"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

Tuesday 30 March 2010

Is The Lying Deliberate ?

Or is it language comprehension deficit? I have never been quite sure. I don't often get the opportunity to see it in writing.

A couple of weeks ago, Councillor MacEachern , without input from staff, presented a resolution to Council, that $15Ks held in a reserve fund be used to place a marker on a local beauty spot, bearing the names of two individuals who had supported its conservation.

Opposition would have implied disrespect . Neither party sought the publicity. In fact, it was later learned the reserve funds had been raised by one to plant trees in a neighbouring park.

Mackenzie Marsh had been the passion of Gord Mackenzie and his wife.They owned the land. Took every opportunity to draw community attention to the special character and merits of its conservation.

When St John's Sideroad was built, a boardwalk promenade, chest high railings and crossings under the road to allow safe passage for the wild-life that abounded in the Marsh were provided. Cost of the extra amenities might have been in the area of a couple of million.

A formal opening ceremony with dignitaries present was held and a plaque unveiled. Unhappily, Mr. Mackenzie was not alive to see that day. But Mrs. Mackenzie and daughter Linda were there to acknowledge the tribute to Gord and his lifetime labour of love.

When Councillor MacEachern made the proposal to use the $15Ks cache, I was caught off guard. The persons she named had shown consistent support for the conservation. Mr Kestein had proposed a bridge between Yonge Street and the level railway crossing with an estimated cost he said, of twelve million dollars . He brought a plan he had drawn on a board into the Council Chamber.

In an effort to avoid a second marker being inappropriately placed, I suggested we might allow for imagination. I noted many talented artists live in our area. .I was thinking about an extraordinary tree-carver and a stone carver we know of, who might create something to enhance the beauty of the area. In my mind's eye. I saw stone carvings of blue herons.

Mr. Mackenzie's daughter, Linda Napier heard of the proposal of a marker bearing names at the place which marks her father's life and memory.

Immediately she wrote a letter to The Auroran defending his lifetime endeavour .

Council received a copy of the Mayor's response to Ms Napier. Councillor MacEachern had made a phone call and the Mayor expressed full support for the Councillor's comments.The e-mail noted the Mayor was not aware Ms Napier was seeking further recognition for her father.

Ms MacEachern had noted in her phone call, a proposal had been made of "a bust" to be placed at the Marsh. In her e-mail, Mayor Morris named myself and re-iterated that I had proposed a statue.

The Mayor's e-mail was circulated to All Councillors.

The obvious questions are;

Did they not hear what I said?

Did they not understand ?

Did they hear and understand it very well and deliberately contrive to misrepresent it to deflect attention from the proposal which so offended Mr. Mackenzie's daughter.

Then, incredibly and stupidly, forward it to myself and others, who did hear and understand and ponder the Mayor's and Councillor's comprehension or lack thereoff and the purpose of their misrepresentation.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Do some of your council colleagues have all of their marbles?