
Council needed to compensate for failure of staff.
So, the plot was revealed.
Last Tuesday , in the final debate, Councillor Gaertner declared her reason for voting in favour of planting four coniferous trees, thirty-feet high, behind the bottom half of the light pole at a cost of almost $8ks to obscure the awful sight from the resident's dining-room window was "staff failure to follow process".
The fact there was no process to follow had failed to register with the Councillor.
The Mayor's strategy had worked...somewhat.
Councillor Wilson and myself, unbeknownst to each other, had gone at different times, to see how bad the situation was before the issue was to be decided.
From the town's property we separately viewed the distance behind the light poles. A stretch of bare earth, a substantial green slope rising and beyond that a ring of dense forest circling the top completely obscured any sign of a house.
A house in which , by the way, the owner had informed the CAO on the visit to find a solution to "the problem", they did not intend to continue to live.
So, the recommendation to Council, contrived by the Mayor, at substantial expense of staff time and effort, was to spend almost eight-thousand dollars, planting thirty-foot high coniferous trees which would probably not survive the transplant, and not even provide shade to park users, to obscure part of a light pole, which could not be seen through the summer foliage of a deciduous forest which was already in place on town property .
On Tuesday, when I was finally recognized by the chair to speak , the Chair interrupted and took great exception when I referred to her own and Councillor MacEachern's involvement in achieving a favourable recommendation for the Leslie Street resident.
From the Chair, a point of order was called to stop my comments in mid sentence. " I am not going to allow you to impugn my motives Councillor" the Mayor declared amidst a flurry of other verbiage, after failing to persuade the Deputy-Mayor to take the chair, while she expounded her lengthy point of order, from the Chair.
Councillor MacEachern chimed in with her statement. "I am sick and tired of her (me)making things up" she declared.
It was indeed a performance. Hardly orderly. Quite abusive in fact.
The resident, on the other hand, sufficiently confident of her friendship with "Evalina" and Phyllis" has apparently felt no need to keep it a secret.
But, for all the expense of staff time and effort to solve " the problem" and the river of words from the Mayor, the vote on Tuesday was five to four against planting the trees.
The Mayor, Councillors MacEachern, Gaertner and Granger were the lonesome four... for a change.
After all this time of the infernal alliance, some are wondering if another nefarious plot is afoot.
Why are you so sure? you ask.
Well. ..because we did it wrong once.
The first diamond we built was in Fleury Park years ago. We didn't know it was facing the wrong way until it was played. The setting sun blinded the players so they couldn't see the pitching ball coming at them.
We had to re-locate the whole fandango. Fortunately no lights had to be moved. There were none.
I didn't post yesterday. The issue in the forefront of my mind required listening to the tape of a February meeting. .
I hate that. Listening to the Mayor's endless dissertations once is hard enough. Doing it a second time is unendurable. I never watch Council on T.V.for that reason.
A Leslie Street resident's outrage at having to look at part of a light pole at the new diamond through leafless winter trees from her dining room window, was the issue at hand.
Staff had visited the home to view the offending pole. It was recommended to move the pole at a cost $7 Ks plus. Council was not inclined. The matter was placed in the hands of the Chief Administrative Officer for management of the outcome.
It's what happens when the vote appears not to be going the Mayor's way.
Notwithstanding a favourable recommendation, the resident requested delegation. Context of her complaint was failure to consult when the diamond was being planned They came home one day to find a pole was practically in the backyard.
It was another night to Dump on the Director . Even though the pole was recommended to be moved.
At the end of the lengthy complaint, I asked the resident if she had been informed a favourable recommendation had been made.The decision was pending.The matter was not on the agenda.
She acknowledged notification prior to requesting delegation status.
That fact clarified, I asked why had she had come to the meeting. Why was she there?
Mystified, the resident needed the question repeated before she understood.
Finally she did. She had previously referred to speaking to "Evalina" , now waved her arm toward the Mayor and said "Phyllis told me".
"Ah Yes " I said, almost to myself, barely refraining from the jock gesture of triumph.
Councillor Wilson on a point of order, objected to my "cross-examining" the delegate.
The Mayor agreed with the Councillor and added it was "disgraceful behaviour"
The tape of the Mayor's discourse continues for more than twelve minutes of baffle-gab seemingly striving to bury the fact she had told the resident to attend Council and fulminate at large in a complaint against staff for failing to advise of plans to build a diamond in her backyard without providing an opportunity to object to placement of lights.
Staff were the real villains of the piece. The opportunity to point that out without personally making the statement herself , could not be missed.It was classic Morris tactics.
Council needed to compensate for failure of staff.
So, the plot was revealed.
Last Tuesday , in the final debate, Councillor Gaertner declared her reason for voting in favour of planting four coniferous trees, thirty-feet high, behind the bottom half of the light pole at a cost of almost $8ks to obscure the awful sight from the resident's dining-room window was "staff failure to follow process".
The fact there was no process to follow had failed to register with the Councillor.
The Mayor's strategy had worked...somewhat.
Councillor Wilson and myself, unbeknownst to each other, had gone at different times, to see how bad the situation was before the issue was to be decided.
From the town's property we separately viewed the distance behind the light poles. A stretch of bare earth, a substantial green slope rising and beyond that a ring of dense forest circling the top completely obscured any sign of a house.
