Years ago, I attended a conference in St. John's Newfoundland. Joey Smallwood was still Premier.
Cod had disappeared from the North Sea and the community was in worse economic shape than normal.
A presentation was made to the conference by St. John's Memorial University staff. They had gone out to communities all over the island with video cameras and asked people to say what they thought was the root of their troubles.
The tapes were brought back and made into a feature. They went back to the communities
with the finished film, invited participants to listen to their own comments and consider their merits,
I thought it was like taking thoughts out of your mind and putting them on the table to poke them and prod them and decide if they made any sense.
At the time, there was no indication the experiment contributed anything to a solution of the problem but I was impressed by the method.
After I went to the party last week ,there were a flurry of accusatory comments. One person said he was disappointed in me. Another referred to the Code of Conduct.
I do not support the Code of Conduct. Nor the Code of Ethics either for that matter. I think, if a person needs to carry a manual to guide his own behaviour, he really isn't someone you want to be making judgement decisions on substantive issues your behalf.
But just so 's you know; Section 5 of the Code states;
A councillor may accept food and beverages at banquets, receptions.ceremonies and similar events.
I printed the critical comments to show how easy it is and how ready some people are to accuse
another of wrong doing.
There was a harsh comment on the Citizen Blog about Banner reporter, Sean Pierce. It was uninformed and unfair.
Sean Pierce is a conscientious, hard working young journeyman. He does not own the newspaper. He does not decide its content. He is neither publisher nor editor. The writing in his stories may be his but by the tme they get into the paper, they are not necessarily his complete story.
Blogs are a marvelous way for people to communicate. It's so easy. So immediate. People put thoughts into the written word who may never have done it before.
The first time I did it, I was being critical of the President of a Ratepayer's Association. It was a week or so before I saw it in print.
I was horrified and ashamed by the power and harshness of my words in writing.
In office, one develops a way of dealing with criticism. It's not a thick skin as everybody imagines.
It's confidence.
One may not always be right. We don't have the option of abstaining. We must just do the best we can with the information on hand and trust to judgement.
You must also explain your position to whoever is willing to listen.When you've done that your work is complete.
Blogs allow that to happen in a direct fashion such as we have never experienced before.
It's a valuable tool If we seek to influence, we should learn to do it well. We should inform ourselves first.
Sunday, 11 October 2009
Friday, 9 October 2009
There's More
It was an excellent dinner. A sell-out. The program by young York Region performance artists was exceptional.
The list of sponsors was also impressive. To the best of my recollection, they were all in the development industry. A name on the front of the program and mentioned first by the Chairman was Bondfield Construction, the contractor who built the Stronach Recreation Centre in Aurora.
Hanson Brick was also a sponsor
Legal firms noted had familiar names. A bank or two were named.
A table of ten cost $2,500. Most would be hosted by developers ,consultants, contractors or legal firms.
They would be solicited to buy tables. It's how money is raised. Hospitals, cancer centres, recreation facilities have all raised billions from solicitation of the development industry.
Developers buy foursomes at golf tournaments which raise money for charities.
Politicians were conspicuous by their presence.
I sat at a table with the Mayor of Whitchurch -Stouffville and his wife, Councillor Susanne Hilton and husband, Councillor Ken Ferdinands and a hospital Administrator from those parts.
On September 29, the Lebovic Centre for the Arts was opened in Whitchurch Stouffville.
It was a lovely evening. The company and conversation was easy and sociable.
I do not perceive developers, consultants, contractors, road builders , banks ,brick manufacturers or legal firms as enemies of municipalities. They are frequently referred to as partners.
I look at houses, shopping centres, recreation centres ,condominiums , industrial buildings and see homes and quality neighbourhoods, millions of dollars invested in our community, hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions of assessment dollars flowing directly into municipal coffers.
Aurora's September Public Planning Meeting had one item on the agenda. It was a repeat presentation of a report from the month before because some bright spark on council thought it should come back to a second meeting. That's par for the course. It was about a study on secondary suites (basement apartments)
The October planning meeting has been cancelled. There are no applications to report .
The derelict site at Yonge and Centre Street has had three applications presented and every one has foundered at an Aurora Public Planning Meeting.
The one at Yonge and Tyler has been halted by an OMB hearing.
Our development charges bylaw has been challenged at the OMB.
The Separate School Board has an appeal against us at the Ontario Municipal Board.
I don't much care if the Town has another golf course and seventy-five luxury town houses to accommodate the rich and famous.
I care about spending hundreds of thousands of taxpayers dollars on defending the indefensible.
Just because you don't know about it doesn't make it right.
But I think you should know everything I know about it.
The list of sponsors was also impressive. To the best of my recollection, they were all in the development industry. A name on the front of the program and mentioned first by the Chairman was Bondfield Construction, the contractor who built the Stronach Recreation Centre in Aurora.
Hanson Brick was also a sponsor
Legal firms noted had familiar names. A bank or two were named.
A table of ten cost $2,500. Most would be hosted by developers ,consultants, contractors or legal firms.
They would be solicited to buy tables. It's how money is raised. Hospitals, cancer centres, recreation facilities have all raised billions from solicitation of the development industry.
Developers buy foursomes at golf tournaments which raise money for charities.
Politicians were conspicuous by their presence.
I sat at a table with the Mayor of Whitchurch -Stouffville and his wife, Councillor Susanne Hilton and husband, Councillor Ken Ferdinands and a hospital Administrator from those parts.
On September 29, the Lebovic Centre for the Arts was opened in Whitchurch Stouffville.
It was a lovely evening. The company and conversation was easy and sociable.
I do not perceive developers, consultants, contractors, road builders , banks ,brick manufacturers or legal firms as enemies of municipalities. They are frequently referred to as partners.
I look at houses, shopping centres, recreation centres ,condominiums , industrial buildings and see homes and quality neighbourhoods, millions of dollars invested in our community, hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions of assessment dollars flowing directly into municipal coffers.
Aurora's September Public Planning Meeting had one item on the agenda. It was a repeat presentation of a report from the month before because some bright spark on council thought it should come back to a second meeting. That's par for the course. It was about a study on secondary suites (basement apartments)
The October planning meeting has been cancelled. There are no applications to report .
The derelict site at Yonge and Centre Street has had three applications presented and every one has foundered at an Aurora Public Planning Meeting.
The one at Yonge and Tyler has been halted by an OMB hearing.
Our development charges bylaw has been challenged at the OMB.
The Separate School Board has an appeal against us at the Ontario Municipal Board.
I don't much care if the Town has another golf course and seventy-five luxury town houses to accommodate the rich and famous.
I care about spending hundreds of thousands of taxpayers dollars on defending the indefensible.
Just because you don't know about it doesn't make it right.
But I think you should know everything I know about it.
Thursday, 8 October 2009
I Went to a Garden Party
Cept it wasn't in a garden. It was at Le Parc . It was Regional Chairman Bill Fisch' Inaugural Dinner in Celebration of The Arts in York Region. Co-chair was Ian Proudfoot of Metroland.
My daughter and I were guests of Joseph Lebovic, who donates millions to good causes throughout the GTA and had purchased a table in support of the cause.
He contributes to the Arts and Culture Fund in Aurora and attends council most years
when awards are being presented.
It was a posh do. Tickets were expensive. I would have been unlikely to attend otherwise. Town policy allows councillors to charge for such expenditures. I don't think they should.
Mr Lebovic is also a developer of up scale homes and developments.
Such a proposal was presented at a public planning meeting . It was for land designated for residential development before the Province passed the Oak Ridges Moraine Act.
An Official Plan designation for development means the right is lawful.
When The Act was passed, town planning staff informed Mr. Lebovic his original plans would unlikely meet the new requirements of the Moraine Act.
He asked what would conform.
He was advised accordingly.
Eventually,accompanied by a massive team of planners, engineers , hydrologists and every other expert required to meet the requirements of various public agencies, Provincial,Regional, Municipal,Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, South Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority and the Provincial Ministry of the Environment the plan was ready.
After months and hundred of thousands maybe millions of dollars, the Plan was presented at a Public Planning Meeting in the Town of Aurora.
The town's planning reports noted issues still to be resolved but recommended approval in principle.
The purpose of such a recommendation is to allow the parties to continue the work of refining the plan while adhering to the Planning Act which requires a Municipality to make a decision within a specified time limit.
Failure to do so gives an applicant the right to an Appeal before the Ontario Municipal Board.
Such an appeal takes the decision from the hands of the municipality and puts it in the hands of a non-elected body.
Municipalities complain loudly against the Ontario Municipal Board
Their failure to adhere to the law which results in an Ontario Municipal Board Hearing and decision is seldom acknowledged.
The Ontario Municipal Board is a convenient whipping boy for municipal politicians averse to making decisions which might prove to be controversial.
The province knows it, developers know it, municipalities know it. It is the scourge of the building industry and adds untold billions to the cost of construction.The wanton waste of resources is appalling.
The only people unaware of particulars are the media sometimes and the public usually.
The public are also unaware of huge and unnecessary legal costs paid out of their pockets to defend the indefensible.
The Town's planners found no reason to refuse the application. They recommended approval in principle.
How do you support the refusal of an application before the Ontario Municipal Board, when all agencies charged with advising an applicant of how to meet all requirements have done so and advised the municipality accordingly.
No permits are issued until refinements are completed. Approval in principle means work can continue and the decisions are worked out where they should be and not at a board table.
Mr. Lebovic's application was refused. On a vote of eight to one.
A Municipal Board Appeal was filed.
An application was promptly made by the Town for a "joint board" hearing.
Such a hearing, involving three separate authorities, takes several weeks longer than the norm. It costs several times more. A ball park figure was half a million dollars.
The application for a "joint board" hearing was denied.
That decision was appealed to another level of judicial authority.
I have been informed, to date, there have been three denials.
Further..... legal costs for Mr. Lebovic to defend the appeals have risen to one million dollars.
On the other hand, I have not been informed of three denials by the town nor have legal costs to the municipality been disclosed.
Nor am I or you likely to be informed under current strictures imposed on the Chief Financial Officer of the Town of Aurora by the Aurora Town Council.
If I am able to ferret out further information, which is not solicitor/client advice, which does not apply to decisions rendered in a court, I will pass that information along too.
My daughter and I were guests of Joseph Lebovic, who donates millions to good causes throughout the GTA and had purchased a table in support of the cause.
He contributes to the Arts and Culture Fund in Aurora and attends council most years
when awards are being presented.
It was a posh do. Tickets were expensive. I would have been unlikely to attend otherwise. Town policy allows councillors to charge for such expenditures. I don't think they should.
Mr Lebovic is also a developer of up scale homes and developments.
Such a proposal was presented at a public planning meeting . It was for land designated for residential development before the Province passed the Oak Ridges Moraine Act.
An Official Plan designation for development means the right is lawful.
When The Act was passed, town planning staff informed Mr. Lebovic his original plans would unlikely meet the new requirements of the Moraine Act.
He asked what would conform.
He was advised accordingly.
Eventually,accompanied by a massive team of planners, engineers , hydrologists and every other expert required to meet the requirements of various public agencies, Provincial,Regional, Municipal,Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, South Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority and the Provincial Ministry of the Environment the plan was ready.
After months and hundred of thousands maybe millions of dollars, the Plan was presented at a Public Planning Meeting in the Town of Aurora.
The town's planning reports noted issues still to be resolved but recommended approval in principle.
The purpose of such a recommendation is to allow the parties to continue the work of refining the plan while adhering to the Planning Act which requires a Municipality to make a decision within a specified time limit.
Failure to do so gives an applicant the right to an Appeal before the Ontario Municipal Board.
Such an appeal takes the decision from the hands of the municipality and puts it in the hands of a non-elected body.
Municipalities complain loudly against the Ontario Municipal Board
Their failure to adhere to the law which results in an Ontario Municipal Board Hearing and decision is seldom acknowledged.
The Ontario Municipal Board is a convenient whipping boy for municipal politicians averse to making decisions which might prove to be controversial.
The province knows it, developers know it, municipalities know it. It is the scourge of the building industry and adds untold billions to the cost of construction.The wanton waste of resources is appalling.
The only people unaware of particulars are the media sometimes and the public usually.
The public are also unaware of huge and unnecessary legal costs paid out of their pockets to defend the indefensible.
The Town's planners found no reason to refuse the application. They recommended approval in principle.
How do you support the refusal of an application before the Ontario Municipal Board, when all agencies charged with advising an applicant of how to meet all requirements have done so and advised the municipality accordingly.
No permits are issued until refinements are completed. Approval in principle means work can continue and the decisions are worked out where they should be and not at a board table.
Mr. Lebovic's application was refused. On a vote of eight to one.
A Municipal Board Appeal was filed.
An application was promptly made by the Town for a "joint board" hearing.
Such a hearing, involving three separate authorities, takes several weeks longer than the norm. It costs several times more. A ball park figure was half a million dollars.
The application for a "joint board" hearing was denied.
That decision was appealed to another level of judicial authority.
I have been informed, to date, there have been three denials.
Further..... legal costs for Mr. Lebovic to defend the appeals have risen to one million dollars.
On the other hand, I have not been informed of three denials by the town nor have legal costs to the municipality been disclosed.
Nor am I or you likely to be informed under current strictures imposed on the Chief Financial Officer of the Town of Aurora by the Aurora Town Council.
If I am able to ferret out further information, which is not solicitor/client advice, which does not apply to decisions rendered in a court, I will pass that information along too.
White Knight's Comment
Last night, I decided I had made my final observation about the Petch House .
On Monday, I contemplated getting out of my car , clapping my hands in it's direction, in hope the vibration would push it over.
I considered making like the Big, Bad Wolf in the Three Little Piggies, and Huffing and Puffing until I blew the house down.
Then I gave myself a shake and thought ; get a grip.
I don't believe the other side is obsessed with saving everything ancient. Their attitude towards myself proves the opposite.
If we cast our minds back to controversial issues in this term , a pattern is clear.
The Inner Circle have a strategy. It is simple and time worn. Cater to all special interest groups, no matter how small. They will rally when the time comes.
Remember the three lights from Canadian Tire Parking lot connected to the town's street lights, so that residents of the Mosaic could walk down a dark lane after the store closed, in preference to walking down Murray Drive and enjoying the safety and security of a lit public thoroughfare.
The traffic calming boon- doggle in the north-west quadrant that cost $211k, creates extreme inconvenience for people who live there and made us the laughing stock of all who have seen it,
An appointment was made to fill a vacancy from the slate of the Inner Circle , versus a by-election, the community's stated preference.
The Mayor's persists in the claim to be saving the tax-payers' money when refusing to spend development charge dollars for the purpose they were collected (a baseball diamond) while contemplating $400ks tax dollars on restoring a rotten,crumbling relic for a contrived and questionable purpose.
Half a dozen cheques at Christmas to select home-owners on Knowles Crescent were paid out over and above the million dollars we spent re-constructing the road.
There's no shortage of examples of irrational spending which can only be seen as a means to garner pockets of support here,there and everywhere in the next election.
Remember the hydro issue, the train whistle, toxins in Tannery Creek, Oak Ridges Moraine.
The spending for legal costs that must be secret. Administrative support to foil the right to know.
It is not a fail-safe strategy. But it's theirs. In the next election, we will know how effective it has been.
The Mayor and Council are regularly urged to start doing what they were elected to do.
I believe, they believe that's exactly what they are doing.
It's how they got elected before. Why should they believe it won't work a second time.
It's not about the Petch House and respect for the town's history.
Anything but.
On Monday, I contemplated getting out of my car , clapping my hands in it's direction, in hope the vibration would push it over.
I considered making like the Big, Bad Wolf in the Three Little Piggies, and Huffing and Puffing until I blew the house down.
Then I gave myself a shake and thought ; get a grip.
I don't believe the other side is obsessed with saving everything ancient. Their attitude towards myself proves the opposite.
If we cast our minds back to controversial issues in this term , a pattern is clear.
The Inner Circle have a strategy. It is simple and time worn. Cater to all special interest groups, no matter how small. They will rally when the time comes.
Remember the three lights from Canadian Tire Parking lot connected to the town's street lights, so that residents of the Mosaic could walk down a dark lane after the store closed, in preference to walking down Murray Drive and enjoying the safety and security of a lit public thoroughfare.
The traffic calming boon- doggle in the north-west quadrant that cost $211k, creates extreme inconvenience for people who live there and made us the laughing stock of all who have seen it,
An appointment was made to fill a vacancy from the slate of the Inner Circle , versus a by-election, the community's stated preference.
