Council started at six, finished at 11. 30 p.m.It was a marathon. By the time I got home I needed
turn my mind off. Twenty minutes of Letterman remained. The last part of the show is noisy.
I turned to P.B.S. Enjoyed the silky tones of Nat King Cole. The program ended with his death at age forty-five.I shed tears of sadness.
It was the right conclusion to my day.
I need a spell of distraction after a lengthy meeting.
One of the issues discussed was elimination a contrived obstructions to safe smooth and efficient movement of traffic in the north-east quadrant of town.
My position was consistent.
I opposed the plan during the previous term.
The decision was made in the interest of a few at the expense of the community at large.
A number of similar decisions undertaken by the previous Council. It was a deliberate political philosophy to cater to special interests.
I did what I could to effect change in the election.
I added my voice to persuade the current Mayor to be a candidate. I recommended him to voters.
Without experience, the job would be difficult. I committed myself to assist..
Last night, when the debate was over, the Mayor exercised his right to participate.
He failed to surrender the gavel. He would have been subject to the rules of order.
He advised, with a nod towards the Clerk, he had been advised, it was unnecessary to transfer the gavel during presentation of a "summary"
He challenged my contentions in the debate. He defended the traffic calming plan which differed with a rationale that varied little from the previous Council.
The plan that so offended the community.
I'm not sure what a "summary" looks or sounds like. I have never heard of it in the context it was used last night.
I do however recognize debate when I hear it.
I respect the authority of the chair. Rules of order ae essential to civil debate.
Exploitation of the authority is not acceptable.
There will be a price to pay.
I don't know what that looks like yet.
I will when I see it.
Thursday, 11 April 2013
Wednesday, 10 April 2013
A tragedy in the community
A family of four adults died in a house fire in East Gwullimbury. The community was in shock.
Four members of a family died in a fire.
First we learned response time was 12 minutes.
That's twice what it should be.
We awaited more information.
Aurora -Newmarket operate joint fire protection. Both municipalities provide protection to neighboring areas by contract.
Mutual aid is standard practice .
A Newmarket firehall was within five minute of the fire.
Why were they not there?
Councillors normally receive an e-mail with details within hours of a fire attended.
None was received.
We waited for the Fire Marshall to report. No reference was made to response time.
A Fire Marshall seldom misses an opportunity to point to the need for full time fire
protection.
It was odd.
The professional fire fighters association (union) made a public statement.
They found the fire marshall's report incomplete.
Response time was not cited.
But still no reference was made to why Newmarket's fulltime service was not in attendance.
I heard informally, they did not receive the call.
911 service is shared.
If the call was not received, that's a concern for all of us.
At last night's Council meeting, under new business, I sought
information.
Another odd thing happened.
Councillor Gallo, chairman of joint fire committee indicated he had received
an e-mail . They didn't get the call, he said quietly to myself.
It was the only explanation.
Yet the Mayor would not allow the discussion.
Newmarket's contract with East Gwillimbury is not our business
he said.
I sought an answer from the town solicitor .
"Who orders an inquest" I asked.
The Mayor refused to direct the question.
I insisted.
The solicitor responded the Fire Marshall is responsible .
At a recent meeting ,a recommendation from the Joint Fire Committee to request the Region of York to study the feasibility of providing Region-wide fire protection service was aproved by Council.
Aurora -Newmarket have full time fire protection.
Our towns have no need of a region-wide service.
It's odd the Mayor would disallow a question about a contract between Newmarket and East Gwillimbury, yet days before, the question of region-wide fire services which would impact only rural municipalies was allowed .
The request came around the time of four deaths in East Gwillimbury.
I have since learned some particulars of the fire.
I do not suggest culpability.
Only a firefighter truly appreciates the imperative for speed.
A minute or less can be the difference between life and death,
Yet , there was failure.
I suspect the emergency communication system.
The system is shared. We all need to know what happened .
I do not understand the apparent effort to keep the facts from becoming public.
I do not understand the inconsistency of his judgement.
What I do not understand is the obvious attempt to keep it a secret.
.
Four members of a family died in a fire.
First we learned response time was 12 minutes.
That's twice what it should be.
We awaited more information.
Aurora -Newmarket operate joint fire protection. Both municipalities provide protection to neighboring areas by contract.
Mutual aid is standard practice .
A Newmarket firehall was within five minute of the fire.
Why were they not there?
Councillors normally receive an e-mail with details within hours of a fire attended.
None was received.
We waited for the Fire Marshall to report. No reference was made to response time.
A Fire Marshall seldom misses an opportunity to point to the need for full time fire
protection.
It was odd.
The professional fire fighters association (union) made a public statement.
They found the fire marshall's report incomplete.
Response time was not cited.
But still no reference was made to why Newmarket's fulltime service was not in attendance.
I heard informally, they did not receive the call.
911 service is shared.
If the call was not received, that's a concern for all of us.
At last night's Council meeting, under new business, I sought
information.
Another odd thing happened.
Councillor Gallo, chairman of joint fire committee indicated he had received
an e-mail . They didn't get the call, he said quietly to myself.
It was the only explanation.
Yet the Mayor would not allow the discussion.
Newmarket's contract with East Gwillimbury is not our business
he said.
I sought an answer from the town solicitor .
"Who orders an inquest" I asked.
The Mayor refused to direct the question.
I insisted.
The solicitor responded the Fire Marshall is responsible .
At a recent meeting ,a recommendation from the Joint Fire Committee to request the Region of York to study the feasibility of providing Region-wide fire protection service was aproved by Council.
Aurora -Newmarket have full time fire protection.
Our towns have no need of a region-wide service.
It's odd the Mayor would disallow a question about a contract between Newmarket and East Gwillimbury, yet days before, the question of region-wide fire services which would impact only rural municipalies was allowed .
The request came around the time of four deaths in East Gwillimbury.
I have since learned some particulars of the fire.
I do not suggest culpability.
Only a firefighter truly appreciates the imperative for speed.
A minute or less can be the difference between life and death,
Yet , there was failure.
I suspect the emergency communication system.
The system is shared. We all need to know what happened .
I do not understand the apparent effort to keep the facts from becoming public.
I do not understand the inconsistency of his judgement.
What I do not understand is the obvious attempt to keep it a secret.
.
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
Flash News
Toronto will provide $6 million to Arts and Culture. The money will come from billboard revenue
not taxes.
Toronto has a population of 2 .479 million It means slightly more than two dollars per capita for Arts and Culture.None of it from taxes.
In Aurora , we have committed $570,000 dollars on Arts and Culture, We have a population of about fifty-five thousand population. That's in excess of ten dollars per capita. All of it from taxes.
Last time I checked, Toronto's taxes were substantially less than Aurora's .
I thought taxpayers might be interested in that comparator.
The other thing about the new agreement for the Church Street School . It's supposed to provide museum space. But he majority of Council including the Mayor and Councillor Pirri have voted with
Gallo ,Gaertner and Ballard not to act on the recommendation on the collection until the Master Culture Plan is complete.
The study is not near beginning. We expect the Art aficionados to do what they can to exclude the museum from its rightful home. We can only conclude the Mayor and Councillor Pirri have the same
objective.
It's weird having to watch for clues to discover the reason for a decision to reveal itself.
Another e-mail has been received urging Concil to continue to protect the peace and tranquility
of the streets at he core of the community.
We are hearing a lot about it being a special neighbourhood. Not like the modern cookie-cutter
subdivisions. One writer is sure people come from the city to enjoy the beauty of their neighbourhood.
Inconvenience to residents outside the neighborhood is dismissed as a factor.
If the diverters (obstructions) are removed ,some of the families will have to look for a safer neighborhood to live.
I can recommend my neighborhood. We don't have much traffic. Kids play on the street. People walk and ride bicycles when the weather is fine.
