"Cowardice asks the question...is it safe? Expediency asks the question...is it politic? Vanity asks the question...is it popular? But conscience asks the question...is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because it is right." ~Dr. Martin Luther King

Monday 6 February 2012

We Are Not Talking Genius Here

You will note that Georgina’s press release regarding the Grossi lawsuit. They say that this was not a private lawsuit and that Mayor Grossi was effectively a front man for the town’s initiative.

Council appears to be admitting the it’s trying to circumvent the law because government’s can’t legally sue. The town needs to clarify why it used public funds in order to fund a private lawsuit in light of the fact that it’s illegal for governments to sue for defamation.

Apparently it’s not just the weather this winter that is creating thin ice.

Aurora and Halton Hills made the same mistake, but who’s counting ?

See below

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Doesn't matter how they spin it, Georgina discovered they can't put it over . So they rescinded it.

They still have questions to answer. 

The Municipal Act is specific about which items can be discussed behind closed doors.

It's a limited list.

It can't be expanded to allow Councillors to  plot revenge against  a citizen  using public resources to  that end. To distract attention from the real controversy.

That is not the litigation  anticipated in the Act that requires "confidentiality",so that peoplewon't find out what they're up to. .

Or in the case of a Council colleague, instruct a lawyer to suggest the target of the vendetta should not attend  the  closed door meeting  because it might be to his/her financial advantage, to hear how the rest of  council is plotting to even up the political score with hundreds of thousands of dollars of public resources.

I kid you not. It has been done..

When I did the  tally last week of  how much was spent in Aurora , I forgot the $24,000 paid to the  First Integrity Commissioner.

$6,000 for six months before the contract was signed and $18,000  for after .

It was a  two year contract. It wasn't signed until June. On August 5th ,when he ruled on the complaint that they paid a lawyer $70,000 to prepare for them, they "stripped him (the director)of his authority".

A day too late to say he didn't have  authority to make the decision.

It reminds me of a court case I sat in on once.

Two ne'er-do-wells were paid to set a building on fire by its owner. They took a couple of gallon cans of gasoline into the basement and splashed it about liberally

Then they struck a match.

The trial  had to be delayed for months until they were released from hospital.

It was actually quite remarkable they were still alive to tell the tale.



14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Georgina's attention is now focused whereas before no one paid attention. They are working on a list of questions, sending letters - 3 councilors are apparently on some hit-list for future removal - and are including everything now- big budget will now be scrutinized,

Anonymous said...

Bless you and thank you.

Anonymous said...

Read the Auroran on Culture Centre
To Rob Layton; Who are you and who sits on your 'Board'?
Defiant as usual, with no give - ' Well, we are perfect and disappointed that you could expect more for your money.'
Emphasis is on 'your money'. It is Aurora's money and you are not performing to our standards. Well done. Pirri and Abel and Evelyn.

Anonymous said...

Mr.Rob Layton - it is all about the building, isn't it ? You just want the town money and the building; everything you provide can be done as well or better, certainly with better parking, right here in town. So,by all means, talk to your Board, but order the damn packing boxes and look at vacant real estate in Aurora.
Wonder where they found you - the usual suspects are likely pulling your strings. Sorry, I know it's just your job.

Anonymous said...

It is always interesting to see who on a new Council will make a move and how well that will be received. So far we are doing well but I would have lost a bet. Never too old to learn.

Anonymous said...

Check out the Auroran, Looks as though Ron put in into good hands. We have a reporter in town !

Anonymous said...

Cultural Centre -parse your agreements and CYA. This is not 'abrupt' but has been looming for ages.
Now to deal with sidewalks and other staff agenda.

Anonymous said...

It happened in Halton, it happened in Georgina. I happened in Aurora and we think we are something special! It happens all of the time - get over it.

Anonymous said...

I've read the article. It is not the fault of Aurora if you have pre=booked without knowing if you have the building . Great Expectations 101

Anonymous said...

WTF!

Anonymous said...

"Or in the case of a Council colleague, instruct a lawyer to suggest the target of the vendetta should not attend the closed door meeting because it might be to his/her financial advantage, to hear how the rest of council is plotting to even up the political score with hundreds of thousands of dollars of public resources.

I kid you not. It has been done.."

Sounds a bit like the kangaroo tribunal that was held in an attempt to lynch some staff members. Another misled and far out irrational notion of self riotous made in Aurora justice, that failed miserably , don’t forget to add that to your legal bill waste list

Anonymous said...

"Or in the case of a Council colleague, instruct a lawyer to suggest the target of the vendetta should not attend the closed door meeting because it might be to his/her financial advantage, to hear how the rest of council is plotting to even up the political score with hundreds of thousands of dollars of public resources.

I kid you not. It has been done.."

Sounds a bit like the kangaroo tribunal that was held in an attempt to lynch some staff members. Another misled and far out irrational notion of self riotous made in Aurora justice, that failed miserably , don’t forget to add that to your legal bill waste list

Anonymous said...

9:02 PM
In case you haven't noticed, 'getting over it' is exactly what we are trying to do. Did you have a point you were trying to make ?

Anonymous said...

To Anonymous 6 February, 2012 9:02 PM

Quote: "It happened in Halton, it happened in Georgina. I happened in Aurora and we think we are something special! It happens all of the time - get over it."

Identify yourself right now !

I'm seriously thinking of suing you for $6 million ! All I have to do is get on Council and I should be good to go... oh hold on, never mind, we have a new council.