So it's the summer there are still big issues lurking!

It is the summer and all of the pols have taken a vacation, except Looooooo. He is doing the BBQ circuit and dragging in as many compliant Liberally trained seals as possible to bolster up this swing riding. The latest on the spot was Greg Sorebeara, the hairy slick finance man who was only allowed to talk to invited persons of interest. Who told him that things were just peachy in N'land and will only get better if we elect the fiberals again.

But lurking under the surface is the big issue of the County - the OPP bid to police the County. There are some procedural problems here, as well as the big issue of costs. We have been told that the bid will save money but as the great unwashed haven't been allowed to see the apples we only suspect oranges. The big problem for me is the impartiality of the examination. The OPP bids; and the guy who is vetting the bid and making recommendations for acceptance/rejection is a long serving OPP pensioner. What's the potential for bias there?

But the big problem is that the County has structured a steering committee to deal with the issue. The steering committee consists of all seven councillors and the CAOs of all the municipalities. So the big wheels hash out the details of the County response behind closed doors and then go into the full session of a County Council meeting, sometime in Sept/October and report to themselves. Do you think they are going to repeat the discussions for the benefit of the public? fat chance! So the actual specifics of the discussion that should be in open session will never be heard just the big fat whack of a rubber stamp.

There is one big fat elephant in the room: the Police Service Act (PSA), it only allows a five person Police Services Board (PSB) some of whom have to be Provincial appointees. So how can the County guarantee a place on the Board for all of the Municipalities. Governance being the hot topic it is no Municipality is going to forgo a seat on the Board. In the last report from the consultant, OPP pensioner Watkins, it was written on Page 30 that a proposal to change that provision to allow a 7 person Board was being considered by the Province. Well since that time a letter has been circulated that explains the Provinces stand toward changing the PSA and in it the following quote is seen, "This ministry's position is that the Police Services Act (PSA) prescribes the membership of police services boards and their responsibilities in providing oversight and governance on behalf of the municipality. Other structures are not provided for in the legislation and are, therefore, prohibited.” So much for the seven member proposal!! The letter also states that the proposal from the County had not formally been presented to the Ministry for consideration. So who was trying to mislead whom during the last set of public discussions with a report not completely based on fact?

That's not my biggest worry. The fact that the County is not having public discussions until October at the earliest and the other fact that the OPP costing may run out in December means that there will be political pressure on all Municipalities to complete the "triple majority" procedure in a hurry. That means that Port Hope and Cobourg, who have to vote to disband their services before the OPP can police Countywide, will be rushed to do it in 8 weeks - a very hasty proposal. This leads to the fear that in October a very well wrapped parcel of OPP goodies will be presented by the Mayors to their Councils as faits accomplis. What a political opportunity for those who wish to kill the local Services, just say to the electorates that "The County made me do it!!"

Did he really say that?

Now for a moment of truth. Some guy at the County, probably a consultant who doesn't care whether he is invited back, actually committed verbal heresy. He said, recollect, "Having a WalMart and Home Depot isn't economic development". now ain't the the truth, but I never expected to hear it coming from a hired gun. I just hope that the elected councillors sitting in the same room heard it. Say it again - "Having a WalMart and a Home Depot isn't economic development"

Now how about this for a summer read?

Most disturbing to a leftie, but people do think like this I can even name a couple around town! Neocons on a Cruise: What Conservatives Say When They Think We Aren't Listening

Who elected this guy King?

I don't understand the nuances of the separation of the branches of government as mandated in the USA's constitution. But when the President can disregard the Congress with impunity under "executive privilege" isn't that just like being a King? Just what that tea party in Boston all about anyway if Bush, or any President can rule divinely. Hopefully the American citizenry will see more of this behaviour and take action.Bush orders former counsel to defy House committee's subpoena

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