The difference is the lack of amenities within walking distance. Except for school. everything is a drive. Nothing is convenient.
It's the price most expect to pay.
We don't expect to pay millions for construction and maintenance of streets in a "special" neighborhood as well as blockades and barricades to force us not to use the streets.
We find ourselves told ,without embarrassment,we have no right to use of the streets we paid for.
We , the lesser ones, are good only for paying the tab, can't be allowed to disturb the peace and tranquillity of the special neighborhood, dontcha know?
Toronto is going to spend a hundred and fifty million dollars
on roads and infrastructure this year.
I haven't heard mention of obstructions for special neighborhoods to prohibit invasion from
outside.
not taxes.
Toronto has a population of 2 .479 million It means slightly more than two dollars per capita for Arts and Culture.None of it from taxes.
In Aurora , we have committed $570,000 dollars on Arts and Culture, We have a population of about fifty-five thousand population. That's in excess of ten dollars per capita. All of it from taxes.
Last time I checked, Toronto's taxes were substantially less than Aurora's .
I thought taxpayers might be interested in that comparator.
The other thing about the new agreement for the Church Street School . It's supposed to provide museum space. But he majority of Council including the Mayor and Councillor Pirri have voted with
Gallo ,Gaertner and Ballard not to act on the recommendation on the collection until the Master Culture Plan is complete.
The study is not near beginning. We expect the Art aficionados to do what they can to exclude the museum from its rightful home. We can only conclude the Mayor and Councillor Pirri have the same
objective.
It's weird having to watch for clues to discover the reason for a decision to reveal itself.
Another e-mail has been received urging Concil to continue to protect the peace and tranquility
of the streets at he core of the community.
We are hearing a lot about it being a special neighbourhood. Not like the modern cookie-cutter
subdivisions. One writer is sure people come from the city to enjoy the beauty of their neighbourhood.
Inconvenience to residents outside the neighborhood is dismissed as a factor.
If the diverters (obstructions) are removed ,some of the families will have to look for a safer neighborhood to live.
I can recommend my neighborhood. We don't have much traffic. Kids play on the street. People walk and ride bicycles when the weather is fine.
The difference is the lack of amenities within walking distance. Except for school. everything is a drive. Nothing is convenient.
It's the price most expect to pay.
We don't expect to pay millions for construction and maintenance of streets in a "special" neighborhood as well as blockades and barricades to force us not to use the streets.
We find ourselves told ,without embarrassment,we have no right to use of the streets we paid for.
We , the lesser ones, are good only for paying the tab, can't be allowed to disturb the peace and tranquillity of the special neighborhood, dontcha know?
Toronto is going to spend a hundred and fifty million dollars
on roads and infrastructure this year.
I haven't heard mention of obstructions for special neighborhoods to prohibit invasion from
outside.
Sound And Fury
'Tis a tale told by an idiot full of sound and fury signifying nothing.
Tonight Council will consider a review of the remaining "traffic calming measures" in the north east quadrant. Recommendation from General Committee is to "refer the matter back to staff for an analysis of current traffic calming measures and the impact of new buildings under construction in the area and
That the community have an opportunity to provide input with regards to the "diversions."
Councillors have received nineteen e-mails from residents in the area; one in support of removing the "diversions" .All others opposed and horrified by the prospect.
The staff report has already indicated if the "diversions" were to be removed, traffic would increase.
"Diversions" are obstructions. Purpose of which to block the flow of traffic.
Blocking the flow of traffic is exactly opposite to the purpose of public rights of way.
Road patterns are designed to interconnect and provide for the safe, efficient, smooth movement of traffic.
Millions of dollars are spent on engineers to design the system. Water and sewer collection and distribution are incorporated in the roads.
In any development, infrastructure comes first. Llots are created to fit the road system. The design not only contemplates movement of traffic and other utilities, emergencies, garbage collection and snow plowing are planned for efficiency.
Before the traffic calming plan was received by the last Council I requested public works director and fire chief put into writing, the impact on fire protection, snow plowing and garbage collection.
They did.
Even while the City ofToronto were removing chicanes because of neck injuries to fire fighters , the letter from the Fire department gave assurance there would be no impact.
The Public Works Director who denied all responsibility for the traffic calming plan ,stated chicanes would not slow response time. Fire trucks would just drive right over them,he said. .
Which was true and the reason firefighters had neck injuries. And chicanes were in the course of being removed even as we planned to install them
At the time the plan was being considered. an election was imminent. Estimates for the project were
$100,000. Three candidates were in the running for the Mayoralty. Any one of them would have sold the crown jewels for the political advantage that might achieve.
Contrary professional advice would have fallen on deaf ears.
It was not provided anyway.
Any more than it is now.
If roads are to serve the purpose of safe,smooth efficient movement of traffic. "Diversions"or blockades have exactly the opposite effect.
Where is the logic of spending millions of dollars of hard-earned tax dollars from the town's general revenue fund on roads designed by engineers on the public payroll, for the safe, smooth, efficient movement of traffic, while at the same time constructing chicanes, blockades , and speed bumps to achieve the exact opposite and literally remove said traffic from said streets.
Staff have indicated removal of the "diversions" ( closed off streets)would result in traffic increase.
Well , Duh!
It is a tale told by idiots, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
What happens when residents of other streets in the heart of town demand their streets be closed to through traffic and effect artificial obstructions in order for the clock to be turned back a century when the town had a busy, thriving, growing metropolis with a population of four thousand souls?
Tonight Council will consider a review of the remaining "traffic calming measures" in the north east quadrant. Recommendation from General Committee is to "refer the matter back to staff for an analysis of current traffic calming measures and the impact of new buildings under construction in the area and
That the community have an opportunity to provide input with regards to the "diversions."
Councillors have received nineteen e-mails from residents in the area; one in support of removing the "diversions" .All others opposed and horrified by the prospect.
The staff report has already indicated if the "diversions" were to be removed, traffic would increase.
"Diversions" are obstructions. Purpose of which to block the flow of traffic.
Blocking the flow of traffic is exactly opposite to the purpose of public rights of way.
Road patterns are designed to interconnect and provide for the safe, efficient, smooth movement of traffic.
Millions of dollars are spent on engineers to design the system. Water and sewer collection and distribution are incorporated in the roads.
In any development, infrastructure comes first. Llots are created to fit the road system. The design not only contemplates movement of traffic and other utilities, emergencies, garbage collection and snow plowing are planned for efficiency.
Before the traffic calming plan was received by the last Council I requested public works director and fire chief put into writing, the impact on fire protection, snow plowing and garbage collection.
They did.
Even while the City ofToronto were removing chicanes because of neck injuries to fire fighters , the letter from the Fire department gave assurance there would be no impact.
The Public Works Director who denied all responsibility for the traffic calming plan ,stated chicanes would not slow response time. Fire trucks would just drive right over them,he said. .
Which was true and the reason firefighters had neck injuries. And chicanes were in the course of being removed even as we planned to install them
At the time the plan was being considered. an election was imminent. Estimates for the project were
$100,000. Three candidates were in the running for the Mayoralty. Any one of them would have sold the crown jewels for the political advantage that might achieve.
Contrary professional advice would have fallen on deaf ears.
It was not provided anyway.
Any more than it is now.
If roads are to serve the purpose of safe,smooth efficient movement of traffic. "Diversions"or blockades have exactly the opposite effect.
Where is the logic of spending millions of dollars of hard-earned tax dollars from the town's general revenue fund on roads designed by engineers on the public payroll, for the safe, smooth, efficient movement of traffic, while at the same time constructing chicanes, blockades , and speed bumps to achieve the exact opposite and literally remove said traffic from said streets.
Staff have indicated removal of the "diversions" ( closed off streets)would result in traffic increase.
