"It was too bad you didn't realise it right back at the beginning"
I thought that too . I've been trying to take myself back to the situation to understand my reactions at the time.
First, Morris had complete control of Council. Five members were without experience and naturally taking direction from "the leader" Councillors MacEachern and Gaertner were firmly ensconced.
I had already been marginalized during the election. There were many small indicators. Election night and the vote revealed the extent of the effort to ensure my defeat.
No time was wasted. At the first meeting, on being recognized by the chair, I started to speak. Six words in, Councillor MacEachern raised a point of order. I expressed regrets and proceeded . A few more words and Councillor Wilson raised a point of order. A tad slower, I again showed suitable humility.
I kept up the meek and mild, more or less, for several months.There were only a couple of episodes of spontaneous eruption when staff were being harassed.
The communications manager presenting an annual report was an instance.
Exception was taken by the Terrible Twins to reference to the term "corporate communications" They took turns jabbing and demanding an explanation.
However often and civil the response , their tone became meaner and more spiteful.
Until I exploded and shouted "Stop it"
There had been no intervention from senior staff.
From then, no media release appeared on the web site without comment from Mayor Phyllis Morris, however inappropriate and out of context.
The fight was over.
It may have been the moment, I realized the administration was without fortitude.
About the same time it became evident, I would not be permitted to contribute.
I stopped playing nice and started the blog. If I could not contribute normally , I would contribute differently.
Then it was town's solicitor's turn to be required to bring me to heel.
It took a couple of written opinions stating Councillor Buck has every right to express her views before that option was surrendered.
The north-east "traffic calming" issue and approval of the quarter of a million dollar boondoggle came and went, with the Mayor declaring once more with feeling, how the neighbourhood was special and my vociferous but orderly opposition to the concept.
Then came Knowles Crescent. Councillor MacEachern moved quickly to solve "the problem" The solution was to unceremoniously shove the acting - works- director out of the way, retain a consultant at a cost of $20Ks to do the director's job and distribute $60ks in cheques to a handful of people, one for $10Ks.
It may have been then I said; "Had I voted for that, I would consider myself to be in betrayal of my Oath of Office"
The statement reflected the strength of my conviction.
About the same time, The Auroran broke the news in November, Council had refused to sell land we had for sale to the Region for planned new police headquarters in September.
The story was factual. It appeared three months after the decision was made. It had not been reported out by Council, as it should have been.When it appeared in the newspaper, the Mayor declared. there had been "a leak from an in-camera meeting" and legal Counsel had been retained to "investigate"
In the middle of a Council meeting, she declared EMERGENCY...EMERGENCY and called an in- camera meeting. Mr. George Rust D'Eye had ALREADY been briefed . He was in the Council Chamber,she said.
I respectfully queried the purpose of the in-camera meeting.
"Ah no, Councillor Buck" the Mayor responded. " You will not drag me into that trap"
Notwithstanding that rules require the purpose of an in-camera meeting be public beforehand, Councillors dutifully left their seats and trooped into a back room. Five Councillors were new to the job. The others were Morris, MacEachern, Gaertner and myself.
The Mayor brought Mr. Rust D'Eye around the council table because " He would like to have a few words with you, Councillor Buck"
Their body language suggested I leave my seat and the Chamber. Gut instinct persuaded me not to oblige.
I cordially urged Mr. Rust D'Eye to grab a chair and make himself comfortable.
The solicitor inquired had I retained legal counsel.
That was a surprise, "What reason would I have for that, Mr. Rust D'Eye " I asked.
"Oh, I'm not suggesting it, Councillor" he answered.
He went on to explain the Conflict of Interest Act. Stressed how much more serious it was to be found in a Conflict of Interest than it used to be. Penalties are very severe, he said.
It occurred to me to wonder why he thought he had a right to speak to me in these terms.
But the conversation continued until it became obvious the object was to persuade me not to attend the in-camera meeting of council.
I had not been quick to leave my chair when the Mayor declared the meeting within the meeting, behind closed doors.
I was taking a minute to think before deciding whether or not to attend .
The Mayor and Mr. Rust D'Eye intervened .
When the intent was to stop me from attending became obvious, that 's when I decided I would.
I informed Mr. Rust D'Eye. "It is a meeting of Council. I am a member of Council. I have a right to attend any meeting of Council. And that's what I intend to do right now"
I left him to follow my lead into the back room.
The entire Council was in place. Briefed beforehand no doubt.
The Clerk of the Municipality was there. The solicitor retained and briefed by the Mayor as noted, followed me in.
It was unknown territory. Nothing in my experience prepared me.
I was clearly the target.
I listened.
The solicitor's instructions were to carry out an investigation to determine the source of "the leak"
It was awkward for them but entertaining for me to listen to the talk without a name being mentioned.Obviously, they could not accuse me without evidence of a crime.
That Council refused to sell land the town had for sale to the region to build York Regional Police Headquarters with 700 well paying jobs to contribute to the local economy, appeared not to be relevant.
That the story was well known months in advance in police circles was also disregarded .
That the entire regional council must have been in on the deal was also not referenced.
A new political instrument of retaining legal counsel, had been created at the beginning of the term in the still on-going effort to find a former political adversary guilty of imagined wrong-doing
A second hunt was on and once again, the cloak of solicitor/client privilege was evoked to permit it to happen out of the public eye.
And again the taxpayers were picking up the tab.
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Monday, 14 June 2010
Therein Lies a Difference.
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Next Went The Public Works Director":
The Public Works Director sounds too fragile and delicate. He would not survive in my private organization.
Believe me my colleagues and I have dealt with a 100 times worse single situations, many times over.
*****************
It's a common assumption , and inaccurate, the private and public sector are the same.
There are many differences. Most obvious is the job is public not private.
Publicly denigrating a professional in the municipal sector is not wise. Especially in a small town. Especially in the GTA.
A Director has options.
Head-hunters prowl the corridors like predators.
A competent director is a precious commodity indeed.
Any sensible politician knows the value of a director who takes professional pride in doing his job well.
At the time the Mayor decided to blame the Director for a problem not of his making, he apparently received a phone call inviting his interest in another opportunity.
He didn't need to go looking.
He would have already understood the potential liability of staying.
In the public sector, a director acquires a reputation. A good one becomes sought after in his field.
A municipality acquires a reputation too. It can be good, bad , indifferent or just plain bloody awful.
The Mayor's response to news of the Director's departure was ; "There are plenty more out there"
Well, you know ....
The Public Works Director sounds too fragile and delicate. He would not survive in my private organization.
Believe me my colleagues and I have dealt with a 100 times worse single situations, many times over.
*****************
It's a common assumption , and inaccurate, the private and public sector are the same.
There are many differences. Most obvious is the job is public not private.
Publicly denigrating a professional in the municipal sector is not wise. Especially in a small town. Especially in the GTA.
A Director has options.
Head-hunters prowl the corridors like predators.
A competent director is a precious commodity indeed.
Any sensible politician knows the value of a director who takes professional pride in doing his job well.
At the time the Mayor decided to blame the Director for a problem not of his making, he apparently received a phone call inviting his interest in another opportunity.
He didn't need to go looking.
He would have already understood the potential liability of staying.
In the public sector, a director acquires a reputation. A good one becomes sought after in his field.
A municipality acquires a reputation too. It can be good, bad , indifferent or just plain bloody awful.
The Mayor's response to news of the Director's departure was ; "There are plenty more out there"
Well, you know ....
The Leave Taking Continues
It wasn't long before the acting-director of public works followed the director. He was in charge during the Knowles Crescent Caper.
After almost fifty years of ditches and culverts and a ribbon of asphalt running down the middle of the right-of-way, it was Knowles Crescent's turn to have a street constructed of urban design. The contract was let for $992 Ks.
When the road bed was in place and curbs installed, some residents became convinced the incline at the end of their driveways was too steep. The panic was on. They refused to accept the engineer's assurance the slope was less than it needed to be .
Councillor MacEachern attended in a home for a meeting with those concerned.
Consequently a delegation appeared at Council with a request for, among other things, a "go-to person" not the Acting Public Works Director, preferably Councillor MacEachern.
Reference was made to litigation against the municipality.
In true pandering form, a consultant was retained at a cost of $20ks to do the director's job and satisfy the demands for a "go-to person".
The contractor stopped work. The equipment was pulled off the job. The project was barely completed before the snow fell.
Five cheques were distributed . One for $10ks .Just in time for Christmas.
Knowles Crescent is a small by-way of fifty-four homes. It's as serene a pocket neighbourhood as any to be found in an Aurora subdivision. The new road with curbs and gutters and wide sweeping lots made it picture perfect.
It's hard to imagine how anyone could seriously suggest the municipality could be sued for spending more than a million dollars for such outstanding improvement.
There was a time it could not have been contemplated without imposing a local improvement tax.
Property values on Knowles Crescent certainly improved by more than the value of the town's investment.
But they did threaten suit. The Mormac twins echoed the possibility. Council was appropriately spooked by the prospect.
It wasn't long after the assistant public works director accepted the post of public works director in a municipality not too far distant.
After almost fifty years of ditches and culverts and a ribbon of asphalt running down the middle of the right-of-way, it was Knowles Crescent's turn to have a street constructed of urban design. The contract was let for $992 Ks.
When the road bed was in place and curbs installed, some residents became convinced the incline at the end of their driveways was too steep. The panic was on. They refused to accept the engineer's assurance the slope was less than it needed to be .
Councillor MacEachern attended in a home for a meeting with those concerned.
Consequently a delegation appeared at Council with a request for, among other things, a "go-to person" not the Acting Public Works Director, preferably Councillor MacEachern.
Reference was made to litigation against the municipality.
In true pandering form, a consultant was retained at a cost of $20ks to do the director's job and satisfy the demands for a "go-to person".
The contractor stopped work. The equipment was pulled off the job. The project was barely completed before the snow fell.
Five cheques were distributed . One for $10ks .Just in time for Christmas.
Knowles Crescent is a small by-way of fifty-four homes. It's as serene a pocket neighbourhood as any to be found in an Aurora subdivision. The new road with curbs and gutters and wide sweeping lots made it picture perfect.
It's hard to imagine how anyone could seriously suggest the municipality could be sued for spending more than a million dollars for such outstanding improvement.
There was a time it could not have been contemplated without imposing a local improvement tax.
Property values on Knowles Crescent certainly improved by more than the value of the town's investment.
But they did threaten suit. The Mormac twins echoed the possibility. Council was appropriately spooked by the prospect.
It wasn't long after the assistant public works director accepted the post of public works director in a municipality not too far distant.
Sunday, 13 June 2010
Next Went The Public Works Director
Relining of sanitary sewer pipes has been going on in the town for a number of years.
The process involves cleaning out the pipes and inserting a liner. The liner needs to be joined in places and that calls for an adhesive. The adhesive has a strong odour but had never before presented as a problem of odour escaping into a home.
If I recall correctly, a couple of homes were involved. One family had a child with a chronic illness. The family were understandably worried and upset
The re-lining project was being contracted out.
The Public Works Director took control immediately.
The family were housed in a hotel. Giant fans were installed in the home and whatever else was required to return the home or homes to clean and clear air.
The odour was not toxic. There was never a risk to health. But the odour was strong and offensive and frightening for a family with a sick child.
No time was wasted, no expense spared, to re-assure the family and ensure their comfort.
The incident was unexpected . Everything that needed to be done was done immediately.
The director had a reputation for fast action. His usual telephone command.
"Stop whatever you're doing and get after "this or that, whatever the need happened to be
My own experience with the Director was faultless.
None of that stopped the Mayor holding the Director responsible for the problem. Making sure no part of the blame fell on her shoulders.
A short time later,Council was informed the Public Works Director had accepted an offer of employment as Public Works Director in the City of Peterborough.
He and his wife lived in Markham. He had worked in Toronto before taking the position in Aurora. He explained , their plans were to retire to Kawartha Lakes. They would be buying a home in that area in preparation.
Discretion is a necessary attribute in the Ontario Municipal Public Service.
Last I heard,not unexpectedly, they never left Markham.
The Director is currently, perfectly, content not to be employed in Aurora.
The process involves cleaning out the pipes and inserting a liner. The liner needs to be joined in places and that calls for an adhesive. The adhesive has a strong odour but had never before presented as a problem of odour escaping into a home.
If I recall correctly, a couple of homes were involved. One family had a child with a chronic illness. The family were understandably worried and upset
The re-lining project was being contracted out.
The Public Works Director took control immediately.
The family were housed in a hotel. Giant fans were installed in the home and whatever else was required to return the home or homes to clean and clear air.
The odour was not toxic. There was never a risk to health. But the odour was strong and offensive and frightening for a family with a sick child.
No time was wasted, no expense spared, to re-assure the family and ensure their comfort.
The incident was unexpected . Everything that needed to be done was done immediately.
The director had a reputation for fast action. His usual telephone command.
"Stop whatever you're doing and get after "this or that, whatever the need happened to be
My own experience with the Director was faultless.
None of that stopped the Mayor holding the Director responsible for the problem. Making sure no part of the blame fell on her shoulders.
A short time later,Council was informed the Public Works Director had accepted an offer of employment as Public Works Director in the City of Peterborough.
He and his wife lived in Markham. He had worked in Toronto before taking the position in Aurora. He explained , their plans were to retire to Kawartha Lakes. They would be buying a home in that area in preparation.
Discretion is a necessary attribute in the Ontario Municipal Public Service.
Last I heard,not unexpectedly, they never left Markham.
The Director is currently, perfectly, content not to be employed in Aurora.
What's Mormac?
I've changed from Mormac Regime, my erstwhile title for the current Council.
I've been writing Blog since August of 2007. My readership has grown steadily. I fancy most are residents of Aurora and familiar with the names of Councillors.
It is my perception a consistent block of votes have been influenced by Mayor Morris and Councillor MacEachern. I adapted the names for ease of reference.
Mostly I have used the term "Mormac Regime"
However, a change has occurred in the voting pattern.
An Official Plan Amendment application which had been stalled repeatedly, finally received approval with votes of two Councillors who were part of the block.
Last week, a second vote slipped from Mormac control
It's been a long time coming. I never would have thought a block would have held fast this long in a nine member council.
So, for now , it is no longer a Regime.
It is simply Mormac
I had a critical comment. I am accused of making politics in Aurora "a blood sport" and making up denigrating names for my colleagues. "Making up" is a favourite accusatory phrase of one Councillor.
She promises I will not receive her vote.
Long since, I came to terms with the unlikelihood of receiving votes from Mormac followers. I didn't get them in the last election. I've done little to cajole them since.
Politics is the one area in our society where differences are not only to be expected but their absence is conspicuous.
This blog costs me nothing but ownership of a computer.
It costs my readers the same.
Any member of Council could be doing what I do. It's not their choice.
Putting ideas and opinions into writing is not the conventional wisdom of politics
I favour the practice.
