Tim the Enchanter has left a new comment on your post "Ha Ha ......the joke's on us":
" If you think any of the affected councillors bother to read a lowly blog, you are sadly mistaken."
Actually I think they do - just like they read the "lowly" Citizen and sued to shut it down.
That aside - I can't control what council does - only what I do.
And I've decided that I will not be voting for any council member who does not support a referendum on the Heritage project.
If we have enough money to splurge on studies we have money to ensure this "dream" is shared by the majority of taxpayers.
Wasting countless hours of council time arguing about a jazz festival or the Empty Unused Petch House is one thing.
This level of discretionary "wouldn't it be nice" spending is simply too large for a few meetings and an "all we need is 5" vote.
In fact, a project of this magnitude wouldn't be easy to pull off even at the regional or Provincial level - let alone in a town of 50K.
If it's such a great plan - it'll still be a great plan come next election time
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I can't for other members of Council. But before anybody starts organizing a campaign against
spending millions on buying decrepit real estate I need to convey my impression of wher the idae stands at this moment.
Tuesday was a committee meeting. The vote taken was to recommend to Council. I'm not ssure what.
On Jnauary 14th, when the CAO's report was submitted with over a hundred pages, it was received
to be considered on Feb.4th Tuesday.
My impression then was the recommendation had not gone down well.
On Tuesday, Councillors Thompson and Pirri were clear in their opposition.Councillor Thompson had done considerable homework to support his decision.
The Mayor's concerns focussed mostly on the failure to establish financial viability .
Councillor Abel stuck to his original position
Councillor Gallo spoke favourably about the idea but I think, drew the line at financing without partners.
Councillor Gaertner opposed the scheme.
I think Councillor Ballard also opposed.
The town has spent $25,000 for consultamts to examine feasibility of the plan.
The special [rojects manager in the CAO's office has apparently spent many hours writing
reports on the issue.
Something called the Probus Presentation was also obtained .
William Albino delegated to Council several times and when he didn't get what he wanted, he
delegated to the Heritage Advisory Committee and received a favorable respnse from Councillor Abel and Humphrey.
He was back again on Tuesday, given ten minutes longer than the normal five and longer than that
in answering questions.
The Consultants, two of them, tag-teamed through a presentation that contained, in my view, nothing of any substance, took forty minutes of Council time and I don't think it was worth $25,000. Althou I do think they put into writing exactly what they were told to put into writing.
Despite apparent lack of support at the table .the recommendation directs staff to continue real estate negotiations.
I cannot explain.
Next Tuesday, a decision will be formalised by Council. We will understand it better,
I believe, outside of the proponents, the community has been heard ,
Council has taken heed.
It's been a massive hullabulloo, in my judgement, nothing more than a greedy grab for funds
from the Hydro Asset Reserve Fund.
It wasn't the only one.
It will not likely be the last.
I think that issue is dead.
But if we don't, as a community, soon decide how best to use the Hydro Asset fund the onslaught will continue.
It may be too late in the term to make a decision on Library Square
We own 75% of the block.
We have funds to do something spectacular that could make a difference in everyone's life.
It wasn't for the want of trying.
Still we lally-gag .
We FIDDLE WHILE ROME BURNS.
That decision has been pending for fifteen years.
We had four of the fifteen.
We did nothing .
The decision is still pending.
I think we can simmer for another week. But not a whole lot longer.
ReplyDeleteNone of us understood just what staff were told to do at that meeting. It went from just receiving the presentation to actually negotiating a bloody price. It would appear that the primary stimulant was not a councillor. I won't say anything more as that might impugn a staff individual.
ReplyDelete"I believe, outside of the proponents, the community has been heard"
ReplyDeleteReally? Exactly how many individuals - pro and con -
have made their feelings known?
I believe a petition may be a good idea.If one wss drafted up I would be happy to gather signitures.
ReplyDeleteDon't know if a petition works for this group of councillors. Petitions used to work in the past. It seems like storming the chamber is the new thing nowadays
ReplyDeleteCllr Gallo & Cllr Thompson have both consistently stalled on making a decision on the Library square. Cllr Thompson claims to be waiting for the Fab Lab. Cllr Gallo doesn't want a decision to be ' rushed ' or ' forced onto a new Council '
ReplyDeletePiffle. /there have been public consultations all over the place. All that's lacking is the will
ReplyDeleteWhat right do councillors have to provide a group of perfectly deranged people an hour of council's legitimate meeting time.
I do not know which of these councillors/mayor has children, and if so what their ages?
But if a child of mine brought home such a half-baked scheme as a fundraiser the Board of Education, possibly the Minister of Education, would hear from me.
It seems to me that the operation of this council needs a forensic examination, possibly by the Attorney General's office, for its gratuitous use of my time and my money, both as a resident and as a taxpayer, when it could and should be making constructive decisions that would benefit the community.
"It seems like storming the chamber is the new thing nowadays"
ReplyDeleteIs it called "storming" when people who agree with Cllr Buck do it?
17:04
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if you have noticed.
It is never people from E's Blog that ' invade ' or ' storm ' the Council & try to intimidate councillors.
We do, however vote.
Tim is incorrect about at least one at the table. The Mayor claims not to read web-sites. Whether he has someone screen items for his consideration is another matter.
ReplyDeleteThis is quite bizarre when one is aware of modern communications and how effective they can be.
The Mayor is being sand-bagged by those who want him removed. But he has provided them with the sand. Lots of it. IMO the whole lot should go.
ReplyDeleteCouncil voted 5-4 to begin negotiations...I'm done with those 5. My vote for October has already been cast. And it will definitely not be for those 5 if they decide to run for this council or any other level of government. We've all ready spent a ridiculous gross amount of $25+ thousand of taxpayers money on this “proposal”, and those "5" just gave thumbs up to spend more staff time and resources which = more of my money being thrown away while they decide on raising my taxes in next years budget. Shameful.
ReplyDelete20:48
ReplyDeletesometimes it is just a matter of minor house-keeping sometimes it is necessary to start with a clean slate.