Well , Duh!
It is a tale told by idiots, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
What happens when residents of other streets in the heart of town demand their streets be closed to through traffic and effect artificial obstructions in order for the clock to be turned back a century when the town had a busy, thriving, growing metropolis with a population of four thousand souls?
How do we say ;
NO . What is there about that word you do not understand
Monday, 8 April 2013
Sic a fankle canny be sorted
Last week, a comment was made to a particular post. I responded to it
accordingly
Turned out the comment was referring to a different circumstance.
It's hard to keep an exchange straight like that. I felt slighted.
Something similar happened today.
A criticism was made about an inclination to "besmirch" another.
I took it to refer to one comment.
Then a comment was posted that took it to mean another.
Comments need to be more precisely directed . So we're not talking at each other with cross purpose.
Otherwise I can see the thread getting into such a fankle it can never be straightened out.
accordingly
Turned out the comment was referring to a different circumstance.
It's hard to keep an exchange straight like that. I felt slighted.
Something similar happened today.
A criticism was made about an inclination to "besmirch" another.
I took it to refer to one comment.
Then a comment was posted that took it to mean another.
Comments need to be more precisely directed . So we're not talking at each other with cross purpose.
Otherwise I can see the thread getting into such a fankle it can never be straightened out.
Integrity and Competence is in the judgment of the beholder
I sent a letter to The Auroran. It's my second on the budget.
Approval was given at the last Council meeting without note or comment.
It wasn't called for discussion.
Mine was the oversight.
The Auroran reaches a wider audience than Rogers Cable and wider still than my blog.
Council was not my last or only opportunity to put my position forward.
I used strong language . It would have been less emphatic in debate had there been one.
Councillors with a different perspective would have been able to rebut.
The opportunity was not provided.
Perhaps they still will.
I stated a lack of confidence in the competence or integrity of the budget. I presented a few samples to support my contention.
I was elected to take a position on matters that come before Council. The budget is most important.
A unanimous decision means the budget is approved by all. The community may take assurance from unanimity .
I am unable to provide that assurance . I have been unable to do so for seven years.
The previous Council's decisions in my estimation .were not supported by the community at large. Election results appeared to support that.
For reasons kept to themselves. there was no debate, current Council members have chosen to maintain with even more generous support than before, programs that cater to vested interests.
Council has approved double digit water rate increases every year since the one prior to the election.
I have challenged the increases. Satisfactory answers were not provided.
It's clear water does not cost more. It's a natural resource. It is ours to take.
There can only be one explanation for exorbitant increases imposed.
In my opinion, they are paying for plans to expand urbanisation within the region.
They are not transparent.
They ae sneaky and underhanded.
They are not supported by this Aurora Councillor.
Approval was given at the last Council meeting without note or comment.
It wasn't called for discussion.
Mine was the oversight.
The Auroran reaches a wider audience than Rogers Cable and wider still than my blog.
Council was not my last or only opportunity to put my position forward.
I used strong language . It would have been less emphatic in debate had there been one.
Councillors with a different perspective would have been able to rebut.
The opportunity was not provided.
Perhaps they still will.
I stated a lack of confidence in the competence or integrity of the budget. I presented a few samples to support my contention.
I was elected to take a position on matters that come before Council. The budget is most important.
A unanimous decision means the budget is approved by all. The community may take assurance from unanimity .
I am unable to provide that assurance . I have been unable to do so for seven years.
The previous Council's decisions in my estimation .were not supported by the community at large. Election results appeared to support that.
For reasons kept to themselves. there was no debate, current Council members have chosen to maintain with even more generous support than before, programs that cater to vested interests.
Council has approved double digit water rate increases every year since the one prior to the election.
I have challenged the increases. Satisfactory answers were not provided.
It's clear water does not cost more. It's a natural resource. It is ours to take.
There can only be one explanation for exorbitant increases imposed.
In my opinion, they are paying for plans to expand urbanisation within the region.
They are not transparent.
They ae sneaky and underhanded.
They are not supported by this Aurora Councillor.
Saturday, 6 April 2013
Who can you believe ?
When he made the assertion that he had documented proof of improper spending, Councillor Bountiful was challenged to produce it.
He didn't.
Last week, Councillors received copies of an e-mail exchange between the treasurer and manager of communications.
The Banner reporter had noticed variances between Councillors' expense claims for last year's conference in Ottawa and wanted details.
Most of us on the social media circuit have read of the tweeting detente between Councillor Righteous and Managing Editor that the community will be informed of deficiencies of this Council in good time for the next election.
Apparently no tome will be wasted.
I don't read the newspaper.
If a story appears posing more questions than answers, there is likely an explanation.
This week's headlines on the OSSTF's settlement fits the category.
The Premier assured taxpayers,no more money was available for a settlement.
The headlines suggest otherwise.
More benefits are provided and there are "fewer unpaid days"in the contract.
Benefits are not free. More benefits would have to cost more
Fewer "unpaid " days would have to mean more paid days.
What unpaid days can there be?
If teachers are off sick, they get paid. If they are not off sick, they get paid for not being sick.
If they now have fewer unpaid days.they must be getting paid for more days.
How can those improvements be provided without costing more money?
Do we expect the media to cut through the crap and get to the meat of the matter?
Or does all the media make pacts about what will or will not be disclosed.
He didn't.
Last week, Councillors received copies of an e-mail exchange between the treasurer and manager of communications.
The Banner reporter had noticed variances between Councillors' expense claims for last year's conference in Ottawa and wanted details.
Most of us on the social media circuit have read of the tweeting detente between Councillor Righteous and Managing Editor that the community will be informed of deficiencies of this Council in good time for the next election.
Apparently no tome will be wasted.
I don't read the newspaper.
If a story appears posing more questions than answers, there is likely an explanation.
This week's headlines on the OSSTF's settlement fits the category.
The Premier assured taxpayers,no more money was available for a settlement.
The headlines suggest otherwise.
More benefits are provided and there are "fewer unpaid days"in the contract.
Benefits are not free. More benefits would have to cost more
Fewer "unpaid " days would have to mean more paid days.
What unpaid days can there be?
If teachers are off sick, they get paid. If they are not off sick, they get paid for not being sick.
If they now have fewer unpaid days.they must be getting paid for more days.
How can those improvements be provided without costing more money?
Do we expect the media to cut through the crap and get to the meat of the matter?
Or does all the media make pacts about what will or will not be disclosed.
Friday, 5 April 2013
Six of one is an additional half dozen
Documentation provided for discussion of publication of Councillors' expenses included the 2012 statement of the Mayor of Newmarket A budget of $12,000 was provided, $3096.19 was spent.
$2,791.37 was charged to the Region by the Mayor for conference expense.
I offer details not as criticism. Simply as relevant information.
The Mayor charged for :
Police Appreciation night. $150.00
Young Artists' Showcase $ 86.00
Mardi Gras Night $150.00
Community Living Dinner $125.00
Abuse Prevention Dinner $150.00
Arts Gala $250.00
Trinity UCW Dinner $ 55.00
TLC Pregnancy Centre $ 60.00
Newmarket Cof C $254.00
Canadian Crime V.Dinner $140.00
Big Brothers and Sisters $150.00
Pathways for Children $ 75.00
York Region Arts $ 55.00
An allowance is provided to pay for such items. Councillors decide whether or not to use it.
I don't.
I don't think that's virtuous.I just don't feel compelled to support every charity out
there just because I'm an elected representative and it's not costing me.
If I have resources to support charity, I will make a private choice.
I think taxpayers have the same right. It's about the only right we have left.
I don't believe taxes should be used to support charity.
It doesn't mean I believe other Councillors don't have the same right to make a different decision.
The Mayor of Newmarket gives a great deal of his time to support local charity. No doubt the commitment is much appreciated.