I think people are entitled to know what I think. I want them to know.
If I'm willing to speak frankly and freely, without fear or favour and call a spade a spade and celebrate the freedom we enjoy every day of my life, I am not likely to be discouraged by someone who thinks it's not very nice.
You do it your way. I will do it mine.
I've been writing Blog since August of 2007. My readership has grown steadily. I fancy most are residents of Aurora and familiar with the names of Councillors.
It is my perception a consistent block of votes have been influenced by Mayor Morris and Councillor MacEachern. I adapted the names for ease of reference.
Mostly I have used the term "Mormac Regime"
However, a change has occurred in the voting pattern.
An Official Plan Amendment application which had been stalled repeatedly, finally received approval with votes of two Councillors who were part of the block.
Last week, a second vote slipped from Mormac control
It's been a long time coming. I never would have thought a block would have held fast this long in a nine member council.
So, for now , it is no longer a Regime.
It is simply Mormac
I had a critical comment. I am accused of making politics in Aurora "a blood sport" and making up denigrating names for my colleagues. "Making up" is a favourite accusatory phrase of one Councillor.
She promises I will not receive her vote.
Long since, I came to terms with the unlikelihood of receiving votes from Mormac followers. I didn't get them in the last election. I've done little to cajole them since.
Politics is the one area in our society where differences are not only to be expected but their absence is conspicuous.
This blog costs me nothing but ownership of a computer.
It costs my readers the same.
Any member of Council could be doing what I do. It's not their choice.
Putting ideas and opinions into writing is not the conventional wisdom of politics
I favour the practice.
I think people are entitled to know what I think. I want them to know.
If I'm willing to speak frankly and freely, without fear or favour and call a spade a spade and celebrate the freedom we enjoy every day of my life, I am not likely to be discouraged by someone who thinks it's not very nice.
You do it your way. I will do it mine.
Back To The Exodus
The Mayor and Council's administrative assistant was first to leave.
I noticed e-mails emanating from her office late in the evening. Long past time she should have been home enjoying life with her family. It wasn't the norm. It was steadily growing.
At the beginning of the previous term, Councillor Morris had stationery printed" From The Office of the Deputy-Mayor". Former Councillor George Timpson had done the same thing when he topped the poll his second time out.
On that occasion,the Clerk lost no time informing him it was out of order. The Mayor alone has authority to communicate on behalf of Council; the Clerk communicates on behalf of the municipality.
This time, the administrative assistant was charged with the unpleasant task. It shouldn't have been that way but it was.
The late hours of work for the administrative assistant in the new regime caused me concern which I relayed to the CAO. A person accepts employment with certain working conditions. I do not believe an employer has a right to change the conditions except in extraordinary circumstances.
There were no extraordinary circumstances. Aside from my personal concern for the employee's well-being, I foresaw a need being contrived for additional staff.
It took longer than I thought. Inevitably the day came when the employee took her leave.
Her relationship with the former Mayor and Councillors had been mutually respectful, always helpful, professional and friendly.
It was a personal loss and a sad day.
A dinner was arranged at a local restaurant. Director's attended. Councillor Collins Mrakas brought flowers. The Mayor attended and left before the tab was extended.
I noticed e-mails emanating from her office late in the evening. Long past time she should have been home enjoying life with her family. It wasn't the norm. It was steadily growing.
At the beginning of the previous term, Councillor Morris had stationery printed" From The Office of the Deputy-Mayor". Former Councillor George Timpson had done the same thing when he topped the poll his second time out.
On that occasion,the Clerk lost no time informing him it was out of order. The Mayor alone has authority to communicate on behalf of Council; the Clerk communicates on behalf of the municipality.
This time, the administrative assistant was charged with the unpleasant task. It shouldn't have been that way but it was.
The late hours of work for the administrative assistant in the new regime caused me concern which I relayed to the CAO. A person accepts employment with certain working conditions. I do not believe an employer has a right to change the conditions except in extraordinary circumstances.
There were no extraordinary circumstances. Aside from my personal concern for the employee's well-being, I foresaw a need being contrived for additional staff.
It took longer than I thought. Inevitably the day came when the employee took her leave.
Her relationship with the former Mayor and Councillors had been mutually respectful, always helpful, professional and friendly.
It was a personal loss and a sad day.
A dinner was arranged at a local restaurant. Director's attended. Councillor Collins Mrakas brought flowers. The Mayor attended and left before the tab was extended.
Eight Thousand Not Spent
I referred to Councillor Gaertner's rationale for supporting the plan to obscure the winter view of part of a baseball lighting pole from the dining room window of a house where the residents are not planning to reside.
Councillor MacEachern took up the cudgels and related the matter to council's previous approval of height for a Condo Building on the north corner of Centre and Yonge Street. The Councillor's comments were directed at Councillors Gallo and Wilson.
On the O.P. Amendment, Councillor Gallo had first voted for Councillor MacEachern's motion to defer. When it failed he voted for the Amendment which allows a site plan to proceed.
In essence, both Councillors were being criticised by Councillor MacEachern for judgement in a previous vote.
It's a clear contravention of The Rules. But not in Mormac
The next Council meeting is the last to be televised before the election.Whatever happens from then on will not be on camera . Unless Councillors object to the shut down.
Newmarket Council meetings are televised until the election.They probably see the service as much a benefit to electors as incumbents.
Councillor MacEachern took up the cudgels and related the matter to council's previous approval of height for a Condo Building on the north corner of Centre and Yonge Street. The Councillor's comments were directed at Councillors Gallo and Wilson.
On the O.P. Amendment, Councillor Gallo had first voted for Councillor MacEachern's motion to defer. When it failed he voted for the Amendment which allows a site plan to proceed.
In essence, both Councillors were being criticised by Councillor MacEachern for judgement in a previous vote.
It's a clear contravention of The Rules. But not in Mormac
The next Council meeting is the last to be televised before the election.Whatever happens from then on will not be on camera . Unless Councillors object to the shut down.
Newmarket Council meetings are televised until the election.They probably see the service as much a benefit to electors as incumbents.
Saturday, 12 June 2010
A Question
Anonymous said...Where does your lawsuit stand ?
The law suit is in process. It's not the only action on Kevin's calender. It has to take it's turn.
I must simply wait to hear and say nothing that will get in the way of Kevin doing his job.
From time to time I have to forward new material for his attention.
I must say, I think it's very odd for someone elected to represent people to have to resort to legal counsel to have the freedom to do the job.
But not more odd than a council spending hundreds of thousands of public resources to fight political battles, settle political scores and squelch political debate with a member of the council of which they too are members.
The law suit is in process. It's not the only action on Kevin's calender. It has to take it's turn.
I must simply wait to hear and say nothing that will get in the way of Kevin doing his job.
From time to time I have to forward new material for his attention.
I must say, I think it's very odd for someone elected to represent people to have to resort to legal counsel to have the freedom to do the job.
But not more odd than a council spending hundreds of thousands of public resources to fight political battles, settle political scores and squelch political debate with a member of the council of which they too are members.
The Continuing Story Unfolds
The town solicitor left in 2008. Whitby was setting up a legal department and our solicitor was the candidate chosen for the job. It was good fortune. Whitby was practically within her neighbourhood. It wasn't unusual to have to stay over at the Howard Johnston when Council meetings continued until past midnight and the only thing going on was the Mayor's relentless chatter.
Leo Groellette , chief building official.had left in 2007. One reason was the Town of Vaughan had daytime meetings.Then Councillor Morris was in the habit of extending Council hours with endless "new business" items of her own.The Mayor gave her free rein. Much good it did him.
But the solicitor had other problems to deal with in Aurora.
The Mormac Twins had trouble dealing with a Councillor inclined to expound an opposite view to their own, beyond the perimeters of the Town Hall. Even after a majority decision had been made by Council.
How outrageous!!!
The solicitor was frequently solicited to take a legal position.
Eventually, she put her position in writing. I had an opportunity to read it.
"Councillor Buck has every right to state her views. She goes right to the line but she never crosses the line"
Well the ladies were not pleased. They took to adding e-mails of mine to the agenda and bringing up my Letters to the Editor to debate.
They were informed they had no authority to do that either. But as long as the soon-to- retire Municipal Clerk was willing to follow orders. they did it anyway.
I opted to leave the Chamber rather than engage in personal dispute. Councillor MacEachern took it to signify, I was without courage.
On the eve of the 2007 election, a very angry resident of the Mosaic Town House Complex came to Council.
Canadian Tire had decided to conserve power and turn off parking lot lights at ten-thirty P.M. A rear right of way, required by the town for emergency purpose, was subsequently in darkness at that hour.
The resident raged that Canadian Tire had no right. The residents needed to use the right of way. It was closest to the bus stop.
Following, and no doubt during, the election, the issue became of prime importance to the newly elected Mayor.Months of "discussion" went into solving "the problem"
Meetings were held. Hours of title and contract searching were undertaken by staff. Contracts involving three separate property owners were discovered and forty seven pages of problem-solving instruments were registered on title.
The Town of Aurora was party to none of them.
Ultimately, " the problem" was solved by concrete being broken out and three Canadian Tire parking lot lights being hooked up to Town of Aurora street lights.
Once again, the Mormac Twins had ridden, like Zorro, to the rescue.
It may have been the last time the Town's solicitor expended significant effort to advise Council on the Town's legal responsibilities.
The CAO had also urgently advised, the legal department had spent many hours and town resources researching documents to discover the issue was entirely private.
The Town had no role.
No matter.
Months later, Executive Board Members of the Mosaic Complex came to Council as a delegation to express profound appreciation for the assistance of the Mayor and Council in resolving "the problem".
All's well that ends well.
The CAO and Town Solicitor had departed for better climes long since.
Leo Groellette , chief building official.had left in 2007. One reason was the Town of Vaughan had daytime meetings.Then Councillor Morris was in the habit of extending Council hours with endless "new business" items of her own.The Mayor gave her free rein. Much good it did him.
But the solicitor had other problems to deal with in Aurora.
The Mormac Twins had trouble dealing with a Councillor inclined to expound an opposite view to their own, beyond the perimeters of the Town Hall. Even after a majority decision had been made by Council.
How outrageous!!!
The solicitor was frequently solicited to take a legal position.
Eventually, she put her position in writing. I had an opportunity to read it.
"Councillor Buck has every right to state her views. She goes right to the line but she never crosses the line"
Well the ladies were not pleased. They took to adding e-mails of mine to the agenda and bringing up my Letters to the Editor to debate.
They were informed they had no authority to do that either. But as long as the soon-to- retire Municipal Clerk was willing to follow orders. they did it anyway.
I opted to leave the Chamber rather than engage in personal dispute. Councillor MacEachern took it to signify, I was without courage.
On the eve of the 2007 election, a very angry resident of the Mosaic Town House Complex came to Council.
Canadian Tire had decided to conserve power and turn off parking lot lights at ten-thirty P.M. A rear right of way, required by the town for emergency purpose, was subsequently in darkness at that hour.
The resident raged that Canadian Tire had no right. The residents needed to use the right of way. It was closest to the bus stop.
Following, and no doubt during, the election, the issue became of prime importance to the newly elected Mayor.Months of "discussion" went into solving "the problem"
Meetings were held. Hours of title and contract searching were undertaken by staff. Contracts involving three separate property owners were discovered and forty seven pages of problem-solving instruments were registered on title.
The Town of Aurora was party to none of them.
Ultimately, " the problem" was solved by concrete being broken out and three Canadian Tire parking lot lights being hooked up to Town of Aurora street lights.
Once again, the Mormac Twins had ridden, like Zorro, to the rescue.
It may have been the last time the Town's solicitor expended significant effort to advise Council on the Town's legal responsibilities.
The CAO had also urgently advised, the legal department had spent many hours and town resources researching documents to discover the issue was entirely private.
The Town had no role.
No matter.
Months later, Executive Board Members of the Mosaic Complex came to Council as a delegation to express profound appreciation for the assistance of the Mayor and Council in resolving "the problem".
All's well that ends well.
The CAO and Town Solicitor had departed for better climes long since.
Friday, 11 June 2010
A New Thought
In a discussion about the Code of Conduct and its purpose, a new thought has occurred to me.
Every one knows the short list items of public business a Council may discuss behind closed doors.
The right to privacy requires individuals may not be identified. Confidentiality must be observed.
Bargaining in good faith in union negotiations requires confidentiality.
If the Town is suing or being sued and solicitor/client advice is being received, the Town's interest must be protected. Therefore discussion must be behind closed doors.
Ditto when the Town is buying or selling real estate and price and/or conditions are being discussed.
The purpose of the legislation permitting a municipality to adopt a Code of Conduct allows an individual who knows or suspects wrong-doing on the part of an elected representative, to bring the matter to the attention of an Integrity Commissioner to privately investigate and determine if there is substance to the complaint.
In the computer scandal in Toronto, there must have been many who knew what was going on a long time before the scandal came to light. Hundreds of thousands ,maybe millions of dollars of public funds must have been misappropriated before the whistle was blown.
Provincial theory might have been, A Code of Conduct and possibility of being outed, disgraced and effectively expelled from Council would have a cautionary effect on anyone contemplating thievery and skulduggery.
I don't think so. Sensible people don't do stuff like that. Those who do, are compelled by reasons having nothing to do with honesty, common sense, the public trust or normal stuff like that. It has everything to do with greed and maniacal compulsion.
Plotting a strategy to bring down a political adversary with the help of solicitors paid for at taxpayers expense, is not listed as a reason for closed door discussion.
No provision exists in Code legislation for a group of politicians aggrieved by criticism , to file a complaint against another politician. The lawyer told them that. In writing already.
It follows therefore, when a number of Councillors decided to take revenge for real or imagined slights in the political arena, they had no right to do it behind closed doors.
The corporation's interest was never at risk.
If they had been compelled to do what they did publicly, with cable catching every phrase and evil glance and winging it through to the audience at home, I think the story might have been very different.
They would have had a hard time justifying spending unbudgeted funds on lawyers expenses to carry out their nefarious scheme.
Let alone refusing to disclose how much it cost after they spent it.
Every one knows the short list items of public business a Council may discuss behind closed doors.
The right to privacy requires individuals may not be identified. Confidentiality must be observed.
Bargaining in good faith in union negotiations requires confidentiality.
If the Town is suing or being sued and solicitor/client advice is being received, the Town's interest must be protected. Therefore discussion must be behind closed doors.
Ditto when the Town is buying or selling real estate and price and/or conditions are being discussed.
The purpose of the legislation permitting a municipality to adopt a Code of Conduct allows an individual who knows or suspects wrong-doing on the part of an elected representative, to bring the matter to the attention of an Integrity Commissioner to privately investigate and determine if there is substance to the complaint.
