Now the vote is over, what next?
Cobourg Council has delivered its verdict, we are going to get an ice rink/fountain at the waterfront as well as the buildings that are needed to support them. Although the question of the building is far more important to the project than most realise. That building is going to provide a $20,000 a year subsidy because it is also a bus stop - if ever there was a corruption of function to provide form I cannot find a better example of it.
The opponents are considering legal action, something they should have done before, although the honourable judge might have ruled an application premature as Council had not finished its deliberations. But there are other options. This transaction of Council has to award the tender, by bylaw, there may be an appeal against that bylaw as it could be deemed unwise and a waste of money, something the OMB might consider.
But let's look at the fallout from this. Citizens are now split into two camps - those who support the Mayor and those who don't. This event comes about as a "perfect storm" and really shows the vehemence that some of the electorate still harbour as a result of the last election. Those voters who cannot believe that only two new councillors were elected and naively believed that the returnees would show compromise and magnanimity toward those who wanted change showed their disdain for the Council's actions since the election by signing on to the petition so quickly. The other piece that fell like a tile off the roof between the eyes, was the political slithering of Deputy Mayor Brocanier. This fellow so keen to show that he can listen voted with the opposition claiming that he didn't have enough time to study it. But when given the opportunity to have more time - by supporting a motion to table - he voted against it. He knew where the votes were and he used opportunism and slimeball tactics to look good. Fortunately , for him, the average voter fell for it and he still has the shine of a good guy hanging around him.
The Mayor and Council won this one but at what cost? I know local people who are so hopping mad at this they just want to vomit. This decision will only further the feeling that "they are going to do what they want to do!" Hopefully it will galvanize the watchers into critical observation and be ready for the next big decision (which most of the same people believe has already been made) the vote to switch to the OPP.
The opponents are considering legal action, something they should have done before, although the honourable judge might have ruled an application premature as Council had not finished its deliberations. But there are other options. This transaction of Council has to award the tender, by bylaw, there may be an appeal against that bylaw as it could be deemed unwise and a waste of money, something the OMB might consider.
But let's look at the fallout from this. Citizens are now split into two camps - those who support the Mayor and those who don't. This event comes about as a "perfect storm" and really shows the vehemence that some of the electorate still harbour as a result of the last election. Those voters who cannot believe that only two new councillors were elected and naively believed that the returnees would show compromise and magnanimity toward those who wanted change showed their disdain for the Council's actions since the election by signing on to the petition so quickly. The other piece that fell like a tile off the roof between the eyes, was the political slithering of Deputy Mayor Brocanier. This fellow so keen to show that he can listen voted with the opposition claiming that he didn't have enough time to study it. But when given the opportunity to have more time - by supporting a motion to table - he voted against it. He knew where the votes were and he used opportunism and slimeball tactics to look good. Fortunately , for him, the average voter fell for it and he still has the shine of a good guy hanging around him.
The Mayor and Council won this one but at what cost? I know local people who are so hopping mad at this they just want to vomit. This decision will only further the feeling that "they are going to do what they want to do!" Hopefully it will galvanize the watchers into critical observation and be ready for the next big decision (which most of the same people believe has already been made) the vote to switch to the OPP.
6 comments:
Who the hell cares? The current council has over 3 years left on it's term of office and as you are well aware, the attention span of the voter (esp. in municipal politics) is extremely short. As far as the OPP goes, I for one welcome a force that maintains discipline (Nelles would never have made the OPP) and acts professionally. I think the Nelles affair is far from an isolated incident in the ranks of our local force. Clement will be missed by many. Perhaps not by Mr. Fisher, Mr. Burd et all but buy many citizens who are less than awed by the morals and performance of the local force.
A message from a raging granny I presume. I hope your anger is well represented on all of these municipal issues, I just love it when you vent!!
The electorate is upset that only two new councillors got elected? Oh really? If the electorate were really that unhappy about most of the councillors, then they wouldn't have voted them in!
As for the fountain, the majority of people support it. Most of the comments sent to the town were positive, both now and when the concept was first approved four years ago. It's mostly the old cranks who don't like change who oppose it. Come on, vandalism? More people means less potential for crime, not more. Supervision? Why? It's not like people are swimming in the fountain. No other outdoor ice rink or fountain in the world has lifeguards, why should this one? Sounds to me that you're just upset that your opinion is in the minority.
I am not angry at this issue, the rink is something that doesn't wind me up however the operating costs certainly will!
What planet have you been living on to say that the comments about the issue were positive. Check with the local media and you will find that is not the case as defined by letters to the editor, and what councillor or Mayor will admit that the feedback was less than positive?
Your post asked "what next?".
My prediction is that the town, in its Lakefront Utilities role, will fill the vacancy in the water department by hiring Stan Koebel and his brother.
Their past hiring practises would suggest these are the most likely candidates, since they never get around to checking references and don't seem to catch the clues that might suggest a less than stable personality.
So that's my prediction for what's next for Cobourg.
WOW...the OPP maintains discipline!!! is that why one of theirs is up on sexual interference and sexual assault charges???!!! You are one the idiots that think the OPP are trained differently than the rest of the Police Services in Ontario. The entire province of Ontario's Police services ALL attend the Ontaio Police College, they are NOT trained any differently than the rest. You are, and I'm talking to this anonymos person, also one of these morons who actually think that the taxpayers are going to save money by bringing in the OPP, AND get better service HAHAHA. The OPP is infamous for undercutting a local Service and you save money the first year....after that??!! People, get your head out of your A@*, Nelles would have made the OPP, but they would have kept the charges secret and would have sent him up North with a demotion, AND NOTHING ELSE, it has happened countless times before in the OPP. A lot of the upper ranks in Oriilia are Sgts and above who have screwed up, with an impaired etc and were sent there to avoid embarrassment. To anonymus....you are truly an idiot, and I'm tired of people giving their uneducated opinion.
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