On The Same Council

I  served with Ms Morris for seven years.  In all that time I  seldom had a sensible conversation with the woman. I know I was not alone. Others reported the same brain-rattling experience.

The language was familiar.The problem was how it was used.

We seldom exchanged a  greeting. Except at some event or other, when the Mayor would hail  me by my first  name and exchange  pleasantries as though  we were on the best of terms.

We all know the idea of  by-election is an anathema to our out-going Mayor. Why the reference was made in that company is for Ms Morris to know and the rest of us to dismiss as more of the same.

At least one member of the group promptly  left the table.

I just thought it was an interesting little tid-bit.

Being repudiated wholeheartedly by the voters, is a hard thing to bear.

It's not uncommon.  It can be seen coming. Like a tornado.

It is  sufficiently ordinary for the means of handling  to be established. Gracefully...or....not.

The  defeated Mayor of Oshawa noted he had  done his best  but "I guess there are no rewards for that"

I always found it easier just to stay out of the way. Nobody notices.  The election is over. The newly elected are the focus of attention.

That's a blessing.

Immediate response from the losers in this election indicates no  inclination to accept defeat gracefully.It's so  silly. Considering the option.

Gordon Barnes has immediately called  to arms  something he calls the Citizen of the Year Challenge2010.  He proposes  a Workshop for Government 101 for  losers.

Mr. Barnes  clearly feels  the authority vested in him  by the outgoing Mayor, when she chose him Citizen of the Year, is a force to be dealt with.

He has apparently not considered a  miscalculation might have  led to such a bleak outcome. Something  might have been overlooked in understanding of what the  electorate expects from the elected.

When Marie Antoinette asked why there was rioting in the streets. The answer was "the people are hungry. They want bread"

She answered "Let them eat cake"

We all know Poor Marie's fate. Elections were considerably in the future at the time.

When people in Aurora complained about spending, Mayor Morris bought them culture.

In my day, history was not made relevant in school. Even  A Tale of Two Cities, by Dickens  didn't bring it home.

As  an adult, I was shocked to learn the French Revolution happened during the time of my  grandparents struggle for justice. The government couldn't  use the army against the people because the army was of the people. So they created a police force, gave them the right to smash into people's homes and use the  truncheons to discourage conversation.

We've come a long way, Baby. In a relatively short time. Too short a time not to maintain watch, and stand on guard for thee.