"Cowardice asks the question...is it safe? Expediency asks the question...is it politic? Vanity asks the question...is it popular? But conscience asks the question...is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because it is right." ~Dr. Martin Luther King

Wednesday 10 February 2010

Here's A Thought

In March 2008, when the Public Planning Meeting was held for the Westhill development application, Karen Ewart, Deputy Clerk was staff resource.

After eight years with the town, Karen left and took a position with Whitchurch-Stouffville almost a year ago.

Sue Seibert ,director of planning, after thirty years with the town retired from a job she loved and would, in ordinary circumstances, have cheerfully continued.

Shelley Phjola, town solicitor, had resigned the year before, not long after Wayne Jackson,
Director of Public Works took his leave, immediately following public criticism by the Mayor over his handling of a difficult situation.

John Rogers our C.A.O. was escorted from the Town Hall months after the Public Planning Meeting.

The only person still around who was involved then with the Westhill Development proposal is Roger Beaman, solicitor-at-law. He was in attendance the night of the Public Planning Meeting in advance of the meeting , to advise council on the anticipated Ontario Municipal Board Hearing which was already scheduled.

As it turned out, Mr. Beaman was not the one giving advice. He was taking orders.

At last night's meeting. behind closed doors, the clerk is the second replacement , and neither the solicitor nor the Chief Administrative Officer were part of the discussion of that significant development proposal of twenty-two months ago.

It's a shame you can't observe what goes on at these meetings. Though to be sure, you would not be comforted.

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