On the other hand, if his/her presence at an event is requested, I think complementary tickets
should be provided.
That's how it was before the blurring of lines between tax collecting and fundraising.
Fundraisers go to the community and ask for donations.
As we have seen,the community also pays for the Mayor's donations and no doubt other Councillors as well.
From taxpayers's perspective that's not voluntary and it's double dipping.
Do I think I would win that argument in debate. No, I do not.
Is it worth making an issue out of charitable donations. At this point,I don't think so.
I didn't win in three Councils when I argued against fee waivers for fund-raising events .
I have to pick my battles.
I am content to be able to discuss the issue here.
Two things could happen.
Fundraisers could recognize the logic and stop asking for waivers and start providing complementary tickets to Mayors.
Or taxpayers could stop contributing because the town is taking the responsibility.
I don't fault a Councillor's use of a policy decided in the past.
I have no interest in knowing how they decide.
And even less in making snide insinuations against them.
$2,791.37 was charged to the Region by the Mayor for conference expense.
I offer details not as criticism. Simply as relevant information.
The Mayor charged for :
Police Appreciation night. $150.00
Young Artists' Showcase $ 86.00
Mardi Gras Night $150.00
Community Living Dinner $125.00
Abuse Prevention Dinner $150.00
Arts Gala $250.00
Trinity UCW Dinner $ 55.00
TLC Pregnancy Centre $ 60.00
Newmarket Cof C $254.00
Canadian Crime V.Dinner $140.00
Big Brothers and Sisters $150.00
Pathways for Children $ 75.00
York Region Arts $ 55.00
An allowance is provided to pay for such items. Councillors decide whether or not to use it.
I don't.
I don't think that's virtuous.I just don't feel compelled to support every charity out
there just because I'm an elected representative and it's not costing me.
If I have resources to support charity, I will make a private choice.
I think taxpayers have the same right. It's about the only right we have left.
I don't believe taxes should be used to support charity.
It doesn't mean I believe other Councillors don't have the same right to make a different decision.
The Mayor of Newmarket gives a great deal of his time to support local charity. No doubt the commitment is much appreciated.
On the other hand, if his/her presence at an event is requested, I think complementary tickets
should be provided.
That's how it was before the blurring of lines between tax collecting and fundraising.
Fundraisers go to the community and ask for donations.
As we have seen,the community also pays for the Mayor's donations and no doubt other Councillors as well.
From taxpayers's perspective that's not voluntary and it's double dipping.
Do I think I would win that argument in debate. No, I do not.
Is it worth making an issue out of charitable donations. At this point,I don't think so.
I didn't win in three Councils when I argued against fee waivers for fund-raising events .
I have to pick my battles.
I am content to be able to discuss the issue here.
Two things could happen.
Fundraisers could recognize the logic and stop asking for waivers and start providing complementary tickets to Mayors.
Or taxpayers could stop contributing because the town is taking the responsibility.
I don't fault a Councillor's use of a policy decided in the past.
I have no interest in knowing how they decide.
And even less in making snide insinuations against them.
Thursday, 4 April 2013
Lost and Found
Due to the mal-function of my P.C. I've lost a couple of comments that came in this afternoon.
If the writers notice them missing please forward them again.
If the writers notice them missing please forward them again.
Oh that God the gift wid gie us to see oorselves as ithers see us
Councillor Ballard said he had documentation to prove improper spending under expense allowance policy. It was catalyst for strong reaction. It provided proof , if proof was needed ,of his real intention.
The public's interest was not his objective.
Honourable intent does not insinuate wrong- doing without alienating
all those besmirched by the accusation.
The Mayor undoubtedly has regular expense claims. He was obviously the target of the invective.
Coming from the champion of good conduct and supporter of penalties for infraction, the hypocrisy was rampant.
Councillor Ballard is not subtle. A journalist is perforce a competent wordsmith. Putting learned skill to best purpose requires something more.
I do not aspire to lead a faction of Council. A divided Council is not functioning.
Unpublished comments are an accusation rather than a critique . Or they are a personal
shaft at myself..
There's been less since the Clowncil Watch got into businsess.
The foregoing responds to a morning comment and question.
The role of the town's Chief Magistrate is worth perusing at this time.
The Mayor is the town's First Citizen, Good Will Ambassador, Head Salesman, the person people turn to for assistance in all manner of situations and profundities.
The community's good wishes or sympathies are extended from the Mayor's office.
From day to day, twenty-four seven, there's no telling where a call for help might
derive.
A business owner from a distance, contemplating a move, might arrive on the Mayor's doorstep
seeking what the town has to offer.
It might call for an invitation to lunch and an opportunity to showcase town assets.
The venue would not likely be Macdonald's ,Wendy's or Pizzahut.
The Canadian custom of hospitality, might call for the offer of a choice of libation. It would not be untoward but now we come to the sly references by Councillor Ballard to alcohol being charged as an expense .
The question of judgement arises.
A touch of style and class would be desirable attributes of a Mayor. One hopes the community has had the choice in their selection of a Mayor.
I suspect the business of attracting business and jobs to our community would receive priority from most citizens.
I submit our current Mayor has the attributes to fulfill that part of his mandate.
He also has the authority and the responsibility.
Councillor Bountiful Ballard's insinuations of wrong-doing are hardly fitting.
But they do fit the pattern set on the day of Council's inaugural.
The public's interest was not his objective.
Honourable intent does not insinuate wrong- doing without alienating
all those besmirched by the accusation.
The Mayor undoubtedly has regular expense claims. He was obviously the target of the invective.
Coming from the champion of good conduct and supporter of penalties for infraction, the hypocrisy was rampant.
Councillor Ballard is not subtle. A journalist is perforce a competent wordsmith. Putting learned skill to best purpose requires something more.
I do not aspire to lead a faction of Council. A divided Council is not functioning.
Unpublished comments are an accusation rather than a critique . Or they are a personal
shaft at myself..
There's been less since the Clowncil Watch got into businsess.
The foregoing responds to a morning comment and question.
The role of the town's Chief Magistrate is worth perusing at this time.
The Mayor is the town's First Citizen, Good Will Ambassador, Head Salesman, the person people turn to for assistance in all manner of situations and profundities.
The community's good wishes or sympathies are extended from the Mayor's office.
From day to day, twenty-four seven, there's no telling where a call for help might
derive.
A business owner from a distance, contemplating a move, might arrive on the Mayor's doorstep
seeking what the town has to offer.
It might call for an invitation to lunch and an opportunity to showcase town assets.
The venue would not likely be Macdonald's ,Wendy's or Pizzahut.
The Canadian custom of hospitality, might call for the offer of a choice of libation. It would not be untoward but now we come to the sly references by Councillor Ballard to alcohol being charged as an expense .
The question of judgement arises.
A touch of style and class would be desirable attributes of a Mayor. One hopes the community has had the choice in their selection of a Mayor.
I suspect the business of attracting business and jobs to our community would receive priority from most citizens.
I submit our current Mayor has the attributes to fulfill that part of his mandate.
He also has the authority and the responsibility.
Councillor Bountiful Ballard's insinuations of wrong-doing are hardly fitting.
But they do fit the pattern set on the day of Council's inaugural.
"By their deeds ye shall know them"
I am slowly and clumsily learning to appreciate the ipad.
Comments are an essential part of the blog. I need them.
Unfortunately I am receiving a spate of trash as well. Legitimate comments to the post are occasionally thrown out with the trash.
Others are unpublished because I don't want to be indirectly responsible for the sentiment expressed.
A comment yesterday re-hashed the argument a person who is not in favour of a Code of Ethics is afraid of what might be dug up about themselves. It's the kind of logic Catherine Marshall might express.
What kind of ethic would allow such a groundless accusation to be made.
Yet it is the kind of worthless assumption politicians fear.