A house in which , by the way, the owner had informed the CAO on the visit to find a solution to "the problem", they did not intend to continue to live.
So, the recommendation to Council, contrived by the Mayor, at substantial expense of staff time and effort, was to spend almost eight-thousand dollars, planting thirty-foot high coniferous trees which would probably not survive the transplant, and not even provide shade to park users, to obscure part of a light pole, which could not be seen through the summer foliage of a deciduous forest which was already in place on town property .
On Tuesday, when I was finally recognized by the chair to speak , the Chair interrupted and took great exception when I referred to her own and Councillor MacEachern's involvement in achieving a favourable recommendation for the Leslie Street resident.
From the Chair, a point of order was called to stop my comments in mid sentence. " I am not going to allow you to impugn my motives Councillor" the Mayor declared amidst a flurry of other verbiage, after failing to persuade the Deputy-Mayor to take the chair, while she expounded her lengthy point of order, from the Chair.
Councillor MacEachern chimed in with her statement. "I am sick and tired of her (me)making things up" she declared.
It was indeed a performance. Hardly orderly. Quite abusive in fact.
The resident, on the other hand, sufficiently confident of her friendship with "Evalina" and Phyllis" has apparently felt no need to keep it a secret.
But, for all the expense of staff time and effort to solve " the problem" and the river of words from the Mayor, the vote on Tuesday was five to four against planting the trees.
The Mayor, Councillors MacEachern, Gaertner and Granger were the lonesome four... for a change.
After all this time of the infernal alliance, some are wondering if another nefarious plot is afoot.
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
Skimming
Leaves had come up to the surface and I was scooping them out. It's a mindless task. The kind I quite enjoy. Like chipping ice off a driveway . Or sweeping a vast expanse. Or digging dandelions while seated on the grass.
It's a rhythm. Steady and productive. You don't have to bend or kneel or pull. You can see results as you go. While your mind occupies with whatever happens to pop in.
I had some concerns about talking about people who left the town's employ. Some of the departures were already in the public domain. Like Municipal Clerk Lucille King and CAO John Rogers.
Nothing negative was said. There was nothing negative to say. I simply re-affirmed publicly known facts
I was challenged by Guy Poppe to name staff and reveal details of their exodus.He questioned my rationale of privacy.
Much of judgement is gut instinct. Immediate reaction. I search for the rationale after the fact.
Sometimes I'm right,sometimes not.
Something new popped into my head yesterday when I was skimming. It's a bit like the poor man's sport of rowing...with one arm...which in rowing... would take me round in circles.
Anyway,another reason for caution about privacy came into my head.
Google!!
It seems when a name is mentioned on line, it's immediately scooped up by the internet.
Like the mindless task of skimming.
It's a long way from the days of wandering minstrels. They had to sing the news to people in rhymes and riddles and jingles, on pain of prosecution.
Free speech was an unknown quantity. Certainly no opportunity to complain to an Integrity Commissioner....at taxpayers' expense.
It's a rhythm. Steady and productive. You don't have to bend or kneel or pull. You can see results as you go. While your mind occupies with whatever happens to pop in.
I had some concerns about talking about people who left the town's employ. Some of the departures were already in the public domain. Like Municipal Clerk Lucille King and CAO John Rogers.
Nothing negative was said. There was nothing negative to say. I simply re-affirmed publicly known facts
I was challenged by Guy Poppe to name staff and reveal details of their exodus.He questioned my rationale of privacy.
Much of judgement is gut instinct. Immediate reaction. I search for the rationale after the fact.
Sometimes I'm right,sometimes not.
Something new popped into my head yesterday when I was skimming. It's a bit like the poor man's sport of rowing...with one arm...which in rowing... would take me round in circles.
Anyway,another reason for caution about privacy came into my head.
Google!!
It seems when a name is mentioned on line, it's immediately scooped up by the internet.
Like the mindless task of skimming.
It's a long way from the days of wandering minstrels. They had to sing the news to people in rhymes and riddles and jingles, on pain of prosecution.
Free speech was an unknown quantity. Certainly no opportunity to complain to an Integrity Commissioner....at taxpayers' expense.
Monday, 7 June 2010
A Dress Rehearsal
I posted a comment from Guy Poppe yesterday. He had presented as a friend recently
I was reluctant to decide what his comment conveyed. I thought readers might help me decide.
They did.
The comment is removed.
I conclude Mr. Poppe is an active supporter of Mormac, trying to infiltrate the enemy.
It makes friendship unlikely
We all know by now how much organization went into Mormac's campaign in last election .
Susan Walmer, organizer par excellence, created the Coalition of Ratepayers Associations.
First there was S.W.A.T., the South West Aurora Team that campaigned against Ontario Heritage Trust's plan to sell part of the Anne Bartley Smith lands.
Twenty acres of the land were pre-serviced by the town for development . O.H.T. apparently would have realised financial resources desperately needed to carry out their mandate.
The plan was to transfer ownership of the other sixty acres of land to the town for free and untrammelled use by the entire community.
S.W.A.T., a group of residents, including Guy Poppe, who could see the land from their windows, were strongly opposed to the plan and fought it to a standstill. Hardly to the advantage of the community at large.
