"Cowardice asks the question...is it safe? Expediency asks the question...is it politic? Vanity asks the question...is it popular? But conscience asks the question...is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because it is right." ~Dr. Martin Luther King

Monday 4 July 2016

CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "FIREWORKS": 

The words "outrage" and "respect" appear several times.

Councillors are outraged by the lack of respect shown to them.

I would like to ask these self-same sob's and b's how they deal with the outrage taxpayers feel about the crappy "job" that they do for far too much pay?

And where is the respect they are supposed to show to those who actually, and stupidly, voted for them?

They should all take a long and permanent hiatus, led by the mayor, who couldn't decide whether up was up or down.

This council shouldn't be allowed back into the town hall. Knot-headed stumblebums!!!

Posted by Anonymous to  Our Town and Its Business at 3 July 2016 at 23:01

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I published it because it made me laugh. Like a full and joyful roll of thunder from the heavens above. 

The town often accepts/extracts money from developers. Like $50. thousand to help re-vitalise down-town from Smart Centre; never used for the purpose. 

From the same developer,  $50. thousand to relocate and restore the Petch House; three years later, and never used for any purpose. 

If  a municipality has class, there is none in these circumstances. The town is degraded.

It must be said, Councillor Mrakas puts great time and effort into his role . He means to do well. 

Yesterday, he shared a post on Facebook with many supportive comments and they are deserved. 

But he failed to answer relevant questions.  I knew he would fail when I asked them. 

The Councillor  doesn't know what he doesn't know. It's not a fault. It's an inevitable fact. 

It takes time. Longer, when no-one offers guidance. 

Conventional wisdom holds  experience not required means,  it's not an asset.

Conventional wisdom is an ass.  

Like any  skill, being an effective Councillor takes time and a deal of caution. 

The Councillor speaks firmly about firmly upholding the firm Official Plan. 

But the O.P. Is not chiseled in stone. Regulations require five year reviews for continued relevance. 

Planning is an inexact science. Things change. Where have I heard that before?

The Councillor in a significant context  is currently  denying the Official Plan.

The Master Recreation Plan is incorporated into the O.P.   The Mavrinac area is replete with parks. 
Yet Councillor Mrakas is  fully supportive of a redundant  park . 

He voted to pay $2.3 million to take the land out of private hands into the public sector. Forfeited revenue never part of the calculation. Fire protection,police protection, snow ploughing.street lighting, water and sewers, commuter services to Toronto, all costs with no returns. 

Estimate  to build the new park is $1.3 million. $3.6 million unnecessary spending .

According to the O.P. And provincial regulation, neighbourhood parks must be provided by the developer.

 Mavrinac parks are already in place and have been for several years. 

When it suits him Tom Mrakas and others who should know better, ignore the Plan.

The cry rings hollow when the Councillor fails to answer obvious questions.  

Why are 2 lots per acre better than 3 ? What does that cost us ?

What changes does he intend in Ontario Municipal Board Authority? 

Will we be told ? When ?

Have you read the Minister's intent for the OMB Review?

It is to stimulate the economy, increase jobs, improve education. 

Possibly yours , Tom and all your municipal colleagues. 

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

He might be inexperienced, but he can sure toss out numbers quite effectively to strengthen his point. He said that the developer is asking for a 50% increase in density. This actually translates to 1 additional house per acre. Instead of 2 houses per acre, they want 3. I'm not saying council should approve this change or not, all I'm saying is that it doesn't sound to outrageous of a request. He's not asking for three 20 story condos.

Anonymous said...

It would not be the first time that Gartner lived outside the town.
There was a period earlier in which her folks covered for herby saying she was not living with them,

Anonymous said...



Glad you found some humour in this.