Failure to vote in favour of a Code of Ethics means voters will assume an inclination towards corruption.
The same flawed logic allowed Councillor Ballard to make a baseless accusation against council members Tuesday, on the pretext he was serving public interest.
The same allowed Councillor Gaertner last term, to believe an application for a grant for her non-profit youth club business was not a conflict despite being a member of Council.
The same allowed the Council to approve the grant.
The common factor is a Coucillors' ability to believe in their own honesty while doing something patently dishonest,
The problem is not a lack of honesty.
The problem is a lack of judgement.
Without judgement, ethics become a hit and miss affair,mostly
miss.
They are whatever a politician can justify in his own mind; whatever he thinks he can sell to his own advantage.
The idea municipal politicians can agree to rules governing individual behaviour in every situation is a contradiction in terms.
For example, on Tuesday, a motion to publish Councillors expenses annually failed A motion to publish quarterly failed. Someone moved to publish every six months; the majority agreed.
Compromise happened.
Expenses are currently published annually.Councillor Ballard raised suspicion something was amiss. Politicians are naturally jittery. It's the nature of the beast.
Ethics written, hard and fast, in a Code, cannot be compromised.
Politics is the art of compromise.
The two cannot co-exist. At best the logic is flawed . At worst a cynical sham.
The town's first Integrity Commissioner was an academic. He was excited by the opportunity
to introduce ethics into municipal politics.
He set up two workshops.
Neither the former Mayor nor chief co-hort attended the first. The second was not allowed.
At the first workshop I asked the Commissioner how much he knew about municipal poltics.
He responded he had dealt with "governments with blood on their hands"
The Integrity Commissioner was "stripped of his authority" concurrently with his first decision.
He found the complaint filed by one Councillor and supported by five others, including the former Mayor, was "purely political"
Comments are an essential part of the blog. I need them.
Unfortunately I am receiving a spate of trash as well. Legitimate comments to the post are occasionally thrown out with the trash.
Others are unpublished because I don't want to be indirectly responsible for the sentiment expressed.
A comment yesterday re-hashed the argument a person who is not in favour of a Code of Ethics is afraid of what might be dug up about themselves. It's the kind of logic Catherine Marshall might express.
What kind of ethic would allow such a groundless accusation to be made.
Yet it is the kind of worthless assumption politicians fear.
Failure to vote in favour of a Code of Ethics means voters will assume an inclination towards corruption.
The same flawed logic allowed Councillor Ballard to make a baseless accusation against council members Tuesday, on the pretext he was serving public interest.
The same allowed Councillor Gaertner last term, to believe an application for a grant for her non-profit youth club business was not a conflict despite being a member of Council.
The same allowed the Council to approve the grant.
The common factor is a Coucillors' ability to believe in their own honesty while doing something patently dishonest,
The problem is not a lack of honesty.
The problem is a lack of judgement.
Without judgement, ethics become a hit and miss affair,mostly
miss.
They are whatever a politician can justify in his own mind; whatever he thinks he can sell to his own advantage.
The idea municipal politicians can agree to rules governing individual behaviour in every situation is a contradiction in terms.
For example, on Tuesday, a motion to publish Councillors expenses annually failed A motion to publish quarterly failed. Someone moved to publish every six months; the majority agreed.
Compromise happened.
Expenses are currently published annually.Councillor Ballard raised suspicion something was amiss. Politicians are naturally jittery. It's the nature of the beast.
Ethics written, hard and fast, in a Code, cannot be compromised.
Politics is the art of compromise.
The two cannot co-exist. At best the logic is flawed . At worst a cynical sham.
The town's first Integrity Commissioner was an academic. He was excited by the opportunity
to introduce ethics into municipal politics.
He set up two workshops.
Neither the former Mayor nor chief co-hort attended the first. The second was not allowed.
At the first workshop I asked the Commissioner how much he knew about municipal poltics.
He responded he had dealt with "governments with blood on their hands"
The Integrity Commissioner was "stripped of his authority" concurrently with his first decision.
He found the complaint filed by one Councillor and supported by five others, including the former Mayor, was "purely political"
Wednesday, 3 April 2013
Holy Roller Disengaged and Out of Control
Sly sniveling cowardly wretch.
Sanctimonious pr--k
Liar.liar pants on fire.
Particularly malodorous fart.
Master of the Art of Sleaze.
Muckraker extraordinaire
Mr. Would-be if he could - be but he can't.
This morning's essential stretching exercise is complete.
I can rise from the nether regions and begin my day in good faith.
At last night's committee meeting, we had another lengthy agenda. It didn't get completed.
A report from the treasurer outlining councillor expense policies of neighboring
municipalities was discussed. It was an eye-opener.
Aurora's total expense budget used to be $27,000.
In recent years, ten thousand was knocked off because the full amount was never used. It still isn't.
Average spent by all Councillors is $13,000.
The treasurer informed us,in some municipalities a single Councillor has an expense allowance of $16,000. a year.
At this point, the discussion was about publishing the expenses of each Councillor.
The motion was to do it on an annual basis.
Councillor Morality Ballard wanted it done quarterly.
Normal expense is for an annual conference. It occurs annually.
That didn't influence the Righteous One. Nor did the explanation that preparing the statement was labour-intensive and not without expense.
The Councillor expounded that people were entitled to know how Councillors are spending their money.
To add force to his argument, he claimed he had documentation to prove public resources were being improperly spent.
Like; there's a thief in the house and only Councillor The Shadow Ballard knows the identity of the miscreant and all other particulars. For reason known to himself alone, he was not prepared to share. Preferring instead to let suspicion hang over all present with the exception of his unsullied self..
The Councillor should have been called upon to withdraw his accusation on penalty of being
expelled from the Council Chamber.
Instead he repeated it once more without adding substance to his scurrilous contention.
He seems captivated by the ease of smearing character and reputations.
He may be completely ignorant that no expense claim is paid unless it falls within a written policy.
Whatever his twisted comprehension, his eagerness to set himself apart will compel him to repeat the malice aforethought.
The means of dealing with conduct unworthy of the privilege of elected office is available in the Rules of Order.
Sanctimonious pr--k
Liar.liar pants on fire.
Particularly malodorous fart.
Master of the Art of Sleaze.
Muckraker extraordinaire
Mr. Would-be if he could - be but he can't.
This morning's essential stretching exercise is complete.
I can rise from the nether regions and begin my day in good faith.
At last night's committee meeting, we had another lengthy agenda. It didn't get completed.
A report from the treasurer outlining councillor expense policies of neighboring
municipalities was discussed. It was an eye-opener.
Aurora's total expense budget used to be $27,000.
In recent years, ten thousand was knocked off because the full amount was never used. It still isn't.
Average spent by all Councillors is $13,000.
The treasurer informed us,in some municipalities a single Councillor has an expense allowance of $16,000. a year.
At this point, the discussion was about publishing the expenses of each Councillor.
The motion was to do it on an annual basis.
Councillor Morality Ballard wanted it done quarterly.
Normal expense is for an annual conference. It occurs annually.
That didn't influence the Righteous One. Nor did the explanation that preparing the statement was labour-intensive and not without expense.
The Councillor expounded that people were entitled to know how Councillors are spending their money.
To add force to his argument, he claimed he had documentation to prove public resources were being improperly spent.
Like; there's a thief in the house and only Councillor The Shadow Ballard knows the identity of the miscreant and all other particulars. For reason known to himself alone, he was not prepared to share. Preferring instead to let suspicion hang over all present with the exception of his unsullied self..
The Councillor should have been called upon to withdraw his accusation on penalty of being
expelled from the Council Chamber.
Instead he repeated it once more without adding substance to his scurrilous contention.
He seems captivated by the ease of smearing character and reputations.