In the computer scandal in Toronto, there must have been many who knew what was going on a long time before the scandal came to light. Hundreds of thousands ,maybe millions of dollars of public funds must have been misappropriated before the whistle was blown.
Provincial theory might have been, A Code of Conduct and possibility of being outed, disgraced and effectively expelled from Council would have a cautionary effect on anyone contemplating thievery and skulduggery.
I don't think so. Sensible people don't do stuff like that. Those who do, are compelled by reasons having nothing to do with honesty, common sense, the public trust or normal stuff like that. It has everything to do with greed and maniacal compulsion.
Plotting a strategy to bring down a political adversary with the help of solicitors paid for at taxpayers expense, is not listed as a reason for closed door discussion.
No provision exists in Code legislation for a group of politicians aggrieved by criticism , to file a complaint against another politician. The lawyer told them that. In writing already.
It follows therefore, when a number of Councillors decided to take revenge for real or imagined slights in the political arena, they had no right to do it behind closed doors.
The corporation's interest was never at risk.
If they had been compelled to do what they did publicly, with cable catching every phrase and evil glance and winging it through to the audience at home, I think the story might have been very different.
They would have had a hard time justifying spending unbudgeted funds on lawyers expenses to carry out their nefarious scheme.
Let alone refusing to disclose how much it cost after they spent it.
Thursday, 10 June 2010
Going Back In Time
A baseball backstop can't just go any place.It has to be planned.
Why are you so sure? you ask.
Well. ..because we did it wrong once.
The first diamond we built was in Fleury Park years ago. We didn't know it was facing the wrong way until it was played. The setting sun blinded the players so they couldn't see the pitching ball coming at them.
We had to re-locate the whole fandango. Fortunately no lights had to be moved. There were none.
I didn't post yesterday. The issue in the forefront of my mind required listening to the tape of a February meeting. .
I hate that. Listening to the Mayor's endless dissertations once is hard enough. Doing it a second time is unendurable. I never watch Council on T.V.for that reason.
A Leslie Street resident's outrage at having to look at part of a light pole at the new diamond through leafless winter trees from her dining room window, was the issue at hand.
Staff had visited the home to view the offending pole. It was recommended to move the pole at a cost $7 Ks plus. Council was not inclined. The matter was placed in the hands of the Chief Administrative Officer for management of the outcome.
It's what happens when the vote appears not to be going the Mayor's way.
Notwithstanding a favourable recommendation, the resident requested delegation. Context of her complaint was failure to consult when the diamond was being planned They came home one day to find a pole was practically in the backyard.
It was another night to Dump on the Director . Even though the pole was recommended to be moved.
At the end of the lengthy complaint, I asked the resident if she had been informed a favourable recommendation had been made.The decision was pending.The matter was not on the agenda.
She acknowledged notification prior to requesting delegation status.
That fact clarified, I asked why had she had come to the meeting. Why was she there?
Mystified, the resident needed the question repeated before she understood.
Finally she did. She had previously referred to speaking to "Evalina" , now waved her arm toward the Mayor and said "Phyllis told me".
"Ah Yes " I said, almost to myself, barely refraining from the jock gesture of triumph.
Councillor Wilson on a point of order, objected to my "cross-examining" the delegate.
The Mayor agreed with the Councillor and added it was "disgraceful behaviour"
The tape of the Mayor's discourse continues for more than twelve minutes of baffle-gab seemingly striving to bury the fact she had told the resident to attend Council and fulminate at large in a complaint against staff for failing to advise of plans to build a diamond in her backyard without providing an opportunity to object to placement of lights.
Staff were the real villains of the piece. The opportunity to point that out without personally making the statement herself , could not be missed.It was classic Morris tactics.
Council needed to compensate for failure of staff.
So, the plot was revealed.
Last Tuesday , in the final debate, Councillor Gaertner declared her reason for voting in favour of planting four coniferous trees, thirty-feet high, behind the bottom half of the light pole at a cost of almost $8ks to obscure the awful sight from the resident's dining-room window was "staff failure to follow process".
The fact there was no process to follow had failed to register with the Councillor.
The Mayor's strategy had worked...somewhat.
Councillor Wilson and myself, unbeknownst to each other, had gone at different times, to see how bad the situation was before the issue was to be decided.
From the town's property we separately viewed the distance behind the light poles. A stretch of bare earth, a substantial green slope rising and beyond that a ring of dense forest circling the top completely obscured any sign of a house.
A house in which , by the way, the owner had informed the CAO on the visit to find a solution to "the problem", they did not intend to continue to live.
So, the recommendation to Council, contrived by the Mayor, at substantial expense of staff time and effort, was to spend almost eight-thousand dollars, planting thirty-foot high coniferous trees which would probably not survive the transplant, and not even provide shade to park users, to obscure part of a light pole, which could not be seen through the summer foliage of a deciduous forest which was already in place on town property .
On Tuesday, when I was finally recognized by the chair to speak , the Chair interrupted and took great exception when I referred to her own and Councillor MacEachern's involvement in achieving a favourable recommendation for the Leslie Street resident.
From the Chair, a point of order was called to stop my comments in mid sentence. " I am not going to allow you to impugn my motives Councillor" the Mayor declared amidst a flurry of other verbiage, after failing to persuade the Deputy-Mayor to take the chair, while she expounded her lengthy point of order, from the Chair.
Councillor MacEachern chimed in with her statement. "I am sick and tired of her (me)making things up" she declared.
It was indeed a performance. Hardly orderly. Quite abusive in fact.
The resident, on the other hand, sufficiently confident of her friendship with "Evalina" and Phyllis" has apparently felt no need to keep it a secret.
But, for all the expense of staff time and effort to solve " the problem" and the river of words from the Mayor, the vote on Tuesday was five to four against planting the trees.
The Mayor, Councillors MacEachern, Gaertner and Granger were the lonesome four... for a change.
After all this time of the infernal alliance, some are wondering if another nefarious plot is afoot.
Why are you so sure? you ask.
Well. ..because we did it wrong once.
The first diamond we built was in Fleury Park years ago. We didn't know it was facing the wrong way until it was played. The setting sun blinded the players so they couldn't see the pitching ball coming at them.
We had to re-locate the whole fandango. Fortunately no lights had to be moved. There were none.
I didn't post yesterday. The issue in the forefront of my mind required listening to the tape of a February meeting. .
I hate that. Listening to the Mayor's endless dissertations once is hard enough. Doing it a second time is unendurable. I never watch Council on T.V.for that reason.
A Leslie Street resident's outrage at having to look at part of a light pole at the new diamond through leafless winter trees from her dining room window, was the issue at hand.
Staff had visited the home to view the offending pole. It was recommended to move the pole at a cost $7 Ks plus. Council was not inclined. The matter was placed in the hands of the Chief Administrative Officer for management of the outcome.
It's what happens when the vote appears not to be going the Mayor's way.
Notwithstanding a favourable recommendation, the resident requested delegation. Context of her complaint was failure to consult when the diamond was being planned They came home one day to find a pole was practically in the backyard.
It was another night to Dump on the Director . Even though the pole was recommended to be moved.
At the end of the lengthy complaint, I asked the resident if she had been informed a favourable recommendation had been made.The decision was pending.The matter was not on the agenda.
She acknowledged notification prior to requesting delegation status.
That fact clarified, I asked why had she had come to the meeting. Why was she there?
Mystified, the resident needed the question repeated before she understood.
Finally she did. She had previously referred to speaking to "Evalina" , now waved her arm toward the Mayor and said "Phyllis told me".
"Ah Yes " I said, almost to myself, barely refraining from the jock gesture of triumph.
Councillor Wilson on a point of order, objected to my "cross-examining" the delegate.
The Mayor agreed with the Councillor and added it was "disgraceful behaviour"
The tape of the Mayor's discourse continues for more than twelve minutes of baffle-gab seemingly striving to bury the fact she had told the resident to attend Council and fulminate at large in a complaint against staff for failing to advise of plans to build a diamond in her backyard without providing an opportunity to object to placement of lights.
Staff were the real villains of the piece. The opportunity to point that out without personally making the statement herself , could not be missed.It was classic Morris tactics.
Council needed to compensate for failure of staff.
So, the plot was revealed.
Last Tuesday , in the final debate, Councillor Gaertner declared her reason for voting in favour of planting four coniferous trees, thirty-feet high, behind the bottom half of the light pole at a cost of almost $8ks to obscure the awful sight from the resident's dining-room window was "staff failure to follow process".
The fact there was no process to follow had failed to register with the Councillor.
The Mayor's strategy had worked...somewhat.
Councillor Wilson and myself, unbeknownst to each other, had gone at different times, to see how bad the situation was before the issue was to be decided.
From the town's property we separately viewed the distance behind the light poles. A stretch of bare earth, a substantial green slope rising and beyond that a ring of dense forest circling the top completely obscured any sign of a house.
A house in which , by the way, the owner had informed the CAO on the visit to find a solution to "the problem", they did not intend to continue to live.
So, the recommendation to Council, contrived by the Mayor, at substantial expense of staff time and effort, was to spend almost eight-thousand dollars, planting thirty-foot high coniferous trees which would probably not survive the transplant, and not even provide shade to park users, to obscure part of a light pole, which could not be seen through the summer foliage of a deciduous forest which was already in place on town property .
On Tuesday, when I was finally recognized by the chair to speak , the Chair interrupted and took great exception when I referred to her own and Councillor MacEachern's involvement in achieving a favourable recommendation for the Leslie Street resident.
From the Chair, a point of order was called to stop my comments in mid sentence. " I am not going to allow you to impugn my motives Councillor" the Mayor declared amidst a flurry of other verbiage, after failing to persuade the Deputy-Mayor to take the chair, while she expounded her lengthy point of order, from the Chair.
Councillor MacEachern chimed in with her statement. "I am sick and tired of her (me)making things up" she declared.
It was indeed a performance. Hardly orderly. Quite abusive in fact.
The resident, on the other hand, sufficiently confident of her friendship with "Evalina" and Phyllis" has apparently felt no need to keep it a secret.
But, for all the expense of staff time and effort to solve " the problem" and the river of words from the Mayor, the vote on Tuesday was five to four against planting the trees.
The Mayor, Councillors MacEachern, Gaertner and Granger were the lonesome four... for a change.
After all this time of the infernal alliance, some are wondering if another nefarious plot is afoot.
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
Skimming
Leaves had come up to the surface and I was scooping them out. It's a mindless task. The kind I quite enjoy. Like chipping ice off a driveway . Or sweeping a vast expanse. Or digging dandelions while seated on the grass.
It's a rhythm. Steady and productive. You don't have to bend or kneel or pull. You can see results as you go. While your mind occupies with whatever happens to pop in.
I had some concerns about talking about people who left the town's employ. Some of the departures were already in the public domain. Like Municipal Clerk Lucille King and CAO John Rogers.
Nothing negative was said. There was nothing negative to say. I simply re-affirmed publicly known facts
I was challenged by Guy Poppe to name staff and reveal details of their exodus.He questioned my rationale of privacy.
Much of judgement is gut instinct. Immediate reaction. I search for the rationale after the fact.
Sometimes I'm right,sometimes not.
Something new popped into my head yesterday when I was skimming. It's a bit like the poor man's sport of rowing...with one arm...which in rowing... would take me round in circles.
Anyway,another reason for caution about privacy came into my head.
Google!!
It seems when a name is mentioned on line, it's immediately scooped up by the internet.
Like the mindless task of skimming.
It's a long way from the days of wandering minstrels. They had to sing the news to people in rhymes and riddles and jingles, on pain of prosecution.
Free speech was an unknown quantity. Certainly no opportunity to complain to an Integrity Commissioner....at taxpayers' expense.
It's a rhythm. Steady and productive. You don't have to bend or kneel or pull. You can see results as you go. While your mind occupies with whatever happens to pop in.
I had some concerns about talking about people who left the town's employ. Some of the departures were already in the public domain. Like Municipal Clerk Lucille King and CAO John Rogers.
Nothing negative was said. There was nothing negative to say. I simply re-affirmed publicly known facts
I was challenged by Guy Poppe to name staff and reveal details of their exodus.He questioned my rationale of privacy.
Much of judgement is gut instinct. Immediate reaction. I search for the rationale after the fact.
Sometimes I'm right,sometimes not.
Something new popped into my head yesterday when I was skimming. It's a bit like the poor man's sport of rowing...with one arm...which in rowing... would take me round in circles.
Anyway,another reason for caution about privacy came into my head.
Google!!
It seems when a name is mentioned on line, it's immediately scooped up by the internet.
Like the mindless task of skimming.
It's a long way from the days of wandering minstrels. They had to sing the news to people in rhymes and riddles and jingles, on pain of prosecution.
Free speech was an unknown quantity. Certainly no opportunity to complain to an Integrity Commissioner....at taxpayers' expense.
Monday, 7 June 2010
A Dress Rehearsal
I posted a comment from Guy Poppe yesterday. He had presented as a friend recently
I was reluctant to decide what his comment conveyed. I thought readers might help me decide.
They did.
The comment is removed.
I conclude Mr. Poppe is an active supporter of Mormac, trying to infiltrate the enemy.
It makes friendship unlikely
We all know by now how much organization went into Mormac's campaign in last election .
Susan Walmer, organizer par excellence, created the Coalition of Ratepayers Associations.
First there was S.W.A.T., the South West Aurora Team that campaigned against Ontario Heritage Trust's plan to sell part of the Anne Bartley Smith lands.
Twenty acres of the land were pre-serviced by the town for development . O.H.T. apparently would have realised financial resources desperately needed to carry out their mandate.
The plan was to transfer ownership of the other sixty acres of land to the town for free and untrammelled use by the entire community.
S.W.A.T., a group of residents, including Guy Poppe, who could see the land from their windows, were strongly opposed to the plan and fought it to a standstill. Hardly to the advantage of the community at large.
Councillor MacEachern was leader of the opposition and mindful of her financial advantage, currently declares a conflict of interest whenever the Ann Bartley Smith lands are on the Council agenda for discussion.
The North East Quadrant Ratepayer's Association were also part of the Walmer organization. Their objective was to remove all traffic from streets in their neighbourhood.That was after having their entire neighbourhood designated heritage so that no resident can do anything with their property that the neighbours do not approve.
Since the election they succeeded in their endeavour with quarter of a million dollars of taxpayers money spent on a crazy" traffic calming" plan.
The Bayview Ratepayers Association had the issue of Ontario Hydro's plans to install higher voltage transmission lines in the hydro corridor overshadowing their homes.The shadow seems to be removed by the Province's recent decision to exercise authority to approve placement of the peaker plant in King Township. We can only hope that's a done deal.
A Coalition of Sports Organizations was also created in time for the election. The Mayor's victory celebration was held in the Aurora Men's Soccer Club Building in a field provided to them free by the Town of Aurora.