The Mayor's persists in the claim to be saving the tax-payers' money when refusing to spend development charge dollars for the purpose they were collected (a baseball diamond) while contemplating $400ks tax dollars on restoring a rotten,crumbling relic for a contrived and questionable purpose.
Half a dozen cheques at Christmas to select home-owners on Knowles Crescent were paid out over and above the million dollars we spent re-constructing the road.
There's no shortage of examples of irrational spending which can only be seen as a means to garner pockets of support here,there and everywhere in the next election.
Remember the hydro issue, the train whistle, toxins in Tannery Creek, Oak Ridges Moraine.
The spending for legal costs that must be secret. Administrative support to foil the right to know.
It is not a fail-safe strategy. But it's theirs. In the next election, we will know how effective it has been.
The Mayor and Council are regularly urged to start doing what they were elected to do.
I believe, they believe that's exactly what they are doing.
It's how they got elected before. Why should they believe it won't work a second time.
It's not about the Petch House and respect for the town's history.
Anything but.
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Post Script
I forgot to mention the Rebellion.
York County Farmers marched to Toronto with pikes and pitch forks. Against the Family Compact who were probably a bunch of silly asses pumped up with their own power and prestige ,who didn't know their ankles from a hole in the ground.
York County Farmers marched to Toronto with pikes and pitch forks. Against the Family Compact who were probably a bunch of silly asses pumped up with their own power and prestige ,who didn't know their ankles from a hole in the ground.
The Rotting Mouldering Heap of Decay
We have bylaws to prohibit residents from storing car wrecks on their own property. It's alright though for the municipality to despoil the countryside for six years with impunity.
I've been out there three times this week. I trespassed. I found the gate open and went through
to see the rear of the building.
I went down Leslie and turned around, so that I could see its south elevation.
I sat for a bit and tried to imagine what Mr. Petch might think of the town contemplating spending half a million dollars to rehabilitate this derelict rotting relic for a contrived purpose.
When The Queen's Hotel was still at the corner of Wellington Street and Yonge, Council was invited for a visit. Jimmy Murray, a former Mayor and current councillor and his wife Florence owned the building.
He had brought the bar back into the "saloon" to show and tell. He also had some early hand written minute books . They recorded approvals for accounts in sterling in small amounts of shillings, mostly for road repairs. The minute book was a note book of about six by ten inches.
Those minutes might very well have dated back to the time Mr. Petch was building a home for his family.
A considerable part of the town's business, was providing hostelry services and accommodation for travellers in horse-drawn coaches. Roads were rough. They ran up and down and around hills and crossed streams. Early roads were corduroy. Constructed of logs cleared from the land . Some were still down there, forming the base of county gravel roads in the sixties.
The journey from Lake Simcoe to Toronto was long and jarring. There were frequent stops.
Taverns and hostelries were necessities. Aurora had several. Some of them still survived in the sixties.
The Queen's hotel might have been one of them. I'm not sure of that though.
Life in the early days was not easy. A visit to a Pioneer cemetery tells all. Farmers sometimes had several wives.A mother and child lost in childbirth was not uncommon.
Infectious diseases swept through. Children's graves mark such an event.
A developer asked me once what I thought of people spending thousands of dollars to restore an old farmhouse. I said if the old farmer didn't see any merit in spending his resources on restoring an old farmhouse, then it seemed not to be such a good idea.
I've been in a few. In Black Creek Village, Upper Canada Village, in some with people living in them, while the old farmer lived in a modern bungalow closer to the road.
They were not adequate when they were built and they're not adequate now. People built what they could afford at the time and no more and considered themselves well-off under the circumstances.
There's a shoemaker shop in Black Creek. The lasts for adult shoes are so small .the shoes would hardly fit the feet of a modern ten year old.
In 1967, the Ontario Museum had a display of clothing from a hundred years ago. People were tiny. They were not huge robust specimens of humanity.Their frames were the result of centuries of poverty and deprivation.
Only their courage, determination and strength of endurance were monumental.
Their intent was to give their children something better than they had.
And they did. We are the beneficiaries.
I think Mr. Petch would consider it sheer lunacy to contemplate spending half a million dollars to save a humble building which saw its share of joys and sorrows and undoubtedly served it's purpose many times over.
The building owes us nothing.
There are people in our community who need food banks to keep body and soul together in this age of affluence
What would Mr. Petch think of that?
That we should give a second thought to spending half a million tax-payer dollars on that rotting relic is an insult to the memory of people who struggled to survive and make things better for their children and those who came after.
I've been out there three times this week. I trespassed. I found the gate open and went through
to see the rear of the building.
I went down Leslie and turned around, so that I could see its south elevation.
I sat for a bit and tried to imagine what Mr. Petch might think of the town contemplating spending half a million dollars to rehabilitate this derelict rotting relic for a contrived purpose.
When The Queen's Hotel was still at the corner of Wellington Street and Yonge, Council was invited for a visit. Jimmy Murray, a former Mayor and current councillor and his wife Florence owned the building.
He had brought the bar back into the "saloon" to show and tell. He also had some early hand written minute books . They recorded approvals for accounts in sterling in small amounts of shillings, mostly for road repairs. The minute book was a note book of about six by ten inches.
Those minutes might very well have dated back to the time Mr. Petch was building a home for his family.
A considerable part of the town's business, was providing hostelry services and accommodation for travellers in horse-drawn coaches. Roads were rough. They ran up and down and around hills and crossed streams. Early roads were corduroy. Constructed of logs cleared from the land . Some were still down there, forming the base of county gravel roads in the sixties.
The journey from Lake Simcoe to Toronto was long and jarring. There were frequent stops.
Taverns and hostelries were necessities. Aurora had several. Some of them still survived in the sixties.
The Queen's hotel might have been one of them. I'm not sure of that though.
Life in the early days was not easy. A visit to a Pioneer cemetery tells all. Farmers sometimes had several wives.A mother and child lost in childbirth was not uncommon.
Infectious diseases swept through. Children's graves mark such an event.
A developer asked me once what I thought of people spending thousands of dollars to restore an old farmhouse. I said if the old farmer didn't see any merit in spending his resources on restoring an old farmhouse, then it seemed not to be such a good idea.
I've been in a few. In Black Creek Village, Upper Canada Village, in some with people living in them, while the old farmer lived in a modern bungalow closer to the road.
They were not adequate when they were built and they're not adequate now. People built what they could afford at the time and no more and considered themselves well-off under the circumstances.
There's a shoemaker shop in Black Creek. The lasts for adult shoes are so small .the shoes would hardly fit the feet of a modern ten year old.
In 1967, the Ontario Museum had a display of clothing from a hundred years ago. People were tiny. They were not huge robust specimens of humanity.Their frames were the result of centuries of poverty and deprivation.
Only their courage, determination and strength of endurance were monumental.
Their intent was to give their children something better than they had.
And they did. We are the beneficiaries.
I think Mr. Petch would consider it sheer lunacy to contemplate spending half a million dollars to save a humble building which saw its share of joys and sorrows and undoubtedly served it's purpose many times over.
The building owes us nothing.
There are people in our community who need food banks to keep body and soul together in this age of affluence
What would Mr. Petch think of that?
That we should give a second thought to spending half a million tax-payer dollars on that rotting relic is an insult to the memory of people who struggled to survive and make things better for their children and those who came after.
The Switch Didn't Happen.
I told you I hate making changes. I have been a customer of Aurora Cable since Aurora Cable came into being and of Bell Telephone longer than that.
I know Bell isn't what it once was and I had no experience of their television or Internet services.
But Rogers wasn't what Aurora Cable was and I yearned for that.
I decided to switch and take Bell's package.
Back in July, I spent more than an hour discussing the package.. It would cost less than I was paying to two providers. The hour I actually spent in discussion did not include the time it took to actually reach a living voice.
Don't you just love it when after several minutes of disembodied instructions, you find yourself presented with several options to choose, none of which fit your purpose?
Then, mindful of the time it takes to get that far, you take a stab at one. It puts you in touch, with someone who can't help you but transfers you to with someone they hope can...help that is. But there's no guarantee.
My eventual discussion ended with agreement I would call on Monday to confirm the order. It meant I had to call Rogers and cancel at a date which would mean service would not be interrupted.
I didn't do that.
A month later , on the agreed upon date which had not been confirmed by me, two technicians showed up separately at my door.
It was Saturday
I sent them away. Since I had not confirmed and notified Rogers, I felt it was wise.
Subsequently, at the end of August, I went through the process again . I did notify Rogers, with regret, to disconnect the service on October 4th because I was switching to Bell on October 3rd.
Again it was Saturday.
Rogers sent me a bill to close the account. I paid that.
The day came.
I waited for phone calls. announcing separate arrivals of two technicians.
Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Amen.
At two-thirty pm, I called Bell. Went through the tortuous routine noted above. After thirty minutes of waiting because my call was important to them, I finally reached one of their operators.
Of course it wasn't an operator who could handle the matter. I was transferred. After lengthy explanations and checks into this and that ,we had almost concluded the matter, when the phone disconnected.
I waited for a call back. It would certainly have been easier to reach me than it is for me to reach the person I was talking to, whose name and department I knew not, after waiting Heaven knows how long because my call was important to them for the next available operator because all of their operators are busy at the moment because they are having an unusually heavy list of calls.
It didn't happen.
Oh my Lord, I had to do it all over again. Now it was about 4.30p.m.
This time the operator I eventually reached ,discovered the appointment was still on but it was for p.m. That meant they would be here around 7.30p.m.
I waited . In vain.
Now.... my service with Rogers would be terminated on Sunday and I would be isolated from the world .
That didn't happen on Sunday.
But on Monday morning , I was without Internet service.
I called Rogers. Explained my dilemma. Discussed their newly advertised bundle. Learned I could have more t.v.channels and other upgrades for less money than Bell's bundle.
I bought it.
The switch didn't happen.
I have not contacted Bell.
They have not contacted me.
Now I am going to tell you with absolute certainty....things never used to be like this.
I know Bell isn't what it once was and I had no experience of their television or Internet services.
But Rogers wasn't what Aurora Cable was and I yearned for that.
I decided to switch and take Bell's package.
Back in July, I spent more than an hour discussing the package.. It would cost less than I was paying to two providers. The hour I actually spent in discussion did not include the time it took to actually reach a living voice.
Don't you just love it when after several minutes of disembodied instructions, you find yourself presented with several options to choose, none of which fit your purpose?
Then, mindful of the time it takes to get that far, you take a stab at one. It puts you in touch, with someone who can't help you but transfers you to with someone they hope can...help that is. But there's no guarantee.
My eventual discussion ended with agreement I would call on Monday to confirm the order. It meant I had to call Rogers and cancel at a date which would mean service would not be interrupted.
I didn't do that.
A month later , on the agreed upon date which had not been confirmed by me, two technicians showed up separately at my door.
It was Saturday
I sent them away. Since I had not confirmed and notified Rogers, I felt it was wise.
Subsequently, at the end of August, I went through the process again . I did notify Rogers, with regret, to disconnect the service on October 4th because I was switching to Bell on October 3rd.
Again it was Saturday.
Rogers sent me a bill to close the account. I paid that.
The day came.
I waited for phone calls. announcing separate arrivals of two technicians.
Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Amen.
At two-thirty pm, I called Bell. Went through the tortuous routine noted above. After thirty minutes of waiting because my call was important to them, I finally reached one of their operators.
Of course it wasn't an operator who could handle the matter. I was transferred. After lengthy explanations and checks into this and that ,we had almost concluded the matter, when the phone disconnected.
I waited for a call back. It would certainly have been easier to reach me than it is for me to reach the person I was talking to, whose name and department I knew not, after waiting Heaven knows how long because my call was important to them for the next available operator because all of their operators are busy at the moment because they are having an unusually heavy list of calls.
It didn't happen.
Oh my Lord, I had to do it all over again. Now it was about 4.30p.m.
This time the operator I eventually reached ,discovered the appointment was still on but it was for p.m. That meant they would be here around 7.30p.m.
I waited . In vain.
Now.... my service with Rogers would be terminated on Sunday and I would be isolated from the world .
That didn't happen on Sunday.
But on Monday morning , I was without Internet service.
I called Rogers. Explained my dilemma. Discussed their newly advertised bundle. Learned I could have more t.v.channels and other upgrades for less money than Bell's bundle.
I bought it.
The switch didn't happen.
I have not contacted Bell.
They have not contacted me.
Now I am going to tell you with absolute certainty....things never used to be like this.
Saturday, 3 October 2009
The Sacred and The Profane.
At one and the same time.
I watch David Letterman at the witching hour. I watch Charlie Rose for intellectual stimulus and Letterman for wit.
I have enjoyed others better in the past but among the current modern crop Letterman takes the cake. He is supremely irreverent. If he has any sacred cows, they are not obvious. .
I enjoyed him better after his son Harry was born. At fifty-eight, he discovered the joy of a child and being a father was a delight.
Harry is five now. Started school in Fall. His parents married then. His Dad said it was right to do it for Harry.
He's a comedian. He uses his mother, his partner and life all around him to spark a chuckle.
He is particularly creative with politicians.
He makes a fine living doing something he does well. Everyone should be so fortunate.
Letterman's real personal life is nobody's business. Until this week. News of an attempt to blackmail because he had sex with two women he worked with hit the circuit.
I thought, how silly is that?
The reaction of the media was predictable. They regurgitated the Clinton sex scandal and how Letterman milked it and still does for all it is worth.
It was suggested the women were exploited.
It resurrected a thought I had during the Clinton scandal:
Lewinsky was depicted as victim and Clinton the ogre.
No-one ever suggested the aging Clinton might have been the prey and youthful Lewinsky, the predator.
Why is that? Why do men always have to be " the power" ?
Evil landlord with the black twirled moustache and cape, fair maiden tied to the railway. monster machine fast approaching belching smoke, flames and burning cinders.
I watched a more pallid scene once. It was real.
I was standing behind a man of status in the community at an event, it was part of his responsibility to attend.
The wife of an employee came forward and stood beside him.
She reached for his hand. He pulled it away. She persisted and he finally folded his hands behind him to discourage her.
I've seen that and similar scenes repeated over the years.
I conclude men in positions of power are attractive to women.
The most unlikely paramours have trouble fighting them off.
I do not suggest either Clinton or Letterman were victims.
I doubt any man would think of making that his excuse.
Except of course for Adam in the Garden of Eden.
St Paul wasn't too fond of women either, come to think of it.
The question that titillates my fancy is why the media never seem to think of the possibility.
Should modern woman be offended ?
I watch David Letterman at the witching hour. I watch Charlie Rose for intellectual stimulus and Letterman for wit.
I have enjoyed others better in the past but among the current modern crop Letterman takes the cake. He is supremely irreverent. If he has any sacred cows, they are not obvious. .
I enjoyed him better after his son Harry was born. At fifty-eight, he discovered the joy of a child and being a father was a delight.
Harry is five now. Started school in Fall. His parents married then. His Dad said it was right to do it for Harry.
He's a comedian. He uses his mother, his partner and life all around him to spark a chuckle.
He is particularly creative with politicians.
He makes a fine living doing something he does well. Everyone should be so fortunate.
Letterman's real personal life is nobody's business. Until this week. News of an attempt to blackmail because he had sex with two women he worked with hit the circuit.
I thought, how silly is that?
The reaction of the media was predictable. They regurgitated the Clinton sex scandal and how Letterman milked it and still does for all it is worth.
It was suggested the women were exploited.
It resurrected a thought I had during the Clinton scandal:
Lewinsky was depicted as victim and Clinton the ogre.
No-one ever suggested the aging Clinton might have been the prey and youthful Lewinsky, the predator.
Why is that? Why do men always have to be " the power" ?
Evil landlord with the black twirled moustache and cape, fair maiden tied to the railway. monster machine fast approaching belching smoke, flames and burning cinders.
I watched a more pallid scene once. It was real.
I was standing behind a man of status in the community at an event, it was part of his responsibility to attend.
The wife of an employee came forward and stood beside him.
She reached for his hand. He pulled it away. She persisted and he finally folded his hands behind him to discourage her.
I've seen that and similar scenes repeated over the years.
I conclude men in positions of power are attractive to women.
The most unlikely paramours have trouble fighting them off.
I do not suggest either Clinton or Letterman were victims.
I doubt any man would think of making that his excuse.
Except of course for Adam in the Garden of Eden.