Councillor MacEachern was leader of the opposition and mindful of her financial advantage, currently declares a conflict of interest whenever the Ann Bartley Smith lands are on the Council agenda for discussion.
The North East Quadrant Ratepayer's Association were also part of the Walmer organization. Their objective was to remove all traffic from streets in their neighbourhood.That was after having their entire neighbourhood designated heritage so that no resident can do anything with their property that the neighbours do not approve.
Since the election they succeeded in their endeavour with quarter of a million dollars of taxpayers money spent on a crazy" traffic calming" plan.
The Bayview Ratepayers Association had the issue of Ontario Hydro's plans to install higher voltage transmission lines in the hydro corridor overshadowing their homes.The shadow seems to be removed by the Province's recent decision to exercise authority to approve placement of the peaker plant in King Township. We can only hope that's a done deal.
A Coalition of Sports Organizations was also created in time for the election. The Mayor's victory celebration was held in the Aurora Men's Soccer Club Building in a field provided to them free by the Town of Aurora.
The President of the Aurora Junior Soccer Association has recently requested the town provide a suite of offices to rent for his multi- million dollar operation. His request has been referred by Councilllor MacEachern's Leisure Services Advisory Committee for staff to determine availability of space.
Considerable organization was obviously necessary to get everything into place prior to the last election.
It didn't mean all the people represented by the organizations actually voted for the Mormac team.
Bayview West made the difference in votes.
Councillor MacEachern did well; a couple of thousand votes more than the Mayor. Councillor Gaertner did exceptionally well, all things considered. Councillors Granger and Wilson were part of the slate and were elected.
Councillor Gallo, President of the Bayview Ratepayers' Association was appointed to take Councillor Marsh's place when sadly she resigned.
Politically, Councillor Gallo would have been wiser to opt for the popular demand of a by-election and put his name forward as a candidate But he didn't ask for my advice.
So there you have it. The story of a campaign.
It worked once.
No doubt, even as we speak, first strategy sessions have been held for the next election. Gears are cranked, wheels are in motion.
Areas of weakness have already been identified and supporters assigned their roles.
I figure the exodus of staff from the administration has been fingered. Guy Poppe has been assigned the task of identifying the real culprit and proving his friend of heroic stature, Mayor Morris has simply been a victim of circumstances.
It's so unsubtle.
In terms of drama it's a British Christmas Pantomine with the role of Buttons already captured.
I was reluctant to decide what his comment conveyed. I thought readers might help me decide.
They did.
The comment is removed.
I conclude Mr. Poppe is an active supporter of Mormac, trying to infiltrate the enemy.
It makes friendship unlikely
We all know by now how much organization went into Mormac's campaign in last election .
Susan Walmer, organizer par excellence, created the Coalition of Ratepayers Associations.
First there was S.W.A.T., the South West Aurora Team that campaigned against Ontario Heritage Trust's plan to sell part of the Anne Bartley Smith lands.
Twenty acres of the land were pre-serviced by the town for development . O.H.T. apparently would have realised financial resources desperately needed to carry out their mandate.
The plan was to transfer ownership of the other sixty acres of land to the town for free and untrammelled use by the entire community.
S.W.A.T., a group of residents, including Guy Poppe, who could see the land from their windows, were strongly opposed to the plan and fought it to a standstill. Hardly to the advantage of the community at large.
Councillor MacEachern was leader of the opposition and mindful of her financial advantage, currently declares a conflict of interest whenever the Ann Bartley Smith lands are on the Council agenda for discussion.
The North East Quadrant Ratepayer's Association were also part of the Walmer organization. Their objective was to remove all traffic from streets in their neighbourhood.That was after having their entire neighbourhood designated heritage so that no resident can do anything with their property that the neighbours do not approve.
Since the election they succeeded in their endeavour with quarter of a million dollars of taxpayers money spent on a crazy" traffic calming" plan.
The Bayview Ratepayers Association had the issue of Ontario Hydro's plans to install higher voltage transmission lines in the hydro corridor overshadowing their homes.The shadow seems to be removed by the Province's recent decision to exercise authority to approve placement of the peaker plant in King Township. We can only hope that's a done deal.
A Coalition of Sports Organizations was also created in time for the election. The Mayor's victory celebration was held in the Aurora Men's Soccer Club Building in a field provided to them free by the Town of Aurora.
The President of the Aurora Junior Soccer Association has recently requested the town provide a suite of offices to rent for his multi- million dollar operation. His request has been referred by Councilllor MacEachern's Leisure Services Advisory Committee for staff to determine availability of space.
Considerable organization was obviously necessary to get everything into place prior to the last election.
It didn't mean all the people represented by the organizations actually voted for the Mormac team.
Bayview West made the difference in votes.
Councillor MacEachern did well; a couple of thousand votes more than the Mayor. Councillor Gaertner did exceptionally well, all things considered. Councillors Granger and Wilson were part of the slate and were elected.
Councillor Gallo, President of the Bayview Ratepayers' Association was appointed to take Councillor Marsh's place when sadly she resigned.
Politically, Councillor Gallo would have been wiser to opt for the popular demand of a by-election and put his name forward as a candidate But he didn't ask for my advice.