The President of the Aurora Junior Soccer Association has recently requested the town provide a suite of offices to rent for his multi- million dollar operation. His request has been referred by Councilllor MacEachern's Leisure Services Advisory Committee for staff to determine availability of space.
Considerable organization was obviously necessary to get everything into place prior to the last election.
It didn't mean all the people represented by the organizations actually voted for the Mormac team.
Bayview West made the difference in votes.
Councillor MacEachern did well; a couple of thousand votes more than the Mayor. Councillor Gaertner did exceptionally well, all things considered. Councillors Granger and Wilson were part of the slate and were elected.
Councillor Gallo, President of the Bayview Ratepayers' Association was appointed to take Councillor Marsh's place when sadly she resigned.
Politically, Councillor Gallo would have been wiser to opt for the popular demand of a by-election and put his name forward as a candidate But he didn't ask for my advice.
So there you have it. The story of a campaign.
It worked once.
No doubt, even as we speak, first strategy sessions have been held for the next election. Gears are cranked, wheels are in motion.
Areas of weakness have already been identified and supporters assigned their roles.
I figure the exodus of staff from the administration has been fingered. Guy Poppe has been assigned the task of identifying the real culprit and proving his friend of heroic stature, Mayor Morris has simply been a victim of circumstances.
It's so unsubtle.
In terms of drama it's a British Christmas Pantomine with the role of Buttons already captured.
I was reluctant to decide what his comment conveyed. I thought readers might help me decide.
They did.
The comment is removed.
I conclude Mr. Poppe is an active supporter of Mormac, trying to infiltrate the enemy.
It makes friendship unlikely
We all know by now how much organization went into Mormac's campaign in last election .
Susan Walmer, organizer par excellence, created the Coalition of Ratepayers Associations.
First there was S.W.A.T., the South West Aurora Team that campaigned against Ontario Heritage Trust's plan to sell part of the Anne Bartley Smith lands.
Twenty acres of the land were pre-serviced by the town for development . O.H.T. apparently would have realised financial resources desperately needed to carry out their mandate.
The plan was to transfer ownership of the other sixty acres of land to the town for free and untrammelled use by the entire community.
S.W.A.T., a group of residents, including Guy Poppe, who could see the land from their windows, were strongly opposed to the plan and fought it to a standstill. Hardly to the advantage of the community at large.
Councillor MacEachern was leader of the opposition and mindful of her financial advantage, currently declares a conflict of interest whenever the Ann Bartley Smith lands are on the Council agenda for discussion.
The North East Quadrant Ratepayer's Association were also part of the Walmer organization. Their objective was to remove all traffic from streets in their neighbourhood.That was after having their entire neighbourhood designated heritage so that no resident can do anything with their property that the neighbours do not approve.
Since the election they succeeded in their endeavour with quarter of a million dollars of taxpayers money spent on a crazy" traffic calming" plan.
The Bayview Ratepayers Association had the issue of Ontario Hydro's plans to install higher voltage transmission lines in the hydro corridor overshadowing their homes.The shadow seems to be removed by the Province's recent decision to exercise authority to approve placement of the peaker plant in King Township. We can only hope that's a done deal.
A Coalition of Sports Organizations was also created in time for the election. The Mayor's victory celebration was held in the Aurora Men's Soccer Club Building in a field provided to them free by the Town of Aurora.
The President of the Aurora Junior Soccer Association has recently requested the town provide a suite of offices to rent for his multi- million dollar operation. His request has been referred by Councilllor MacEachern's Leisure Services Advisory Committee for staff to determine availability of space.
Considerable organization was obviously necessary to get everything into place prior to the last election.
It didn't mean all the people represented by the organizations actually voted for the Mormac team.
Bayview West made the difference in votes.
Councillor MacEachern did well; a couple of thousand votes more than the Mayor. Councillor Gaertner did exceptionally well, all things considered. Councillors Granger and Wilson were part of the slate and were elected.
Councillor Gallo, President of the Bayview Ratepayers' Association was appointed to take Councillor Marsh's place when sadly she resigned.
Politically, Councillor Gallo would have been wiser to opt for the popular demand of a by-election and put his name forward as a candidate But he didn't ask for my advice.
So there you have it. The story of a campaign.
It worked once.
No doubt, even as we speak, first strategy sessions have been held for the next election. Gears are cranked, wheels are in motion.
Areas of weakness have already been identified and supporters assigned their roles.
I figure the exodus of staff from the administration has been fingered. Guy Poppe has been assigned the task of identifying the real culprit and proving his friend of heroic stature, Mayor Morris has simply been a victim of circumstances.
It's so unsubtle.
In terms of drama it's a British Christmas Pantomine with the role of Buttons already captured.
Sunday, 6 June 2010
I Was Saying
I was saying about people who left the town's employ within the last forty-two months.
Some departures were more public than others.
Lucille King was Clerk of the Municipality for nine months following Bob Panizza, who retired in November 2008. .
Ms King signed a five year contract with the Town .
At the end of July, Ms King took two weeks vacation. The CAO, who joined the Municipality in January 2009, the same day the Treasurer submitted his resignation, took the same two weeks off.
Town Solicitor, who joined the municipality scant four months previously, was appointed Acting-CAO .
The Deputy-clerk ,according to the Municipal Act, is Acting-Clerk during the Clerk's absence.
The Municipal Act requires a municipality to have a Clerk and Deputy-Clerk. The office is statutory. The Municipality must have an officer in place to carry out the statutory functions only the Clerk can exercise.
During the second week of the Clerk's vacation, I received an e-mail from the Integrity Commissioner informing he had rendered a decision in the complaint against me.He had provided it to the Deputy Clerk with instructions to forward it to the complainants and the person being complained about.
An e-mail from the Acting-clerk followed stating the decision had been placed in our mail boxes.
That message was re-called.
I went to the Town Hall with a Rogers Cable reporter to obtain my copy of the decision.
I asked at the reception desk to see the Deputy-Clerk. I waited. And waited.
I asked again and took a seat while I waited some more.
The town solicitor emerged from his office and passed by, head down, in the direction of the Mayor's office.
He returned to his own office.
I waited still.
He emerged and went again in the direction of the Mayor's Office.
I waited.
Finally he emerged from the Mayor's Office and acknowledged my presence.
He leaned against the wall and informed me :
"Councillor Buck, cameras are not permitted in the Town Hall."
"Is that right, Mr. Solicitor " I said and waited.
He told me. " I have been appointed Acting-CAO . The Deputy-Clerk has not been appointed Acting -Clerk therefore does not have authority to provide you with the Decision of the Integrity Commissioner"
In politics, when a request is acquiesced, that's the story. If it's not, that too is a story. A lot of the time, I am simply relaying the story.
The Deputy-clerk never did emerge from her office that day.
I left the Town Hall empty-handed.
I heard later the deputy-clerk left in tears.
On Monday, the Clerk returned. Again I attended upon the Town Hall, this time with a C.B.C. reporter and cameraman.
I asked to speak with the Clerk. She was at a meeting off- site but was expected back shortly.
I waited.
The Clerk returned. I was informed the decision would be forthcoming. A signature page was prepared. I signed it . The decision was handed to me in a sealed envelope.
The decision was to dismiss the complaint for among other reasons, because "it may be seen to be wholly political"
Next day, Councillors received an e-mail informing us the Clerk had made a decision to retire to spend more time with her family.
We never spoke again. I did not perceive the need.
Some departures were more public than others.
Lucille King was Clerk of the Municipality for nine months following Bob Panizza, who retired in November 2008. .
Ms King signed a five year contract with the Town .
At the end of July, Ms King took two weeks vacation. The CAO, who joined the Municipality in January 2009, the same day the Treasurer submitted his resignation, took the same two weeks off.
Town Solicitor, who joined the municipality scant four months previously, was appointed Acting-CAO .
The Deputy-clerk ,according to the Municipal Act, is Acting-Clerk during the Clerk's absence.
The Municipal Act requires a municipality to have a Clerk and Deputy-Clerk. The office is statutory. The Municipality must have an officer in place to carry out the statutory functions only the Clerk can exercise.
During the second week of the Clerk's vacation, I received an e-mail from the Integrity Commissioner informing he had rendered a decision in the complaint against me.He had provided it to the Deputy Clerk with instructions to forward it to the complainants and the person being complained about.
An e-mail from the Acting-clerk followed stating the decision had been placed in our mail boxes.
That message was re-called.
I went to the Town Hall with a Rogers Cable reporter to obtain my copy of the decision.
I asked at the reception desk to see the Deputy-Clerk. I waited. And waited.
I asked again and took a seat while I waited some more.
The town solicitor emerged from his office and passed by, head down, in the direction of the Mayor's office.
He returned to his own office.
I waited still.
He emerged and went again in the direction of the Mayor's Office.
I waited.
Finally he emerged from the Mayor's Office and acknowledged my presence.
He leaned against the wall and informed me :
"Councillor Buck, cameras are not permitted in the Town Hall."
"Is that right, Mr. Solicitor " I said and waited.
He told me. " I have been appointed Acting-CAO . The Deputy-Clerk has not been appointed Acting -Clerk therefore does not have authority to provide you with the Decision of the Integrity Commissioner"
In politics, when a request is acquiesced, that's the story. If it's not, that too is a story. A lot of the time, I am simply relaying the story.
The Deputy-clerk never did emerge from her office that day.
I left the Town Hall empty-handed.
I heard later the deputy-clerk left in tears.
On Monday, the Clerk returned. Again I attended upon the Town Hall, this time with a C.B.C. reporter and cameraman.
I asked to speak with the Clerk. She was at a meeting off- site but was expected back shortly.
I waited.
The Clerk returned. I was informed the decision would be forthcoming. A signature page was prepared. I signed it . The decision was handed to me in a sealed envelope.
The decision was to dismiss the complaint for among other reasons, because "it may be seen to be wholly political"
Next day, Councillors received an e-mail informing us the Clerk had made a decision to retire to spend more time with her family.
We never spoke again. I did not perceive the need.
Something Old... Something New
But not a marriage. Anything but.
Councillor MacEachern has acknowledged filing two complaints with the new Integrity Commissioner. She did not reveal her target.
I was asked if I am. I neither confirmed or denied.
But it's not my nature to be coy. So I won't.
Once again, Councillor MacEachern feels my conduct as a Councillor does not meet her standards and requires legal action to be taken against me ( not at her expense). and hopefully punishment meted out.
She has decided to go it alone, without legal advice paid for with taxpayers' money, except for the Integrity Commissioner , a lawyer of same six choosing. He is paid $3,600. a month from the town treasury.
We were told not to tell you that.
In any case, I did not agree to appoint a new Integrity Commissioner. I didn't agree to appoint the first one.
I do not agree with the Code of Conduct. The Bylaw requires each Councillor to sign two copies of the Code.
A Signature on an agreement, generally signify a signatory's agreement to the agreement.
Does the lack of a signature on an agreement signify no agreement?
I have not agreed to surrender my rights as a citizen or a Councillor.
I paid the fee and registered as a candidate in the last election.
I garnered enough votes to take a seat along with eight other members of Aurora Council.I received authority to speak for the people who elected me.
I swore an Oath of Office as required by Provincial legislation.
I know the conduct expected of me. I have done it many times before. It was never a burden. I might have found it re-assuring that every member of Council was taking the same oath to abide by the same rules.
I would have been disappointed.
Be that notwithstanding, I Swore the Oath willingly and of sound mind, in order to take my seat to a position of trust and authority.
I was not compelled.
I surrendered nothing.
Had this Council decided to bring in a law to burn witches at the stake, I would not have agreed. It was legal once. Not any more.
Once it was the law not to allow women to vote or own property. Not any more.
Even if the Province had allowed it, I would not have agreed.
It would be contrary to Rights and Freedoms enjoyed by all Canadians.
But on payment of $16,200, Council received solicitor/client advice behind closed doors, that the Province had given municipalities authority to pass laws to govern conduct of Councillors, including restricting a councillor's authority to speak on behalf the electors, with penalties, on pain of disobedience.
Well, Pshaw ....I don't agree with that. That's just silly.
So.... when I received the plain brown envelope containing two complaints from an Integrity Commissioner, chosen by the same six, who filed a previous complaint to a previous Integrity Commissioner, who dismissed it and was himself promptly dismissed by the same six, I just promptly forwarded the same to the same solicitor I retained at my expense ,when the same six filed a complaint against me, compiled by another solicitor retained by the same six at taxpayers' expense, unknown at this time but probably in the tens of thousands approaching a hundred thousand dollars and advertised in publications also at taxpayers' expense and the town's web site.
The matter is in the hands of my solicitor.
Councillor MacEachern has acknowledged filing two complaints with the new Integrity Commissioner. She did not reveal her target.
I was asked if I am. I neither confirmed or denied.
But it's not my nature to be coy. So I won't.
Once again, Councillor MacEachern feels my conduct as a Councillor does not meet her standards and requires legal action to be taken against me ( not at her expense). and hopefully punishment meted out.
She has decided to go it alone, without legal advice paid for with taxpayers' money, except for the Integrity Commissioner , a lawyer of same six choosing. He is paid $3,600. a month from the town treasury.
We were told not to tell you that.
In any case, I did not agree to appoint a new Integrity Commissioner. I didn't agree to appoint the first one.
I do not agree with the Code of Conduct. The Bylaw requires each Councillor to sign two copies of the Code.
A Signature on an agreement, generally signify a signatory's agreement to the agreement.
Does the lack of a signature on an agreement signify no agreement?
I have not agreed to surrender my rights as a citizen or a Councillor.
I paid the fee and registered as a candidate in the last election.
I garnered enough votes to take a seat along with eight other members of Aurora Council.I received authority to speak for the people who elected me.
I swore an Oath of Office as required by Provincial legislation.
I know the conduct expected of me. I have done it many times before. It was never a burden. I might have found it re-assuring that every member of Council was taking the same oath to abide by the same rules.
I would have been disappointed.
Be that notwithstanding, I Swore the Oath willingly and of sound mind, in order to take my seat to a position of trust and authority.
I was not compelled.
I surrendered nothing.
Had this Council decided to bring in a law to burn witches at the stake, I would not have agreed. It was legal once. Not any more.
Once it was the law not to allow women to vote or own property. Not any more.
Even if the Province had allowed it, I would not have agreed.
It would be contrary to Rights and Freedoms enjoyed by all Canadians.
But on payment of $16,200, Council received solicitor/client advice behind closed doors, that the Province had given municipalities authority to pass laws to govern conduct of Councillors, including restricting a councillor's authority to speak on behalf the electors, with penalties, on pain of disobedience.
Well, Pshaw ....I don't agree with that. That's just silly.
So.... when I received the plain brown envelope containing two complaints from an Integrity Commissioner, chosen by the same six, who filed a previous complaint to a previous Integrity Commissioner, who dismissed it and was himself promptly dismissed by the same six, I just promptly forwarded the same to the same solicitor I retained at my expense ,when the same six filed a complaint against me, compiled by another solicitor retained by the same six at taxpayers' expense, unknown at this time but probably in the tens of thousands approaching a hundred thousand dollars and advertised in publications also at taxpayers' expense and the town's web site.
