"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

Thursday 8 April 2010

Town Resource Exploited

Last week, the Mayor circulated an e-mail list of committees served by various Councillors . Ostensibly to make sure they were correct. Stated intention was to post them on the town's web-site.

There were none missing. Some committees listed no longer exist. Court favourites reflected the largest number.

Councillors McRoberts, Collins Mrakas and myself , the least.

The Mayor quite often reflects how some Councillors do more work than others. No
doubt the object now is to present that evidence to the community in good time for the election.

The Town's web site is a corporate resource. One would be hard pressed to argue political promotion of the Mayor and friends is the corporation's business.

It could be said to be misuse of town property in contravention of Clause 7 of The Code.
.
The Mayor makes all appointments. It shouldn't be but with six votes sewn up at all times, that's how it goes.

When the Wells St school issue was on the front burner, a committee was struck with Council
representation. Councillor McRoberts, a former student of the school, a member of The Town's Heritage Committee, member of the Historical Society, retired high school teacher and Deputy Mayor expressed interest in being the town's representative on the committee.

Councillor Collins Mrakas, a member of the Heritage Advisory Committee also indicated interest.

Councillor Gallo, appointed not elected member of Council, with no association with the school or neighbourhood, was the Mayor's appointee.

When former Councillor Grace Marsh resigned her seat on the only standing committee of Council, the Joint Fire Committee, became vacant. Councillor Collins Mrakas indicated strong interest in taking Councillor Marsh's place.

Once again, Councillor Gallo, appointed not elected , was the Mayor's appointee.

When the 2c study,Official Plan Amendment committee was being created. Councillors. Collins Mrakas and myself were asked would we be interested in serving. We said we would.

Non-elected citizens were appointed to the committee. But not Councillors Collins Mrakas
or me.

Many of the committees cited in the Mayor's list would not stand up favourably to closer scrutiny.

The significant aspect of the posting however is how a corporate resource, the town's web site, is being exploited for political purpose in contravention of the Code of Conduct.

The other oddity is what it reveals about the Mayor's concept of leadership , inclusion and ensuring all views are Councillors views are considered when decisions are made.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Please send this to the Auroran as a Letter to the Editor. The 'open & transparent' machinations of this mayor need further exposure.

She's disingenuous yet devious, conniving but not clever with it, and naked in her disdain for council colleagues and for the bounds of her office.

In short, she's a disgrace.

White Knight said...

...and, further to "Anonymous's" post, our mayor has no clue how to write judging from her email to Linda Napier, published in this week's Auroran. No wonder she wanted to hire a speech writer!
We have the Lone Granger who cannot string spoken words together, HRH who cannot string written words together and Wendy Willow Tree who doesn't understand the spoken word!
Are the jobs of councillor and/or mayor the only ones in existence these days that actually waive the requirement of having excellent verbal and written communication skills?

Anonymous said...

If you feel so strongly about this issue why don't you lodge a complaint to the IC ?

Anonymous said...

I agree. This is a perfect letter for the Auroran. The message has to get out.

Anonymous said...

Memo to the Mayor

If I wanted to count how the involvement of councillors on the committee, couldn't I just consult something called the "Commitee Minutes" on the Town's website to examine who was and wasn't in attendance.