So there you have it. The story of a campaign.
It worked once.
No doubt, even as we speak, first strategy sessions have been held for the next election. Gears are cranked, wheels are in motion.
Areas of weakness have already been identified and supporters assigned their roles.
I figure the exodus of staff from the administration has been fingered. Guy Poppe has been assigned the task of identifying the real culprit and proving his friend of heroic stature, Mayor Morris has simply been a victim of circumstances.
It's so unsubtle.
In terms of drama it's a British Christmas Pantomine with the role of Buttons already captured.
Sunday, 6 June 2010
I Was Saying
I was saying about people who left the town's employ within the last forty-two months.
Some departures were more public than others.
Lucille King was Clerk of the Municipality for nine months following Bob Panizza, who retired in November 2008. .
Ms King signed a five year contract with the Town .
At the end of July, Ms King took two weeks vacation. The CAO, who joined the Municipality in January 2009, the same day the Treasurer submitted his resignation, took the same two weeks off.
Town Solicitor, who joined the municipality scant four months previously, was appointed Acting-CAO .
The Deputy-clerk ,according to the Municipal Act, is Acting-Clerk during the Clerk's absence.
The Municipal Act requires a municipality to have a Clerk and Deputy-Clerk. The office is statutory. The Municipality must have an officer in place to carry out the statutory functions only the Clerk can exercise.
During the second week of the Clerk's vacation, I received an e-mail from the Integrity Commissioner informing he had rendered a decision in the complaint against me.He had provided it to the Deputy Clerk with instructions to forward it to the complainants and the person being complained about.
An e-mail from the Acting-clerk followed stating the decision had been placed in our mail boxes.
That message was re-called.
I went to the Town Hall with a Rogers Cable reporter to obtain my copy of the decision.
I asked at the reception desk to see the Deputy-Clerk. I waited. And waited.
I asked again and took a seat while I waited some more.
The town solicitor emerged from his office and passed by, head down, in the direction of the Mayor's office.
He returned to his own office.
I waited still.
He emerged and went again in the direction of the Mayor's Office.
I waited.
Finally he emerged from the Mayor's Office and acknowledged my presence.
He leaned against the wall and informed me :
"Councillor Buck, cameras are not permitted in the Town Hall."
"Is that right, Mr. Solicitor " I said and waited.
He told me. " I have been appointed Acting-CAO . The Deputy-Clerk has not been appointed Acting -Clerk therefore does not have authority to provide you with the Decision of the Integrity Commissioner"
In politics, when a request is acquiesced, that's the story. If it's not, that too is a story. A lot of the time, I am simply relaying the story.
The Deputy-clerk never did emerge from her office that day.
I left the Town Hall empty-handed.
I heard later the deputy-clerk left in tears.
On Monday, the Clerk returned. Again I attended upon the Town Hall, this time with a C.B.C. reporter and cameraman.
I asked to speak with the Clerk. She was at a meeting off- site but was expected back shortly.
I waited.
The Clerk returned. I was informed the decision would be forthcoming. A signature page was prepared. I signed it . The decision was handed to me in a sealed envelope.
The decision was to dismiss the complaint for among other reasons, because "it may be seen to be wholly political"
Next day, Councillors received an e-mail informing us the Clerk had made a decision to retire to spend more time with her family.
We never spoke again. I did not perceive the need.
Some departures were more public than others.
Lucille King was Clerk of the Municipality for nine months following Bob Panizza, who retired in November 2008. .
Ms King signed a five year contract with the Town .
At the end of July, Ms King took two weeks vacation. The CAO, who joined the Municipality in January 2009, the same day the Treasurer submitted his resignation, took the same two weeks off.
Town Solicitor, who joined the municipality scant four months previously, was appointed Acting-CAO .
The Deputy-clerk ,according to the Municipal Act, is Acting-Clerk during the Clerk's absence.
The Municipal Act requires a municipality to have a Clerk and Deputy-Clerk. The office is statutory. The Municipality must have an officer in place to carry out the statutory functions only the Clerk can exercise.
During the second week of the Clerk's vacation, I received an e-mail from the Integrity Commissioner informing he had rendered a decision in the complaint against me.He had provided it to the Deputy Clerk with instructions to forward it to the complainants and the person being complained about.
An e-mail from the Acting-clerk followed stating the decision had been placed in our mail boxes.
That message was re-called.
I went to the Town Hall with a Rogers Cable reporter to obtain my copy of the decision.
I asked at the reception desk to see the Deputy-Clerk. I waited. And waited.
I asked again and took a seat while I waited some more.
The town solicitor emerged from his office and passed by, head down, in the direction of the Mayor's office.
He returned to his own office.
I waited still.
He emerged and went again in the direction of the Mayor's Office.
I waited.
Finally he emerged from the Mayor's Office and acknowledged my presence.
He leaned against the wall and informed me :
"Councillor Buck, cameras are not permitted in the Town Hall."
"Is that right, Mr. Solicitor " I said and waited.
He told me. " I have been appointed Acting-CAO . The Deputy-Clerk has not been appointed Acting -Clerk therefore does not have authority to provide you with the Decision of the Integrity Commissioner"
In politics, when a request is acquiesced, that's the story. If it's not, that too is a story. A lot of the time, I am simply relaying the story.