The matter is in the hands of my solicitor.
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Construction of a Budget
There's nothing hit or miss about it. It's built on ten year capital forecastes; Strategic Plan;Master Recreation Plan ; etcetera etcetera etcetera .
During the year, people come to council with ideas and requests. Usually the response is to refer it to next year's budget.
Except if it's Councillor MacEachern
Sometimes another Councillor might bring up an idea and it gets referred to next year's budget.
Often it's a way of avoiding dealing with an issue.
The traffic calming project in the north-east quadrant was an example.
The previous Council gave clamouring neighbours, a consultant to sit down with them and make a plan. The consultant cost $25 thousand.
When the plan came back the project estimate was $100 thousand. Everything in the catalogue was in the plan.
Then we had an election.
In the first budget of the new council , the estimate was $80 thousand. Wayne Jackson, Director of Public Works had left by then having disowned the plan before going.
Staff had refined the plan. The contract was called. Low bid was $211. thousand plus. The extra money was not in the budget. Council were not inclined.
The Mayor directed staff to hand deliver letters to all interested neighbours before Tuesday's Council meeting when the decision would be made.
The neighbours descended like wolves on the fold. The majority of Councillors capitulated.
The money was not in the budget. The contract was awarded anyway and we know the result.
People came from miles around to see .
They were not there to view the charming heritage ambiance the Mayor declared is so special as to warrant a $211thousand pandering package of the nth degree.
Anyway... back to budget.
A forecast is usually made of the next year's anticipated increase at budget finalisation..
Department budgets are based on pre- approvals. The work is submitted to the CAO and Treasurer for analysis and justification and often deferral of some projects to fit what might be considered a reasonable tax increase.
When the work is done, the budget comes to Council for approval.
It shouldn't be a long haul from then. Everything has been pre-approved. There are few surprises.
When our previous Treasurer joined us, we accepted his guidance to start budget preparation early with a schedule of dates aiming for completion before year's end. An early start on contracts is regarded as good strategy leading to better prices.
In 2008, the budget was ready in September. A schedule of meetings ending before Christmas was presented.
Councillor MacEachern had to change that. Full days Saturday suited the Councillor better.
It mattered not. The meetings never happened.
The January day the new Chief Administrative Officer joined the Corporation, the Mayor marched in to the Treasurer's office, CAO following, threw budget binder on the Treasurer's desk, told him it was garbage and ordered him to start over.
Apparently the Mayor believes that's how CEOs are supposed to behave towards underlings.
The Treasurer waited for them to leave his office, made his way immediately to the Clerk's Office and submitted notice of his resignation.
For the sake of his staff, he stayed until April when the budget was finalised.
No recruitment took place to fill the vacancy as required by Provincial regulations.
During the year, people come to council with ideas and requests. Usually the response is to refer it to next year's budget.
Except if it's Councillor MacEachern
Sometimes another Councillor might bring up an idea and it gets referred to next year's budget.
Often it's a way of avoiding dealing with an issue.
The traffic calming project in the north-east quadrant was an example.
The previous Council gave clamouring neighbours, a consultant to sit down with them and make a plan. The consultant cost $25 thousand.
When the plan came back the project estimate was $100 thousand. Everything in the catalogue was in the plan.
Then we had an election.
In the first budget of the new council , the estimate was $80 thousand. Wayne Jackson, Director of Public Works had left by then having disowned the plan before going.
Staff had refined the plan. The contract was called. Low bid was $211. thousand plus. The extra money was not in the budget. Council were not inclined.
The Mayor directed staff to hand deliver letters to all interested neighbours before Tuesday's Council meeting when the decision would be made.
The neighbours descended like wolves on the fold. The majority of Councillors capitulated.
The money was not in the budget. The contract was awarded anyway and we know the result.
People came from miles around to see .
They were not there to view the charming heritage ambiance the Mayor declared is so special as to warrant a $211thousand pandering package of the nth degree.
Anyway... back to budget.
A forecast is usually made of the next year's anticipated increase at budget finalisation..
Department budgets are based on pre- approvals. The work is submitted to the CAO and Treasurer for analysis and justification and often deferral of some projects to fit what might be considered a reasonable tax increase.
When the work is done, the budget comes to Council for approval.
It shouldn't be a long haul from then. Everything has been pre-approved. There are few surprises.
When our previous Treasurer joined us, we accepted his guidance to start budget preparation early with a schedule of dates aiming for completion before year's end. An early start on contracts is regarded as good strategy leading to better prices.
In 2008, the budget was ready in September. A schedule of meetings ending before Christmas was presented.
Councillor MacEachern had to change that. Full days Saturday suited the Councillor better.
It mattered not. The meetings never happened.
The January day the new Chief Administrative Officer joined the Corporation, the Mayor marched in to the Treasurer's office, CAO following, threw budget binder on the Treasurer's desk, told him it was garbage and ordered him to start over.
Apparently the Mayor believes that's how CEOs are supposed to behave towards underlings.
The Treasurer waited for them to leave his office, made his way immediately to the Clerk's Office and submitted notice of his resignation.
For the sake of his staff, he stayed until April when the budget was finalised.
No recruitment took place to fill the vacancy as required by Provincial regulations.
This One's A Dousy
I have been asked to list names of the people who have left the town's employ during this term.
Also, to clear up insinuations, I am requested to provide evidence of responsibility for the exodus.
On the face of it, an innocent request. Ya think?.
The question raises fundamental issues.
Employees have a right to privacy. Reasons for taking or leaving a job are private.
A person with many years invested in public service,must maximise the investment when changing employment.
Problems with a former employer are not an asset .Even less so with political employers.They tend to be skittish.
Circumstances of an employee's experience are not public unless the employee chooses to make it so.
When John Rogers, the town's former C.A.O.left, I publicly made a point of my high regard for Mr. Rogers' competence and integrity.
When Clerk Lucille King quit, the day she provided me with the decision of the first hired,first fired, Integrity Commissioner, I said she had not been allowed to do her job.
The Clerk is a statutory officer. He/she has legal responsibilities. Failure to perform the responsibilities can have legal consequences.
A few weeks previously minutes of a meeting were altered from what actually happened at the meeting. The Clerk, and only the Clerk, is responsible for keeping the public record.
A Municipal Clerk, hindered in performing legal duties is a person at risk. No employee can afford a job that puts them at odds with the law
I didn't need to ask Lucille King for the reason she quit. The reasons were already in the public domain.
At one time, I thought the Clerk of the Municipality had authority to compel Council to abide by the law. I guess I got that impression because I never knew a Mayor or Council to challenge the Clerk's advice on the law , let alone make a point of not receiving it.
This Council has taught me, in order to ensure you get one that abides by the rules, you have to elect it.
An election may not be a guarantee but it's the best chance you've got.
In past campaigns, when I asked for a vote, I asked for trust.
I didn't ask you to trust I won't steal money from the treasury.
I won't sell my vote.
I won't solicit bribes.
I won't bully and harass employees.
Or demand sexual favours.
Or ask the parks department to cut my grass and public works carry out my garbage
Or use the Town Hall for late night orgies and not invite you along.
I ask you trust me in the seat at the table to exercise my judgement. To make sense of what I see, hear and read and cast my vote in your best interest, as I see it.
I ask you to trust, I will speak frankly and freely, without fear or favour. I will call a spade a spade and you will always know where I stand.
I ask you base your judgement on my past performance of fullfilling my commitment.
When I indicated the Council in charge for the last forty-two months must take responsibility for the exodus of staff . That is not judgement. That is fact.
Don't ask me to further humiliate people who have been unjustly served in your name
Don't ask me to publicise the miserable details. You know I can't do that.
When I last solicited your vote I won a seat.
So trust me you must.
Also, to clear up insinuations, I am requested to provide evidence of responsibility for the exodus.
On the face of it, an innocent request. Ya think?.
The question raises fundamental issues.
Employees have a right to privacy. Reasons for taking or leaving a job are private.
A person with many years invested in public service,must maximise the investment when changing employment.
Problems with a former employer are not an asset .Even less so with political employers.They tend to be skittish.
Circumstances of an employee's experience are not public unless the employee chooses to make it so.
When John Rogers, the town's former C.A.O.left, I publicly made a point of my high regard for Mr. Rogers' competence and integrity.
When Clerk Lucille King quit, the day she provided me with the decision of the first hired,first fired, Integrity Commissioner, I said she had not been allowed to do her job.
The Clerk is a statutory officer. He/she has legal responsibilities. Failure to perform the responsibilities can have legal consequences.
A few weeks previously minutes of a meeting were altered from what actually happened at the meeting. The Clerk, and only the Clerk, is responsible for keeping the public record.
A Municipal Clerk, hindered in performing legal duties is a person at risk. No employee can afford a job that puts them at odds with the law
I didn't need to ask Lucille King for the reason she quit. The reasons were already in the public domain.
At one time, I thought the Clerk of the Municipality had authority to compel Council to abide by the law. I guess I got that impression because I never knew a Mayor or Council to challenge the Clerk's advice on the law , let alone make a point of not receiving it.
This Council has taught me, in order to ensure you get one that abides by the rules, you have to elect it.
An election may not be a guarantee but it's the best chance you've got.
In past campaigns, when I asked for a vote, I asked for trust.
I didn't ask you to trust I won't steal money from the treasury.
I won't sell my vote.
I won't solicit bribes.
I won't bully and harass employees.
Or demand sexual favours.
Or ask the parks department to cut my grass and public works carry out my garbage
Or use the Town Hall for late night orgies and not invite you along.
I ask you trust me in the seat at the table to exercise my judgement. To make sense of what I see, hear and read and cast my vote in your best interest, as I see it.
I ask you to trust, I will speak frankly and freely, without fear or favour. I will call a spade a spade and you will always know where I stand.
I ask you base your judgement on my past performance of fullfilling my commitment.
When I indicated the Council in charge for the last forty-two months must take responsibility for the exodus of staff . That is not judgement. That is fact.
Don't ask me to further humiliate people who have been unjustly served in your name
Don't ask me to publicise the miserable details. You know I can't do that.
When I last solicited your vote I won a seat.
So trust me you must.
Friday, 4 June 2010
A Merry Evening
The Council Chamber was a place of overflowing good cheer on Wednesday evening. It was very nice to see.
People from all sectors of the community were there to be recognised for contributions to Aurora's lifestyle.
Girl Guides,Boy Scouts, Big Sisters,Big Brothers.sports teams coaches and organisations were well represented.
Seniors' Club, Service Clubs, environmentalists, nature lovers, history buffs, heritage caretakers and book-readers were conspicuous in their presence
.
Everything these people do, they would do anyway without recognition but it's nice to get to-gether once a year and celebrate what is done well
Some were there with children and parents or spouses or colleagues, with cameras flashing.
They lingered behind which is always a sign people are enjoying the occasion.
And when people are enjoying an occasion, it generally means somebody took care of all the tiny details
You know, you can't buy that kind care and attention .
That's artistry.
That would be Shelley.
People from all sectors of the community were there to be recognised for contributions to Aurora's lifestyle.
Girl Guides,Boy Scouts, Big Sisters,Big Brothers.sports teams coaches and organisations were well represented.
Seniors' Club, Service Clubs, environmentalists, nature lovers, history buffs, heritage caretakers and book-readers were conspicuous in their presence
.
Everything these people do, they would do anyway without recognition but it's nice to get to-gether once a year and celebrate what is done well
Some were there with children and parents or spouses or colleagues, with cameras flashing.
They lingered behind which is always a sign people are enjoying the occasion.
And when people are enjoying an occasion, it generally means somebody took care of all the tiny details
You know, you can't buy that kind care and attention .
That's artistry.
That would be Shelley.
Thursday, 3 June 2010
A Host Of Possibilities
Question.
Can you explain the term "returned to the source" please?
Returned to the roads department?
Returned to general revenue?
Is this million now available for other projects?
Can you explain the term "returned to the source" please?
Returned to the roads department?
Returned to general revenue?
Is this million now available for other projects?
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
I Get Questions...Don't Always Have Answers
Anonymous said...
Are you suggesting that staff were instructed to purposely produce budgets/estimates that were far in excess of what would be needed to create the illusion of competency, with the attendant positive "glow" shining on current council in an election year?
A Pending Matter of Surplus
Sometimes I put it off . If I had no success in even sparking curiosity, whether in the press or council, yet it seems terribly obvious to me, I get to feeling the problem must be me.
Dick Illingworth had a favourite joke:
"Whenever I feel the need to exercise, I lie down until it goes away."
Now I'm ready to tackle the exercise.
On May 4th, we had a report on contract awards for three road construction projects budgeted for this taxation year. .
They came in at $1.231,666.40 under budget. With a recommendation surplus funds be returned to the source.
Councillor Wilson was especially pleased. He commended the Director, who responded it was the result of new staff complement and being able to do the job better.
Well, you know how people say, I'm such a downer. Sometimes when people are so optimistic,it's hard to do what I have to do. Especially when I know how it will be received .
The Mayor will roll her eyes, drop her head in despair and adopt that tone of voice, you know the one, the long-suffering tone of martyr to the cause.
So I waited for the next opportunity. When the committee report would be presented to Council for approval.
Then I did what I believe I was elected to do. With cameras as my witness.
I had to.I knew the result beforehand but if I didn't do it where I'm supposed to do it. in the council meeting, the story wouldn't be complete and I couldn't tell you about it here.
A million dollars surplus is not a sign of competence.It's an alarm bell. It's money collected from our pockets which should stay right where it is.
So, I examined the figures. They did not lie.
Tender 4.1 Nisbet Drive and Sandusky
Contract totals for water and sanitary portion; $10,993.33
Budget totals(estimates) $535,255.00.
The work was over-estimated by $524,261.67
Tender 4.2 Kemano Road, Sioux Gate and Foreht Crescent
Contract totals for water and sanitary portion: nil
Budget totals(estimates) $211,697.00
The work was over-estimated by $211,697.00
Tender 4.3 Davis Drive and Jones Court.
Contract totals for water and sanitary portion: $295,258.62
Budget totals (estimates): $700.454.00
The work was over-estimated by $494.195.38
There were many and various tables in the report. Figures I cited had to be referred to while flipping pages.I sought Council's indulgence before I started.
The final recommendation was the surplus be returned to the source.
Not so much as a flicker of interest was expressed at the Council table.
When I finished, the Mayor asked if there was a question in my comments.
There was no question . I made the point . Funds not required were included in contract budgets. A Surplus in excess of a million dollars appeared to be deliberate.
If the Director had a response, I was ready to listen.
But the Director was hesitant and the Mayor quickly directed the Treasurer to reassure Council.
