I hope this is the last article for at least a year

This is the face of, by his own admission, a confused and amazed person. Deputy Mayor Brocanier standing to berate, in person, his Council colleagues who did not agree with him. In a classless venting he personally attacked the arguments of the opposition, whilst at the same time still maintaining his faith in the Provincial government to keep their promised grants, even with the lack of guarantees and assurances. Saying he was confused by the stand of his colleagues because of their inconsistencies and totally amazed that they could also turn down the alleged savings. Once again he made reference to the 20 million needed for the Seniors Centre and it was obvious to observers that the savings on the the policing bill would never be returned to the bottom line but spent by them on the Seniors Centre. What a breach of faith to the believers.

But the greatest display of spite and invective came from the Mayor when he was lecturing, not arguing or persuading, the opposition to his line, by producing three, "I didn't ask for these letters, they were unsolicited!", he said, letters from local manufacturers. These manufacturers' letters lobbied for the Council to reconsider their position and give them tax savings (hey don't they realise there will be no savings?). Whilst consistently calling for Council to make a business decision based on a business case none of these manufacturers would commit their companies to a business case based on intangible and nebulous grants from a third source as the only revenue stream. The galling fact is that two out of the three live in Hamilton Twp, did they send the letters to Hamilton Twp? In a fit of pique the Mayor abruptly called the vote immediately after he spoke and cut off debate so rebuttal to his remarks would never happen.

So what next, the lessons learned from all of this:

1. Politicians have ulterior motives and don't play their cards up front. For Instance the Mayor and Deputy Mayor did not want to give the taxpayers the savings on their tax bills but had already earmarked the money for the Senior's Centre.
2. The local Leaders had better get over the fact that they lost and start to establish a new policing model. So what if Port Hope wants the lions share of the business - give it to them and get on with rationalisation.
3. The Mayor, when he is sitting in his County chair must vote against the idea of County policing - his Council has mandated it.
4. We only have about a year to achieve the new model or else I will be forced to agree with the losers and say that the County policing model will be back up for discussion.