St Paul wasn't too fond of women either, come to think of it.
The question that titillates my fancy is why the media never seem to think of the possibility.
Should modern woman be offended ?
Friday, 2 October 2009
The United Way
Remember how John Rogers our former Chief Administrative Officer committed to having his head shaved to achieve a certain target for town staff's United Way Fund Raising Campaign.
Remember how Heather Green in the Bylaw department did the same thing. It had to do with some fancy kind of boat race event. For the same good purpose.
Former Mayor Tim Jones accepted tennis challenges from anybody to raise funds for the same purpose.
It was all in a good cause and highly successful. Not only did it make our organisation a family. in coming together to help others, they had fun doing it and took pride together in their achievement.
The United Way came to Council to express their appreciation. The Mayor asked if the same objective could be achieved by payroll deductions.
Councillor Gaertner once asked how much time staff were spending in fund-raising. The answer was they were spending their own time. If the project ran over into town time, they got their work done by staying after work hours. They fulfilled both commitments. .
Aurora staff have opted against payroll deductions for the United Way since the idea was first proposed and repeatedly since. The principle has always been that people should be able to choose which charity, if any, to donate available personal resources.
I just received an e-mail from the town informing me of a photo opportunity for myself.
"The Town of Aurora participates in the 2010 United Way payroll deduction campaign".
Remember how Heather Green in the Bylaw department did the same thing. It had to do with some fancy kind of boat race event. For the same good purpose.
Former Mayor Tim Jones accepted tennis challenges from anybody to raise funds for the same purpose.
It was all in a good cause and highly successful. Not only did it make our organisation a family. in coming together to help others, they had fun doing it and took pride together in their achievement.
The United Way came to Council to express their appreciation. The Mayor asked if the same objective could be achieved by payroll deductions.
Councillor Gaertner once asked how much time staff were spending in fund-raising. The answer was they were spending their own time. If the project ran over into town time, they got their work done by staying after work hours. They fulfilled both commitments. .
Aurora staff have opted against payroll deductions for the United Way since the idea was first proposed and repeatedly since. The principle has always been that people should be able to choose which charity, if any, to donate available personal resources.
I just received an e-mail from the town informing me of a photo opportunity for myself.
"The Town of Aurora participates in the 2010 United Way payroll deduction campaign".
I'm Switching
This week-end I am switching to Bell. I hate doing it. It's probably going to be disruptive again. I have nothing invested in an organisation that provides a call service from thousands of miles away.
I think we had no idea how well off we were with Aurora Cable. I'm not sure the service with Bell will be an improvement. It will cost less.
All I know is, I'm not satisfied with the service I'm getting for the price I'm paying. Obviously the service I got for the price I paid has had an influence in my decision. It remains to be seen if it's the right one.
I think we had no idea how well off we were with Aurora Cable. I'm not sure the service with Bell will be an improvement. It will cost less.
All I know is, I'm not satisfied with the service I'm getting for the price I'm paying. Obviously the service I got for the price I paid has had an influence in my decision. It remains to be seen if it's the right one.
About Candidacy
There is a set time and process for registration as a candidate. One must attend upon the Clerk. Satisfy requirements for eligibility. Swear an Oath . And pay a fee.
There is a time for registrations to close. There are no candidates until registration closes..The ballot is established at that point.
A person can show interest and serious intent before then without committing. My point is it's wise to do so. It's never time wasted.
On the other hand, a mayoralty contest needs to be established before then. Ms Morris succeeded because there were three people in the race. More voted against her than for her.
The term did not begin with the head of the council enjoying majority support nor can it be imagined the situation has improved since that time.
In the event we have three candidates again, it is vitally important the community should be familiar with each to be able to make an informed choice.
Letters to the editor provide an understanding of a person's perspective on any given issue.
My supporters voted for me without necessarily always agreeing with my position. Being forthright is appreciated as a mark of mutual respect. I think a candidate owes that to the voters.
The right to disagree is the essence of freedom.
It does take courage but it is well- invested.
There is a time for registrations to close. There are no candidates until registration closes..The ballot is established at that point.
A person can show interest and serious intent before then without committing. My point is it's wise to do so. It's never time wasted.
On the other hand, a mayoralty contest needs to be established before then. Ms Morris succeeded because there were three people in the race. More voted against her than for her.
The term did not begin with the head of the council enjoying majority support nor can it be imagined the situation has improved since that time.
In the event we have three candidates again, it is vitally important the community should be familiar with each to be able to make an informed choice.
Letters to the editor provide an understanding of a person's perspective on any given issue.
My supporters voted for me without necessarily always agreeing with my position. Being forthright is appreciated as a mark of mutual respect. I think a candidate owes that to the voters.
The right to disagree is the essence of freedom.
It does take courage but it is well- invested.
Answers
The $400,000 price tag was in the Engineer's report we paid for, the price of which was not included in the report and come to think of it, the resolution authorising the expenditure wasn't there either.
The point about Councillor Gallo's comment is probably right. It seems the Councillor is of the opinion from Mormac and his seat- mate Wilson, that if an argument has been presented in committee, it should not be re-stated in Council.
The premise is factually incorrect.
The debate that matters is the one conducted at the Council meeting, prior to the vote..
General Committee recommends. Council decides. It's the reason, in a consolidated agenda, a Councillor has authority to call for an item to be separately discussed and vote
*************
Any person contemplating putting their name forward for election in 2010, would be wise to start attending council meetings now.It is not too soon. It's the only way to become conversant with current issues and be able to speak to voters with a measure of confidence.
People like to see evidence of prior interest, knowledge and relevant ideas.
There is work to be done before coming out of the blue and registering as a candidate.
The vote is precious .Personal representation is valued. It is a mark of respect that's expected.
Aurora deserves the best.
The point about Councillor Gallo's comment is probably right. It seems the Councillor is of the opinion from Mormac and his seat- mate Wilson, that if an argument has been presented in committee, it should not be re-stated in Council.
The premise is factually incorrect.
The debate that matters is the one conducted at the Council meeting, prior to the vote..
General Committee recommends. Council decides. It's the reason, in a consolidated agenda, a Councillor has authority to call for an item to be separately discussed and vote
*************
Any person contemplating putting their name forward for election in 2010, would be wise to start attending council meetings now.It is not too soon. It's the only way to become conversant with current issues and be able to speak to voters with a measure of confidence.
People like to see evidence of prior interest, knowledge and relevant ideas.
There is work to be done before coming out of the blue and registering as a candidate.
The vote is precious .Personal representation is valued. It is a mark of respect that's expected.
Aurora deserves the best.
Two More Factually Incorrect Statements.
During last Tuesday's Meeting.
With the Agreement signed with Whitwell Developments described as owners in my hand, I reminded Council the town does not own the Petch House.
We have already received a report at no cost and then spent an unidentified sum on another report which established again the building cannot be moved in one piece and the likely cost to take it apart, replace rotten boards with authentic material from a building of similar vintage if one can be found and put it together again has a price tag of $4oo,ooo.
A further recommendation from general committee is to spend upwards of $5 thousand for a "more detailed" price on what it would cost to take it apart, replace rotten material with authentic boards in good condition from a building of similar vintage and design a new facility suitable for use by some group or organisation which have yet to be identified after a six year search was approved by Council on Tuesday.
Part of my argument was we should not spend public money on a structure we do not own.
After I completed my argument, it's what we do in debate, Councillor Gallo plaintively complained I was introducing new material to which he was not privy.
It was a factually incorret statement.
The agreement was circulated to all Councillors along with Mr. Garbe's report and other supporting material for the general committee meeting.
Councillor Mac Eachern stated emphatically, "The Town does own the building"
Well...no. The agreement clearly identifies Whitwell Developments as Owners.
That too was factually incorrect .
When the agreement was written, the building was re-located in one piece, with the roof intact, six years ago. It stood up to the move and there it still sits.
They agreed to move it again, build a foundation and hook up utilities. That was the town's requirement..
Developers don't really have a choice in these matters. They smile politely and dance to any tune, just to get on with their business. Time is money.
It is six years later, neither a site of choosing nor apractical use has been identified.
The building can no longer be moved in one piece.
The full state of deterioration can not be determined without the inside being dried out.cleared and scraped clean of mould, dead animals and other extremely nasty stuff.
I do not believe we may assume Whitwell Developments will see this building which they own, in the same light as when they made the commitment to move it wherever the Town desired.
My argument is, before another red penny of public money is spent, we need to discover if Whitwell will agree to a different commitment to that specified in the legal contract.
Planning approvals for their project are safe in hand and realised. They can no longer be held hostage.
With the Agreement signed with Whitwell Developments described as owners in my hand, I reminded Council the town does not own the Petch House.
We have already received a report at no cost and then spent an unidentified sum on another report which established again the building cannot be moved in one piece and the likely cost to take it apart, replace rotten boards with authentic material from a building of similar vintage if one can be found and put it together again has a price tag of $4oo,ooo.
A further recommendation from general committee is to spend upwards of $5 thousand for a "more detailed" price on what it would cost to take it apart, replace rotten material with authentic boards in good condition from a building of similar vintage and design a new facility suitable for use by some group or organisation which have yet to be identified after a six year search was approved by Council on Tuesday.
Part of my argument was we should not spend public money on a structure we do not own.
After I completed my argument, it's what we do in debate, Councillor Gallo plaintively complained I was introducing new material to which he was not privy.
It was a factually incorret statement.
The agreement was circulated to all Councillors along with Mr. Garbe's report and other supporting material for the general committee meeting.
Councillor Mac Eachern stated emphatically, "The Town does own the building"
Well...no. The agreement clearly identifies Whitwell Developments as Owners.
That too was factually incorrect .
When the agreement was written, the building was re-located in one piece, with the roof intact, six years ago. It stood up to the move and there it still sits.
They agreed to move it again, build a foundation and hook up utilities. That was the town's requirement..
Developers don't really have a choice in these matters. They smile politely and dance to any tune, just to get on with their business. Time is money.
It is six years later, neither a site of choosing nor apractical use has been identified.
The building can no longer be moved in one piece.
The full state of deterioration can not be determined without the inside being dried out.cleared and scraped clean of mould, dead animals and other extremely nasty stuff.
I do not believe we may assume Whitwell Developments will see this building which they own, in the same light as when they made the commitment to move it wherever the Town desired.
My argument is, before another red penny of public money is spent, we need to discover if Whitwell will agree to a different commitment to that specified in the legal contract.
Planning approvals for their project are safe in hand and realised. They can no longer be held hostage.
Weird Tuesday
Is normal fare. But ours get weirder and weirder. The only real business on the agenda last Tuesday was approval of the minutes of the general committee meeting.
The Mayor had a "Memorandum" on the agenda. It sought to direct staff to carry out a particular direction.
Staff can only follow direction of Council, as determined by a duly moved and seconded motion of which notice has been and which has received majority support of council at a properly organized meeting of which the public is aware, in accordance with the Procedural Bylaw, passed at the first meeting of the Council as required by Provincial regulations.
I questioned the nature of the memorandum and it's placement on the agenda. The Mayor agreed to withdraw it.Then she asked the Solicitor for his opinion. He said the Mayor had the right to put a memorandum on the agenda. He did not answer the question about whether staff could be given direction via memorandum from the Mayor . Which of course they can't. Which was the reason for my challenge.
The odd thing is, a story in The Banner yesterday about the town's decision to pursue a "custodial agreement" with Ontario Heritage Trust on the Ann Bartley Smith lands.
That's what the memorandum was about. The one that was withdrawn from the agenda because it was giving direction to staff without due process.
Now...I ask you...how is a Councillor supposed to make sense of this let alone a member of the general public?
The story suggested the information was being provided by the Mayor and Mr. Garbe, our town's Chief Administrative Officer who pointed out the merits of the idea.
In the same paper ,there was a story about a pending bylaw about animals in public facilities.It has been pending for a few months. Mr. Garbe said staff hadn't been able to get to it yet. "it has not had priority"
It was a direction of Council. It was recommended by staff who have to deal with the problem.
Things must be difficult at the Town Hall with neither a municipal clerk or a deputy clerk on hand.
I understand the Mayor never meets the press without a member of staff or a lawyer on hand
The Mayor had a "Memorandum" on the agenda. It sought to direct staff to carry out a particular direction.
Staff can only follow direction of Council, as determined by a duly moved and seconded motion of which notice has been and which has received majority support of council at a properly organized meeting of which the public is aware, in accordance with the Procedural Bylaw, passed at the first meeting of the Council as required by Provincial regulations.
I questioned the nature of the memorandum and it's placement on the agenda. The Mayor agreed to withdraw it.Then she asked the Solicitor for his opinion. He said the Mayor had the right to put a memorandum on the agenda. He did not answer the question about whether staff could be given direction via memorandum from the Mayor . Which of course they can't. Which was the reason for my challenge.
The odd thing is, a story in The Banner yesterday about the town's decision to pursue a "custodial agreement" with Ontario Heritage Trust on the Ann Bartley Smith lands.
That's what the memorandum was about. The one that was withdrawn from the agenda because it was giving direction to staff without due process.
Now...I ask you...how is a Councillor supposed to make sense of this let alone a member of the general public?
The story suggested the information was being provided by the Mayor and Mr. Garbe, our town's Chief Administrative Officer who pointed out the merits of the idea.
In the same paper ,there was a story about a pending bylaw about animals in public facilities.It has been pending for a few months. Mr. Garbe said staff hadn't been able to get to it yet. "it has not had priority"
It was a direction of Council. It was recommended by staff who have to deal with the problem.
Things must be difficult at the Town Hall with neither a municipal clerk or a deputy clerk on hand.
I understand the Mayor never meets the press without a member of staff or a lawyer on hand
Mississauga Hazel
The news is that Hazel , Mississauga's Icon, declared a conflict once and didn't the second time. There is to be a judicial review.
Based on Hazel's reputation. it will likely be found that she did the deed but not in bad faith. It was a mistake.
That's what happened with the former Mayor of East Gwillimbury a couple of years ago.
The serious aspect of this matter is that the minutes were "doctored". The municipal clerk
created a record showing the mayor had declared the second time. The video record of the meeting proved differently
I think the municipal clerk is at far greater risk than Mayor McCallion . The statutory responsibility to maintain accurate records is a serious responsibility.Falsifying the record is a criminal offence. We should all watch what happens in Mississauga for our own enlightenment.
Have you seen that crazy ad the town has put out for the position of municipal clerk? How likely is it a person with qualifications is going to plow through that verbiage to discover that's the job they're seeking.
Based on Hazel's reputation. it will likely be found that she did the deed but not in bad faith. It was a mistake.
That's what happened with the former Mayor of East Gwillimbury a couple of years ago.
The serious aspect of this matter is that the minutes were "doctored". The municipal clerk
created a record showing the mayor had declared the second time. The video record of the meeting proved differently
I think the municipal clerk is at far greater risk than Mayor McCallion . The statutory responsibility to maintain accurate records is a serious responsibility.Falsifying the record is a criminal offence. We should all watch what happens in Mississauga for our own enlightenment.
Have you seen that crazy ad the town has put out for the position of municipal clerk? How likely is it a person with qualifications is going to plow through that verbiage to discover that's the job they're seeking.
Thursday, 1 October 2009
Correction
Virginia Hackson, Chair of the South Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority, who went with several staff members to Brisbane, Australia to collect an award ,is not a Regional Councillor, but a Councillor in East Gwillimbury, which only has one Regional Councillor. who is Mayor James Young.
Regional taxpayers would still be the ones anteing up for the jaunt..
Regional taxpayers would still be the ones anteing up for the jaunt..
Everybody Knows
My age. Even the Globe and Mail put it in headlines.
I am prepared to concede some of my values and principles may be slightly old-fashioned. But they are mine. I'm not prepared to abandon them unless something better presents.
Here's a test; circumstances of a similar nature have caught my attention over a period of months
On a need to know basis, I need to know other people's reaction. Don't forget. I have a seat on council to keep an eye out for your interest.
This week, on a sparse agenda , these items presented..
A fervent appeal for food to be donated to food banks for people who do not have enough to keep body and soul together.(5000 in York Region)
Communications from Regional Councillor Virginia Hackson, chair of South Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority had some positive news.
The first was about a prize for watershed management. It was announced in Brisbane Australia and the chair, Regional Councillor Virginia Hackson and several staff members went there to receive it.
Organizations make applications for these "prizes" If you bag one it looks good on an employee resume and campaign literature.
