I published comments critical of Grace Marsh this morning. I didn't want to.
I don't mind being accused of being a hypocrite. I don't like to feel like one.
I had at Marilee Harris last weeks when I read of her bid for the vacant Council seat.
I let people say nasty things about Councillors and the Mayor .I doubt they or their supporters appreciate it.
The point is no-one is forced to put their name forward for public office. Criticism is part of the territory. Social media just makes it more convenient and more.....telling.
Grace is criticized for quitting. That she did is undeniable.
But there is a factor that may not be so well known.
Grace worked for a municipal tax consultant operating in Canada and America.
Letters had gone from members of that Council to employers of other Councillors.
The intent being to cause damage to a person's employment.
Even as I tell it, the nightmare returns.
I don't believe it. should be hard for any fair-minded person to understand the level of tension the. situation provoked.
A candidate for public office certainly puts themselves out there and by so doing invites
disagreement,opposition and yes, criticism.
Deliberate intent to hurt someone , beyond political, is not part of the deal.
A sacrifice no Canadian is expected to endure for the privilege of performing a public service.
It happened to Grace and it happened to others.
Five years later, I am still intent on making sure nothing like it ever happens again.
The SLAPP litigation was just a sample of the malice permeating the town's public affairs.
The poisonous environment did not happen overnight. It grew unabated for fifteen years.
It was the reason I returned to politics. I knew the problem.
My children could not become targets.
My job was not at risk.
After the 2006 election I knew things were going to be much worse.
And it was. Very much worse.
Grace's resignation was just a small piece of the foul and pestilential swamp.
I do not exaggerate . One had to be there to appreciate the full horror.
It should not be forgotten .
I never saw anything like it before. It should never happen again.
With social media ,it might be harder to get a toehold
Tuesday, 22 July 2014
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4 comments:
A fair number of Aurorans experienced poison-pen letters to their employees during the ugly years. Usually such missives are unsigned but I have gathered over the ensuing period that those bore several signatures.
Evelyn
With all due respect, I read this post of yours and I have to question perceptions.
Statements like:
"Letter went from members of that Council to employers of other Councillors.
The intent being to damage a person's employment"
"Deliberate intent to do personal harm, beyond the political..."
"It happened to Grace and it happened to others"
"The poisonous environment did not happen overnight. It grew unabated for fifteen years."
You are making statements that can relate to criminal and/or civil charges.
IF things were so bad and IF these things were going on, why was there no investigation called for by those who were on the receiving end of this? Why was York Regional Police not called and charges laid?
Why was there no investigation by media (I don't want to hear comments from the Era-Banner haters)?
I just read your accounts and those accounts from those that like to repear it, and I have NEVER seen any report to back the claims up.
Forgive me if I have missed them, please direct me to them.
"After the 2010 election I knew how much worse things were going to be.
And it was. Very much worse."
Don't you mean the 2006 election? Grace Marsh resigned in April, 2008.
@11:05
And who might " you " be that information should be directed to you ?
You have no idea if legal advice was taken. Or what decisions were made.
And I do not hate the Banner - it just doesn't merit my attention
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