Sudden Clarity

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.