The second is an invitation to "festivities" at Madsen's Greenhouse to celebrate the success of Authority programs to save the environment and "Watershed Heroes"
It's not that long since the Authority was able to hire staff only on short contracts because there were insufficient resources to provide full-time employment.
Closer to home:
In November 2008, a new Director of Corporate Services was appointed in Aurora. Notice was received from the former Director nine months previously. It took that long to fill the position
On Jan 5th a new Chief Administrative Officer took up his appointment. On that day, our Chief FInancial Officer submitted his resignation.
Around March, a new solicitor joined the administration.. The job had been vacant for almost a year.
In March ,the CAO took the March break as vacation .
The Director of Corporate Services took the week after.
In April a new Chief Financial Officer joined the administration.on a twelve month contract. Though there were more than three months notice of the vacancy no recruitment process had been undertaken. The Municipal Act requires municipalities to adopt a recruitment policy.
In June, the CAO took a second week of vacation.
During the kefuffle over the critical comment on the Aurora Citizen, the Mayor informed Council "for the past week and a half, the Directors had been unable to do any of their own work because of this problem"
At the same time council was informed "these people" have been "enticed" to join our administration.
I asked at that time for a copy of the CAO's contract. I needed to see the terms of reference for the job. YThey are always articulated in a contract.. I was informed by three departments, they were not aware of an existing contract.
Immediately after the 2009 budget was finalised, a consultant was selected to review the town's organization . Oh yes , there was also an off site, day long, conference of directors at a golf club around then as well.
In August, the CAO took the last week in July and the first week in August for vacation. As did the Director of Corporate Service and the Treasurer and the Director of Leisure Services who has been with the town for ten years.
In the middle of August, the CAO attended the same conference I did in Ottawa.
Yesterday, I heard of a golf tournament attended by the Mayor. Chief Administrative Officer and Town solicitor as guests of John Mascarin. Mr. Mascarin is the solicitor retained on a regular basis by the Mayor and Council majority
I am not telling anyone what. if anything. to think about all of this.
But I would certainly be interested to know.
I am prepared to concede some of my values and principles may be slightly old-fashioned. But they are mine. I'm not prepared to abandon them unless something better presents.
Here's a test; circumstances of a similar nature have caught my attention over a period of months
On a need to know basis, I need to know other people's reaction. Don't forget. I have a seat on council to keep an eye out for your interest.
This week, on a sparse agenda , these items presented..
A fervent appeal for food to be donated to food banks for people who do not have enough to keep body and soul together.(5000 in York Region)
Communications from Regional Councillor Virginia Hackson, chair of South Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority had some positive news.
The first was about a prize for watershed management. It was announced in Brisbane Australia and the chair, Regional Councillor Virginia Hackson and several staff members went there to receive it.
Organizations make applications for these "prizes" If you bag one it looks good on an employee resume and campaign literature.
The second is an invitation to "festivities" at Madsen's Greenhouse to celebrate the success of Authority programs to save the environment and "Watershed Heroes"
It's not that long since the Authority was able to hire staff only on short contracts because there were insufficient resources to provide full-time employment.
Closer to home:
In November 2008, a new Director of Corporate Services was appointed in Aurora. Notice was received from the former Director nine months previously. It took that long to fill the position
On Jan 5th a new Chief Administrative Officer took up his appointment. On that day, our Chief FInancial Officer submitted his resignation.
Around March, a new solicitor joined the administration.. The job had been vacant for almost a year.
In March ,the CAO took the March break as vacation .
The Director of Corporate Services took the week after.
In April a new Chief Financial Officer joined the administration.on a twelve month contract. Though there were more than three months notice of the vacancy no recruitment process had been undertaken. The Municipal Act requires municipalities to adopt a recruitment policy.
In June, the CAO took a second week of vacation.
During the kefuffle over the critical comment on the Aurora Citizen, the Mayor informed Council "for the past week and a half, the Directors had been unable to do any of their own work because of this problem"
At the same time council was informed "these people" have been "enticed" to join our administration.
I asked at that time for a copy of the CAO's contract. I needed to see the terms of reference for the job. YThey are always articulated in a contract.. I was informed by three departments, they were not aware of an existing contract.
Immediately after the 2009 budget was finalised, a consultant was selected to review the town's organization . Oh yes , there was also an off site, day long, conference of directors at a golf club around then as well.
In August, the CAO took the last week in July and the first week in August for vacation. As did the Director of Corporate Service and the Treasurer and the Director of Leisure Services who has been with the town for ten years.
In the middle of August, the CAO attended the same conference I did in Ottawa.
Yesterday, I heard of a golf tournament attended by the Mayor. Chief Administrative Officer and Town solicitor as guests of John Mascarin. Mr. Mascarin is the solicitor retained on a regular basis by the Mayor and Council majority
I am not telling anyone what. if anything. to think about all of this.
But I would certainly be interested to know.
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
Ahah
The story unfurls.
A comment reveals John MacIntyre of Aurora is a descendant of the family Petch.
He is a local historian. Much of the town's history I know came from snippets he contributed as a boy to the Aurora Banner. He never ran out of highly comical anecdotes about the town fathers.
John and a friend wrote tandem letters to the Auroran some months ago. They jointly took me to task for not showing sufficient reverence towards the Petch house.
John apparently sees no difference between people and property.
John's friend went so far as to suggest, I had outlived my usefulness and I should remove myself from the scene. . I spent several days after battling the temptation to draw attention to his contribution to the community. I had never heard tell of the fellow.
Apparently old buildings are more worthy of respect than people.
John is certainly aware of the Petch cabin. I would go so far as to guess , his is the main force behind the pressure to spend taxpayers' money on its preservation.
I suspect John is something of an elitist when it comes to artifacts he is keen to preserve.
I have wondered why there was never an outcry to preserve the town park from the encroachment of modern times. The modest little homes on Metcalf, Larmont and Mosely were never front and foremost.
Yet with their neighbours on the other side of Yonge, the people who occupied them were the very heart of old Aurora.
A comment reveals John MacIntyre of Aurora is a descendant of the family Petch.
He is a local historian. Much of the town's history I know came from snippets he contributed as a boy to the Aurora Banner. He never ran out of highly comical anecdotes about the town fathers.
John and a friend wrote tandem letters to the Auroran some months ago. They jointly took me to task for not showing sufficient reverence towards the Petch house.
John apparently sees no difference between people and property.
John's friend went so far as to suggest, I had outlived my usefulness and I should remove myself from the scene. . I spent several days after battling the temptation to draw attention to his contribution to the community. I had never heard tell of the fellow.
Apparently old buildings are more worthy of respect than people.
John is certainly aware of the Petch cabin. I would go so far as to guess , his is the main force behind the pressure to spend taxpayers' money on its preservation.
I suspect John is something of an elitist when it comes to artifacts he is keen to preserve.
I have wondered why there was never an outcry to preserve the town park from the encroachment of modern times. The modest little homes on Metcalf, Larmont and Mosely were never front and foremost.
Yet with their neighbours on the other side of Yonge, the people who occupied them were the very heart of old Aurora.
LaLaLand
We had another zany episode last night,a continuation of Tuesday previous.
We talked about the Petch House and decided to spend yet another $5.k on an airy-fairy quest for "detailed"information about restoring a cabin which has sat mouldering and crumbling , gathering dead carcases and other nasty stuff and rain and snow for the past six years, perched on concrete blocks on the east side of Leslie just south of Wellington in the Town of Aurora.
It is regularly referred to as a "log house" .
It is not .
It is a clap-board house .Nearest thing to a log are boards cut from it . Clap board cladding has long since disappeared.
It is referred to as the "oldest' house in Aurora.
It is not
Aurora's historical boundaries are almost three concessions distant.
The house was built in 1844.
Aurora began as the Village of Machell's Corners. Established in 1854, It did not appear out of the mist. Homes, taverns, hostelries and other buildings were undoubtedly there before to justify it becoming a unit of governance.
The most remarkable aspect of the Petch house is that it's still in one piece... but not for long and only as long nobody lays a finger on it.
Its size has been estimated as two floors of equal dimension.
That's not right.
Attics in old houses have rafters ending about two feet from the floor.It's called a knee wall.
A floor can't be identified as living space if all you can do is kneel on it.
Dormer windows can have sills at floor level.
Stairs in such a building are little more than a ladder leaning against a wall.
Reference to design in this context is utterly nonsensical.
For practical purpose, can the building be restored and maintain authenticity?
Not according to Heritage Trust of Ontario They don't want it.
Can it be brought to Code?
Can it be insured?
No answers there.
It's not a log house.
It's not part of Aurora's history.
It is crumbling as we speak
Can one seriously contemplate spending almost half a million public dollars on a few hundred square feet of space you don't own. you don't know its true condition, you don't know if it can be brought to code and you don't know if it can be insured ?
You can if you are followers of the Mormac regime and think spending hundreds of thousands of tax dollars on a rotting relic of no significance in Aurora's history will guarantee support in the next election.
We talked about the Petch House and decided to spend yet another $5.k on an airy-fairy quest for "detailed"information about restoring a cabin which has sat mouldering and crumbling , gathering dead carcases and other nasty stuff and rain and snow for the past six years, perched on concrete blocks on the east side of Leslie just south of Wellington in the Town of Aurora.
It is regularly referred to as a "log house" .
It is not .
It is a clap-board house .Nearest thing to a log are boards cut from it . Clap board cladding has long since disappeared.
It is referred to as the "oldest' house in Aurora.
It is not
Aurora's historical boundaries are almost three concessions distant.
The house was built in 1844.
Aurora began as the Village of Machell's Corners. Established in 1854, It did not appear out of the mist. Homes, taverns, hostelries and other buildings were undoubtedly there before to justify it becoming a unit of governance.
The most remarkable aspect of the Petch house is that it's still in one piece... but not for long and only as long nobody lays a finger on it.
Its size has been estimated as two floors of equal dimension.
That's not right.
Attics in old houses have rafters ending about two feet from the floor.It's called a knee wall.
A floor can't be identified as living space if all you can do is kneel on it.
Dormer windows can have sills at floor level.
Stairs in such a building are little more than a ladder leaning against a wall.
Reference to design in this context is utterly nonsensical.
For practical purpose, can the building be restored and maintain authenticity?
Not according to Heritage Trust of Ontario They don't want it.
Can it be brought to Code?
Can it be insured?
No answers there.
It's not a log house.
It's not part of Aurora's history.
It is crumbling as we speak
Can one seriously contemplate spending almost half a million public dollars on a few hundred square feet of space you don't own. you don't know its true condition, you don't know if it can be brought to code and you don't know if it can be insured ?
You can if you are followers of the Mormac regime and think spending hundreds of thousands of tax dollars on a rotting relic of no significance in Aurora's history will guarantee support in the next election.
Monday, 28 September 2009
Another Convention Ignored
There is an elaborate process for appointments to committees. First vacancies are advertised. Then applications,complete with background and experience are received.
Staff prepare a report of names and full applications are attached.They do not recommend but usually the most impressive application is first on the list.
It's an elaborate farce.
Several residents have commented on a negative experience with the process.
I am reminded of yet another practice of conventional wisdom cast aside by this particular council.
In the past,without unanimous support, a name will not be put forward.
The principle is simple. No volunteer should be disrespected by a negative vote.
In a recent appointment, several exceptional candidates were listed and one who offered no qualification.
Confidence was complete and clear and borne out by an immediate recommendation.
The selection is made behind closed doors to protect privacy. I observed past practice and noted my inability to support this candidate over others.
A bellicose accusation of "bullying" immediately ensued.
The person with the least credentials but with a history of salubrious service to a particular politician was selected.
From time to time, Councillor MacEachern publicly refers to "those who don't attend closed meetings"
Depending on the agenda, it is frequently pointless to do so.
Staff prepare a report of names and full applications are attached.They do not recommend but usually the most impressive application is first on the list.
It's an elaborate farce.
Several residents have commented on a negative experience with the process.
I am reminded of yet another practice of conventional wisdom cast aside by this particular council.
In the past,without unanimous support, a name will not be put forward.
The principle is simple. No volunteer should be disrespected by a negative vote.
In a recent appointment, several exceptional candidates were listed and one who offered no qualification.
Confidence was complete and clear and borne out by an immediate recommendation.
The selection is made behind closed doors to protect privacy. I observed past practice and noted my inability to support this candidate over others.
A bellicose accusation of "bullying" immediately ensued.
The person with the least credentials but with a history of salubrious service to a particular politician was selected.
From time to time, Councillor MacEachern publicly refers to "those who don't attend closed meetings"
Depending on the agenda, it is frequently pointless to do so.
Saturday, 26 September 2009
His Honor the Mayor of Toronto
David Miller has declared he will not seek re-election.
I felt it would happen.
David Miller,politically, himself alone, carried the weight and stress of an entire hot summer of a strike by garbage workers. They held the city hostage.
The responsibility wasn't shared by his all-powerful executive committee or any other member of Council.
Some members added to the burden with criticism of his handling of the problem, while sharing none of the responsibility for solving it.
Family time for the Millers must have been minimal. They would have witnessed the toll at first-hand.
It was a crisis. The resolution was not good. But it was the best it could be.
At the end of it , before time or reflection could evolve, and because they could, the media took a poll to determine the Mayor's popularity.
His ratings fell from 69% to 29%. Not surprising in the time span.
I felt it.
Imagine how he felt it. How his wife and young children felt it.
Such is the reality of politics.
Mel Lastman would have called in the army and been hailed as a hero.
North York's garbage collection was contracted out.
As is York Region's.
The service is satisfactory. Complaints are minimal. We have never had a strike.
Had he been inclined, David Miller could have gone the Lastman route. He too would have been cheered.
But his base support is organized labour.
He knows how quickly they can turn. Bob Rae's experience with public service unions is still current to any student of politics.
Which brings me to my contention, the City of Toronto, as it is, a contrivance and a legacy of the Mike Harris Conservative regime in Ontario , is politically an ungovernable entity.
I also contend ,what we have in Aurora is worth any fight it takes, to protect it from the Philistines.
I felt it would happen.
David Miller,politically, himself alone, carried the weight and stress of an entire hot summer of a strike by garbage workers. They held the city hostage.
The responsibility wasn't shared by his all-powerful executive committee or any other member of Council.
Some members added to the burden with criticism of his handling of the problem, while sharing none of the responsibility for solving it.
Family time for the Millers must have been minimal. They would have witnessed the toll at first-hand.
It was a crisis. The resolution was not good. But it was the best it could be.
At the end of it , before time or reflection could evolve, and because they could, the media took a poll to determine the Mayor's popularity.
His ratings fell from 69% to 29%. Not surprising in the time span.
I felt it.
Imagine how he felt it. How his wife and young children felt it.
Such is the reality of politics.
Mel Lastman would have called in the army and been hailed as a hero.
North York's garbage collection was contracted out.
As is York Region's.
The service is satisfactory. Complaints are minimal. We have never had a strike.
Had he been inclined, David Miller could have gone the Lastman route. He too would have been cheered.
But his base support is organized labour.
He knows how quickly they can turn. Bob Rae's experience with public service unions is still current to any student of politics.
Which brings me to my contention, the City of Toronto, as it is, a contrivance and a legacy of the Mike Harris Conservative regime in Ontario , is politically an ungovernable entity.
I also contend ,what we have in Aurora is worth any fight it takes, to protect it from the Philistines.
Thursday, 24 September 2009
Factually Correct
At the last council meeting when the "inner circle of power" made individual declarations of virtue and righteousness, Councillor MacEachern referred to the" 57 committee meetings she attends"
She spoke of a volunteer she holds in high regard being " accused of mis-appropriating funds"
If public utterances were being "investigated" that night by a lawyer retained at public expense, these and other comments could have been specifically identified as "factually incorrect"
At the same meeting, the Mayor submitted a "memorandum" informing council she had appointed Councilllors MacEachern, Gallo and Gaertner as representatives on the 2C
planning study for an Official Plan Amendment for the lands east of The Magna Rec Centre.
The memorandum noted they were being appointed because they "volunteered"
The implication being they were the only ones to "volunteer"
That too was a specific example of a factually incorrect statement .
In my hearing others volunteered ...myself among them.
But there's more to the story:
Protocol for appointments is to ask Councillors their preference.. The Mayor confers with the Clerk . The work load is weighed and shared evenly. Stated preferences are considered and accommodated as far as possible. A Report to Council is submitted at a public meeting. It is open for discussion. And decided by Council.
