"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

Friday 24 July 2015

SORCERER'S APPRENTICE

For obvious reasons,negotiations to purchase or sell land is one of the few reasons a Council may hold private meetings.

The Municipal Act requires deals  to be "reported out ". Relevant details like the whys and wherefores of funding should be included. One might reasonably anticipate an accompanying report from the Chief Financial Officer advising of financial ways and means. 

When a budget is set and taxes imposed, the purpose for which  resources are taken from our pockets and transferred to town coffers, is legislated by Bylaw. 

Shifting funds about later for a different purpose is not kosher.
It is shifty.
Not professional accounting practice. 
A likely trigger for an auditor's letter to management.
Tantamount to a failing grade.
And scandal. 

Budgeting  for a deficit is also prohibited under the Municipal Act. 

The decision to litigate against Minto was public.
 Rah..Rah. 
The Mayor stated and re-stated enforcement of the agreement was moral and virtuous. 
More Rah Rah. 

The town's need for more land was not referenced as a factor. 

Even if the town did have the same option as the Separate School Board  to buy or decide there was no public need for a school site, there is no need for a park site.

The Public Board  owns a much larger site in the same area.

Is there a moral obligation to compel the Public Board to sell that site to the town? 

The circumstances are identical except the Board,not the developer, owns the site.

Will the same argument prevail with after-the-fact disposition of Highlands Golf Course ? 

If not...why not? 
The Tennis Lobby is panting with anticipation. Softening, kneading  and elasticticizing  of public opinion is already in progress.The yeast is rising. The Hydro Reserve is still intact. 

The town has no purpose for golf course lands. 40 acres is proposed to be dedicated. The need is questionable and maintenance will add substantially to parks operating budget. 

The  Mayor states the town has a moral obligation.

In a pig's ear.

No moral,legal, ethical or practical reason exists for land purchase for which no need exists.

The imperative is clearly political. 

The Mayor is being disingenuous. 

Whether lying to himself or the community at large, pretext of virtue makes the affair particularly sleazy. 

Such conduct brings politics into disrepute. Reason enough  for a reference to " the second oldest profession"

Modern peurile comprehension of politics is the reason many spurn the hard-fought right to vote at every level of government. 

Look no further to explain rejection of government. 

Was it the Romans who said ? "Give them bread and circuses" 

Didn't work too well for them either in the long run?  But it is understood the Mayor has no plans for 
a long run and in his profile does not identify himself as a politician. 

Doesn't matter how much public money is spent on "communication"( read political promotion), useless  land purchases are not the legitimate role of a municipality any more than assinine schemes to finance such enterprise as a radio station with tax dollars not budgeted for the purpose unless under a pseudonym. 

If there is no taste for what you have to sell, there will be no sale. 

Of few who vote,many watch with horrid fascination as Mayor and friends contort themselves artlessly on the political trapeze. 

Flying Wallendahs they are not. 

Only the rarified atmosphere of the Council Chamber holds them aloft despite the clunker clumsy rhetoric. 

9 comments:

Anonymous said...


An extremely well written piece.

If only half of this is true heads should roll.

Starting with that empty one at the top, our latest greatest disappointment.

Are there no persons with an iota of intelligence at that table?

Anonymous said...

I do not believe the mayor is being disingenuous. I'm afraid it is more serious. Early in his first term, I became concerned about his intelligence. You cannot fix stupid and it is a very loooooong time before the next election.

Anonymous said...

It is that Mr Albino who is being disingenuous.
He said that tennis was growing.
Within hearing of a few from Timberlane who have seen interest die and the courts remain unused.
Why do you think the Board of Directors there sold to the Fitness Folk ?

Anonymous said...

I agree with everything you've just said, but unfortunately politicians act only to those who engage with them. Developers, lobbyists, charitable organizations, unions, and those who storm council when they feel that they are wronged or have something to gain. They are also the people who make up the 30% who vote. Politicians will continue to behave in the same manner until we get more than 30% of the electorate coming out.

Anonymous said...

As far as I know, Highland is not on the table. I do not think Council has anything to do with its disposition.
The residents are going to have to deal with the owners. If that fails, they have the OMB.

Anonymous said...

But the radio station motion was a mistake. The mayor said staff got it wrong.

Anonymous said...

Council has advisors , lawyers and treasurers . /surely they will be careful

Anonymous said...

Pshaw, 22:42, Blog's amateur experts know far better.

Anonymous said...

13:39
So it would seem.
Someone needs to try and avert a train wreck. No ?