"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 13 November 2012

Residence Matters

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Is There A Public Right To Know? I Think So.":
 If it's the public's business, why is it not your business to look out for the public?
Isn't that your mandate as an elected representative of the public?
Please explain why this blog wouldn't lead to action?
Why suggest something is amiss, but take no responsibility to set the record straight?

***************
I do not suggest anything is amiss. 
The need  is for assurance  nothing is amiss.There is doubt in the community. It needs to be removed. It's not an onerous task.
Unlike Donald Trump,  $5 million dollars is not offered  to the Councillor's favorite charity for  proof of residence  
 I have explained  before but once more with feeling:
It is not mine or anyone's obligation,  except a person who believes they know , to challenge a Councillor's eligibility to hold office.on the basis of residence.
Registration as a candidate was done with all propriety andsworn under oath. 
The votes were counted . 
Election results were certified. 
Without a change in circumstance,  results stand until the next election.
Mid-term resignations are not infrequent . Main  reason being  a job transfer  and a move away from the municipality.
If it happens  responsibility rests with the Councillor whose circumstance has changed. 
Permanent employment always triumphs over  part-time  that might also  be temporary.
Councillor Gaertner has sold a house before. It was said  then another Councillor's address was used .
Some exasperation  was expressed at the town hall at the difficulty of communicating with  the Councillor and irritation  I might add on the distaff side. .
A  home was eventually purchased and domicile  again established. 
It  would be a private matter for a private citizen..
A Councillor is a public official.  
Onus  rests with the Councillor to provide accurate and current particulars. 
The difference is between eligibility or not.
             

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the, hopefully, last explanation. And you are quite right. The question is simply academic.

Anonymous said...

There is a great article by Grace Wyler on " Business Insider " dated No.12th
" Insiders Explain How Mitt Romney's Campaign Fell Apart on Election Day "

Anonymous said...

Good to see you at Council. Looks like it might be a long night with occasional fire-works.

Anonymous said...

If your head is still running after that meeting, Margaret Wente has an excellent summary of the David Petraeus story for your night-cap.

Anonymous said...


5:32 PM
Was that comment a crack at Aurora's non-functioning soft-ware purchase and its ongoing costs?
If so, I like it.

Anonymous said...

8:50 AM
Why in blazes are you in such a tizzy? Most people are just interested in a simple fact. You treat the matter like a term project. With quotes & references. Lighten up.

Anonymous said...

Last night, Cllr Gaertner mentioned that she had recently moved. There is now a "W Gaertner" listed at an address in Regency Acres.

Anonymous said...

Don't you get a kick out of it when the Snark posts admiration for its own comments? The sound of one hand clapping.

Anonymous said...

Differing views, yes. Only one with a sting in its tail.

Anonymous said...

Poor old snark. Out-witted & out-written.