Some committees are more sought after than others. They provide more exposure and contact with voters.The number and importance of committees and chairmanships look good on campaign literature.
Councillors do have the right to argue their cause . Council has the authority to approve.
In the Mormac regime, that's not how it happens. Committee appointments are dispersed like plums by the Mayor within "the inner circle of power".
When former Councillor Grace Marsh resigned, Councillor Collins Mrakas requested to replace her on the Joint Council Fire Committee.
Newly -appointed Councillor Gallo got the spot.
When The Arts and Culture Centre Committee was formed ,Councillor McRoberts expressed a particular interest. Councillor McRoberts is the only Councillor with Aurora roots.
He didn't say that. I did.
Gaertner and Granger were appointed.
When the Wells Street school committee was struck, Councillors McRoberts and Collins Mrakas expressed interest as members of the Town's Heritage Committee.
Councillor Gallo was appointed.
Councillors McRoberts, Collins Mrakas and myself expressed interest in participating on the steering committee for the 2c planning study.
Councillors MacEachern, Gallo and Gaertner have been appointed by Mayoralty Decree.
There are other examples.
I think the picture is clear.
She spoke of a volunteer she holds in high regard being " accused of mis-appropriating funds"
If public utterances were being "investigated" that night by a lawyer retained at public expense, these and other comments could have been specifically identified as "factually incorrect"
At the same meeting, the Mayor submitted a "memorandum" informing council she had appointed Councilllors MacEachern, Gallo and Gaertner as representatives on the 2C
planning study for an Official Plan Amendment for the lands east of The Magna Rec Centre.
The memorandum noted they were being appointed because they "volunteered"
The implication being they were the only ones to "volunteer"
That too was a specific example of a factually incorrect statement .
In my hearing others volunteered ...myself among them.
But there's more to the story:
Protocol for appointments is to ask Councillors their preference.. The Mayor confers with the Clerk . The work load is weighed and shared evenly. Stated preferences are considered and accommodated as far as possible. A Report to Council is submitted at a public meeting. It is open for discussion. And decided by Council.
Some committees are more sought after than others. They provide more exposure and contact with voters.The number and importance of committees and chairmanships look good on campaign literature.
Councillors do have the right to argue their cause . Council has the authority to approve.
In the Mormac regime, that's not how it happens. Committee appointments are dispersed like plums by the Mayor within "the inner circle of power".
When former Councillor Grace Marsh resigned, Councillor Collins Mrakas requested to replace her on the Joint Council Fire Committee.
Newly -appointed Councillor Gallo got the spot.
When The Arts and Culture Centre Committee was formed ,Councillor McRoberts expressed a particular interest. Councillor McRoberts is the only Councillor with Aurora roots.
He didn't say that. I did.
Gaertner and Granger were appointed.
When the Wells Street school committee was struck, Councillors McRoberts and Collins Mrakas expressed interest as members of the Town's Heritage Committee.
Councillor Gallo was appointed.
Councillors McRoberts, Collins Mrakas and myself expressed interest in participating on the steering committee for the 2c planning study.
Councillors MacEachern, Gallo and Gaertner have been appointed by Mayoralty Decree.
There are other examples.
I think the picture is clear.
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
The Road is a Ribbon
Richardson Drive re-construction project is almost complete. All that's needed now are driveways and lovely green sod. It has never looked more beautiful.
There now ... I have revealed my bias. I favour neat and tidy and curves and slopes. I don't think it's safe for children to share roadways with heavy traffic. I remember repeat requests for sidewalks on Richardson Drive. The answer was always the same. Local Improvement. It meant if they wanted it, homeowners had to pay extra tax to cover the cost.
The current project includes Richardson, Webster,Patrick,Hutchinson and Lee Gate. About two hundred homes in all. The cost ? $2.7 million. Works out to the unit same price as the contract for Knowles Crescent.
More than three times the number of homes . Many more driveway inclines .
There have been no ridiculous threats of law suits against the town. No frenzied appeals for Mayor Morris and MacEachern to rush to the rescue. No fat cheques to be distributed to five homeowners from the town treasury in time for Christmas.
One driveway on Knowles Crescent is still not paved. Grit and gravel washes onto the road and down into the new storm sewer. Ultimately and undoubtedly not to good effect.
At least seven feet at the end of every driveway is town property. The town takes responsibility for that section.
Driveways are required to be paved in new subdivisions . Storm sewers need to be kept clear to serve their purpose.
Courtesy of Council, against staff advice, the town handed over taxpayers' money for that driveway on Knowles Crescent to be paid.
It isn't.
.
There now ... I have revealed my bias. I favour neat and tidy and curves and slopes. I don't think it's safe for children to share roadways with heavy traffic. I remember repeat requests for sidewalks on Richardson Drive. The answer was always the same. Local Improvement. It meant if they wanted it, homeowners had to pay extra tax to cover the cost.
The current project includes Richardson, Webster,Patrick,Hutchinson and Lee Gate. About two hundred homes in all. The cost ? $2.7 million. Works out to the unit same price as the contract for Knowles Crescent.
More than three times the number of homes . Many more driveway inclines .
There have been no ridiculous threats of law suits against the town. No frenzied appeals for Mayor Morris and MacEachern to rush to the rescue. No fat cheques to be distributed to five homeowners from the town treasury in time for Christmas.
One driveway on Knowles Crescent is still not paved. Grit and gravel washes onto the road and down into the new storm sewer. Ultimately and undoubtedly not to good effect.
At least seven feet at the end of every driveway is town property. The town takes responsibility for that section.
Driveways are required to be paved in new subdivisions . Storm sewers need to be kept clear to serve their purpose.
Courtesy of Council, against staff advice, the town handed over taxpayers' money for that driveway on Knowles Crescent to be paid.
It isn't.
.
Saturday, 19 September 2009
People are Asking
Why has The Auroran been served with the Notice of Intent.
It has to do with the law of libel.
I cannot speak with the authority of legal counsel.
But I can say Ron Wallace is a good friend . My reputation is safe in his hands.
It has to do with the law of libel.
I cannot speak with the authority of legal counsel.
But I can say Ron Wallace is a good friend . My reputation is safe in his hands.
Friday, 18 September 2009
Heather's Note - The Website is Down
Evelyn's main website at www.evelynbuck.com is temporarily offline. We're sorry for any inconvenience. You can still reach the blog at www.evelynmbuck.blogspot.com
Thanks!
Thanks!
Rules for Orderly and Civil Debate.
They have been in place since the first British House of Commons in which Oliver Cromwell. figured prominently.
Over the centuries, there have been amendments but the principle remains the same. The right of each member to be heard is enshrined.
Civility is essential The rules have withstood the test. No organisation attempts to function without them. Lacking respect and consistent application, rules can be perverted and corrupted.
Mayhem ensues. As it did on Tuesday. People often ask how I endure. Well I do . But not always with equanimity.
It was not the first time the obstruction has been used. But it was a perfect example and for a change, I was not the target.
Councillor McRoberts properly filed notice of intent of two motions. They were listed as business to be decided. The Agenda was circulated. The public were apprised. The Agenda was approved by resolution.
When a Councillor is recognised by the chair, he is entitled to speak without interruption which has the effect of putting the speaker off his stride. It causes extreme irritation and is quite likely to cause an uncivil reaction. Ergo ... the rule.
When a point of order is raised, the speaker must stop speaking and take his seat until the point has been stated .
(Parliamentary rules also call for the member to rise and address the chair when speaking).
The point of order shall be stated clearly and succinctly. The member raising the point shall take his seat.
The chair shall rule either to accept or reject the point raised.
The chair's ruling may be challenged.
The chair shall put the challenge to a vote.
On Tuesday, MacEachern interrupted McRoberts as soon as he started to speak .She argued the
motion was a re-consideration of a previous motion and could not be considered at this time
The Chair accepted the point . The ruling was challenged and supported by the usual majority.
Responsibility for compiling the items of business to be dealt with rests with the Director of Corporate Services.
If the motion was a re-consideration, it was the responsibility of the Clerk not to place it on the agenda and advise the councillor accordingly.
That is not what happened. The motion was properly before the council .
Councillor McRoberts had prepared himself well. He knew the rules. .
No matter .
With Morris in the chair and MacEachern at her elbow, rules or no rules, nothing is permitted to happen or not to happen save and except it comes from the " inner circle of power"
I looked up the word "Oligarchy" in the dictionary this morning. It says; " a government in which a small group exercises control for corrupt or selfish purposes"
I think that just about captures the essence.
Without a single shot being fired, rights have been sucked right out from under us.
Over the centuries, there have been amendments but the principle remains the same. The right of each member to be heard is enshrined.
Civility is essential The rules have withstood the test. No organisation attempts to function without them. Lacking respect and consistent application, rules can be perverted and corrupted.
Mayhem ensues. As it did on Tuesday. People often ask how I endure. Well I do . But not always with equanimity.
It was not the first time the obstruction has been used. But it was a perfect example and for a change, I was not the target.
Councillor McRoberts properly filed notice of intent of two motions. They were listed as business to be decided. The Agenda was circulated. The public were apprised. The Agenda was approved by resolution.
When a Councillor is recognised by the chair, he is entitled to speak without interruption which has the effect of putting the speaker off his stride. It causes extreme irritation and is quite likely to cause an uncivil reaction. Ergo ... the rule.
When a point of order is raised, the speaker must stop speaking and take his seat until the point has been stated .
(Parliamentary rules also call for the member to rise and address the chair when speaking).
The point of order shall be stated clearly and succinctly. The member raising the point shall take his seat.
The chair shall rule either to accept or reject the point raised.
The chair's ruling may be challenged.
The chair shall put the challenge to a vote.
On Tuesday, MacEachern interrupted McRoberts as soon as he started to speak .She argued the
motion was a re-consideration of a previous motion and could not be considered at this time
The Chair accepted the point . The ruling was challenged and supported by the usual majority.
Responsibility for compiling the items of business to be dealt with rests with the Director of Corporate Services.
If the motion was a re-consideration, it was the responsibility of the Clerk not to place it on the agenda and advise the councillor accordingly.
That is not what happened. The motion was properly before the council .
Councillor McRoberts had prepared himself well. He knew the rules. .
No matter .
With Morris in the chair and MacEachern at her elbow, rules or no rules, nothing is permitted to happen or not to happen save and except it comes from the " inner circle of power"
I looked up the word "Oligarchy" in the dictionary this morning. It says; " a government in which a small group exercises control for corrupt or selfish purposes"
I think that just about captures the essence.
Without a single shot being fired, rights have been sucked right out from under us.
Update on Litigation Fund
With true scrupulosity of an amateur, I attempted to create a process to ensure everyone contributing to the litigation fund knows there is ample oversight and the money will be used only for the purpose intended.
For good and solid reasons , various requirements for political neutrality take precedence and the original plan is not in place.
There is a bank account. I won't mention the name now in case something else unexpected happens. Now only Grace and myself will be signers. Donations can come to us whichever way contributors find most convenient. We will acknowledge them so you know they've been safely received.
Thanks again for the overwhelming expressions of support.
For good and solid reasons , various requirements for political neutrality take precedence and the original plan is not in place.
There is a bank account. I won't mention the name now in case something else unexpected happens. Now only Grace and myself will be signers. Donations can come to us whichever way contributors find most convenient. We will acknowledge them so you know they've been safely received.
Thanks again for the overwhelming expressions of support.
Thursday, 17 September 2009
Leaders of My Time. Politicians All
Winston Spencer Churchill
Franklin Roosevelt
Mahatma Gandhi
Golda Meier
Pope John the Twenty-third
John F.Kennedy
Martin Luther King
Nelson Mandela
Mother Theresa
Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Mikhail Gorbachev
Each had a clear vision of their objective with ability to inspire others to see it as they did.
They had focus .
They were in the right place at the right time. The world is a better place because of them.
Franklin Roosevelt
Mahatma Gandhi
Golda Meier
Pope John the Twenty-third
John F.Kennedy
Martin Luther King
Nelson Mandela
Mother Theresa
Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Mikhail Gorbachev
Each had a clear vision of their objective with ability to inspire others to see it as they did.
They had focus .
They were in the right place at the right time. The world is a better place because of them.
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Last Night's Meeting
Was extraordinary. The five constant adherents to the Mayor's doctrine, responded in turn to the Decision of The Integrity Commissioner. Then the Mayor took centre stage.
A passionate declaration of devotion to town and staff. and a pitiful lament for the unfairness of current circumstances was delivered.
A Cease and Desist Order against Defamation was held aloft to indicate why Her Worship could not explain the dismissal of the Integrity Commissioner after his dismissal of their complaint .
The Mayor cited a list of discussion dates between herself, the town solicitor and the Commissioner, to support her contention his dismissal from office took place prior to his dismissal of the complaint.
In his report, on the other hand, the Commissioner cites evidence of "political interference" with the authority provided under Provincial Regulations and the Code of Conduct.
The Code was frequently referenced throughout the evening.
It was Councillor McRoberts who made the point that Provincial Regulations take precedence over municipal bylaws in his motion for a Transparency and Accountability Committee to be created.
His logic failed to resonate with the points of order interruption technique and faulty rulings used regularly to sabotage the efforts of anyone not belonging to the "inner circle of power"on the Council.
The resolution that passed bore no resemblance to the original. Additional work is referred to staff.
The Town Solicitor has been compelled to shoulder responsibilities of Acting Director of Corporate Services as well as his own.
The Chief Administrative Officer is doubling as Acting Deputy Clerk.
It may be assumed the situation is fraught with potential for mistakes. Yet , without a Director of Corporate Services or a Deputy Clerk on hand , there is no option.
Council should not be creating extra work during this crisis.
A passionate declaration of devotion to town and staff. and a pitiful lament for the unfairness of current circumstances was delivered.
A Cease and Desist Order against Defamation was held aloft to indicate why Her Worship could not explain the dismissal of the Integrity Commissioner after his dismissal of their complaint .
The Mayor cited a list of discussion dates between herself, the town solicitor and the Commissioner, to support her contention his dismissal from office took place prior to his dismissal of the complaint.
In his report, on the other hand, the Commissioner cites evidence of "political interference" with the authority provided under Provincial Regulations and the Code of Conduct.
The Code was frequently referenced throughout the evening.
It was Councillor McRoberts who made the point that Provincial Regulations take precedence over municipal bylaws in his motion for a Transparency and Accountability Committee to be created.
His logic failed to resonate with the points of order interruption technique and faulty rulings used regularly to sabotage the efforts of anyone not belonging to the "inner circle of power"on the Council.
The resolution that passed bore no resemblance to the original. Additional work is referred to staff.
The Town Solicitor has been compelled to shoulder responsibilities of Acting Director of Corporate Services as well as his own.
The Chief Administrative Officer is doubling as Acting Deputy Clerk.
It may be assumed the situation is fraught with potential for mistakes. Yet , without a Director of Corporate Services or a Deputy Clerk on hand , there is no option.
Council should not be creating extra work during this crisis.
Monday, 14 September 2009
Rib Fest
It was like the June Street Sale. The venue was totally transformed. Normally the park is a quiet green basin. Commercial buildings on Yonge Street back on to it. North and south sides have road frontage and the western edge abuts backyards of homes.
On Friday night it was like "Brigadoon", the musical featuring a Scottish village that appears out of the mist for twenty-four hours every hundred years.
The crowd was enormous. A colourful structure accommodating all the different rib vendors, rose high into the indigo blue and cyclamen pink sky of the setting sun. Toe-tapping, hand clapping music entertained us. The Ferris Wheel was a gigantic star in the background.
Every picnic table had family and friends crowded around . People cheerfully lined up to be served. The Bloomin Onion had be shared. It was amazing.
Many carried food off home to enjoy. Friends from other places were recognised and cheerfully greeted..
Shelley Ware , our town's special events co-ordinator organised this event .
Kudos to Shelley.
Parks department staff were busy scooping garbage bags as they filled making sure there were no spill -overs. People carried their empty food containers to the receptacles and that was good to see.
Many citizens came forward:
"You don't know me Mrs. Buck. But I want you to know I am behind you one hundred per cent."
There were tears when one said; " We are so proud of you Evelyn"
In any community , there is room for differences of opinion. It has to be.
Taking legal action is daunting . It will take time for the issue to be decided.
Knowing there is understanding and support in the community makes all the difference.
On Friday night it was like "Brigadoon", the musical featuring a Scottish village that appears out of the mist for twenty-four hours every hundred years.
