Saturday, 2 July 2016

EXODUS

Joe Sponga of Newmarket has quit Council. The term is almost at the halfway mark. The vacancy will have to be filled ; probably by- by-election. There will be cost. Council spends money on all manner of endeavors without sparing a thought. Why would a by-election or three make a difference.  It's an opportunity provided for some-one else to participate. 

Mr. Sponga gave reasons ; Code of Conduct complaint. Potential  law suit. Family resources .. all were referenced in his statement of resignation. 

Made perfect sense to this writer. 

An editorial complains about a veil of secrecy. Says the Councillor owes the community an explanation. 

The Integrity Commissioner earlier reported sixteen complains received since he started the job early in the year. 

Twelve were "frivolous" and promptly dismissed . Four are deemed subject to investigation.

Complainants can be anonymous. A request to protect identity is respected under provincial law. 

Councillor Taylor had two complaints against him; both dismissed as "frivolous" . He doesn't see 
much merit in the system Council adopted. 

"Frivolous" suggests fun and frivolity; happy times enjoyed by all. To the person complained about, fun and frivolity are not part of the experience. Reward or recognition of public service, if expected, are conspicuous in their absence. Transparency and accountability are not much in evidence either. 

Yet, to a complainant, with  identity protected, a whole new world of participation, excitement and opportunity is opened up. 

Particularly convivial as town and  target bear the brunt of expense. 

Hey Ho the Merryo .

By the time the Integrity Commissioner completes investigations  into remaining four complaints and possibly a fresh flurry under the Newmarket Code, cost might well exceed a by-election
or four.  

Who knows.. perchance numbers of seats will be vacated. 

Heretofore  and forever thereafter, unknown persons, full of fun and frivolity might decide it would be 
a lark  to complain about conduct unbecoming the Mayor and the latter may not find it any more amusing than former Councillor Sponga , to spend family resources to defend his reputation if
the Integrity Commissioner decides the complaint warrants an investigation under the new Code of Conduct adopted by the Council and  the Mayor also resigns. 

Council might become a revolving door. A steady succession of changing faces. Wouldn't that be a great contribution to democracy?

11 comments:

  1. Things seem to have unravelled very quickly in Newmarket and the grenade seems to be the cukoo clock tower development.

    A Clr. resigning immediately calls into question the Mayor's leadership, or lack thereof, which is even more curious when earlier last month Sponga defended the Mayor's leadership when Kerwin questioned it:
    http://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/6708850-councillor-dave-kerwin-questions-newmarket-mayor-s-leadership/

    I'm not as confident that Newmarket will be granted a byelection. Given how Aurora was able to ignore the overwhelming demand for one in favor of an appointment I suspect that the voting block in Newmarket will simply do the same and put forward some weak justifications.

    ReplyDelete
  2. There is zero leadership in that Town. It seams to be the trend in many of the York region communities.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Only if our Mayor would do the same.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Would be nice, but then who would we get? The deputy? We're screwed either way.

      Delete
  4. To those moaning about Mayor Dawe, just remember his predecessor.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He may be just as bad.

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    2. Oh I remember her well, including who ran against him in the last election. I agree with 10:38, screwed either way.

      Delete
  5. I hoe Newmarket has learned from watching others. Aurora has not as is evidenced by their behaviour with Highland.

    ReplyDelete


  6. The data-driven machine that twice got President Obama elected is revving up to help elect Hillary Clinton. Democrats are looking to recreate the tactical advantage they used against Republicans in 2008 and 2012.

    Obama's political operation, including deep troves of voter and donor information, and a corps of trained field staffers and volunteers, are now Clinton's to use.

    The most valuable item is an email list of supporters that included 20 million addresses in 2012, is now fully available to Clinton. A copy of that list is now controlled by the Democratic National Committee, which can now send emails at will without going through Obama's campaign.

    In addition, the majority of Obama's senior election staff and directors have moved into the same positions with Clinton, including fund-raisers.

    Let's see Dump's response, other than four-letter words.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Money does talk. But don't underestimate him. That is precisely what has gotten him this far in the first place.

      Delete


  7. Newt Gingrich and Chris Christie supposedly head Trump's VP list.

    Palin has apparently declined.

    ReplyDelete

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