The Deputy-clerk never did emerge from her office that day.
I left the Town Hall empty-handed.
I heard later the deputy-clerk left in tears.
On Monday, the Clerk returned. Again I attended upon the Town Hall, this time with a C.B.C. reporter and cameraman.
I asked to speak with the Clerk. She was at a meeting off- site but was expected back shortly.
I waited.
The Clerk returned. I was informed the decision would be forthcoming. A signature page was prepared. I signed it . The decision was handed to me in a sealed envelope.
The decision was to dismiss the complaint for among other reasons, because "it may be seen to be wholly political"
Next day, Councillors received an e-mail informing us the Clerk had made a decision to retire to spend more time with her family.
We never spoke again. I did not perceive the need.
Something Old... Something New
But not a marriage. Anything but.
Councillor MacEachern has acknowledged filing two complaints with the new Integrity Commissioner. She did not reveal her target.
I was asked if I am. I neither confirmed or denied.
But it's not my nature to be coy. So I won't.
Once again, Councillor MacEachern feels my conduct as a Councillor does not meet her standards and requires legal action to be taken against me ( not at her expense). and hopefully punishment meted out.
She has decided to go it alone, without legal advice paid for with taxpayers' money, except for the Integrity Commissioner , a lawyer of same six choosing. He is paid $3,600. a month from the town treasury.
We were told not to tell you that.
In any case, I did not agree to appoint a new Integrity Commissioner. I didn't agree to appoint the first one.
I do not agree with the Code of Conduct. The Bylaw requires each Councillor to sign two copies of the Code.
A Signature on an agreement, generally signify a signatory's agreement to the agreement.
Does the lack of a signature on an agreement signify no agreement?
I have not agreed to surrender my rights as a citizen or a Councillor.
I paid the fee and registered as a candidate in the last election.
I garnered enough votes to take a seat along with eight other members of Aurora Council.I received authority to speak for the people who elected me.
I swore an Oath of Office as required by Provincial legislation.
I know the conduct expected of me. I have done it many times before. It was never a burden. I might have found it re-assuring that every member of Council was taking the same oath to abide by the same rules.
I would have been disappointed.
Be that notwithstanding, I Swore the Oath willingly and of sound mind, in order to take my seat to a position of trust and authority.
I was not compelled.
I surrendered nothing.
Had this Council decided to bring in a law to burn witches at the stake, I would not have agreed. It was legal once. Not any more.
Once it was the law not to allow women to vote or own property. Not any more.
Even if the Province had allowed it, I would not have agreed.
It would be contrary to Rights and Freedoms enjoyed by all Canadians.
But on payment of $16,200, Council received solicitor/client advice behind closed doors, that the Province had given municipalities authority to pass laws to govern conduct of Councillors, including restricting a councillor's authority to speak on behalf the electors, with penalties, on pain of disobedience.
Well, Pshaw ....I don't agree with that. That's just silly.
So.... when I received the plain brown envelope containing two complaints from an Integrity Commissioner, chosen by the same six, who filed a previous complaint to a previous Integrity Commissioner, who dismissed it and was himself promptly dismissed by the same six, I just promptly forwarded the same to the same solicitor I retained at my expense ,when the same six filed a complaint against me, compiled by another solicitor retained by the same six at taxpayers' expense, unknown at this time but probably in the tens of thousands approaching a hundred thousand dollars and advertised in publications also at taxpayers' expense and the town's web site.
The matter is in the hands of my solicitor.
Councillor MacEachern has acknowledged filing two complaints with the new Integrity Commissioner. She did not reveal her target.
I was asked if I am. I neither confirmed or denied.
But it's not my nature to be coy. So I won't.
Once again, Councillor MacEachern feels my conduct as a Councillor does not meet her standards and requires legal action to be taken against me ( not at her expense). and hopefully punishment meted out.
She has decided to go it alone, without legal advice paid for with taxpayers' money, except for the Integrity Commissioner , a lawyer of same six choosing. He is paid $3,600. a month from the town treasury.
We were told not to tell you that.
In any case, I did not agree to appoint a new Integrity Commissioner. I didn't agree to appoint the first one.
I do not agree with the Code of Conduct. The Bylaw requires each Councillor to sign two copies of the Code.
A Signature on an agreement, generally signify a signatory's agreement to the agreement.
Does the lack of a signature on an agreement signify no agreement?
I have not agreed to surrender my rights as a citizen or a Councillor.
I paid the fee and registered as a candidate in the last election.
I garnered enough votes to take a seat along with eight other members of Aurora Council.I received authority to speak for the people who elected me.
I swore an Oath of Office as required by Provincial legislation.
I know the conduct expected of me. I have done it many times before. It was never a burden. I might have found it re-assuring that every member of Council was taking the same oath to abide by the same rules.
I would have been disappointed.
Be that notwithstanding, I Swore the Oath willingly and of sound mind, in order to take my seat to a position of trust and authority.
I was not compelled.
I surrendered nothing.
Had this Council decided to bring in a law to burn witches at the stake, I would not have agreed. It was legal once. Not any more.
Once it was the law not to allow women to vote or own property. Not any more.
Even if the Province had allowed it, I would not have agreed.
