"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

Sunday 12 February 2012

Another Piece Of The Puzzle

A fulsome comment explains two letters were written by Mr. MacLean. One published in each newspaper. Both  making  the same contentions.

Another question remaining unanswered is to the statement Mayor Grossi twice declared a Conflict of Interest in the law suit being filed in his name, with a claim for financial  damages with the municipality paying  costs of the legal action. 

When and where  did this happen? Did Mayor Grossi remain in the room when the issue was being discussed and decided by the Council ?  If he did, why did he?

Reference is made to council  following legal advice.   Is Council prepared to waive solicitor/client privilege and release the advice upon which they rest their case ?

Municipalities  everywhere would  likely be interested to know what section of which act permits a Council to sue the community they serve.

Everything we have heard leads us to believe the contrary.

The law firm named as giving advice to Georgina Council might like to have that advice released  to keep  "miisunderstandings" referenced  by the Mayor at a minimum.

We know the Municipal Act permits Councils to discuss certain matters behind closed doors. The sole purpose is to protect the municipality's interest.  "Save the town harmless" is the operational .
phrase.

Contemplating  litigation or being litigated against, comes under the heading of "save the Town harmless" by keeping discussions confidential.


It's not clear a decision to sue a town resident  who said nasty things about the Mayor comes under that heading. Dear Lord, think about the suits that might flow from such a circumstance.

Give your head a shake, Mr. Grossi !!.

It would also be intersting for residents to understand which section of the Procedure Bylaw allows  a Council to give three readings  before proclaiming a bylaw behind closed doors.

The word"Proclamation" bespeaks  public passage of a law for all to hear and know about.

Hear ye.....Hear ye....Hear ye....is a proclamation, complete with a ringing bell to draw attention.

Three readings .are intended to notify the public of Council's intention. And provide sufficient opportunity for opposition   or support to be engendered.


Laws at senior levels of government still  receive separate readings. . Even after  passage,a law does not come into effect until  accompanying  regulations are  written and passed. .

I am not a lawyer. I am not an expert in municipal law. I have simply been involved in municipal politics for nigh on fifty years and everything about it continues to engage me.

I hear things. I read things. The environment around me is a rich source of information and knowledge.
The bulk of which is common sense, the base for common law. the base for modern law and nothing the ordinary citizen cannot comprehend.

If what you hear or read doesn't make sense to you. It's because it doesn't make sense.

Never doubt your intuition. 

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Another large Toronto law firm messing up on the advice. The lawsuit wouldn't have worked as the newspapers who printed McLean's letter were not named. There was plenty of recent evidence in Aurora's case. Those who do not study the past are doomed to repeat it. Stupid man.

Anonymous said...

Evelyn, you say you're not an expert on municipal law, but you are far more knowledgeable about it than many of the councillors in most of the GTA municipalities, and certainly more so than any of the Georgina clowns. At least you've taken the time to read the Municipal Act and the understand it. Perhaps you should consider becoming a consultant?

I,for one, am glad you're here and that you're not afraid to voice your opinions and keep everyone informed. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

I, for one, am glad you're here and that you're not afraid to voice your opinions and keep everyone informed. Thank you!

Amen to that, Ev has more knowledge in her pinky than the likes of these two bit ,tin horned wannabe's, who come trouncing along with their Bay Street Bullies, a Public Purse at their disposal to stifle anyone who dares to disagree.

May she live for ever !!!!

Anonymous said...

From the outside, this appears to be a populist movement and utterly spontaneous. Can someone from Georgina assure us that no individual is driving this activity who has a political axe to grind. We Aurorans have learned to be cautious about motivation. Since we do not know who your political personalities are, it would be nice to feel we are seeing the full picture as events move forward. Everyone up there got clean hands ?