"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

Tuesday 14 July 2015

ANOTHER FINE MESS YOU'VE GOTTEN US INTO, STANLEY

Last night a news item ran about a Niagara Region employee being fired because he made  critical comments on social media about an elected official he said, cared more about publicity than doing what was good  for the community. 

The employee was on television. Looked to be in his thirties. Worked in the transit division. That's a good job. Nobody has benefits like municipal employees ....worth more than many others earn in a year. 

The sentiment expressed is not unusual....it's the general public perception of politicians. 

He apparently had no idea of constraints in the public service. 

It's about responsiblity for maintaing public confidence in the  institution.

Insofar as respect for  law and order is essential to maintain a civil society. 

Or is that also an outmoded concept? 

How could he get to his mid-thirties with a career in public service without understanding the line between elected and appointed officials. 

It's not in writing. It has to be taught. 

Except in the Police Code of Discipline.

Because of their authority under the law, the police are prohibited from involvement in politics.

It's the reason former Toronto Chief Blair's contract was not renewed.

After being an officer for decades and governed by the Code of Discipline,he still hasn't got it,

He should not have been having Toronto's Mayor investigated. Nor making statements to that  effect to the media. 

If he got away with that no elected official could ever again be safe from abuse of power by the police .

It did not need to be discussed. 

 It was enough that every Police Chief in the  Province understood .

if the contract had not been handily up for renewal, the terminology might have been different. 

No charges were laid against Rob Ford. Investigation of the Mayor died with Blair's departure. 

Charges were laid against his friend. One  to date has failed to hold up in court. 

But Big Bumbling Bill Blair is possibly on his way to bigger and better things as a candidate for he Federal Liberal party. Shows how much the Liberal Part understands with Trudeau Junior at the helm. 

If elected, like his predeccesor police chief Julian Fantino ,maybe a bungled cabinet ministry is in his future.  

So much to be said for understanding principles, the need to maintain public confidence and respect for public intelligence. 

Therein perhaps lies the clue for a lowly Niagara Region employee's failure to understand a basic
principle  of employment. 

DO NO HARM 

The  Simcoe Health Centre Board has certainly created a mess . From which there can be no escape.

Nothing more can be said that justifies the order to the Foundation Board to terminate their top official without further invading that individual's privacy and damaging her reputation .

Labour Laws take a dim view of it . Civil Law is equally unforgiving. 

A story in the Toronto Star quotes a Foundation spokesperson that the  truth must emerge before 
reconciliation is possible.

Truth is exactly what can't be spoken. 

The only remedy is for the Health Centre  Board to be replaced. 

The brace of Mayors from Newmarket and Aurora are the only two board members accountable to the 
Region and the public. 

It makes for an interesting dichotomy  ...a pretty kettle of fish....a couple  of deer iin the headlights.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...


Are you saying that respect for an institution is necessary to maintain a civil society or are you asking if this is an outmoded concept?

This man is said to have no idea public servants do not criticize politicians.

What about politicians who criticize civil servants, i.e. the Prime Minister getting into a nasty public slanging match with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court? Maybe Harper should be fired, not just for that but for many disgraceful acts against Parliament itself.

So far as Southlake is concerned the matter goes far deeper than the hospital Board.

Anonymous said...

Aanother hand out attempt last night just before summer break.

What a twist of events.

Thank goodness some citizens are watching the roost.

Anonymous said...

I Agree. The two remaining members should be gone as well. I'm sure the 2 Mayors would have walked out as well if they could. They can put Hackson and Taylor on the board. That would mean Aurora wouldn't be represented, but then again, it really wasn't in the first place.

Anonymous said...

7:53
I did like that little zinger but doubt if the individual it was directed at would understand.

Anonymous said...

Everyone with whom I have spoken is full of questions.
Like " doesn't the hospital board of directors have a legal advisor ? "
And " Where is Belinda in this mess ? "

Anonymous said...

@ 7:15
Elaborate on " hand out attempt last night " please. I was not aware of any progress, forward, back or sideways.

Anonymous said...

11:00- Probably checking out the NDP camp. :)

Anonymous said...

Ahh yes, Mayor Hackson, the angel for developers now, and Duty Mayor Taylor, another member of the old boys club. Well I suppose if you have to, it might as well be them.

Anonymous said...

Do we even know how the 2 mayors voted on that order ? I would really, really like to know.

Anonymous said...

Trudeau already has Eve Adams to try to place.........

Anonymous said...

Well someone sure talked to the Star - that piece of work somehow got passed in May

Anonymous said...

Good to know Brock is on it. Thought he might be away.

Anonymous said...

I have absolutely no idea how this thing going to get resolved, No one is saying anything and it is business as usual at the Foundation. Is the Hospital board going to try and pretend this never happened ?

Anonymous said...

That is a fair #f individuals and all their friends and relatives to keep quiet.
Especially when the story is screaming for release into the community.
The Hospital Board must live with the climate it created.

Anonymous said...

I do not know anything about the Mayor of Newmarket but I sure do not have a whole lot of confidence in how Aurora's Mayor might or might not have voted,

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

20:13
I snooped a bit on their politics during the last election but got tied in knots by that Maddie and a couple of bloggers. When they started with the conspiracy thread that is still there today over the Southlake departures, I gave up.