The crowd was enormous. A colourful structure accommodating all the different rib vendors, rose high into the indigo blue and cyclamen pink sky of the setting sun. Toe-tapping, hand clapping music entertained us. The Ferris Wheel was a gigantic star in the background.
Every picnic table had family and friends crowded around . People cheerfully lined up to be served. The Bloomin Onion had be shared. It was amazing.
Many carried food off home to enjoy. Friends from other places were recognised and cheerfully greeted..
Shelley Ware , our town's special events co-ordinator organised this event .
Kudos to Shelley.
Parks department staff were busy scooping garbage bags as they filled making sure there were no spill -overs. People carried their empty food containers to the receptacles and that was good to see.
Many citizens came forward:
"You don't know me Mrs. Buck. But I want you to know I am behind you one hundred per cent."
There were tears when one said; " We are so proud of you Evelyn"
In any community , there is room for differences of opinion. It has to be.
Taking legal action is daunting . It will take time for the issue to be decided.
Knowing there is understanding and support in the community makes all the difference.
Saturday, 12 September 2009
Here's what I have learned
I can't tell you much. The task has been assigned to Kevin MacDonald. I must say nothing to hinder him.
There are time limits for things to happen.
From council experience, I know once there is a hint of litigation by the town or against, council members are required to refrain from making any comments whatsoever
The corporation "must be saved harmless". It is the sworn duty of corporation officials.
A process known as "Examination for discovery"takes place. It involves examination of all documents submitted in support of the argument.
I think there must be agreement or acceptance at that point. Like choosing weapons in a duel.
Then the documents become a matter of public record.
Obviously sufficient time must be allowed.
The parties were served on September 8th, 2009.
Apart from what is already known, no outline of the argument will be public until after the examination for discovery.
There are time limits for things to happen.
From council experience, I know once there is a hint of litigation by the town or against, council members are required to refrain from making any comments whatsoever
The corporation "must be saved harmless". It is the sworn duty of corporation officials.
A process known as "Examination for discovery"takes place. It involves examination of all documents submitted in support of the argument.
I think there must be agreement or acceptance at that point. Like choosing weapons in a duel.
Then the documents become a matter of public record.
Obviously sufficient time must be allowed.
The parties were served on September 8th, 2009.
Apart from what is already known, no outline of the argument will be public until after the examination for discovery.
The Evelyn Buck Litigation Account
Has been established. It turned out to be complicated and took several phone calls and visits but finally we have an account
It's at the Bank of Nova Scotia in the Canadian Tire Shopping Centre.
We are not a charitable organisation. So it can't be that kind of an account. It's not personal. So it can't be that. It 's a business account...kind of.
The important thing is it must be seen for what it is; a fund established for a specific purpose and used for no other.
It must have three names on the account. Two signatures must be on cheques. None of which can be mine or my uncle's.Which is fortunate because I no longer have an uncle. Not here, nor anywhere.
I asked the bank manager about a name for the account. he said; "You can call it anything as long as it doesn't offend people."
I told him someone had suggested "Justice for Evelyn" .
He promptly replied; " that might offend people"
Momentarily I reflected; "what does he mean by that "
I cannot sign cheques but I can make deposits. Contributors cannot directly deposit to the bank account.
Grace Marsh, Ken Banks and myself and whoever else in the loop will funnel cheques through.
Grace is in charge of the cheque book .She will be guiding me in whatever I need to know. Grace knows all about financial stuff.
If or when we find a convenient location for donations to be dropped off, I will post it.
I've never done anything like this before. I'm not sure anyone has. If it wasn't for Grace, I would be feeling awkward.
I have no idea how long things will take to conclude. Nor what the cost will be. If funds are left over, they will be donated to a worthy cause.
Ken is busy all the time supporting wherever support is needed. Ken told us how, with the help of Staples, a thousand back to school kits have been made up and distributed where there is a need.That's a lot of work. And a lot of help.
I very much appreciate all the strong support already indicated whether with resources or encouragement.
Together, we will take our town back.
It's at the Bank of Nova Scotia in the Canadian Tire Shopping Centre.
We are not a charitable organisation. So it can't be that kind of an account. It's not personal. So it can't be that. It 's a business account...kind of.
The important thing is it must be seen for what it is; a fund established for a specific purpose and used for no other.
It must have three names on the account. Two signatures must be on cheques. None of which can be mine or my uncle's.Which is fortunate because I no longer have an uncle. Not here, nor anywhere.
I asked the bank manager about a name for the account. he said; "You can call it anything as long as it doesn't offend people."
I told him someone had suggested "Justice for Evelyn" .
He promptly replied; " that might offend people"
Momentarily I reflected; "what does he mean by that "
I cannot sign cheques but I can make deposits. Contributors cannot directly deposit to the bank account.
Grace Marsh, Ken Banks and myself and whoever else in the loop will funnel cheques through.
Grace is in charge of the cheque book .She will be guiding me in whatever I need to know. Grace knows all about financial stuff.
If or when we find a convenient location for donations to be dropped off, I will post it.
I've never done anything like this before. I'm not sure anyone has. If it wasn't for Grace, I would be feeling awkward.
I have no idea how long things will take to conclude. Nor what the cost will be. If funds are left over, they will be donated to a worthy cause.
Ken is busy all the time supporting wherever support is needed. Ken told us how, with the help of Staples, a thousand back to school kits have been made up and distributed where there is a need.That's a lot of work. And a lot of help.
I very much appreciate all the strong support already indicated whether with resources or encouragement.
Together, we will take our town back.
Friday, 11 September 2009
Factually Correct
At another "Special" Meeting of Council on Tuesday , three Bylaws were passed. Christopher Cooper, Town solicitor, was appointed Acting Clerk of the Municipality. Former Clerk, Lucille King , after thirty years in municipal service, "retired" nine months into a five year contract with the Town of Aurora, having given three weeks notice.
The Town's previous Clerk, Bob Panizza. gave the town nine months notice of his intention to retire. His purpose was to provide sufficient time to recruit a replacement and have a person
in the job with sufficient time to absorb the corporate culture and operating affairs of the town. .
Mr. Garbe. Chief Administrator and Ms Boychuk,were also appointed to act as Deputy Clerks.
The Clerk's office is pivotal to the municipal operation. Everything swirls around it. That the job can be accomplished on a shared basis by the town solicitor even for a short period is not conceivable
There are no alternatives. There are no other resources.
The town solicitor's office was vacant for almost a year before it was filled. Some candidates withdrew from the competition The legal department functioned for a year with the help of external legal services.
Mr. Gutteridge submitted his resignation the day Mr. Garbe started in the office of Chief Administrative Officer. Immediately following his introduction to Mr. Garbe a one-sided exchange took place apparently with the Mayor. Mr Gutteridge's resignation immediately followed.
Mr. Gutteridge gave three months notice. He stayed until the budget was completed.
No recruitment took place. Instead Mr.Garbe announce Mr. Dan Elliot's appointment on a twelve month interim contract.
A couple on months ago, I made a request to Mr. Cooper to receive the legal costs for the two and a half years of the term. I was politely informed I would receive them. Would I mind if Mr.Cooper spoke to Mr Garbe first. No, I said. But I would mind if I did not receive the figures.
A few days later, I was again informed the figures were forthcoming , but they would take a couple of days to put to-gether. I knew that was not so. But my intent was to receive information. not create confrontation. I let it pass.
Next there was a presentation of an interim finance report in a council meeting. Councillors expressed great appreciation and the Treasurer was highly commended. Before the report was received, a resolution by Councillor Wilson seconded by Councillor MacEachern directed the Treasurer on a method of reporting legal expenditures.
Subsequently. I received an e-mail from Mr. Cooper. In view of the resolution passed by Council he would be unable to provide figures for legal costs as requested.
At Tuesday's General Committee Meeting, on a motion to receive the recent decision of the Integrity Commissioner, Councillor Wilson noted people were asking questions about legal costs. He stated he accepted the Director's decision and the question of cost should be answered.
The Mayor was authorised by resolution to write her own statement, "to clarify" matters surrounding the Integrity Comissioner's decision.
The mayor is not known for writing independent statements. A solicitor is often involved.
The resolution will be ratified at Tuesday's Council meeting. Maybe Councillor Wilson's intention for costs to be shown will be included.
I don't know if I dreamed it last night or heard it in the melee of information coming at me yesterday, but I believe George Rust D'Eye has been appointed Integrity Commissioner to the City of Hamilton.
Mr. Rust D'Eye is the solicitor who provided a Code of Conduct solution to Auora Council
in 2007 for the problem of a never-attempted-to-be- proven leak of information from an in-camera meeting three months after the decision was made and long after it should have been reported out in public..
That's the one when we refused to sell land we had for sale to the Region to establish the Regional Police Headquarters in Aurora. They offered the appraised value of the land. I told you about that already.
Mr. Rust D'Eye recommended the solution because it provides for penalties to be imposed on elected representatives. The Mayor has several times indicated Mr. Rust D'Eye helped to write the Code of Conduct.
The Town's previous Clerk, Bob Panizza. gave the town nine months notice of his intention to retire. His purpose was to provide sufficient time to recruit a replacement and have a person
in the job with sufficient time to absorb the corporate culture and operating affairs of the town. .
Mr. Garbe. Chief Administrator and Ms Boychuk,were also appointed to act as Deputy Clerks.
The Clerk's office is pivotal to the municipal operation. Everything swirls around it. That the job can be accomplished on a shared basis by the town solicitor even for a short period is not conceivable
There are no alternatives. There are no other resources.
The town solicitor's office was vacant for almost a year before it was filled. Some candidates withdrew from the competition The legal department functioned for a year with the help of external legal services.
Mr. Gutteridge submitted his resignation the day Mr. Garbe started in the office of Chief Administrative Officer. Immediately following his introduction to Mr. Garbe a one-sided exchange took place apparently with the Mayor. Mr Gutteridge's resignation immediately followed.
Mr. Gutteridge gave three months notice. He stayed until the budget was completed.
No recruitment took place. Instead Mr.Garbe announce Mr. Dan Elliot's appointment on a twelve month interim contract.
A couple on months ago, I made a request to Mr. Cooper to receive the legal costs for the two and a half years of the term. I was politely informed I would receive them. Would I mind if Mr.Cooper spoke to Mr Garbe first. No, I said. But I would mind if I did not receive the figures.
A few days later, I was again informed the figures were forthcoming , but they would take a couple of days to put to-gether. I knew that was not so. But my intent was to receive information. not create confrontation. I let it pass.
Next there was a presentation of an interim finance report in a council meeting. Councillors expressed great appreciation and the Treasurer was highly commended. Before the report was received, a resolution by Councillor Wilson seconded by Councillor MacEachern directed the Treasurer on a method of reporting legal expenditures.
Subsequently. I received an e-mail from Mr. Cooper. In view of the resolution passed by Council he would be unable to provide figures for legal costs as requested.
At Tuesday's General Committee Meeting, on a motion to receive the recent decision of the Integrity Commissioner, Councillor Wilson noted people were asking questions about legal costs. He stated he accepted the Director's decision and the question of cost should be answered.
The Mayor was authorised by resolution to write her own statement, "to clarify" matters surrounding the Integrity Comissioner's decision.
The mayor is not known for writing independent statements. A solicitor is often involved.
The resolution will be ratified at Tuesday's Council meeting. Maybe Councillor Wilson's intention for costs to be shown will be included.
I don't know if I dreamed it last night or heard it in the melee of information coming at me yesterday, but I believe George Rust D'Eye has been appointed Integrity Commissioner to the City of Hamilton.
Mr. Rust D'Eye is the solicitor who provided a Code of Conduct solution to Auora Council
in 2007 for the problem of a never-attempted-to-be- proven leak of information from an in-camera meeting three months after the decision was made and long after it should have been reported out in public..
That's the one when we refused to sell land we had for sale to the Region to establish the Regional Police Headquarters in Aurora. They offered the appraised value of the land. I told you about that already.
Mr. Rust D'Eye recommended the solution because it provides for penalties to be imposed on elected representatives. The Mayor has several times indicated Mr. Rust D'Eye helped to write the Code of Conduct.
Thursday, 10 September 2009
It's a New Day
I learned the craft of politics over many years. By trial and error and from people who knew more than I did. It has been an abiding passion and appreciation for the opportunity to act as spokesperson
Politics is about the right of people to be heard. I do it passing fair. I meet my own expectations.
I don't need a lawyer to tell me how to do it.
Law is the same field but a different level... A separate discipline... I choose the word advisedly. Politics is not a discipline. By it's nature it must be free.
I know enough about law to know that what I don't know is sufficient to require guidance and accept direction.
I trust my instincts.
When a decision stares me in the face, I know it's right .
Legal action is necessary in our situation. We may be first to travel along this path.
It will be a learning experience I intend to share. There will be an opportunity to help and that will be set up before the week-end.
Chris Sorley was called. Chris served on Council for a single term. He made a strong impression. I was disappointed when he decided not to run a second time
But Chris practices family law . He recommended Kevin MacDonald " a damned good litigation lawyer". The comment has been repeated several times since.
So Young Kevin is our man.
There have been several satisfying conversations already. He is a step ahead of me all the time. I like that.
In time, I will have a better sense of what I can say and what not.
For now, bear with me.
But make no mistake.
We are serious .
We will see it through .
.
Politics is about the right of people to be heard. I do it passing fair. I meet my own expectations.
I don't need a lawyer to tell me how to do it.
Law is the same field but a different level... A separate discipline... I choose the word advisedly. Politics is not a discipline. By it's nature it must be free.
I know enough about law to know that what I don't know is sufficient to require guidance and accept direction.
I trust my instincts.
When a decision stares me in the face, I know it's right .
Legal action is necessary in our situation. We may be first to travel along this path.
It will be a learning experience I intend to share. There will be an opportunity to help and that will be set up before the week-end.
Chris Sorley was called. Chris served on Council for a single term. He made a strong impression. I was disappointed when he decided not to run a second time
But Chris practices family law . He recommended Kevin MacDonald " a damned good litigation lawyer". The comment has been repeated several times since.
So Young Kevin is our man.
There have been several satisfying conversations already. He is a step ahead of me all the time. I like that.
In time, I will have a better sense of what I can say and what not.
For now, bear with me.
But make no mistake.
We are serious .
We will see it through .
.
Wednesday, 9 September 2009
The Mad Hatters Tea Party
Politics never is like a Sunday School Picnic .The Boston Tea Party wasn't either. But the 2007-10 term of Aurora Council has been like the Mad Hatter's Tea Party from Alice and Wonderland. The nonsensical overwhelms the sensible. Lurking elements from previous Councils became prevalent in this one. Real malice took a seat at the table.
I have consulted a solicitor and accepted his advice. Ms Morris and her five constant supporters have been served with Notice of My Intent to Take Legal Action against them.
This first step was not taken lightly. Nor for myself alone. Many people have been harmed during this term by the last body of authority a reasonable person might expect.. Town resources have been expended wantonly for no good purpose. People are frustrated and outraged by disrespect accorded to them.
There needs to be accountability. There must be consequences.
We are a small community. If things can't be done right here,they can't be done right anywhere.
That, I do not accept.
I have consulted a solicitor and accepted his advice. Ms Morris and her five constant supporters have been served with Notice of My Intent to Take Legal Action against them.
This first step was not taken lightly. Nor for myself alone. Many people have been harmed during this term by the last body of authority a reasonable person might expect.. Town resources have been expended wantonly for no good purpose. People are frustrated and outraged by disrespect accorded to them.
There needs to be accountability. There must be consequences.
We are a small community. If things can't be done right here,they can't be done right anywhere.
That, I do not accept.
Monday, 7 September 2009
My First Fight on Council
A resident with status obtained a residential building permit. The property was on Yonge Street.
The fee for connecting town services was several times more for residential than industrial. When it came time to connect to services, he asked for the lesser rate for industrial.
The request came to Council. Everybody was agreeable except myself. The applicant was a congenial individual and had contributed to the community. But I argued against the lower fee.The property is either residential or industrial. It can't be both. The residential fee was the right one.
The debate was public and the merits of my argument stood the test.
Afterwards a veteran Councillor commented ,in my hearing, "She doesn't have a nickel so she's jealous of someone who does"
My social status or perceived lack thereof was regularly commented on then too. It's what unintelligent people do because they have nothing else to offer.
It was an early lesson in what to expect when I took a position contrary to the majority.
I was undeterred.