It would be contrary to Rights and Freedoms enjoyed by all Canadians.
But on payment of $16,200, Council received solicitor/client advice behind closed doors, that the Province had given municipalities authority to pass laws to govern conduct of Councillors, including restricting a councillor's authority to speak on behalf the electors, with penalties, on pain of disobedience.
Well, Pshaw ....I don't agree with that. That's just silly.
So.... when I received the plain brown envelope containing two complaints from an Integrity Commissioner, chosen by the same six, who filed a previous complaint to a previous Integrity Commissioner, who dismissed it and was himself promptly dismissed by the same six, I just promptly forwarded the same to the same solicitor I retained at my expense ,when the same six filed a complaint against me, compiled by another solicitor retained by the same six at taxpayers' expense, unknown at this time but probably in the tens of thousands approaching a hundred thousand dollars and advertised in publications also at taxpayers' expense and the town's web site.
The matter is in the hands of my solicitor.
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Construction of a Budget
There's nothing hit or miss about it. It's built on ten year capital forecastes; Strategic Plan;Master Recreation Plan ; etcetera etcetera etcetera .
During the year, people come to council with ideas and requests. Usually the response is to refer it to next year's budget.
Except if it's Councillor MacEachern
Sometimes another Councillor might bring up an idea and it gets referred to next year's budget.
Often it's a way of avoiding dealing with an issue.
The traffic calming project in the north-east quadrant was an example.
The previous Council gave clamouring neighbours, a consultant to sit down with them and make a plan. The consultant cost $25 thousand.
When the plan came back the project estimate was $100 thousand. Everything in the catalogue was in the plan.
Then we had an election.
In the first budget of the new council , the estimate was $80 thousand. Wayne Jackson, Director of Public Works had left by then having disowned the plan before going.
Staff had refined the plan. The contract was called. Low bid was $211. thousand plus. The extra money was not in the budget. Council were not inclined.
The Mayor directed staff to hand deliver letters to all interested neighbours before Tuesday's Council meeting when the decision would be made.
The neighbours descended like wolves on the fold. The majority of Councillors capitulated.
The money was not in the budget. The contract was awarded anyway and we know the result.
People came from miles around to see .
They were not there to view the charming heritage ambiance the Mayor declared is so special as to warrant a $211thousand pandering package of the nth degree.
Anyway... back to budget.
A forecast is usually made of the next year's anticipated increase at budget finalisation..
Department budgets are based on pre- approvals. The work is submitted to the CAO and Treasurer for analysis and justification and often deferral of some projects to fit what might be considered a reasonable tax increase.
When the work is done, the budget comes to Council for approval.
It shouldn't be a long haul from then. Everything has been pre-approved. There are few surprises.
When our previous Treasurer joined us, we accepted his guidance to start budget preparation early with a schedule of dates aiming for completion before year's end. An early start on contracts is regarded as good strategy leading to better prices.
In 2008, the budget was ready in September. A schedule of meetings ending before Christmas was presented.
Councillor MacEachern had to change that. Full days Saturday suited the Councillor better.
It mattered not. The meetings never happened.
The January day the new Chief Administrative Officer joined the Corporation, the Mayor marched in to the Treasurer's office, CAO following, threw budget binder on the Treasurer's desk, told him it was garbage and ordered him to start over.
Apparently the Mayor believes that's how CEOs are supposed to behave towards underlings.
The Treasurer waited for them to leave his office, made his way immediately to the Clerk's Office and submitted notice of his resignation.
For the sake of his staff, he stayed until April when the budget was finalised.
No recruitment took place to fill the vacancy as required by Provincial regulations.
During the year, people come to council with ideas and requests. Usually the response is to refer it to next year's budget.
Except if it's Councillor MacEachern
Sometimes another Councillor might bring up an idea and it gets referred to next year's budget.
Often it's a way of avoiding dealing with an issue.
The traffic calming project in the north-east quadrant was an example.
The previous Council gave clamouring neighbours, a consultant to sit down with them and make a plan. The consultant cost $25 thousand.
When the plan came back the project estimate was $100 thousand. Everything in the catalogue was in the plan.
Then we had an election.
In the first budget of the new council , the estimate was $80 thousand. Wayne Jackson, Director of Public Works had left by then having disowned the plan before going.
Staff had refined the plan. The contract was called. Low bid was $211. thousand plus. The extra money was not in the budget. Council were not inclined.
The Mayor directed staff to hand deliver letters to all interested neighbours before Tuesday's Council meeting when the decision would be made.
The neighbours descended like wolves on the fold. The majority of Councillors capitulated.
The money was not in the budget. The contract was awarded anyway and we know the result.
People came from miles around to see .
They were not there to view the charming heritage ambiance the Mayor declared is so special as to warrant a $211thousand pandering package of the nth degree.
Anyway... back to budget.
A forecast is usually made of the next year's anticipated increase at budget finalisation..
Department budgets are based on pre- approvals. The work is submitted to the CAO and Treasurer for analysis and justification and often deferral of some projects to fit what might be considered a reasonable tax increase.
When the work is done, the budget comes to Council for approval.
It shouldn't be a long haul from then. Everything has been pre-approved. There are few surprises.