Apparently he did.
No debate ensued. No questions asked.
We moved on to the next item on the agenda.
Now my friends, in the quiet, calm of computer land, did you find those figures difficult to comprehend ?
Or do you see it. like I do, for what it is?
Dick Illingworth had a favourite joke:
"Whenever I feel the need to exercise, I lie down until it goes away."
Now I'm ready to tackle the exercise.
On May 4th, we had a report on contract awards for three road construction projects budgeted for this taxation year. .
They came in at $1.231,666.40 under budget. With a recommendation surplus funds be returned to the source.
Councillor Wilson was especially pleased. He commended the Director, who responded it was the result of new staff complement and being able to do the job better.
Well, you know how people say, I'm such a downer. Sometimes when people are so optimistic,it's hard to do what I have to do. Especially when I know how it will be received .
The Mayor will roll her eyes, drop her head in despair and adopt that tone of voice, you know the one, the long-suffering tone of martyr to the cause.
So I waited for the next opportunity. When the committee report would be presented to Council for approval.
Then I did what I believe I was elected to do. With cameras as my witness.
I had to.I knew the result beforehand but if I didn't do it where I'm supposed to do it. in the council meeting, the story wouldn't be complete and I couldn't tell you about it here.
A million dollars surplus is not a sign of competence.It's an alarm bell. It's money collected from our pockets which should stay right where it is.
So, I examined the figures. They did not lie.
Tender 4.1 Nisbet Drive and Sandusky
Contract totals for water and sanitary portion; $10,993.33
Budget totals(estimates) $535,255.00.
The work was over-estimated by $524,261.67
Tender 4.2 Kemano Road, Sioux Gate and Foreht Crescent
Contract totals for water and sanitary portion: nil
Budget totals(estimates) $211,697.00
The work was over-estimated by $211,697.00
Tender 4.3 Davis Drive and Jones Court.
Contract totals for water and sanitary portion: $295,258.62
Budget totals (estimates): $700.454.00
The work was over-estimated by $494.195.38
There were many and various tables in the report. Figures I cited had to be referred to while flipping pages.I sought Council's indulgence before I started.
The final recommendation was the surplus be returned to the source.
Not so much as a flicker of interest was expressed at the Council table.
When I finished, the Mayor asked if there was a question in my comments.
There was no question . I made the point . Funds not required were included in contract budgets. A Surplus in excess of a million dollars appeared to be deliberate.
If the Director had a response, I was ready to listen.
But the Director was hesitant and the Mayor quickly directed the Treasurer to reassure Council.
Apparently he did.
No debate ensued. No questions asked.
We moved on to the next item on the agenda.
Now my friends, in the quiet, calm of computer land, did you find those figures difficult to comprehend ?
Or do you see it. like I do, for what it is?
Monday, 31 May 2010
Answers
No, it wasn't Milton Hart. No, I don't think it was a threat.
Nobody should have any illusion about the nature of this post. It's political. I am a politician. I make no apology. I do not pretend to be anything but what I am. I don't have to.
I like who I am.
In my book, being a politician is an honourable endeavour.
Anyone who imagines there is something degrading about what I do and how I do it is out to lunch in left field , up the spout, out of their tree, one brick short of a load, not playing with a full deck and any and all expressions that signify a defining limit to mental competence.
They don't have a snowball's chance in hell of persuading me to be any different.
I enjoyed politics before when I had to depend on the media to interpret what I was saying .
I never dreamed of the day I would have power and freedom to convey my ideas and views straight from my own pen, so-to-speak.
The face of politics is forever changed and changing because of the social media.
Nowhere more so than at the municipal level.
It's as it should be.
Make way for the gang busters.
Nobody should have any illusion about the nature of this post. It's political. I am a politician. I make no apology. I do not pretend to be anything but what I am. I don't have to.
I like who I am.
In my book, being a politician is an honourable endeavour.
Anyone who imagines there is something degrading about what I do and how I do it is out to lunch in left field , up the spout, out of their tree, one brick short of a load, not playing with a full deck and any and all expressions that signify a defining limit to mental competence.
They don't have a snowball's chance in hell of persuading me to be any different.
I enjoyed politics before when I had to depend on the media to interpret what I was saying .
I never dreamed of the day I would have power and freedom to convey my ideas and views straight from my own pen, so-to-speak.
The face of politics is forever changed and changing because of the social media.
Nowhere more so than at the municipal level.
It's as it should be.
Make way for the gang busters.
Sunday, 30 May 2010
While I think About It
I only have a four more packs and a geranium to plant. They are in the shade and I wet them again. So they can wait another wee while.
I remembered something I need to tell you.
I was not elected until my third try.I was second from the bottom of the table. But I didn't much care about that. We had two year terms. When I started it was one year. There wasn't that much time between the first time and the third. Enough though, to add a couple of members to my family.
When my first term ended, I wasn't thinking about moving up the table.
We had offices of Mayor, Reeve and Deputy Reeve.. These last two were the town's representation on County Council. It was the last before the Region was created.
The Reeve's office was open . No incumbent.
Stew Patrick and Jack Williamson declared themselves in the running for it.
As I said, I wasn't paying much attention to the top of the table. Until I heard both candidates were canvassing my neighbourhood and telling my neighbours they shouldn't vote for me in the upcoming election.
Well, of course I heard about it.
Is that so, I thought. Not without indignation. I was like that in those days.
I decided, if I'm going to have to run against those two, I might as well compete for the same office.
So I did.
They were veteran councillors.
I was a newby.
I beat them both. Got more votes than the two of them put together.
Come election night....watching the votes coming in....it was like things were happening exactly how they were supposed to.
I remembered something I need to tell you.
I was not elected until my third try.I was second from the bottom of the table. But I didn't much care about that. We had two year terms. When I started it was one year. There wasn't that much time between the first time and the third. Enough though, to add a couple of members to my family.
When my first term ended, I wasn't thinking about moving up the table.
We had offices of Mayor, Reeve and Deputy Reeve.. These last two were the town's representation on County Council. It was the last before the Region was created.
The Reeve's office was open . No incumbent.
Stew Patrick and Jack Williamson declared themselves in the running for it.
As I said, I wasn't paying much attention to the top of the table. Until I heard both candidates were canvassing my neighbourhood and telling my neighbours they shouldn't vote for me in the upcoming election.
Well, of course I heard about it.
Is that so, I thought. Not without indignation. I was like that in those days.
I decided, if I'm going to have to run against those two, I might as well compete for the same office.
So I did.
They were veteran councillors.
I was a newby.
I beat them both. Got more votes than the two of them put together.
Come election night....watching the votes coming in....it was like things were happening exactly how they were supposed to.
The Mallards Came Back
At dusk last night. But they aren't there this morning. They must still be looking for a place to nest.
Much was accomplished in the garden yesterday and on Friday evening. It's just about perfect for sitting now. But I do have some plants I bought on Friday that should go into the ground earlier rather than later.
So today's story is a short one, I think. I never know when I start it, where it will go and how it will end. Sometimes it takes a most surprising twist.
Yesterday I wrote somewhat about the grand plan for Morris' re-election. This is a little side snippet.
At the opening of the Church Street School, I met a former library board member, now a member of the Church Street school board.
We were on the library board together for three years. I moved his name forward for special recognition. We had many friendly chats.
On the night of the opening, he greeted me and introduced himself. He reminded me we had been on the library board together for three years and did good work to-gether.
I listened to the rest of his comments to catch signs of any one of the following:
Was he treating me like a person who had lost her wits because he believed that to be so?
Had he himself lost his wits poor thing ? He's not much more youthful than I am myself.
Or was the entire performance a colossal insult to my intelligence ?
The last was the least likely. I knew him as a man of manners and style.
His conversation bore no sign of confusion.If he had lost his wits it wasn't evident.
That left only one conclusion. He was speaking to me as if I had no recollection of recent events. Why would he make that assumption without having had a conversation with me since the night of the award I put his name forward to receive. He probably never knew that.
The obvious answer was, he made no such assumption. Someone must have told him I had lost my wits.
Now, who would that be?
Who has spent more than forty months and tens of thousands of tax dollars in legal fees to shut down this blog ? And failed. Now Plan 2 is obviously being brought to the fore and propelled by force.
Well, we all know who. Let's all give a friendly wave
Yoohoo!!! Yoohoo!!!!
Much was accomplished in the garden yesterday and on Friday evening. It's just about perfect for sitting now. But I do have some plants I bought on Friday that should go into the ground earlier rather than later.
So today's story is a short one, I think. I never know when I start it, where it will go and how it will end. Sometimes it takes a most surprising twist.
Yesterday I wrote somewhat about the grand plan for Morris' re-election. This is a little side snippet.
At the opening of the Church Street School, I met a former library board member, now a member of the Church Street school board.
We were on the library board together for three years. I moved his name forward for special recognition. We had many friendly chats.
On the night of the opening, he greeted me and introduced himself. He reminded me we had been on the library board together for three years and did good work to-gether.
I listened to the rest of his comments to catch signs of any one of the following:
Was he treating me like a person who had lost her wits because he believed that to be so?
Had he himself lost his wits poor thing ? He's not much more youthful than I am myself.
Or was the entire performance a colossal insult to my intelligence ?
The last was the least likely. I knew him as a man of manners and style.
His conversation bore no sign of confusion.If he had lost his wits it wasn't evident.
That left only one conclusion. He was speaking to me as if I had no recollection of recent events. Why would he make that assumption without having had a conversation with me since the night of the award I put his name forward to receive. He probably never knew that.
The obvious answer was, he made no such assumption. Someone must have told him I had lost my wits.
Now, who would that be?
Who has spent more than forty months and tens of thousands of tax dollars in legal fees to shut down this blog ? And failed. Now Plan 2 is obviously being brought to the fore and propelled by force.
Well, we all know who. Let's all give a friendly wave
Yoohoo!!! Yoohoo!!!!
Saturday, 29 May 2010
Comment to More of The Same
I believe that Mr. Ballard began his career as a journalist, and may have even worked for The Banner at one point, or perhaps one of the papers that merged to become the Era Banner.
Friday, 28 May 2010
More Of The Same
Michael Evans called me Tuesday before the Council meeting. He asked had I seen the story in The Banner. I told him no, so he told me about it and had some questions.
Who is this guy Ballard? Why is he Chair of an Advisory Committee? Isn't a Chair supposed to be elected? Why is he speaking with authority against an Official Plan Amendment at Centre and Yonge?
He went on." I asked The Banner, why they went to him for a story? What does he have to do with anything?"
The Banner said they didn't . He came to them.
Michael is one of the few surviving retailers on Yonge Street. He was a candidate for Council once. He stays on top of things and keeps Council aware of steadily deteriorating conditions
He attended every public planning hearing on the numerous applications on the above noted property and urged various councils to proceed for the benefit of downtown. . Until now, to deaf ears. . If anyone knows how hard it is to make a living in the down-town block, He's the Man.
I told Michael what I knew.
Chris Ballard is a friend of the Mayor.
Committee chairs should be elected officials.
Mr. Ballard is a consultant. I think, communications. I believe Aurora is or has been his client at some point
.
Going to The Banner would probably be the Mayor's idea. To put pressure on Councillors Wilson and Granger to make them change their minds.
There's an army of Morris Minions in and out of the Council ,whose function it is to say or write things she wants to be said but not by her. It's the most transparent aspect of Mayor Morris.
At the Town Hall, the word is; "Just do it. Keep her happy"
When Michael came to Council a few weeks ago with photographs of recently vacated stores on both sides of Yonge Street, there was a disparaging letter in The Banner about his hardware store a week later.
No critical comment ever goes unpunished.
It's a good thing Michael wasn't looking for support or encouragement from Town Hall, He would have been disappointed.
Three people came to Council on Tuesday to speak in support of the application.
Mr. Lee congratulated Councillors for "their courage"
The Mayor reminded him of " a problem" he had , she had assisted him with and would likely do so again.
No doubt, it was just a friendly reminder.
Gordon Barnes, however, is a great friend and supporter of the Mayor and all volunteers. He advised Council in stentorian terms "We live under the rule of law. Not under the law of expediency" in his opposition to the proposal.
I am not exactly sure expediency was the term for dealing with the same application umpteen times at great expense to the applicant and the municipality and failing to make a recognizable decision.
In the meantime, every new owner pays more for the property and has to get more out of it to make any project economically feasible. Had it been built five years ago it would have probably been two floors lower.
Mr. Barnes always informs Council, he lives at 11 Catherine Street.
That's behind the proposed building site, currently the most blighted and slum-like in our down- town and growing worse by the day.
At every public planning meeting , the building's architect is obliged to spend time addressing precisely where shadows will fall at particular times of the day.
Mr. Barnes is a gardener and grows many different varieties of tomatoes.
Speaking on the issue, the Mayor had much to say about the mandate she received from the voters to maintain the small town quality.
It certainly appears to be a popular concept. Candidates make that solemn vow every time we have an election.
I listen and wonder; what place are they are talking about?
I have lived here for nigh on fifty years. I have had the privilege of serving on Council and sharing neighbours whose familes have lived here for several generations.
To-day's centre block of Aurora resembles nothing of the progressive bustling town Aurora once was.
Pshaw!!! Madame Mayor.
What are you and your friends talking about ?
Where are you from?
Do you hear yourselves speak ?
Who gave Chris Ballard authority to speak for the Town of Aurora, she asked, knowing the answer full well.
.
Who is this guy Ballard? Why is he Chair of an Advisory Committee? Isn't a Chair supposed to be elected? Why is he speaking with authority against an Official Plan Amendment at Centre and Yonge?
He went on." I asked The Banner, why they went to him for a story? What does he have to do with anything?"
The Banner said they didn't . He came to them.
Michael is one of the few surviving retailers on Yonge Street. He was a candidate for Council once. He stays on top of things and keeps Council aware of steadily deteriorating conditions
He attended every public planning hearing on the numerous applications on the above noted property and urged various councils to proceed for the benefit of downtown. . Until now, to deaf ears. . If anyone knows how hard it is to make a living in the down-town block, He's the Man.
I told Michael what I knew.
Chris Ballard is a friend of the Mayor.
Committee chairs should be elected officials.
Mr. Ballard is a consultant. I think, communications. I believe Aurora is or has been his client at some point
.
Going to The Banner would probably be the Mayor's idea. To put pressure on Councillors Wilson and Granger to make them change their minds.
There's an army of Morris Minions in and out of the Council ,whose function it is to say or write things she wants to be said but not by her. It's the most transparent aspect of Mayor Morris.
At the Town Hall, the word is; "Just do it. Keep her happy"
When Michael came to Council a few weeks ago with photographs of recently vacated stores on both sides of Yonge Street, there was a disparaging letter in The Banner about his hardware store a week later.
No critical comment ever goes unpunished.