The term of office was two years. The position of Reeve became vacant. Two veterans declared themselves. They knocked on doors early in my neighbourhood. The word came back that they were advising residents not to vote for me again.
I decided if I had to fight them, it might as well be for the office they were contending. I became the last Reeve of Aurora with more votes than the two of them combined.
Readers often ask how I stand up to the constant barrage of disrespect
It's not hard. It's part and parcel of politics though not usually so shameless. It illustrates a desperate dearth of understanding of how the average voter feels about their right to select a council.
I am never alone. The people who cast their vote in my favour in the last election are with me always..
And Blog is my friend and supporter.
Being able to fill in bits and pieces which would otherwise never become known is a great source of comfort and satisfaction. Of course it infuriates the Mormac team and their supporters. More so because the info I provide cannot be refuted. I never put words into their mouths. They never fail to oblige me.
Even a custom-designed Code of Conduct with the "penalties" they so crave has not served their purpose .
I have kind of an old-fashioned opinion about " acceptable" conduct for elected officials.. If a mature adult needs to consult a manual for good behaviour, he certainly does not merit a vote based on trust or judgement.
Pshaw.
As for accountability ... that's what elections are about. But four years between them is too damned long.
The fee for connecting town services was several times more for residential than industrial. When it came time to connect to services, he asked for the lesser rate for industrial.
The request came to Council. Everybody was agreeable except myself. The applicant was a congenial individual and had contributed to the community. But I argued against the lower fee.The property is either residential or industrial. It can't be both. The residential fee was the right one.
The debate was public and the merits of my argument stood the test.
Afterwards a veteran Councillor commented ,in my hearing, "She doesn't have a nickel so she's jealous of someone who does"
My social status or perceived lack thereof was regularly commented on then too. It's what unintelligent people do because they have nothing else to offer.
It was an early lesson in what to expect when I took a position contrary to the majority.
I was undeterred.
The term of office was two years. The position of Reeve became vacant. Two veterans declared themselves. They knocked on doors early in my neighbourhood. The word came back that they were advising residents not to vote for me again.
I decided if I had to fight them, it might as well be for the office they were contending. I became the last Reeve of Aurora with more votes than the two of them combined.
Readers often ask how I stand up to the constant barrage of disrespect
It's not hard. It's part and parcel of politics though not usually so shameless. It illustrates a desperate dearth of understanding of how the average voter feels about their right to select a council.
I am never alone. The people who cast their vote in my favour in the last election are with me always..
And Blog is my friend and supporter.
Being able to fill in bits and pieces which would otherwise never become known is a great source of comfort and satisfaction. Of course it infuriates the Mormac team and their supporters. More so because the info I provide cannot be refuted. I never put words into their mouths. They never fail to oblige me.
Even a custom-designed Code of Conduct with the "penalties" they so crave has not served their purpose .
I have kind of an old-fashioned opinion about " acceptable" conduct for elected officials.. If a mature adult needs to consult a manual for good behaviour, he certainly does not merit a vote based on trust or judgement.
Pshaw.
As for accountability ... that's what elections are about. But four years between them is too damned long.
Monday, 31 August 2009
An Election is a Celebration
of the rights, privileges and responsibilities we enjoy as citizens of this beautiful country.
It's a positive event. It's about choosing people. Not about rejecting them. A candidate cannot be defeated. A candidate must be elected.
It's why a sense of what a candidate is about is all important. Elections are different at the municipal level. Better. A member of council has the opportunity to exercise independent judgement and is personally accountable for the vote he or she casts .A citizen has the right to influence the vote.
An incumbent has an edge because of experience and familiarity. It can be about popularity but only if it's earned. It can be about respect but that too must be earned.
A candidate must make his or her intentions known sooner rather than later. Time is of the essence. There's never enough.
Those who vote, don't do so lightly.Whatever the reasons for their choice, it's theirs to make. Choosing eight names out of twenty is not simple. Choosing one or two is and it's always an option.
When a voter picks one or two with the opportunity to choose eight names that's an opportunity lost. A ballot marked randomly is equally squandered.
A friendly, respectful face at the door or a voice on the phone can make the difference.
Nothing is appreciated more than a personal request for support. It's a mark of respect. Do not ask for a declaration. Voters are jealous of their right to a secret ballot. If they want to talk ...listen. You need to know what people are thinking .
Even if people have no intention of voting, they are civil when approached. Keep in mind, they are not sitting in their homes waiting for a knock on the door or a phone call. Don't impose. If they give you time, tell them about yourself and what you think. It must be relevant.
They want to know your perception of issues . They want to hear your ideas for solutions. They want to form an impression of who you are.You owe it when you ask for their vote
A candidate must be prepared to make an investment in time and resources. People expect it.
Money isn't enough. Mostly it's time. Time to pay attention to the town's affairs and to show awareness. Time to seek out details and propose credible solutions.
People don't expect new candidates to have experience. But serious effort is expected .They allow time to learn. A chosen candidate is an investment in hope and trust. Interest is keen and constant. Scores are kept.
Signs of growth encourages the voter to believe in their own judgement. No visibility is curious and disappointing. Bluff and bluster without substance are not appreciated.
Never....never.... underestimate the attention or political intuition of the average citizen.
Arrogant abuse of delegated power, if broadly perceived, generates a powerful sense of betrayal and distrust. There are consequences.
The circle closes. And another election is held.
It's a positive event. It's about choosing people. Not about rejecting them. A candidate cannot be defeated. A candidate must be elected.
It's why a sense of what a candidate is about is all important. Elections are different at the municipal level. Better. A member of council has the opportunity to exercise independent judgement and is personally accountable for the vote he or she casts .A citizen has the right to influence the vote.
An incumbent has an edge because of experience and familiarity. It can be about popularity but only if it's earned. It can be about respect but that too must be earned.
A candidate must make his or her intentions known sooner rather than later. Time is of the essence. There's never enough.
Those who vote, don't do so lightly.Whatever the reasons for their choice, it's theirs to make. Choosing eight names out of twenty is not simple. Choosing one or two is and it's always an option.
When a voter picks one or two with the opportunity to choose eight names that's an opportunity lost. A ballot marked randomly is equally squandered.
A friendly, respectful face at the door or a voice on the phone can make the difference.
Nothing is appreciated more than a personal request for support. It's a mark of respect. Do not ask for a declaration. Voters are jealous of their right to a secret ballot. If they want to talk ...listen. You need to know what people are thinking .
Even if people have no intention of voting, they are civil when approached. Keep in mind, they are not sitting in their homes waiting for a knock on the door or a phone call. Don't impose. If they give you time, tell them about yourself and what you think. It must be relevant.
They want to know your perception of issues . They want to hear your ideas for solutions. They want to form an impression of who you are.You owe it when you ask for their vote
A candidate must be prepared to make an investment in time and resources. People expect it.
Money isn't enough. Mostly it's time. Time to pay attention to the town's affairs and to show awareness. Time to seek out details and propose credible solutions.
People don't expect new candidates to have experience. But serious effort is expected .They allow time to learn. A chosen candidate is an investment in hope and trust. Interest is keen and constant. Scores are kept.
Signs of growth encourages the voter to believe in their own judgement. No visibility is curious and disappointing. Bluff and bluster without substance are not appreciated.
Never....never.... underestimate the attention or political intuition of the average citizen.
Arrogant abuse of delegated power, if broadly perceived, generates a powerful sense of betrayal and distrust. There are consequences.
The circle closes. And another election is held.
Sunday, 30 August 2009
Privacy
One of my correspondents has asked questions I cannot answer. I do not know the answers. I have not asked. It is not my business.
If I did know, I would not provide them. It's about employees' right to privacy.
Ironically, so much harm has been done that cannot be talked about. Disclosure would create even more harm for the individuals concerned.
If I did know, I would not provide them. It's about employees' right to privacy.
Ironically, so much harm has been done that cannot be talked about. Disclosure would create even more harm for the individuals concerned.
Drat
I spent four hours writing a Blog about what I know about elections.
My computer cut out and I lost it.
I don't have another four hours of today to do it all over again.
It will just have to wait until to-morrow.
My computer cut out and I lost it.
I don't have another four hours of today to do it all over again.
It will just have to wait until to-morrow.
An Answer
We have seen a number of emergency meetings called by the Mayor during this term. In my judgement, the decision of the Director of Corporate Services to leave her post within three short weeks was an extraordinary circumstance. Completely untypical.
When our former Director, Bob Panizza decide to retire at the optimum time for him, he gave the town nine months notice. Ample to find a replacement and have that person in place with sufficient time to allow for smooth transition.
That did not happen. Our new and now departing Director had one week with Mr. Panizza prior to his leave-taking.
Mr. Panizza's long term Deputy, Karen Ewart took her leave from the town very recently. The current deputy has relatively limited hands-on experience and has been absent since the fracas of the Integrity Commissioner's decision being placed in her hands as Acting- Clerk
With three short weeks notice, we are without a Clerk or a logical successor to take her place.
That's an emergency.
Council has not been consulted.
I don't think that's right. But it is the pattern of the Morris/MacEachern administration
When our former Director, Bob Panizza decide to retire at the optimum time for him, he gave the town nine months notice. Ample to find a replacement and have that person in place with sufficient time to allow for smooth transition.
That did not happen. Our new and now departing Director had one week with Mr. Panizza prior to his leave-taking.
Mr. Panizza's long term Deputy, Karen Ewart took her leave from the town very recently. The current deputy has relatively limited hands-on experience and has been absent since the fracas of the Integrity Commissioner's decision being placed in her hands as Acting- Clerk
With three short weeks notice, we are without a Clerk or a logical successor to take her place.
That's an emergency.
Council has not been consulted.
I don't think that's right. But it is the pattern of the Morris/MacEachern administration
Saturday, 29 August 2009
That Was a Week that Was.
Just because nothing appeared in this space didn't mean I wasn't occupied in front of the computer.
There's not much noise emanating from the Town Hall these days. .
The Chief Administrative Officer has informed Council he is appointing an Acting-Clerk to take the Clerk's place when she retreats from the scene on August 31st.That's Monday.
I called the CAO to inquire who the "Acting-Clerk" might be.
This is where keeping you informed as is your right becomes enmeshed in the right to privacy of an employee.
The Town Solicitor will be Acting-Clerk.
Municipal employees are entitled to the same degree of privacy as any others. Even more I think because they are public servants in a small town where they may very well reside...with spouses and children as part of the community.
Still, you are entitled to know about town affairs. But...I must be meticulous.
I have had no conversation with the Clerk since announcement of her retirement. I would not expect disclosure of anything to indicate conflict. Nor would I ask.
Understanding the role of Clerk, I am not surprised the situation became untenable. It has for others.
I have referred before in this space to the Clerk's responsibility to advise council in upholding Bylaws and Provincial Statutes. There are other legal responsibilities as well.
Knowledge, competence and the strength that comes from confidence are all skills needed to keep a council working within the law without a hint of interference from staff in the political process.
Traditionally, the Clerk is seated at the elbow of the presiding member to allow for discreet intervention when necessary. No person can participate in debate without recognition from the Chair. If council debate shows sign of going off the rails, opportunity for subtle input must be available.
Credentials of a Clerk are certified by successful completion of a recognized course of study provided by Queen's University in Kingston.
Until this term, I have never had to consider the many and varied skills of the job. I have never known a Council that failed to acknowledge the Clerk's legal responsibilities and essential advisory role.
So now where are we?
The Clerk returned from two weeks vacation in the second week of August. The day after Council were notified of her pending "retirement" on August 31st.
The previous week, the Deputy-Clerk left the town hall and has not returned since. A series of happenings had taken place.
In reply to an inquiry from Councillor McRoberts, the Deputy-Clerk responded the Integrity Commissioner's decision had been copied on pink paper, placed in plain brown envelopes in each Councillors' box in a secure room.
Twenty minutes later, that advice was" re-called " The envelopes were retrieved from the boxes and the decision was no longer available.
The following day, I attended the Town Hall and requested to speak to the Deputy-Clerk. I had requested the decision be provided the day before without success. I received an e-mail under the Deputy's hand informing me "the decision" would be available at the "Special" meeting called by the Mayor.
The Deputy was in the office when I came to the Town Hall. We did not meet.
Instead, the town solicitor moved back and forth between his office and the Mayor's and finally emerged to inform me, the determination had been made by himself as Acting Chief Administrative Officer that since the Deputy had not been appointed Acting-Clerk by Council, there was no authority to release the document to myself.
Announcement was made of "stripping the director of his powers" following the Mayor's "Special" meeting.
On Monday, the Clerk returned to her office, the Director's decision was provided to me in accordance with the authority that was his to make and the Clerk's responsibility to follow.
On the following day, announcement of the Clerk's "retirement" was circulated.
Despite three week's notice, no recruitment to fill the vacancy commenced. No "Special" meeting of council was called to deal with the emergency.
Despite several month's notice from former Chief Financial Officer.no recruitment took place then either. Notice was given on Jan.5th to take place on April 15th. In an in-camera meeting , in early April, Council were informed a Chief Financial Officer an "Interim" contract of twelve months had been provided with hopeful anticipation the appointment would become permanent.
Despite that such an appointment is made by Bylaw and can only be approved by Council, no previous information was provided, no approval was sought from Council prior to the appointment being made.
Not even behind closed doors.
There's not much noise emanating from the Town Hall these days. .
The Chief Administrative Officer has informed Council he is appointing an Acting-Clerk to take the Clerk's place when she retreats from the scene on August 31st.That's Monday.
I called the CAO to inquire who the "Acting-Clerk" might be.
This is where keeping you informed as is your right becomes enmeshed in the right to privacy of an employee.
The Town Solicitor will be Acting-Clerk.
Municipal employees are entitled to the same degree of privacy as any others. Even more I think because they are public servants in a small town where they may very well reside...with spouses and children as part of the community.
Still, you are entitled to know about town affairs. But...I must be meticulous.
I have had no conversation with the Clerk since announcement of her retirement. I would not expect disclosure of anything to indicate conflict. Nor would I ask.
Understanding the role of Clerk, I am not surprised the situation became untenable. It has for others.
I have referred before in this space to the Clerk's responsibility to advise council in upholding Bylaws and Provincial Statutes. There are other legal responsibilities as well.
Knowledge, competence and the strength that comes from confidence are all skills needed to keep a council working within the law without a hint of interference from staff in the political process.
Traditionally, the Clerk is seated at the elbow of the presiding member to allow for discreet intervention when necessary. No person can participate in debate without recognition from the Chair. If council debate shows sign of going off the rails, opportunity for subtle input must be available.
Credentials of a Clerk are certified by successful completion of a recognized course of study provided by Queen's University in Kingston.
Until this term, I have never had to consider the many and varied skills of the job. I have never known a Council that failed to acknowledge the Clerk's legal responsibilities and essential advisory role.
So now where are we?
The Clerk returned from two weeks vacation in the second week of August. The day after Council were notified of her pending "retirement" on August 31st.
The previous week, the Deputy-Clerk left the town hall and has not returned since. A series of happenings had taken place.
In reply to an inquiry from Councillor McRoberts, the Deputy-Clerk responded the Integrity Commissioner's decision had been copied on pink paper, placed in plain brown envelopes in each Councillors' box in a secure room.
Twenty minutes later, that advice was" re-called " The envelopes were retrieved from the boxes and the decision was no longer available.
The following day, I attended the Town Hall and requested to speak to the Deputy-Clerk. I had requested the decision be provided the day before without success. I received an e-mail under the Deputy's hand informing me "the decision" would be available at the "Special" meeting called by the Mayor.
The Deputy was in the office when I came to the Town Hall. We did not meet.
Instead, the town solicitor moved back and forth between his office and the Mayor's and finally emerged to inform me, the determination had been made by himself as Acting Chief Administrative Officer that since the Deputy had not been appointed Acting-Clerk by Council, there was no authority to release the document to myself.
Announcement was made of "stripping the director of his powers" following the Mayor's "Special" meeting.
On Monday, the Clerk returned to her office, the Director's decision was provided to me in accordance with the authority that was his to make and the Clerk's responsibility to follow.
On the following day, announcement of the Clerk's "retirement" was circulated.
Despite three week's notice, no recruitment to fill the vacancy commenced. No "Special" meeting of council was called to deal with the emergency.
Despite several month's notice from former Chief Financial Officer.no recruitment took place then either. Notice was given on Jan.5th to take place on April 15th. In an in-camera meeting , in early April, Council were informed a Chief Financial Officer an "Interim" contract of twelve months had been provided with hopeful anticipation the appointment would become permanent.