When our previous Treasurer joined us, we accepted his guidance to start budget preparation early with a schedule of dates aiming for completion before year's end. An early start on contracts is regarded as good strategy leading to better prices.
In 2008, the budget was ready in September. A schedule of meetings ending before Christmas was presented.
Councillor MacEachern had to change that. Full days Saturday suited the Councillor better.
It mattered not. The meetings never happened.
The January day the new Chief Administrative Officer joined the Corporation, the Mayor marched in to the Treasurer's office, CAO following, threw budget binder on the Treasurer's desk, told him it was garbage and ordered him to start over.
Apparently the Mayor believes that's how CEOs are supposed to behave towards underlings.
The Treasurer waited for them to leave his office, made his way immediately to the Clerk's Office and submitted notice of his resignation.
For the sake of his staff, he stayed until April when the budget was finalised.
No recruitment took place to fill the vacancy as required by Provincial regulations.
This One's A Dousy
I have been asked to list names of the people who have left the town's employ during this term.
Also, to clear up insinuations, I am requested to provide evidence of responsibility for the exodus.
On the face of it, an innocent request. Ya think?.
The question raises fundamental issues.
Employees have a right to privacy. Reasons for taking or leaving a job are private.
A person with many years invested in public service,must maximise the investment when changing employment.
Problems with a former employer are not an asset .Even less so with political employers.They tend to be skittish.
Circumstances of an employee's experience are not public unless the employee chooses to make it so.
When John Rogers, the town's former C.A.O.left, I publicly made a point of my high regard for Mr. Rogers' competence and integrity.
When Clerk Lucille King quit, the day she provided me with the decision of the first hired,first fired, Integrity Commissioner, I said she had not been allowed to do her job.
The Clerk is a statutory officer. He/she has legal responsibilities. Failure to perform the responsibilities can have legal consequences.
A few weeks previously minutes of a meeting were altered from what actually happened at the meeting. The Clerk, and only the Clerk, is responsible for keeping the public record.
A Municipal Clerk, hindered in performing legal duties is a person at risk. No employee can afford a job that puts them at odds with the law
I didn't need to ask Lucille King for the reason she quit. The reasons were already in the public domain.
At one time, I thought the Clerk of the Municipality had authority to compel Council to abide by the law. I guess I got that impression because I never knew a Mayor or Council to challenge the Clerk's advice on the law , let alone make a point of not receiving it.
This Council has taught me, in order to ensure you get one that abides by the rules, you have to elect it.
An election may not be a guarantee but it's the best chance you've got.
In past campaigns, when I asked for a vote, I asked for trust.
I didn't ask you to trust I won't steal money from the treasury.
I won't sell my vote.
I won't solicit bribes.
I won't bully and harass employees.
Or demand sexual favours.
Or ask the parks department to cut my grass and public works carry out my garbage
Or use the Town Hall for late night orgies and not invite you along.
I ask you trust me in the seat at the table to exercise my judgement. To make sense of what I see, hear and read and cast my vote in your best interest, as I see it.
I ask you to trust, I will speak frankly and freely, without fear or favour. I will call a spade a spade and you will always know where I stand.
I ask you base your judgement on my past performance of fullfilling my commitment.
When I indicated the Council in charge for the last forty-two months must take responsibility for the exodus of staff . That is not judgement. That is fact.
Don't ask me to further humiliate people who have been unjustly served in your name
Don't ask me to publicise the miserable details. You know I can't do that.
When I last solicited your vote I won a seat.
So trust me you must.
Also, to clear up insinuations, I am requested to provide evidence of responsibility for the exodus.
On the face of it, an innocent request. Ya think?.
The question raises fundamental issues.
Employees have a right to privacy. Reasons for taking or leaving a job are private.
A person with many years invested in public service,must maximise the investment when changing employment.
Problems with a former employer are not an asset .Even less so with political employers.They tend to be skittish.
Circumstances of an employee's experience are not public unless the employee chooses to make it so.
When John Rogers, the town's former C.A.O.left, I publicly made a point of my high regard for Mr. Rogers' competence and integrity.
When Clerk Lucille King quit, the day she provided me with the decision of the first hired,first fired, Integrity Commissioner, I said she had not been allowed to do her job.
The Clerk is a statutory officer. He/she has legal responsibilities. Failure to perform the responsibilities can have legal consequences.
A few weeks previously minutes of a meeting were altered from what actually happened at the meeting. The Clerk, and only the Clerk, is responsible for keeping the public record.
A Municipal Clerk, hindered in performing legal duties is a person at risk. No employee can afford a job that puts them at odds with the law
I didn't need to ask Lucille King for the reason she quit. The reasons were already in the public domain.
At one time, I thought the Clerk of the Municipality had authority to compel Council to abide by the law. I guess I got that impression because I never knew a Mayor or Council to challenge the Clerk's advice on the law , let alone make a point of not receiving it.
This Council has taught me, in order to ensure you get one that abides by the rules, you have to elect it.
An election may not be a guarantee but it's the best chance you've got.
In past campaigns, when I asked for a vote, I asked for trust.
I didn't ask you to trust I won't steal money from the treasury.
I won't sell my vote.
I won't solicit bribes.
I won't bully and harass employees.
Or demand sexual favours.
