The buzz around town is about uncomplimentary comments about me on the St. Kitts Festival web site. Attention will undoubtedly be drawn to the site.
It already has.
I have had a query. The site notes the Festival has received a substantial grant from Heritage Canada. A list of other sponsors includes the Humphryes Family.
The question was about Conflict of Interest.
There isn't one.
Strict definition of a Conflict is, if an elected official has knowingly participated in a discussion and a decision that led to financial benefit to the member or any member of his/her family.
An elected member is not precluded from participating in a bid for government business. They can absolutely not contribute in any way to the discussion or decision.
Councillor Humphryes would in no way derive a benefit from contributing to the Jazz Festival . There is no conflict.
Interesting to note none-the- less.
At the time of the last election, the candidate's involvement with the group was considered in some quarters. There was unease about the association. A fear of bias towards Mormac.
After I formulated my response to the query , a sudden clarity emerged. .
A slate of candidates in the previous election was managed and organised by Susan Walmer, Ken Whitehurst and others.It resulted initially in five elected; a majority of Council.
After Councillor Gallo was appointed, not elected, the number rose to six. Consistent support of five votes led to activities never seen before in an Aurora Council or administration .or any other that I know of.
For example free access to external legal counsel by the Mayor. and friends to promote political advantage is unheard of.
There's a saying: Power corrupts.Absolute power, corrupts absolutely.
The same six who formed the gang, were candidates again in 2010.
Ballard, clearly one of them. joined the race. He had received prime appointments in the previous term.
St Kitts attempted to register, was denied because a condominium agreement had not been registered. Residential status was not obtained in a timely manner. .
What if Councillor Humphryes, thought by them, to be one of their own , won because of their support.
Consider this; Councillors McRoberts and Collins Mrakas stepped down Both incumbents, outside the gang of six..
Morris. MacEachern, Granger, Gaertner, Wilson Gallo, were all incumbents in the race. They probably felt safe. Incumbents are hard to beat.
Humphryes, Ballard and St Kitts would have completed a slate of nine. Enough to fill all seats.
Humphryes, Gaertner, Gallo, Ballard were elected. Granger, came within twenty-one votes . Wilson only seven behind.
St Kitts was ineligible as a candidate by fortuitous circumstance.
NOW we know why it has been hard for Mormac to acknowledge defeat.
Although Morris and MacEachern suffered clear and transparent repudiation at the polls. The slate did not.
Four of their number were elected , two came dangerously close and one was ineligible.
That's why the campaign has not ended. Why the former Mayor continues in evidence. Why Susan Walmer continues to exert influence on her proteges. The woman is one formidable organizer. Not to be taken lightly.
It's why the current Mayor and Councillors, elected despite the organization , continue to waste precious time by failing to separate themselves from Mormac policies.
Policies, organization, staff were all put in place to follow a naked plan of exploitation of resources and political aggrandizement.
With nothing to redeem it.
Enough committed Aurorans saw it for what it was and fought hard in the last election to defeat it. Were their efforts pointless?
Will they be there again when needed ?
Unless things change, my bet would be, not.
Politics are not fought on the surface.People need to believe.
There is blood in the water. The sharks are circling.
Thursday, 17 May 2012
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12 comments:
Well, bugger !
I think there might have been another ringer in that election. A guy appeared apparently out of nowhere who knew an awful lot about Aurora. He spoke and wrote reams, had a very busy website, about every subject. Was going to be a full-time councillor and loved the social aspects. Vanished after the election but I'm pretty sure he is on the blogs taking regular cheap-shots, particularly at Evelyn.
Watch. He won't be able to let this comment pass untouched.
you should resign and let them take over if it is going to happen regardless. Then we won't need the innuendo.
Can you tell us, please, how the "secret" negotiations involving the Centre represent an acceptable "principle" in today's politics.
Originally two councillors were to represent the town on this group/team, but then it was discovered that in doing so the Municipal Act would be breached.
So two "staff" were selected in their place.
We know nothing about this process, i.e. how many meetings have there been and for how many hours? Is there a timetable by which this offensive procedure must be concluded? How many secret interim reports to Council might there be in addition to the first? What has been negotiated away? What has this cost in staff time being directed away from legitimate business on our behalf? Has the facilitator been called upon and at what cost?
This is one of the stupidest exercises that has crossed my path in many years.
Is this a better way to spend taxpayers' money than the countless studies, consultants and lawyers that dogged us during the administration that is the subject of your post, an administration that was morally and ethically bankrupt and corrupt?
I remember there was one with potential, Brian Duff?
It was a shame there wasn't more time after Morris went on the warpath and before the election.
Incidentally, did Granger or Wilson ever turn up at the Market or in the Park again? Seeing as how they loved the town so much and all.
Not sure I agree with your negative assessment, Evelyn. There seems to be a general consensus that, regardless of the music provided, the Jazz Group are an enormous irritant. Other events go just fine and the excessive fencing appears to have set residents' teeth. And the numbers argue against the Center being provided with ' core funding' forever. It is quite clear that it is a business and not a charity.
Maybe there will have to be changes made.
4:03 PM Right on cue.
Why send two administrators from the town, with the solicitor as back-up to negotiate one damn contract? No other group in town would demand and get such preferential treatment.
I didn't see anything about you on the jazz fest website. Did they take it down? Any links?
Let's set the record straight. That technicality that prevented Sher from hopping into the election? The condo wasn't registered in their name yet. She was so busy reaching for the gold ring that she blew that silly little legal detail.
Alison C-M has just finished dusting off the Market Code of Conduct. And it's designers.
That won't fly for Councillor Humphryes. If you support or sponsor one or two events financially in Aurora, you sit out the votes. The rest are fine - she has goofed here. No personal direct benefit, but plenty of residuals. She should err on the right side. I'm disappointed with this but not totally surprised.
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