He may be completely ignorant that no expense claim is paid unless it falls within a written policy.
Whatever his twisted comprehension, his eagerness to set himself apart will compel him to repeat the malice aforethought.
The means of dealing with conduct unworthy of the privilege of elected office is available in the Rules of Order.
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
Premature jollification
I do not yet know how to cut and copy on I-pad. So I must make the reference.
A comment yesterday pictured Mormac crew dancing in the streets over a perceived Dawe error;
near acceptance of a citizen committee recommendation reflecting neither judgement nor discernment to be of benefit to the Mayor alone.
The Mormac crew never understood the community they were elected to serve.
Their idea of smarts was to cater to vested interests then vested interests would cater to them.
They never realized a trust betrayed is never again bestowed.
Since day one of this term, battle lines have been drawn.
Councillors Gaertner ,Ballard and most often Councillor Gallo have been aligned. Councillor
Humfryes often seems to have a crisis of loyalty.
The group's objective is obvious; to ensure lack of success for this Council.
They often get help from the Mayor himself.
For a seasoned politician it is a terrible thing to behold.
An item on last week's agenda is an example .
A consultant fee of $60,000. plus was spent for an inventory of the museum collection in the ownership of the Historical Society.
Unlike most consultant fees, the money was well spent. The report was complete .Work was ready to proceed. Space, although inadequate, is available in the Church Street museum under the new agreement.
Councillors Gallo,Gaertner and Ballard voted to stall the process.
Mayor Dawe and Councillor Pirri added their vote to make it a majority.
There will be no further progress until a culture master plan is complete,if then.
Considering work and funds already invested , that the Mayor would join his sworn enemies to sabotage the project is ,from my perspective, inexplicable
Mormac's alliance have apparently decided to adopt new tactics.
Letters to the editor are clearly part of strategy.
Catherine Marshall is a member of the Mormac alliance.
The lady's gratuitous attack on former Councillor Collins Mrakas would hardly win friends and influence enemies.
Merits of an argument are at least as relevant as seeing it in print.
An argument without merit is a deficit
Our current Mayor was elected despite zero experience.
It has never happened before.
It should not happen again.
It would not have happened then without desperate need for change .
A massive effort on the part of manywas required.
There can be no forecast of who might be the next Mayor of Aurora.
But I would place money on one who will not despite all their efforts and combined
intellect.
A comment yesterday pictured Mormac crew dancing in the streets over a perceived Dawe error;
near acceptance of a citizen committee recommendation reflecting neither judgement nor discernment to be of benefit to the Mayor alone.
The Mormac crew never understood the community they were elected to serve.
Their idea of smarts was to cater to vested interests then vested interests would cater to them.
They never realized a trust betrayed is never again bestowed.
Since day one of this term, battle lines have been drawn.
Councillors Gaertner ,Ballard and most often Councillor Gallo have been aligned. Councillor
Humfryes often seems to have a crisis of loyalty.
The group's objective is obvious; to ensure lack of success for this Council.
They often get help from the Mayor himself.
For a seasoned politician it is a terrible thing to behold.
An item on last week's agenda is an example .
A consultant fee of $60,000. plus was spent for an inventory of the museum collection in the ownership of the Historical Society.
Unlike most consultant fees, the money was well spent. The report was complete .Work was ready to proceed. Space, although inadequate, is available in the Church Street museum under the new agreement.
Councillors Gallo,Gaertner and Ballard voted to stall the process.
Mayor Dawe and Councillor Pirri added their vote to make it a majority.
There will be no further progress until a culture master plan is complete,if then.
Considering work and funds already invested , that the Mayor would join his sworn enemies to sabotage the project is ,from my perspective, inexplicable
Mormac's alliance have apparently decided to adopt new tactics.
Letters to the editor are clearly part of strategy.
Catherine Marshall is a member of the Mormac alliance.
The lady's gratuitous attack on former Councillor Collins Mrakas would hardly win friends and influence enemies.
Merits of an argument are at least as relevant as seeing it in print.
An argument without merit is a deficit
Our current Mayor was elected despite zero experience.
It has never happened before.
It should not happen again.
It would not have happened then without desperate need for change .
A massive effort on the part of manywas required.
There can be no forecast of who might be the next Mayor of Aurora.
But I would place money on one who will not despite all their efforts and combined
intellect.
Monday, 1 April 2013
The devil is in the details
It's forty years since Council adopted the policy of appointing a citizen committee to review Councillors' remuneration to get over the awkwardness of Councillors deciding what Councillors should be paid.
Though the decision to accept the recommendation had to be made. In theory at least, Council was not deciding directly.
No review was undertaken in the last term.
This term , Council approved a resolution to appoint a review committee. Chief Financial Officer was assigned as staff resource.
The committee reported.
Council debated the report Four times.
First decision was to receive .
Second was to waive the procedure bylaw and allow re-consideration .
Third was to recommend approval of the report.
Fourth rejected the recommendations.
Several problems presented
Councillors' salaries were not be changed due to the state of the economy
The state of the economy was not within the committee's purview.
The state of the economy did not prevent the committee from making generous but
implausible changes to the Mayor's salary and benefits.
Salary was to increase by $9,000.
Long term disability benefits were to be provided; problematic in the extreme.
It meant the Mayor would receive permanent disability if he had the misfortune to become incapable of occupying his seat. The position of Mayor must be his for a period of twelve months before the seat could become vacant.
The Municipal Act does not permit a council seat to be vacant. After three months, Council must fill the seat by appointment or by -election.
Long term disability is an employee benefit. Not intended for elected officials.
The committee recommended a "transition" allowance be paid to the Mayor in the event of departure from office.
The allowance is the equivalent to severance paid to a long-term employee
under particular circumstances. Or unemployment insurance to a working-class stiff.
The allowance is already being paid at the region.Has been for years.
Even if appropriate to pay severance to an outgoing politician elected for a finite term of office , if the committee's recommendation was followed, town taxpayers would foot the bill for severance at the region, severance at the municipal level and salary of a Mayor elected to replace the outgoing Mayor.
Last time I checked salaries paid to members at the Region, $50,000 was the figure, plus$10,000, worth of employee benefits.t was some years ago.
Regional representatives are enrolled in group benefit plans at the local level. The Region pays the bill to the municipality.
I suspect the reason
I also suspect the salary review committee for Aurora's Councillors was not apprised of details they needed to know to form sensible judgement.
Nor were Council until the fourth and final consideration of the matter when the responsibility rested
on the shoulders of moi.
Though the decision to accept the recommendation had to be made. In theory at least, Council was not deciding directly.
No review was undertaken in the last term.
This term , Council approved a resolution to appoint a review committee. Chief Financial Officer was assigned as staff resource.
The committee reported.
Council debated the report Four times.
First decision was to receive .
Second was to waive the procedure bylaw and allow re-consideration .
Third was to recommend approval of the report.
Fourth rejected the recommendations.
Several problems presented
Councillors' salaries were not be changed due to the state of the economy
The state of the economy was not within the committee's purview.
The state of the economy did not prevent the committee from making generous but
implausible changes to the Mayor's salary and benefits.
Salary was to increase by $9,000.
Long term disability benefits were to be provided; problematic in the extreme.
It meant the Mayor would receive permanent disability if he had the misfortune to become incapable of occupying his seat. The position of Mayor must be his for a period of twelve months before the seat could become vacant.
The Municipal Act does not permit a council seat to be vacant. After three months, Council must fill the seat by appointment or by -election.
Long term disability is an employee benefit. Not intended for elected officials.
The committee recommended a "transition" allowance be paid to the Mayor in the event of departure from office.
The allowance is the equivalent to severance paid to a long-term employee
under particular circumstances. Or unemployment insurance to a working-class stiff.
The allowance is already being paid at the region.Has been for years.
