Council had authority to appoint an individual. They didn't. A competition was created and a number of people entered in good faith. A written statement was required and a speech in a public
meeting . Neither undertaking is stress free.
It's true no-one was required to compete. But that they were sufficiently interested was to their credit.
Unfortunately it seemed obvious to me the decision had already been made by the Mayor, his henchmen and woman. It was no coincidence the person chosen, cast the deciding vote for the project.
I often argued against staff recommendations. I was without confidence in their competence . Considering what I knew of their hiring, their backgrounds.or previous advice ; not the purchase of an unsuitable site from Mr. Leibovitz...nor the 20 year lease of the Hydro property to the QYR...nor sale of the town works and parks sites without a competition...none of it convinced me the town's interest was served . Cost to taxpayers was in the millions. None of it sensible.
In my years of service, I learned to make arguments with the force of logic. If the community responded, I was successful. Often, I was not. But my position was always clear. People expected it of me and they deserved it.
Water and sewer rates were another example of betrayal. I choose that word deliberately. Meters were installed to create the illusion people paid only for water used. Staff refused to justify the increases. The Mayor parroted what he had heard at the Region. "Water is the best bargain we have"
I believe we are paying for treatment systems at Lake Simcoe and servicing to allow northern York Region to be developed in ever increasing density.
33% increase in water rates is a tax increase like any other. It's just located in a different column to deliberately obscure the fact.
Do we read about it in the local newspapers? Do they have any obligation in the matter? The answer
to both questions is negative.
The previous two posts are comments. I'm pleased to see them. They indicate interest in how the community is not served by our current council .
I hope it grows and continues.
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