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.

Everybody should read this and weep

A most moving and depressing tale of the truth and what power does to it The General’s Report: The New Yorker, by Seymour Hersch

Conservatives roll out high-octane strategy to attract middle class

Sponsoring a racing car, that seems to be courting more than the NASCAR set, how about those people who like high speed crashes? And think about the video moment of the big C car crashing into the wall! read it here

Governments mute as lake condos set to rise: See any Parallels?

Read this and compare! Governments mute as lake condos set to rise

Magic of racing at the Isle of Man

I don't know what it is about this story that fascinates me but I am enthralled by the two factors - motor cycle racing and the fact that the author is a woman who once was a man and had regularly beaten other men at the highest level of competitions, the question here is would she have beaten the men if she had changed before her success and what would the reaction have been from the other men who had been beaten in the macho sport by a woman. Either way a lovely modern real life tale! Read it here

Paparazzi Pete

Pete Fisher our very own paparazzi has a photo worthy of Hollywood on the front page of the CDS today check it here

So the Chief of Police is leaving - what next?

Well, Well, the ogre and straw man is going! A much maligned figure who could not really help himself, because he did not enjoy the support of his hirers, Gary Clement has obviously negotiated a deal that he can live with. The Police Service Board will probably save money on it in the long run. For the time being we can assume that Deputy Chief Sweet will assume the position of Chief, if that takes place and he is not confirmed as Chief until the end of Gary Clement's term we can afford to pay him (Clement) off.

That is the short term problem, the long term problem is the proposed changeover to the OPP. Opponents will have an uphill battle fighting the Council's wish to change. The Mayor has long been musing privately that the OPP is a good deal and the Deputy Mayor (aye aye Peter) Brocanier will be on side if only to demonstrate that it is a cheaper option. Firstly the switch to Sweet will demonstrate a change in morale which will translate into less stress leave and overtime costs, secondly the Deputy Chief has credibility that the Chief never had, wait until he starts to talk about the true costs of the OPP proposal, people will listen!

Congratulations to Gary Clement for giving Cobourg a new option in the discussion. Frankly Gary has to be applauded for sticking it out in an almost impossible situation. He was hired by an incompetent PSB and misled to believe that he could achieve the establishment of a Regional Police Force. Who could win against the combined political forces of the Port Hope PSB led by Jeff Lees (A rabid xenophobe) and the undercutting of support by a former OPP office sitting on the Hamilton Twp Council and the silence of the PSB for the idea. The regional force was a non-starter (even though it made the most sense) compounded by useless political advice from the PSB that hired him. Even the hiring process was so screwed up by that PSB we had two Chiefs hired at the same time but that is another story.

This quick resignation gives us a chance to organise in a new and different matter as we no longer have to "sink the ship to get the Captain". Let's get on with the cost comparisons and demand a plebiscite to settle this issue.

It's crunch time for the Cobourg Council

If one glances at the middle pages of the Cobourg Daily star one will notice that is is full of letters, perhaps the most letters ever published at one time, covering two pages. And what are the letters about? The waterfront park of course! Not one letter is is in favour of the project. Seeing so many anti letters I was prompted to phone the editor of the CDS and she told me that the letters were an attempt to clear up the backlog. Asked what was the ratio of pro and con Mandy Martin told me it is running about 5 to 1 against the proposal, for various reasons. The most interesting observation was that "the usual suspects" were not writing the letters. Mandy admitted that this deluge of letters was the most she can recall about one issue in recent history.

So given this background how will Council handle the groundswell of opposition? Monday evening is the time for the vote. Given my bent for looking for Machiavellian moves It is possible that Council could kill two birds with one stone. The Trailer Park has long offended the "cocktail set" and the elites. Moving the rink into that area would satisfy that constituency, long bothered by "those people" and the "Trailer Trash" that pay no taxes, only hefty park rentals. Taking them out however would take longer than the time line imposed by McGuinty. After all how can you put the shovel in the ground in the middle of the tourist season and still qualify for the election money?

So no predictions from me but it looks as though Council may be hoisted on its own spike of hubris. So sad for a Council where each person pledged during an election to be responsive to the electorate.

CONspiracy theorists should read this

Garth Turner has published a primer on the Security and Prosperity partnership (SPP) and you will be hearing more of this over the summer as Parliament dies down and the chattering classes have nothing else to talk about. Besides in the absence of Parliament all kinds of secret meetings will flourish. Deep integration - read it here

Leading into the doldrums of summer

Expect these posts to be sporadic, we are now entering the summer hiatus for some and the natural slowdown of old age for others. Even Cobourg Council has published its summer schedule.

The waterfront park will be put to bed on Monday despite the number of pleas from concerned citizens to modify or scrap the project. It is clearly becoming obvious that delegations have little effect on this Council and really only serve the purpose of providing alternate opinion to a Council that hates that.

Expect the public meeting for the OPP costing to be scheduled for the most inconvenient time for the opposition, probably one week before the July Council meeting and further expect the deal to be wrapped up with a minimum of discussion by September and look forward to Fantino parading his 'black and whites' next January. Leaving us all with a huge bill for severances and retirement packages. Just my opinion of course. Meanwhile support your local police service!

Let the debate begin

You might have thought that the debate about Cobourg moving to the OPP was almost over, by the lack of debate and thoughtful letters to the local media. Well it has just been kickstarted by the action of the Cobourg Police Association sending out a flyer explaining what the local police do for the citizens of Cobourg. If you don't get a Northumberland News read the flyer here. All the CPA is asking that one contacts the local councillors and tell them that the local option is the best. As well they are asking that letters of support be emailed to cobourgpoliceassociation@hotmail.com