Oh that God the gift wid gie us to see oorselves as ithers see us

Councillor Ballard said he had documentation to prove improper spending under expense allowance policy. It was catalyst for  strong reaction. It provided proof , if proof was needed ,of his real intention.
The public's  interest was not his objective.
Honourable  intent does not insinuate wrong- doing without alienating
all those besmirched by the accusation.
The Mayor undoubtedly has regular expense claims. He was obviously the target of the invective.
Coming from the champion of good conduct and supporter of penalties for infraction, the hypocrisy was rampant.
Councillor  Ballard is not subtle. A journalist is perforce a competent wordsmith.  Putting learned skill to best purpose requires something more.
I do not aspire to lead a faction of Council.  A divided Council is not functioning.
Unpublished comments are an accusation rather than a critique . Or they are a personal
shaft at myself..
There's been less since the Clowncil Watch got into businsess.
The foregoing responds to a morning comment and question.
The role of the town's Chief Magistrate  is worth  perusing at this time.
The Mayor is the town's First Citizen, Good Will Ambassador, Head Salesman, the person people turn to for assistance in all manner of situations and profundities.
The community's good wishes or sympathies are extended from the Mayor's office.
From  day to day, twenty-four seven, there's no telling where a call for help might
derive.
A business owner from a distance, contemplating a move, might arrive on the  Mayor's doorstep
seeking what the town has to offer.
It might call for an invitation to lunch and an opportunity to showcase town assets.
The venue would not likely be Macdonald's ,Wendy's or Pizzahut.
The  Canadian custom of hospitality, might call for the offer of a choice of libation. It would not be untoward but  now  we come to the sly references by Councillor Ballard to alcohol being charged as an expense .
The question of judgement arises.
A touch  of style and class would be desirable attributes of a Mayor. One hopes the community has had  the choice in their selection of a Mayor.
I suspect the business of attracting business and jobs to our community would  receive priority from most citizens.
I  submit our current Mayor has the attributes to fulfill that part of his mandate.
He also has the authority and the responsibility.
Councillor Bountiful Ballard's insinuations of wrong-doing are hardly fitting.
But they do fit the pattern set on the day of Council's inaugural.