Or ask the parks department to cut my grass and public works carry out my garbage
Or use the Town Hall for late night orgies and not invite you along.
I ask you trust me in the seat at the table to exercise my judgement. To make sense of what I see, hear and read and cast my vote in your best interest, as I see it.
I ask you to trust, I will speak frankly and freely, without fear or favour. I will call a spade a spade and you will always know where I stand.
I ask you base your judgement on my past performance of fullfilling my commitment.
When I indicated the Council in charge for the last forty-two months must take responsibility for the exodus of staff . That is not judgement. That is fact.
Don't ask me to further humiliate people who have been unjustly served in your name
Don't ask me to publicise the miserable details. You know I can't do that.
When I last solicited your vote I won a seat.
So trust me you must.
Friday, 4 June 2010
A Merry Evening
The Council Chamber was a place of overflowing good cheer on Wednesday evening. It was very nice to see.
People from all sectors of the community were there to be recognised for contributions to Aurora's lifestyle.
Girl Guides,Boy Scouts, Big Sisters,Big Brothers.sports teams coaches and organisations were well represented.
Seniors' Club, Service Clubs, environmentalists, nature lovers, history buffs, heritage caretakers and book-readers were conspicuous in their presence
.
Everything these people do, they would do anyway without recognition but it's nice to get to-gether once a year and celebrate what is done well
Some were there with children and parents or spouses or colleagues, with cameras flashing.
They lingered behind which is always a sign people are enjoying the occasion.
And when people are enjoying an occasion, it generally means somebody took care of all the tiny details
You know, you can't buy that kind care and attention .
That's artistry.
That would be Shelley.
People from all sectors of the community were there to be recognised for contributions to Aurora's lifestyle.
Girl Guides,Boy Scouts, Big Sisters,Big Brothers.sports teams coaches and organisations were well represented.
Seniors' Club, Service Clubs, environmentalists, nature lovers, history buffs, heritage caretakers and book-readers were conspicuous in their presence
.
Everything these people do, they would do anyway without recognition but it's nice to get to-gether once a year and celebrate what is done well
Some were there with children and parents or spouses or colleagues, with cameras flashing.
They lingered behind which is always a sign people are enjoying the occasion.
And when people are enjoying an occasion, it generally means somebody took care of all the tiny details
You know, you can't buy that kind care and attention .
That's artistry.
That would be Shelley.
Thursday, 3 June 2010
A Host Of Possibilities
Question.
Can you explain the term "returned to the source" please?
Returned to the roads department?
Returned to general revenue?
Is this million now available for other projects?
Can you explain the term "returned to the source" please?
Returned to the roads department?
Returned to general revenue?
Is this million now available for other projects?
June 2, 2010 9:49 AM
I posed the question .
Since the source from whence all good things flow is the taxpayer, how will the $1,26 million
be returned? In other words, it's a tidy sum to be holding onto with hot sweaty fists.
I didn't use that language. The Mayor would undoubtedly have ruled it out of order as an obscenity.
The Treasurer said ;
No because grants were the source. I think he meant gas tax money from the Province.
When Councillor Wilson asked previously; could the money be used for other projects? Public Works Director said we might use it for sidewalks.
Either way, we are not getting it back.
That represents a problem for me..... and you.
There are ten-year capital forecasts for roads. Projects come forward each year in priority. When the budget is prepared, project costs are estimated and become forecast expenditures.Inaccurate estimates means more money is collected in taxes than required.
Revenue is also forecast whether it be tax levies or other sources. It might be from reserves but since they are topped up from levies property taxes are still the source.
Gas tax money has to be used for roads but not for specific projects.
Until now we have maintained a capital reserve for water and sewer infrastructures from taxes.
This year, the Treasurer decided that wasn't good accounting .The funding should come from water rates, not from taxes. So water rates were increased by $250.thousand. Of course, that reduced the tax levy for that item by the same amount.
I don't know if gas tax money is intended only to pay for surface projects. Probably. We are certainly entitled to receive the money, since at the municipal level,we provide a considerable share of roads in the Province. It's not Provincial largesse.
When I send an e-mail seeking answers to a specific question. I am likely to be told. it's not a good use of staff time to be providing answers through that medium.
I didn't vote for this year's budget. Nor the last . Nor the one before that.Nor the 2007 budget.
This year, I contended new assessment and grants pouring in should cover any increase in expenditures. .
I think that $1.3 million dollar surplus in those three roads projects would have been more than enough to take care of the 2.5% increase in the budget.
The 14% increase in water rates is another matter.
Of course, not being a treasurer and not understanding pesky details about gas tax revenues: why don't they reduce the tax burden on the home-owner: why can water and sewer reserves be supported by water rates while water rates are not supported by taxes but tax supported services can be supported by water rates???
Not being expert on these matters and depending on experts for answers so that I can provide rational answers to people who pay the taxes, which is part of my job; and experts deciding it's a waste of expert time to provide answers to such lowly person as myself while the majority of elected representatives don't even have such damn-fool inquiries.
You know what they say about possession being nine-tenths of the law.
The law says we are entitled to answers. But if the People of Mormac , who have the answers, won't give them up, short of a gun to their heads, which would be quite inappropriate, I can think of only one answer to the problem.
.