Despite that such an appointment is made by Bylaw and can only be approved by Council, no previous information was provided, no approval was sought from Council prior to the appointment being made.
Not even behind closed doors.
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
All Roads Engineers Should
Be required to spend at least a month relying on a chair on wheels for mobility in order to qualify as road and pavement designers.
If you haven't done it, you have no idea.
I can walk but not comfortably, gracefully or far. I can get about in the house.. Even do some gardening on a bench. I have to make sure the bench is strategically placed so that, in a tilt, I will come to no harm.
Earlier in the summer. I was attacking deep-rooted weeds with a long handled cultivator. Back I went into the cedar hedge. My daughter responded to my harrumph. She laughed. You look like Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz with your hands dangling over the handles she said.
While she laughed, I got myself out.
It's forty years since I visited Montreal. They were peeling asphalt off the cobblestones. How nice, I thought. How authentic! It was like a trip back in time . Like the small stores and tall houses steps up from the sidewalks in St. John's Newfoundland.
Last week my sentiments were different. Cobblestones are a rough ride. Steeply sloping streets and sidewalks are disconcerting. Still the scooter gave me mobility I have not enjoyed for twenty years. I loved it.
Modern Montreal streets have lanes for bicycles, roller blades and skateboards.In Ottawa. the bicycle reigns supreme.In Aurora, we need lanes for bicycles, roller blades, skateboards and mobility scooters.
I saw many people in both cities walking with obvious discomfort, in the heat, who would have benefited from wheels beneath them.
Most definitely design of streets and sidewalks need to be re-thought.
Montreal has bicycles to rent. All over the city, they sit in racks, with meters to release and rent them. You can take in one location ,leave in another and use for only part of an hour.
If a bone rattling experience is what turns you on ,Old Montreal has the best.
Slopes and inclines are reminiscent of Glasgow .The instinct when crossing is to lean away from the slope. I was never confident it was the right move but I got back in one piece .
The city's flag has four M's and floral emblems: Fleur De Lis, Rose, Thistle and a Shamrock.We took a three hour bus tour. The driver was our guide and proud of his city's heritage. There's no better way to get the sense of a place.
We spent a couple of hours in the Ramezay House, absorbing the feeling of life in the sixteen and seventeen hundreds in "the finest" house ever built. Steps are the entry but they had an aluminum ramp to put in place and inside was completely accessible.
We were at the Holiday Inn in the Chinese quarter. The city has more than four. All with distinct identities. I think next time we'll try Italian.
If you haven't done it, you have no idea.
I can walk but not comfortably, gracefully or far. I can get about in the house.. Even do some gardening on a bench. I have to make sure the bench is strategically placed so that, in a tilt, I will come to no harm.
Earlier in the summer. I was attacking deep-rooted weeds with a long handled cultivator. Back I went into the cedar hedge. My daughter responded to my harrumph. She laughed. You look like Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz with your hands dangling over the handles she said.
While she laughed, I got myself out.
It's forty years since I visited Montreal. They were peeling asphalt off the cobblestones. How nice, I thought. How authentic! It was like a trip back in time . Like the small stores and tall houses steps up from the sidewalks in St. John's Newfoundland.
Last week my sentiments were different. Cobblestones are a rough ride. Steeply sloping streets and sidewalks are disconcerting. Still the scooter gave me mobility I have not enjoyed for twenty years. I loved it.
Modern Montreal streets have lanes for bicycles, roller blades and skateboards.In Ottawa. the bicycle reigns supreme.In Aurora, we need lanes for bicycles, roller blades, skateboards and mobility scooters.
I saw many people in both cities walking with obvious discomfort, in the heat, who would have benefited from wheels beneath them.
Most definitely design of streets and sidewalks need to be re-thought.
Montreal has bicycles to rent. All over the city, they sit in racks, with meters to release and rent them. You can take in one location ,leave in another and use for only part of an hour.
If a bone rattling experience is what turns you on ,Old Montreal has the best.
Slopes and inclines are reminiscent of Glasgow .The instinct when crossing is to lean away from the slope. I was never confident it was the right move but I got back in one piece .
The city's flag has four M's and floral emblems: Fleur De Lis, Rose, Thistle and a Shamrock.We took a three hour bus tour. The driver was our guide and proud of his city's heritage. There's no better way to get the sense of a place.
We spent a couple of hours in the Ramezay House, absorbing the feeling of life in the sixteen and seventeen hundreds in "the finest" house ever built. Steps are the entry but they had an aluminum ramp to put in place and inside was completely accessible.
We were at the Holiday Inn in the Chinese quarter. The city has more than four. All with distinct identities. I think next time we'll try Italian.
Sunday, 23 August 2009
I'm Back
I rented a Go-Go scooter and went. The scooter went into the car trunk in four pieces. It's not a big machine. I felt like a Shriner in a Parade but it got me to and fro and round about the Capital in capital form. I stayed at the Marriott .The conference was at the Westin. That meant I tootled up Spark Street and over the hill in front of the Parliament Buildings every morning on my way to work (so-to-speak)
On Wednesday, the last day, I wound my way on the paths in the garden behind the Parliament Buildings .It was a lovely fresh morning and the crowds had already gathered. I've never been inside the buildings. There never seems to be enough time.
Before I left home I contemplated buying a lap-top to provide a running commentary on the conference. I sought a particular model with a price in mind. But the variety overwhelmed me and prices were significant too. Discretion became the better part of valour and decided nothing should be done in a hurry.
There's always something to learn at conferences. I attended workshops. Listened to a number of speeches. Spoke to a few delegates. Saw two former Aurora CAO's and one current
I added up how many we have had altogether. Four were not there. That adds up to seven since the position was first created more than twenty years ago.
Scott Somerville, an interim in the post, told me CAO's tend not to stay more than four or five years. According to our experience then, that's about right.
Scott was appointed when a former CAO left on a month's notice. We were in the process of amalgamating Hydro with Newmarket. We needed someone with proven experience and Scott had that.He had been with Vaughan when Markham and Vaughan amalgamated and bought out Richmond Hill.
We were also not being successful in filling the CAO's position for mostly political reasons. We "invited" someone to leave a position and join our administration. He had not applied. He agreed after more or less writing his own contract.
The contract was for five years with a protection clause if the arrangement went sour. It did.
There are 444 municipalities in Ontario and 444 municipal clerks and deputy clerks.
Around twenty-five per cent have CAO's. When the CAO is absent, the Clerk is appointed Acting CAO.
But when the Clerk is absent, the Deputy-Clerk is the Acting-Clerk. The Clerk can do the CAO's job. The CAO cannot do the Clerk's job.
I was hoping to find someone at the conference who had experience with a Code of Conduct. No luck. With about 6 municipalities out of 444 having such an instrument, it wasn't surprising.
Toronto is not an Association member. They were always threatening to pull out. Membership dues are based on population.Their dues were a large percentage of Association resources. They figured they should have matching clout. It seems they finally made good on their threat and cancelled their membership. The Association has survived and provides a worth-while program.
It's not the same without Toronto though. There's a dynamism missing. They should come back.
Even if it's just so the rest of us can keep track of what they are up to. Outside Toronto, we need to know we are getting our fair share.
I'm not saying "equal". Just that it should be proportionately fair.
Tootling around on a scooter gave a pretty good sense of the state of things in the National Capital.Last time I was there everything was spic and span. Not so any more. I'm probably examining with a critical eye but roads and sidewalks are not in good shape. Weeds are sprouting in the most unlikely places.
I remember when Spark Street was converted to the first Pedestrian Mall. Tiles and interlocking stone were used. I have no idea when it was last re-done but I am under- impressed with the condition.
The drop in the sidewalks for the disabled looks like it was broken off with a hammer and chisel
.
I am not criticising. It's a sign of great burdens, tremendous wear and tear and a lack of maintenance resources.
I don't know nuthin' about their tax rates.
Toronto's infrastructure is shabby as well. Their average taxes are a thousand dollars less than our average. It just doesn't make sense not to protect infrastructure investment.
But Toronto has a Code of Conduct with runaway costs and Councillors who use it to clobber each other.
On Wednesday, the last day, I wound my way on the paths in the garden behind the Parliament Buildings .It was a lovely fresh morning and the crowds had already gathered. I've never been inside the buildings. There never seems to be enough time.
Before I left home I contemplated buying a lap-top to provide a running commentary on the conference. I sought a particular model with a price in mind. But the variety overwhelmed me and prices were significant too. Discretion became the better part of valour and decided nothing should be done in a hurry.
There's always something to learn at conferences. I attended workshops. Listened to a number of speeches. Spoke to a few delegates. Saw two former Aurora CAO's and one current
I added up how many we have had altogether. Four were not there. That adds up to seven since the position was first created more than twenty years ago.
Scott Somerville, an interim in the post, told me CAO's tend not to stay more than four or five years. According to our experience then, that's about right.
Scott was appointed when a former CAO left on a month's notice. We were in the process of amalgamating Hydro with Newmarket. We needed someone with proven experience and Scott had that.He had been with Vaughan when Markham and Vaughan amalgamated and bought out Richmond Hill.
We were also not being successful in filling the CAO's position for mostly political reasons. We "invited" someone to leave a position and join our administration. He had not applied. He agreed after more or less writing his own contract.
The contract was for five years with a protection clause if the arrangement went sour. It did.
There are 444 municipalities in Ontario and 444 municipal clerks and deputy clerks.
Around twenty-five per cent have CAO's. When the CAO is absent, the Clerk is appointed Acting CAO.
But when the Clerk is absent, the Deputy-Clerk is the Acting-Clerk. The Clerk can do the CAO's job. The CAO cannot do the Clerk's job.
I was hoping to find someone at the conference who had experience with a Code of Conduct. No luck. With about 6 municipalities out of 444 having such an instrument, it wasn't surprising.
Toronto is not an Association member. They were always threatening to pull out. Membership dues are based on population.Their dues were a large percentage of Association resources. They figured they should have matching clout. It seems they finally made good on their threat and cancelled their membership. The Association has survived and provides a worth-while program.
It's not the same without Toronto though. There's a dynamism missing. They should come back.
Even if it's just so the rest of us can keep track of what they are up to. Outside Toronto, we need to know we are getting our fair share.
I'm not saying "equal". Just that it should be proportionately fair.
Tootling around on a scooter gave a pretty good sense of the state of things in the National Capital.Last time I was there everything was spic and span. Not so any more. I'm probably examining with a critical eye but roads and sidewalks are not in good shape. Weeds are sprouting in the most unlikely places.
I remember when Spark Street was converted to the first Pedestrian Mall. Tiles and interlocking stone were used. I have no idea when it was last re-done but I am under- impressed with the condition.
The drop in the sidewalks for the disabled looks like it was broken off with a hammer and chisel
.
I am not criticising. It's a sign of great burdens, tremendous wear and tear and a lack of maintenance resources.
I don't know nuthin' about their tax rates.
Toronto's infrastructure is shabby as well. Their average taxes are a thousand dollars less than our average. It just doesn't make sense not to protect infrastructure investment.
But Toronto has a Code of Conduct with runaway costs and Councillors who use it to clobber each other.
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
A Note from Heather
Evelyn is busy at the AMO Conference this week - with little access to email. Comments are piling up - but I know she'll check them all out when she returns.
Sunday, 16 August 2009
For The Record
The Mayor has been making comments about the Decision of the Integrity Commissioner. A statement is promised concurrently with its publication.
On Friday at Five, a phone call was received from the Director of Corporate Services informing Councillors McRoberts and Collins Mrakas they would not receive a copy of the decision because their names were not on the complaint. Of course they were. It was their signatures that were absent.
Mine wasn't there either. But my contention is confirmed that the complaint was filed by six individuals who used town resources to pay for everything. .
Some would call that misappropriation .... or at the very least , abuse of public resources.
There's a clause against that in the Code of Conduct.
Isn't that ridiculous ? As if anybody would be silly enough to think it's alright to use public funds for nefarious purpose and need a Code to spell it out for them.
I won't be filing a complaint though when we get our new Integrity Commissioner. That would be inappropriate use of public funds , don't you think. I'm not big on spending taxpayers' money on stuff that benefits least of all the people who are paying for it.
I am however going to publish the Integrity Commissioner's one and only decision. He managed to get it in before the portcullis came down so all his effort wasn't wasted. We got what we paid for as well and that was a good thing....right.
I have to provide it to the two Councillors who are entitled to have it so I might as well let everyone else have a sneak preview as well. It might help to understand the purpose of the Mayor's statement which is to be presented with the decision. The lawyer will probably write that ... the Mayor's statement that is.
On Friday at Five, a phone call was received from the Director of Corporate Services informing Councillors McRoberts and Collins Mrakas they would not receive a copy of the decision because their names were not on the complaint. Of course they were. It was their signatures that were absent.
Mine wasn't there either. But my contention is confirmed that the complaint was filed by six individuals who used town resources to pay for everything. .
Some would call that misappropriation .... or at the very least , abuse of public resources.
There's a clause against that in the Code of Conduct.
Isn't that ridiculous ? As if anybody would be silly enough to think it's alright to use public funds for nefarious purpose and need a Code to spell it out for them.
I won't be filing a complaint though when we get our new Integrity Commissioner. That would be inappropriate use of public funds , don't you think. I'm not big on spending taxpayers' money on stuff that benefits least of all the people who are paying for it.
I am however going to publish the Integrity Commissioner's one and only decision. He managed to get it in before the portcullis came down so all his effort wasn't wasted. We got what we paid for as well and that was a good thing....right.
I have to provide it to the two Councillors who are entitled to have it so I might as well let everyone else have a sneak preview as well. It might help to understand the purpose of the Mayor's statement which is to be presented with the decision. The lawyer will probably write that ... the Mayor's statement that is.
Saturday, 15 August 2009
Regrets....I have a few
Thirty years of one's life in a professional career is a substantial investment.It would have been no small thing for the Town's Director of Corporate Services to quit like that.
We should not expect an explanation .
Ontario municipalities are a family.
If a there's a problem in one community, the word goes out. Has anyone else had the problem? . How was it handled. Did it work?
If a member of staff finds him or herself in personality conflict with a politician, the only option is to leave. Public conflict with a politician is not an asset in a resume. It doesn't matter a hill of beans who was at fault.
The same principle applies to the political body. A toxic reputation as an employer quickly spreads. Nobody with qualifications and a secure job will knowingly give it up to join such an organisation
.
The four year term of office for municipalities has exacerbated the situation.
Does it make me proud ... absolutely not. Ignorance combined with arrogance is a devastating and destructive combination. In all her history, Aurora has never had that stigma attached.
David Nitkin, as has been noted, has a world -wide reputation in the field he practices. It's not a way of earning a living. He is committed to do what one man can, to make the world a better place.
His mission is to teach people a way to work together to be effective for the community we serve. He made that clear to anyone who was listening in the council meeting he attended.
It took eight months for a contract to be signed.The complainants discovered immediately it was put into effect, it did not suit their purpose.
I doubt the story will end here.
It's not good for the municipality. But other than a total waste of public resources, it has no impact on the lives of residents.
But for the individuals who have been harmed along the way and cannot speak in their own defence, it has been catastrophic.
We should not expect an explanation .
Ontario municipalities are a family.
If a there's a problem in one community, the word goes out. Has anyone else had the problem? . How was it handled. Did it work?
If a member of staff finds him or herself in personality conflict with a politician, the only option is to leave. Public conflict with a politician is not an asset in a resume. It doesn't matter a hill of beans who was at fault.
The same principle applies to the political body. A toxic reputation as an employer quickly spreads. Nobody with qualifications and a secure job will knowingly give it up to join such an organisation
.
The four year term of office for municipalities has exacerbated the situation.
Does it make me proud ... absolutely not. Ignorance combined with arrogance is a devastating and destructive combination. In all her history, Aurora has never had that stigma attached.
David Nitkin, as has been noted, has a world -wide reputation in the field he practices. It's not a way of earning a living. He is committed to do what one man can, to make the world a better place.
His mission is to teach people a way to work together to be effective for the community we serve. He made that clear to anyone who was listening in the council meeting he attended.
It took eight months for a contract to be signed.The complainants discovered immediately it was put into effect, it did not suit their purpose.
I doubt the story will end here.
It's not good for the municipality. But other than a total waste of public resources, it has no impact on the lives of residents.
But for the individuals who have been harmed along the way and cannot speak in their own defence, it has been catastrophic.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