It's a good thing Michael wasn't looking for support or encouragement from Town Hall, He would have been disappointed.
Three people came to Council on Tuesday to speak in support of the application.
Mr. Lee congratulated Councillors for "their courage"
The Mayor reminded him of " a problem" he had , she had assisted him with and would likely do so again.
No doubt, it was just a friendly reminder.
Gordon Barnes, however, is a great friend and supporter of the Mayor and all volunteers. He advised Council in stentorian terms "We live under the rule of law. Not under the law of expediency" in his opposition to the proposal.
I am not exactly sure expediency was the term for dealing with the same application umpteen times at great expense to the applicant and the municipality and failing to make a recognizable decision.
In the meantime, every new owner pays more for the property and has to get more out of it to make any project economically feasible. Had it been built five years ago it would have probably been two floors lower.
Mr. Barnes always informs Council, he lives at 11 Catherine Street.
That's behind the proposed building site, currently the most blighted and slum-like in our down- town and growing worse by the day.
At every public planning meeting , the building's architect is obliged to spend time addressing precisely where shadows will fall at particular times of the day.
Mr. Barnes is a gardener and grows many different varieties of tomatoes.
Speaking on the issue, the Mayor had much to say about the mandate she received from the voters to maintain the small town quality.
It certainly appears to be a popular concept. Candidates make that solemn vow every time we have an election.
I listen and wonder; what place are they are talking about?
I have lived here for nigh on fifty years. I have had the privilege of serving on Council and sharing neighbours whose familes have lived here for several generations.
To-day's centre block of Aurora resembles nothing of the progressive bustling town Aurora once was.
Pshaw!!! Madame Mayor.
What are you and your friends talking about ?
Where are you from?
Do you hear yourselves speak ?
Who gave Chris Ballard authority to speak for the Town of Aurora, she asked, knowing the answer full well.
.
Thursday, 27 May 2010
Machinations and Manipulations
I have another little story to tell.
In 2007,included for the second time in the budget, was replacement of playground equipment in the Harry Seston Park.
Councillor MacEachern stated it was her neighbourhood. Speaking for her neighbours . she said they would be wondering why we were wasting taxpayers money on replacing the equipment.
The $70 thousand item was removed because the Councillor was once again the ultimate authority.
Before the budget was confirmed. two mothers came to Council. They'd been reading about all the wonderful things happening elsewhere in town, like the traffic calming plan in the northeast
quadrant.
That neighbourhood had been identified by the Mayor as " special". They wondered when it would be their turn for consideration. The mothers were very respectful.
They were unaware money had been budgeted several times and removed.
While they were there, Councillor MacEachern challenged the Director of Leisure Services for his statement that none of the playground equipment was dangerous.
He confirmed his advice. None of the equipment is dangerous. The town removes dangerous equipment to ensure no child will be injured by unsafe equipment in a town park.
The item however remained out of the budget.
It was included in 2008. The two mothers were invited to participate in planning and selection of equipment and helped to see the project to completion.
At the end, they came to Council to express profound appreciation for Council's generosity.
They never understood their playground equipment was recommended by staff for replacement and removed by a political decision of Council.
Even while quarter of a million dollars were spent on the traffic calming project in the Mayor's "Special" Heritage neighbourhood .
I believe we even provided a grant for new equipment to a private playground in a co-op housing project that year.
The story illustrates Mormac Political Strategy at it's smoothest, finest and most effective.
Clever ?? Oh Yes .
Calculating?? Undoubtedly so.
Trustworthy??? Not by my standards..
Watching trusting individuals being used that way does little to elevate our public standards.
In 2007,included for the second time in the budget, was replacement of playground equipment in the Harry Seston Park.
Councillor MacEachern stated it was her neighbourhood. Speaking for her neighbours . she said they would be wondering why we were wasting taxpayers money on replacing the equipment.
The $70 thousand item was removed because the Councillor was once again the ultimate authority.
Before the budget was confirmed. two mothers came to Council. They'd been reading about all the wonderful things happening elsewhere in town, like the traffic calming plan in the northeast
quadrant.
That neighbourhood had been identified by the Mayor as " special". They wondered when it would be their turn for consideration. The mothers were very respectful.
They were unaware money had been budgeted several times and removed.
While they were there, Councillor MacEachern challenged the Director of Leisure Services for his statement that none of the playground equipment was dangerous.
He confirmed his advice. None of the equipment is dangerous. The town removes dangerous equipment to ensure no child will be injured by unsafe equipment in a town park.
The item however remained out of the budget.
It was included in 2008. The two mothers were invited to participate in planning and selection of equipment and helped to see the project to completion.
At the end, they came to Council to express profound appreciation for Council's generosity.
They never understood their playground equipment was recommended by staff for replacement and removed by a political decision of Council.
Even while quarter of a million dollars were spent on the traffic calming project in the Mayor's "Special" Heritage neighbourhood .
I believe we even provided a grant for new equipment to a private playground in a co-op housing project that year.
The story illustrates Mormac Political Strategy at it's smoothest, finest and most effective.
Clever ?? Oh Yes .
Calculating?? Undoubtedly so.
Trustworthy??? Not by my standards..
Watching trusting individuals being used that way does little to elevate our public standards.
Running Out of Steam
It's outdated but still a familiar expression.
Wednesday morning we had an interruption.
Hydro One's timeline for need to increase the power supply was 2006
In 2007 , Aurora Cable battled Mormac for months for wind turbines for a back-up supply to protect equipment from damage during brown-outs; the first sign of supply shortage.
It's summer 2010.
Four years past the deadline. No peaker plant in place yet.
Tuesday, Aurora council discussed separate objectives for the public and private sector.
We directed staff to ensure conservation measures in the building proposed for the corner of Centre and Yonge Street. Very righteous. Very proper.
The question before us was an application for a change in land use.But no matter.
Later in the same agenda, we debated a diesel fueled generator for back up supply of energy at the town hall during a possible emergency. Natural gas had been rejected previously. Green energy was never an option.
We installed natural gas in Church Street school as opposed to a pump drawing heat from the ground .
Yes, I know installation is more expensive. We had a grant in hand for the project. Energy from the earth contributes nothing to the carbon footprint.
These were two conspicuous opportunities to make a difference. We didn't take them.
We have a Citizens Environmental Advisory Committee.
We re-named Public Works, Environment and Infrastructure Department.
We have had an environmental engineer on the payroll for three years to "identify" environmental initiatives.
None thus far identified. I've been asking.
Should an interruption of power happen,as it well may, in fact has already and computers go down, memory may be lost.
It would certainly be an emergency of catastrophic proportions.
OF OUR OWN MAKING.
Wednesday morning we had an interruption.
Hydro One's timeline for need to increase the power supply was 2006
In 2007 , Aurora Cable battled Mormac for months for wind turbines for a back-up supply to protect equipment from damage during brown-outs; the first sign of supply shortage.
It's summer 2010.
Four years past the deadline. No peaker plant in place yet.
Tuesday, Aurora council discussed separate objectives for the public and private sector.
We directed staff to ensure conservation measures in the building proposed for the corner of Centre and Yonge Street. Very righteous. Very proper.
The question before us was an application for a change in land use.But no matter.
Later in the same agenda, we debated a diesel fueled generator for back up supply of energy at the town hall during a possible emergency. Natural gas had been rejected previously. Green energy was never an option.
We installed natural gas in Church Street school as opposed to a pump drawing heat from the ground .
Yes, I know installation is more expensive. We had a grant in hand for the project. Energy from the earth contributes nothing to the carbon footprint.
These were two conspicuous opportunities to make a difference. We didn't take them.
We have a Citizens Environmental Advisory Committee.
We re-named Public Works, Environment and Infrastructure Department.
We have had an environmental engineer on the payroll for three years to "identify" environmental initiatives.
None thus far identified. I've been asking.
Should an interruption of power happen,as it well may, in fact has already and computers go down, memory may be lost.
It would certainly be an emergency of catastrophic proportions.
OF OUR OWN MAKING.
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
Where is the Fairness,Consistency or Equality.Where is the Judgement?
Every now and again, I am reminded of David Nitkin, Integrity Commissioner, first hired and first fired after his first decision to the first complaint which was a dismissal.
At the end of the first workshop held to introduce the concept of ethics to the Council which appointed him, boycotted by the Mormac Twins , it occurred to me to ask Mr. Nitkin about his experience with municipal councils.
He parried the question . I pursued it. He posed the potential of collegiality.
My reaction may have been slightly less than mannerly.
I was reminded of the exchange last night:
Early in the first year of the term, a couple of young Aurora Grove mothers came to Council with a request. They were planning a ten year anniversary celebration of their school in their park.
They needed picnic tables and a couple of litter barrels. They asked for fees to be waived.
The fee was about $85. The park is tidied up before the event. Picnic tables and litter barrels are delivered. The park is tidied up after the event.The fee was similar to that for a soccer game.
No fees are charged for use of a park.
I argued in support. Such events grow a community. I think that's a worthy cause.
Council refused.
They pleaded.
Council refused again.
Last night Well's Street school parents asked for fees to be waived to hold the last graduation celebration in the town park with use of the band shell.
The fees are $300.
A motion was moved and seconded to waive the fees.
The hour was late. I felt the same about the Wells St, School celebration as I did about Aurora Grove. But there was a case to be made for equality and consistency.
If the young parents in Aurora Grove could not be accommodated,why would council make a different decision for the Wells Street school neighbourhood.
Such inequality serves to divide a community.It makes people feel they don't count.
I did not choose to make the argument.The hour was late. When the vote was called, I did not indicate support.
Eagle-eyed Councillor MacEachern called immediately for a recorded vote.
I hit my button."If there's going to be recorded vote, there's going to be a debate" I said.
The Mayor, however, directed the Clerk to record the vote.
Whereupon, I left the council chamber and returned after the vote.My vote was not recorded.
It was an eventful meeting.
There is more to be told.
When I awoke this morning, my first thought was of David Nitkin and his quaint notion of collegiality on Aurora Council.
At the end of the first workshop held to introduce the concept of ethics to the Council which appointed him, boycotted by the Mormac Twins , it occurred to me to ask Mr. Nitkin about his experience with municipal councils.
He parried the question . I pursued it. He posed the potential of collegiality.
My reaction may have been slightly less than mannerly.
I was reminded of the exchange last night:
Early in the first year of the term, a couple of young Aurora Grove mothers came to Council with a request. They were planning a ten year anniversary celebration of their school in their park.
They needed picnic tables and a couple of litter barrels. They asked for fees to be waived.
The fee was about $85. The park is tidied up before the event. Picnic tables and litter barrels are delivered. The park is tidied up after the event.The fee was similar to that for a soccer game.
No fees are charged for use of a park.
I argued in support. Such events grow a community. I think that's a worthy cause.
Council refused.
They pleaded.
Council refused again.
Last night Well's Street school parents asked for fees to be waived to hold the last graduation celebration in the town park with use of the band shell.
The fees are $300.
A motion was moved and seconded to waive the fees.
The hour was late. I felt the same about the Wells St, School celebration as I did about Aurora Grove. But there was a case to be made for equality and consistency.
If the young parents in Aurora Grove could not be accommodated,why would council make a different decision for the Wells Street school neighbourhood.
Such inequality serves to divide a community.It makes people feel they don't count.
I did not choose to make the argument.The hour was late. When the vote was called, I did not indicate support.
Eagle-eyed Councillor MacEachern called immediately for a recorded vote.
I hit my button."If there's going to be recorded vote, there's going to be a debate" I said.
The Mayor, however, directed the Clerk to record the vote.
Whereupon, I left the council chamber and returned after the vote.My vote was not recorded.
It was an eventful meeting.
There is more to be told.
When I awoke this morning, my first thought was of David Nitkin and his quaint notion of collegiality on Aurora Council.
Monday, 24 May 2010
Birds of Different Feathers
The mallards came back. But they didn't stay long. It's been about seven years now.
This year, I doubt it was more than a couple of hours
The water in the pool cover is lower than usual. It's been pumped out a couple of times already.
They come down in the water and find sustenance there.Then they hoist themselves onto the deck. They take turns sleeping. One rests on the warm concrete while the other watches.
She had trouble getting up the tarp ....kept slipping back.. He stayed behind until she made it. Then he had the same problem. We didn't see them leave and they didn't come back.
Of all the birds that live in my fifty by sixty-three feet backyard, robin is undoubtedly the smartest.
They usually stay separate. They're handsome but not flashy. They're relatively quiet and hunt by listening and are always successful.
Last week, there was a great hullabuloo.. A squirel came tearing out of a tree with two robins hard on his tail.He raced across the yard and hid in the cedar hedge .They were on top of him all the way.
He broke out of the hedge and raced up a tree with the robins still on his back. He vanished from sight along the telephone wires. They were still driving him forward with angry and determined clicks. .
I doubt he'll be back before the eggs hatch.
.
Robin stands watch.
Cardinals appear in a flash of brilliance but never stay put. Blue jays show up full of noise
and apparent industry and take off.
Robin appears in a place with a clear view to everywhere and stands sentinel.
He perches and peers. There might be twenty-five feet between us but he stares as if he's
warning me.
"I'm watching you. Make a move and you'll see."
In a matter of weeks, fledglings will take wing.
There will be a heck of a ruckus . For a week, fat chicks will wobble on the wires . Cats will be seen lurking.
If feathers are to be found, they are usually of the hue of blue.
This year, I doubt it was more than a couple of hours
The water in the pool cover is lower than usual. It's been pumped out a couple of times already.
They come down in the water and find sustenance there.Then they hoist themselves onto the deck. They take turns sleeping. One rests on the warm concrete while the other watches.
She had trouble getting up the tarp ....kept slipping back.. He stayed behind until she made it. Then he had the same problem. We didn't see them leave and they didn't come back.
Of all the birds that live in my fifty by sixty-three feet backyard, robin is undoubtedly the smartest.
They usually stay separate. They're handsome but not flashy. They're relatively quiet and hunt by listening and are always successful.
Last week, there was a great hullabuloo.. A squirel came tearing out of a tree with two robins hard on his tail.He raced across the yard and hid in the cedar hedge .They were on top of him all the way.
He broke out of the hedge and raced up a tree with the robins still on his back. He vanished from sight along the telephone wires. They were still driving him forward with angry and determined clicks. .
I doubt he'll be back before the eggs hatch.
.
Robin stands watch.
Cardinals appear in a flash of brilliance but never stay put. Blue jays show up full of noise
and apparent industry and take off.
Robin appears in a place with a clear view to everywhere and stands sentinel.
He perches and peers. There might be twenty-five feet between us but he stares as if he's
warning me.
"I'm watching you. Make a move and you'll see."
In a matter of weeks, fledglings will take wing.
There will be a heck of a ruckus . For a week, fat chicks will wobble on the wires . Cats will be seen lurking.
If feathers are to be found, they are usually of the hue of blue.