Even if appropriate to pay severance to an outgoing politician elected for a finite term of office , if the committee's recommendation was followed, town taxpayers would foot the bill for severance at the region, severance at the municipal level and salary of a Mayor elected to replace the outgoing Mayor.
Last time I checked salaries paid to members at the Region, $50,000 was the figure, plus$10,000, worth of employee benefits.t was some years ago.
Regional representatives are enrolled in group benefit plans at the local level. The Region pays the bill to the municipality.
I suspect the reason
I also suspect the salary review committee for Aurora's Councillors was not apprised of details they needed to know to form sensible judgement.
Nor were Council until the fourth and final consideration of the matter when the responsibility rested
on the shoulders of moi.
Wednesday, 27 March 2013
Nothing is the way it should be
A plea this morning to add paragraph breaks caused me to read the last blog. It is not the way I wrote it.
Things have not been great for me lately.
My computer has locked me out of my blog. I'm using an i-pad .
What I have learned about using a Hewlett Packard and Windows, doesn't work with an Apple i-pad.
I've been sick for a month. I'm still feeling sorry for myself. If perseverance wasn't my strongest characteristic
I think I might just throw in the towel.
Goodbye cruel world.
I know there's a way to put all those lines back into paragraphs. I just don't know what it is and there's no-on
here right now to help me out.
Grand-daughter Stephanie read the post. She said it was hard to read because the ideas jumped about but she didn't mention it had all run in to-gether in a single long paragraph. I think she would have recognized it wasn't meant to be like that and corrected it. Which makes me wonder when and how it happened.
Like right now. When I started this post, the print was miniscule. I know there's a way to change it. I don't know where to find it.
Along the way, something came up at the right side of the page and the print is the perfect size. But the lines are running off the right hand side of the page.
I don't know how it happened. And I feel it might revert to tiny print any moment.
I think there are gremlins that hide in an i-pad. Not necessarily in every i-pad. Just this one. I think their plan is to drive me mad.
I'm going to publish this post now and see what happens that shouldn't.
Monday, 25 March 2013
Monday morning... Odds and Sods
A purple crocus blooms at my door. Cardinals in my garden are no longer hiding in the cedar hedge
Black-capped chickadees have bent to the ground the last stems that stood throughout the winter.
Temperature hasn't changed much but birds and plants know what's what.
I am finally on the mend from a weird kind of flu that resisted all efforts to hasten its departure.
Blog postings normally occupy my day. T.V.news and features have helped to while away the hours.
Some things I've noticed.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper appears to be having one of those professional image makeovers.
Last week, he and Mrs Harper helped elementary school students have a conversation with Chris Hadfield,Canadian Commander of the space station.
To-day, the prominent couple will welcome a giant pandas couple on their arrival from China on five year loan to Toronto zoo. No doubt the pandas will appreciate the attention. We'll await with bated breath the next warm and fuzzy occasion planned for our edification.
The new Pontiff was chosen. Seems like a nice man. Cardinals have been engaged explaining to the media what changes the world can expect and what not.
It got me thinking. About the wisdom of immature girls starting birth control pills for use throughout their re-productive lives.
About fetus aborted because of Down's syndrome.
About third trimester abortions.
I thought about why women want to be priests.
I wrote a post about the appearance of two Lakeshore Mayors appearing before the committee of inquiry into cancellation of two gas-fired hydro generating plants after construction had begun. I referred to one as Burlington Burton Turns out he was probably the Mayor of Oakville.
That made me decide to check out what the Ontario Legislature Channel has to offer. I'm watching it now.
OMG. it's tedious. The few members present keep shifting about to fill the seats behind speakers to look like everybody is on the job. I have the sound turned off.
My grand-daughter Stephanie is going through her basket of seeds to decide which to start,ready to set out when the weather gets warm. I think we will have to plan some raised boxes.
One of my readers doesn't understand why I'm not writing about a jazz festival in Aurora that may not be,instead of
of the cancellation of the hydro generating plants.
Well, we all have our priorities. If jazz festivals are felt to be a critical need in the community, by all means my commenter should certainly write a post on the subject.
I am content to leave the field clear. Nothing in my experience entices me to engage.
Sunday, 24 March 2013
First Period played
First period over. Players identified on the ice by the media were
were the Mayors of Burlington and Mississauga. The two municipalities
successfully persuaded the Province in the previous election to shut down two
to shut down two coal burning plants because of negative health effects.
The Province kept the commitment, shut down the plants and
replaced them with natural gas.
Within four years, the coal burning plants were shut down,
new plants were designed,specifications prepared,bids
called, contracts awarded and construction was well under
way.
The Honorable Dalton McGuinty kept his commitment.
Or so he thought.
Scuttlebutt has it Ontario Hydro,were left out of the loop.
As was apparently the Honorable Chris Bentley, Minister of
Energy, who has since fallen upon his sword.
Word is Mr.McGuinty took control and guided theOntario Power
Authority to the correct and prompt decisions.
Nothing it seems,was too good for Burlington Burton, the
Mayor of the beautiful city by the lake and Hazel,the
Mighty Icon,Mayor of Mississauga.
All should have been well.
Alas it was not.
Despite hundreds of millions of public resources
already committed, contracts signed and construction
underway; opposition apparently continued in Burlington
and Mississauga backed by the twin cities' councils.
On the eve of the election, faced with the threat
of losing two seats and the government, the
Honorable Dalton Mc Guinty lost his nerve and cancelled
the contracts.
Not a politician in Ontario who heard of it could
have failed to comprehend the enormity of that error
in judgement.
Since then, we have watched unfold the weaving and dodging
to avoid the accounting.
denial of the true cost; shut-down of the legislature;
resignation of the Premier; leadership conference and a
new Premier who claimed to know nothing of the matter.
New documents were discovered. An initial figure
of $40 million for cancellations was acknowledged perhaps
not to be correct.
Figures of $828 million were indicated by outside
experts.
Still figures the government must knows best have not
been released.
A committee of inquiry has been appointed.
Appearing before the committee,the big guns in
the government's arsenal, the two Mayors of the twin
Cities of Burlington and Mississauga.
Mayor Burton informed the committee, gas fired generating
plants were not good for the health and well being of the
people of his community. However much the cancellation
cost, he inferred, was not too much from that perspective.
Mayor McCallion appeared the day after and informed the
committee, the people in her city AND the Council were
opposed to gas-fired generating plants.
Mayor McCallion went further and scolded opposition
members of the committee for "playing games".
They should be getting on with the government's business,
she said, instead of concerning themselves about who made
the decision and how it was made.
The decision that involved wasting upwards of a billion
dollars of public funds.
And quite possibly will be the record of the McGuinty
stewardship of public trust.
The game is not over yet.
Neither Burlington Burton nor Hurricane Hazel scored any
points in the first period.
Thursday, 21 March 2013
Formulas are the great equalizers
The story continues.Yesterday the chairman of OGLA,Paul Godfrey, attended on the Premier in her office.When he left he told the press OGLA would create a formula that would apply equally to all cities.
The Premier had already made a statement to the house that all cities world be dealt with equally
Under the same rules.
Obviously some face saving was going on.
Paul Godfrey is a veteran of municipal politics.He started in the sixties as a Councillor in North York.
I believe he served as Chairman of Metro Council for a time
It's unlikely figures announced for Toronto to receive on location of a casino were calculated without the benefit of a formula
It's even less likely the formula would not be based on a potential market for a casino.
Ottawa could not possibly compete with the GTA in terms of market . They simply do not have the numbers nor the variety of means of access.
Ottawa is a beautiful city .Apparently they have agreed to host a casino.
They certainly need the revenue. The city is shabby. As is Toronto.
There's a reason for that. But it's another story.