Sunday, 23 May 2010
Fair Damsel In Distress...C'est Moi
I rode up hill and down dale thinking , if I make it there, I'll make it anywhere and I just about did.
But the last sidewalk rise on the north side of Tyler Street is wot dun me in.
I stopped dead at the foot of the United Church steps. Ahead was the vast vacant expanse of Yonge Street . A teeming Metropolis, it was not. Sitting on a scooter gazing at it for twenty minutes provides a complete perspective.
It was 10.30 Saturday morning . You could roll a bowling ball down the centre of each sidewalk and risk hitting not a living soul. A customer swinging his legs over the top rail of the ramp outside the Bank of Commerce was the only sign of life.
I've ridden my bike to the orchards at the north end of town and sat on a tree stump looking down at the town at six o'clock in the morning for a similar view of activity.
A few people walked around me. A couple circled bicycles past me. I was in the centre of the sidewalk.
Then a woman's voice said: "Do you need help?"
"Do you know anything about scooters?" I asked. She didn't. But that slight lady, younger than myself, knew more than I.
Turn it off and take the key out. Put the key back in and start it again. And it did. I was off and running, so-to-speak, and once again on my way to the market.
Thank you, neighbour.
It was a nice visit to the Market but not as relaxed as it might have been.
The scooter was charged several times since the season changed, It was fully charged two nights before. I didn't use it. I thought the charge would still be in there.The needle was erratic when I set out. I went back and forth a few times and decided to go.
The manual says a full charge lasts twelve hours and a 100 kms. I was only going six kms and for no longer than a couple of hours. It should be alright. I wanted it to be so.
Coming home was problematic. I could have gone back along the railway but I wasn't sure of sidewalks. So, I didn't. Theresa was in the car. If I needed her. she needed to find me.
I needed her. A sidewalk gradient a fraction greater than others stopped me again. When I did the key thing, the scooters front wheels lifted ever so slightly off the ground.
Oh- Oh ...I thought. Ass -over- tea-kettle is not the image I wish to project nor how I wished to exit the world.
When I heard the voice behind me asking "Evelyn, are you in trouble?" I knew the gods were with me.
I know I don't fit the model of Fair Damsel in Distress.
But William(Bill) the Red Allison, Of Willow Farms, North Aurora, Pipe Major of the White Heather Pipe Band, was certainly my Knight in Shining Red Helmet.
He pushed me and my scooter, with the help of the failing battery, half- way home and the rest of the way in the rain, by himself.
Sidewalk or no sidewalk , full charge or no, I will never go up and down that hill again. 'Cept maybe if I lose a hundred pounds or grow a pair of wings.
Bill's wife Donna came into the house and had a coffee while we awaited her valiant spouse.
Turns out Bill reads my blog. Our conversation continued as if we had talked the day before.
Tim Jones had been urging Bill to think about being a candidate. He feels his children are too young.
I think that's when a person should be doing it. When their experience is the same as most other families in the town.
I think a man who jumps out of his car to spend hours in the middle of a Saturday to physically help somebody out of a real predicament, is exactly the kind of person who should run for Council.
Council is about overseeing the business of the corporation. Ours is a small town. We have a multi-million dollar administration to manage the day to day operation.
It's not about listening to nittering and nattering until all hours of the night. Or creating problems that don't exist and failing to solve the ones that do.
It's not about clinging together in a block and giving a totally, irrational, individual absolute power to take revenge on imagined enemies, make life miserable for everyone around and spend hundreds of thousands of tax dollars for legal fees to settle political scores.
And hundreds of thousands more, to buy votes by acceding to selfish and self-serving demands. because they never had any intention of fulfilling commitments and don't know any other way to ensure re-election.
That is not what a Council is about.
We need people like Bill Allison. We need to assure them their families will not be the losers. Council hours should accommodate members. Families should benefit from the experience along with every other young family in the community.
It should not be about sacrifice.It's a worthwhile experience that cannot be duplicated anywhere.
Sometimes a citizen needs to hear that he or she is needed and that's all it takes.
So, if you know someone like Bill Allison or his wife Donna, encourage them to come forward as candidates.
Tell them.....God knows, the need has never been so great.
But the last sidewalk rise on the north side of Tyler Street is wot dun me in.
I stopped dead at the foot of the United Church steps. Ahead was the vast vacant expanse of Yonge Street . A teeming Metropolis, it was not. Sitting on a scooter gazing at it for twenty minutes provides a complete perspective.
It was 10.30 Saturday morning . You could roll a bowling ball down the centre of each sidewalk and risk hitting not a living soul. A customer swinging his legs over the top rail of the ramp outside the Bank of Commerce was the only sign of life.
I've ridden my bike to the orchards at the north end of town and sat on a tree stump looking down at the town at six o'clock in the morning for a similar view of activity.
A few people walked around me. A couple circled bicycles past me. I was in the centre of the sidewalk.
Then a woman's voice said: "Do you need help?"
"Do you know anything about scooters?" I asked. She didn't. But that slight lady, younger than myself, knew more than I.
Turn it off and take the key out. Put the key back in and start it again. And it did. I was off and running, so-to-speak, and once again on my way to the market.
Thank you, neighbour.
It was a nice visit to the Market but not as relaxed as it might have been.
The scooter was charged several times since the season changed, It was fully charged two nights before. I didn't use it. I thought the charge would still be in there.The needle was erratic when I set out. I went back and forth a few times and decided to go.
The manual says a full charge lasts twelve hours and a 100 kms. I was only going six kms and for no longer than a couple of hours. It should be alright. I wanted it to be so.
Coming home was problematic. I could have gone back along the railway but I wasn't sure of sidewalks. So, I didn't. Theresa was in the car. If I needed her. she needed to find me.
I needed her. A sidewalk gradient a fraction greater than others stopped me again. When I did the key thing, the scooters front wheels lifted ever so slightly off the ground.
Oh- Oh ...I thought. Ass -over- tea-kettle is not the image I wish to project nor how I wished to exit the world.
When I heard the voice behind me asking "Evelyn, are you in trouble?" I knew the gods were with me.
I know I don't fit the model of Fair Damsel in Distress.
But William(Bill) the Red Allison, Of Willow Farms, North Aurora, Pipe Major of the White Heather Pipe Band, was certainly my Knight in Shining Red Helmet.
He pushed me and my scooter, with the help of the failing battery, half- way home and the rest of the way in the rain, by himself.
Sidewalk or no sidewalk , full charge or no, I will never go up and down that hill again. 'Cept maybe if I lose a hundred pounds or grow a pair of wings.
Bill's wife Donna came into the house and had a coffee while we awaited her valiant spouse.
Turns out Bill reads my blog. Our conversation continued as if we had talked the day before.
Tim Jones had been urging Bill to think about being a candidate. He feels his children are too young.
I think that's when a person should be doing it. When their experience is the same as most other families in the town.
I think a man who jumps out of his car to spend hours in the middle of a Saturday to physically help somebody out of a real predicament, is exactly the kind of person who should run for Council.
Council is about overseeing the business of the corporation. Ours is a small town. We have a multi-million dollar administration to manage the day to day operation.
It's not about listening to nittering and nattering until all hours of the night. Or creating problems that don't exist and failing to solve the ones that do.
It's not about clinging together in a block and giving a totally, irrational, individual absolute power to take revenge on imagined enemies, make life miserable for everyone around and spend hundreds of thousands of tax dollars for legal fees to settle political scores.
And hundreds of thousands more, to buy votes by acceding to selfish and self-serving demands. because they never had any intention of fulfilling commitments and don't know any other way to ensure re-election.
That is not what a Council is about.
We need people like Bill Allison. We need to assure them their families will not be the losers. Council hours should accommodate members. Families should benefit from the experience along with every other young family in the community.
It should not be about sacrifice.It's a worthwhile experience that cannot be duplicated anywhere.
Sometimes a citizen needs to hear that he or she is needed and that's all it takes.
So, if you know someone like Bill Allison or his wife Donna, encourage them to come forward as candidates.
Tell them.....God knows, the need has never been so great.
Friday, 21 May 2010
Grace Marsh's Comment to the Ongoing Saga
The meeting was a Special General Committee Meeting on June 18th, 2007. It was not televised, but a copy of a disc can be requested from the Town I believe.
Here is the link to the minutes on the Town's website:
http://www.town.aurora.on.ca/aurora/index.aspx?ArticleID=1465&lang=en-CA
I remember the night well. You are correct Evelyn, Grainger had to be told more than once to leave. He had no idea what was going on.
What the minutes clearly show, and speak volumes, is the fact that Wilson didn't arrive until 8:30 and walked back out with the rest at 8:40, having no idea why he was breaking quorum, other than he was told to.
Thursday, 20 May 2010
Tuesday. May 18th
Following direction given in 2007, an application for development on the corner of Centre and Yonge Street, undoubtedly the most blighted site in town, was not approved but consigned to Council in Committee for more talk.
Proposals for the site have been numerous and regularly presented at public planning meetings. Each time, dozens of hours have been spent by planning staff on all the detailed work necessary to process a plan.To say nothing of the efforts and expenses of the site owner
In the last term, we went through the exercise several times.
Neighbours came out to comment.
Michael Evans. a retail operator nearby on Yonge Street urged approval. The downtown is dying, we desperately need help, he pleaded.
In 2005, approval in principle was granted for a building 5/6 storeys.
In 2007. the proposal came back. As noted above, no decision made.
The site has been sold and re-sold repeatedly. Years pass. Land grows scarcer and more expensive. Construction costs increase.The site grows steadily more dilapidated.
No development is possible that isn't economically feasible.That's a given.
A couple of weeks ago, in council, the Mayor made a presentation on the dreadful state of down-town in which she appeared to claim, this Council, her Council, had given approval in principle to the last design at Yonge and Centre.
It wasn't so but we find ourselves on many occasions, tippy-toeing, just to keep mayhem from erupting. There is nothing elevating about being party to a public spectacle.
This week's planning report chronicled events exactly as they had happened.
The new proposal has an extra storey but less height.
A motion was made to recommend approval of the development application to Council.
Councillor Mac Eachern spoke against the motion. The Consultant Study for the Yonge Wellington Core is in the works she said. We should wait for its finalization.
The same argument of Councillor Gaertner a couple of weeks ago against a staff recommended sign variance for a gas station.
The Mayor enjoined that argument.
Then started the tussle to compel staff to indicate completion of the precious promenade study is imminent.
Staff were unable to oblige.The harder the Mayor pressed, first with the planner, then with the CAO, then back to the planner , dates became firmer rather than fuzzier.
Depending on public input, the study which will apparently magically,instantly and completely remove the doldrums from the downtown core with no help from private investment, will not be completed before October
Hallelujah!! the month of the election.
The Mayor lamented; as chair of the steering committee(mentioned several times) had staff informed her before, she would have pressed for additional meetings to get it through faster.
Still the table talk swirled. Round and round it goes, where it stops nobody knows.
What we do know is, if it's not clear the vote will go as the Mayor wishes , the question will not normally be put.
Except .... on Tuesday ..... Councillor McRoberts was in the chair. The question was put. The vote was five to four to approve.
Mayor Morris, Councillors MacEachern, Gaertner and Gallo voted against;
The building proposal has 78 condo units with commercial space at ground level.
Neighbours were informed. No concerns indicated.
It would improve the town's assessment base by no less than thirty million dollars.
The worst blight in the core would be consigned to history.
A hundred and fifty shoppers would be added to the neighbourhood.
Potentially more transit users.
Less cars on the road.
Less pollution.
Less urban sprawl.
Public infrastructure would be more efficiently utilized. Therefore more economically productive.
An allocation of service units, held for at least five years, would finally be utilised.
Provincially mandated goal of intensification would be realized.
But wait.... approval is not confirmed by Council until next Tuesday.
Councillors Wilson and Granger are not in the habit of breaking from the pack.
We will not hold our breath .
Proposals for the site have been numerous and regularly presented at public planning meetings. Each time, dozens of hours have been spent by planning staff on all the detailed work necessary to process a plan.To say nothing of the efforts and expenses of the site owner
In the last term, we went through the exercise several times.
Neighbours came out to comment.
Michael Evans. a retail operator nearby on Yonge Street urged approval. The downtown is dying, we desperately need help, he pleaded.
In 2005, approval in principle was granted for a building 5/6 storeys.
In 2007. the proposal came back. As noted above, no decision made.
The site has been sold and re-sold repeatedly. Years pass. Land grows scarcer and more expensive. Construction costs increase.The site grows steadily more dilapidated.
No development is possible that isn't economically feasible.That's a given.
A couple of weeks ago, in council, the Mayor made a presentation on the dreadful state of down-town in which she appeared to claim, this Council, her Council, had given approval in principle to the last design at Yonge and Centre.
It wasn't so but we find ourselves on many occasions, tippy-toeing, just to keep mayhem from erupting. There is nothing elevating about being party to a public spectacle.
This week's planning report chronicled events exactly as they had happened.
The new proposal has an extra storey but less height.
A motion was made to recommend approval of the development application to Council.
Councillor Mac Eachern spoke against the motion. The Consultant Study for the Yonge Wellington Core is in the works she said. We should wait for its finalization.
The same argument of Councillor Gaertner a couple of weeks ago against a staff recommended sign variance for a gas station.
The Mayor enjoined that argument.
Then started the tussle to compel staff to indicate completion of the precious promenade study is imminent.
Staff were unable to oblige.The harder the Mayor pressed, first with the planner, then with the CAO, then back to the planner , dates became firmer rather than fuzzier.
Depending on public input, the study which will apparently magically,instantly and completely remove the doldrums from the downtown core with no help from private investment, will not be completed before October
Hallelujah!! the month of the election.
The Mayor lamented; as chair of the steering committee(mentioned several times) had staff informed her before, she would have pressed for additional meetings to get it through faster.
Still the table talk swirled. Round and round it goes, where it stops nobody knows.
What we do know is, if it's not clear the vote will go as the Mayor wishes , the question will not normally be put.
Except .... on Tuesday ..... Councillor McRoberts was in the chair. The question was put. The vote was five to four to approve.
Mayor Morris, Councillors MacEachern, Gaertner and Gallo voted against;
The building proposal has 78 condo units with commercial space at ground level.
Neighbours were informed. No concerns indicated.
It would improve the town's assessment base by no less than thirty million dollars.
The worst blight in the core would be consigned to history.
A hundred and fifty shoppers would be added to the neighbourhood.
Potentially more transit users.
Less cars on the road.
Less pollution.
Less urban sprawl.
Public infrastructure would be more efficiently utilized. Therefore more economically productive.
An allocation of service units, held for at least five years, would finally be utilised.
Provincially mandated goal of intensification would be realized.
But wait.... approval is not confirmed by Council until next Tuesday.
Councillors Wilson and Granger are not in the habit of breaking from the pack.
We will not hold our breath .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