In response to a comment yesterday about a tunnel. I only know about subway tunnel. A bridge to the island was the project mentioned here.
=============================
I see the committee of inquiry into the cancellation of the generating plants is shedding light on the situation. The
The Mayor of Burlington has testified how bad those generating plants would have been for the health of Burlington residents.
Too bad the Mayor of Burlington isn't accountable for the cancellation.
The Ontario Power Authority is said to be responsible for choosing the sites.
I've heard Ontario Hydro was muscled out and the Honourable Dalton McGuinty was very much involved in the decision.
We know the Minister of Energy ,Chris Bentley resigned his post and left politics altogether. With nothing else being said, I think that helps to obscure the picture.
And I think ,,since the legislature was prorogued and McGuinty resigned. There has been a desperate attempt to rescue him from a predicament.
I don't think any politician can waste 828 million dollars of public resources for a strictly political reason and expect to escape unscathed...whether in or out of office.
The Premier had already made a statement to the house that all cities world be dealt with equally
Under the same rules.
Obviously some face saving was going on.
Paul Godfrey is a veteran of municipal politics.He started in the sixties as a Councillor in North York.
I believe he served as Chairman of Metro Council for a time
It's unlikely figures announced for Toronto to receive on location of a casino were calculated without the benefit of a formula
It's even less likely the formula would not be based on a potential market for a casino.
Ottawa could not possibly compete with the GTA in terms of market . They simply do not have the numbers nor the variety of means of access.
Ottawa is a beautiful city .Apparently they have agreed to host a casino.
They certainly need the revenue. The city is shabby. As is Toronto.
There's a reason for that. But it's another story.
In response to a comment yesterday about a tunnel. I only know about subway tunnel. A bridge to the island was the project mentioned here.
=============================
I see the committee of inquiry into the cancellation of the generating plants is shedding light on the situation. The
The Mayor of Burlington has testified how bad those generating plants would have been for the health of Burlington residents.
Too bad the Mayor of Burlington isn't accountable for the cancellation.
The Ontario Power Authority is said to be responsible for choosing the sites.
I've heard Ontario Hydro was muscled out and the Honourable Dalton McGuinty was very much involved in the decision.
We know the Minister of Energy ,Chris Bentley resigned his post and left politics altogether. With nothing else being said, I think that helps to obscure the picture.
And I think ,,since the legislature was prorogued and McGuinty resigned. There has been a desperate attempt to rescue him from a predicament.
I don't think any politician can waste 828 million dollars of public resources for a strictly political reason and expect to escape unscathed...whether in or out of office.
Wednesday, 20 March 2013
Toronto the beautiful
If you think about it ,Toronto has everything to offer a casino resort.
Major league sports ,theatres, concert halls , beautiful hotels, Ontario Art Gallery, Museum, Planeterium, Science Centre.
Beautiful beaches, Lake Ontario fishing linked to the Great Lakes.
Union Station is part of an underground complex linking conference centers, shopping centres, hotels and the business sector.
Infrastructure is there for a ferry service to many destinations. Ocean going ships come down the St.Laurence Seaway to Toronto.
Trains come and go from Montreal to New York and points beyond.
The. island airport is a going concern. Plans for a bridge, cancelled in the Miller years, could be reviewed again.
Ontario went from being the economic engine for Canada to being a have-not Province,thanks to
Brian Mulroney's Free Trade Agreement.
Many of the beautiful amenities built in the Province's. heyday are suffering from lack of funds for maintenance.
Provincial
Parks are being closed instead of new ones being developed to provide the people with an amenity which has been Ontario's heritage.
According yesterday's headlines the province is going after unpaid traffic fines. They can throw
Away billions on cancelled contracts, E-health and L'range
And now the Premier thinks she should take over management of the Ontario Gaming and Lottery
Authority.
Ten thousand $60,000.jobs could be available with the casino resort. Ten thousand university and college graduates could be in a position to re-pay their student loans. The province's economy could receive a substantial boost and Kathleen Wynn's main priority is calming down the Mayor of Ottawa.
Major league sports ,theatres, concert halls , beautiful hotels, Ontario Art Gallery, Museum, Planeterium, Science Centre.
Beautiful beaches, Lake Ontario fishing linked to the Great Lakes.
Union Station is part of an underground complex linking conference centers, shopping centres, hotels and the business sector.
Infrastructure is there for a ferry service to many destinations. Ocean going ships come down the St.Laurence Seaway to Toronto.
Trains come and go from Montreal to New York and points beyond.
The. island airport is a going concern. Plans for a bridge, cancelled in the Miller years, could be reviewed again.
Ontario went from being the economic engine for Canada to being a have-not Province,thanks to
Brian Mulroney's Free Trade Agreement.
Many of the beautiful amenities built in the Province's. heyday are suffering from lack of funds for maintenance.
Provincial
Parks are being closed instead of new ones being developed to provide the people with an amenity which has been Ontario's heritage.
According yesterday's headlines the province is going after unpaid traffic fines. They can throw
Away billions on cancelled contracts, E-health and L'range
And now the Premier thinks she should take over management of the Ontario Gaming and Lottery
Authority.
Ten thousand $60,000.jobs could be available with the casino resort. Ten thousand university and college graduates could be in a position to re-pay their student loans. The province's economy could receive a substantial boost and Kathleen Wynn's main priority is calming down the Mayor of Ottawa.
Tuesday, 19 March 2013
Games Of Chance
I am learning a new skill. With i-pad and keyboard. Bear with me .I am doing it out of necessity.
Latest figures from an “outside expert” of cancellation cost of gas-fired hydro generating plants
are 828 million dollars.
That sound likely.
The figure could be easily contradicted or affirmed by the government responsible . The contract was
signed by The Honorable Dalton MacGuinty the same who cancelled the contracts.
signed by The Honorable Dalton MacGuinty the same who cancelled the contracts.
The Honorable Kathleen Wynn has been Premier long enough to know the answer.
Yet it is not forthcoming.
Yesterday a headline notes the government acknowledges the initial figure given of $40 million may not have been correct.
Yesterday a headline notes the government acknowledges the initial figure given of $40 million may not have been correct.
The stickhandling on this one will be interesting to watch.
============================================
On Saturday, Premier Wynn, jumped in with both feet to quell a quarelsome yelp from the Mayor of Ottawa.
A spokesperson from the Ontario Liquor and Games and Lottery Board had announced the funds thhat would be available if Toronto was to approve a casino resort at the waterfront.
As well it would mean ten thousand jobs and a hundred million dollars annual revenue to the city.
A spokesperson from the Ontario Liquor and Games and Lottery Board had announced the funds thhat would be available if Toronto was to approve a casino resort at the waterfront.
As well it would mean ten thousand jobs and a hundred million dollars annual revenue to the city.
Like a leprechaun guarding the pot of gold, the Premier immediately assured all and sundry no city would receive more than another.
Really.
To those of us who live within Toronto's orbit , it seems a number of differences exist betwen the cities.
Population for a start. The GTA has a market of millions.
Lake Ontario waterfront is well-served by air ,train.expressways and even by ferry across the lake.Millions are needed to extend subway and light rail transit.
Ten thousand graduated job applicants ,with student debt to pay , would be readily sourced from within the area.
Toronto and Ottawa are not the same.
Is Toronto the economic hub of Ontario? Or is it Ottawa?
Should a Premier of Ontario not know these facts?
Should a Premier of Ontario not know these facts?
The Premier's speedy intervention raises the question of authority.
The Ontario Gaming and Lottery Commission is governing authority in matters of Gaming and Lotteries.
They function at arm's length from the political body.
The commitment of lucrative aspects of a casino in Toronto was clearly made by a person with authority to do so.
His intent was clearly to inform public opinion in the city.
Ten thousand jobs with a pay average of $60,000 would certainly present as a positive to most people
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