Haldimand "Another Chat with the Mayor"

As Council is preparing for their first council meeting after a 6-week break, I once again have to wonder where certain council members come up with their ideas. I do believe that before you start reading this article, you will need to make yourself a cup of coffee !

As I was going through the agenda for the Tuesday August 7th, 2007 Council in Committee meeting, I came across the following resolution on the agenda. As I couldn’t believe what I was reading to be remotely possible, I called Mayor Trainer to ask what this was all about…….more detail about this later.

The following is the resolution being presented at council Tuesday August 7, 2007, and the following week Monday August 13, 2007 this will be written in stone with the second vote at Council of the Whole, if we don’t stop this!

Resolution Re: Mayors Office Correspondence Management

WHEREAS THE Mayors’ office receives a considerable volume of correspondence through written or electronic form;

AND WHEREAS THE MAYOR has acknowledged in the past that management of this correspondence, especially e-mails has been overwhelming to the point where many e-mails may go unanswered of otherwise not responded to;

AND WHEREAS the management of this correspondence is critical to the effective operation of the County;

AND WHEREAS the dissemination of this correspondence to the remainder of Council as well as the Clerk is if utmost importance to successfully conduct the business of the Corporation;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED;

THAT ALL correspondence sent and received through the Mayor’s office including all e-mail addressed to the Mayor by title or name, be copied to all councilors as well as the County Clerk;

AND THAT the Mayor’s assistant implement this direction for all hard copy correspondence;

AND THAT the General Manager of Corporate Services through the information Systems Division ensure that all e-mail sent to the Mayor by title or name, is automatically copied to all Councillors and the County Clerk;

AND THAT any questions or concerns from Councillors regarding specific correspondence to the Mayor’s office be first directed to the Mayor for a response and if required, the matter be referred to Council in Committee under the "Inquires, Announcements and Concerns of Councillors" part of the agenda.

WOW that is certainly a mouth full, and a lot of effort went into this resolution by Councilor Sloat, although I am unsure as to the wording of the resolution, whether this was solely CAO Bill Pearce, or a combination of both, or a combination of a few Council Members. Regardless I would think that there must have been some kind of meeting? A meeting that the Mayor once again was not "privy" to!

I am really trying hard not to be too "hard" on certain council members, but if you look around "guys" there is a lot of serious issues in Haldimand County! This is not a "Priority" that needs to be passed in a week! "All" members of council and the "Clerks office" and "Karen General" do not have the "right" to scrutinize "ALL" correspondence that comes to the "Mayor Elects Office"! Stick to doing your own "JOBS".

Now back to my call to Mayor Trainer, as I said earlier I called the Mayor to ask, "what is the deal about this resolution"? Well the answer surprised me, as I didn’t think that council would go this far, but they have! I should have known better as it is becoming more relevant that "certain members of council" are relentless in their personal charge to undermine the Mayor’s position!

Common practice in finalizing the agenda is a review meeting with CAO Bill Pearce, County Clerk Janis Lankester and Mayor Trainer, on the Thursday before the agenda goes out to Council Members. Last Thursday in the agenda meeting Mayor Trainer noticed on Page 3 of the agenda under Corporate Services, under "other", a resolution called "Mayors office correspondence management report". Mayor Trainer asked what this was regarding; CAO BILL Pearce informed her that this was a resolution that Councilor Buck Sloat is leading the charge of on behalf of members of Council, representing council’s position. CAO Bill Pearce was asked to write up the resolution for the council meeting, at the time of this meeting the resolution had not been written yet! Up until this time, I had presumed that "resolutions" were actually written by "council members", I was mistaken!

According to Mayor Trainer when she received her agenda on Friday she read the resolution for the first time! As you can imagine she is not pleased with this resolution. Mayor Trainer has a few calls into council members regarding this resolution but as of the time of our conversation, she had not heard back from anyone!

Here are a few reasons why I personally feel that this resolution needs to be put where it belongs………in a "garbage can".

I have no "representative" on Council! Reason! My Council Member Does Not Return My Phone Calls"! I live in Ward 2, and on many of an occasion I have called Councilor Buck Sloat, but he does not return my phone calls! So I have had to burden the Mayor, as she is my only "representative" on council. Now in saying that, just maybe there are a few other residents out there that also have "No Representation in their Ward", so they as well have to call or e-mail the Mayor! Hence maybe that is why sometimes she becomes a little overwhelmed with e-mails. But for any of us out there that have to deal "directly" through the Mayor because we are not "represented" we understand that it may take a bit longer to get a return phone call, or e-mail! We don’t have a problem with this, so why would Councilor Buck Sloat have a problem? Maybe he should "answer" his "own" calls!

When I contact my council "representative" which happens to be the "Mayor", I have a right to do that "confidentially"!

WHEREAS THE Mayors’ office receives a considerable volume of correspondence through written or electronic form; This statement is ridiculous, every "Mayor" in any Municipality would have the same situation, this does not give anyone the right to "scrutinize" or decide other the "Mayor" (person addressed to) what course of action is to be taken.

AND WHEREAS the management of this correspondence is critical to the effective operation of the County; This statement is a crock of s..t! When was the last time we heard that an e-mail that was a little late in receiving an answer, "effected the operation" of the County! Believe me if this had ever been the case, Councilor Sloat would have already informed the public one way or another!

AND THAT any questions or concerns from Councillors regarding specific correspondence to the Mayor’s office be first directed to the Mayor for a response and if required, the matter be referred to Council in Committee under the "Inquires, Announcements and Concerns of Councillors" part of the agenda. Give me a break, do you think for one moment that the correspondence would be directed to the Mayor first? This resolution is proof in the pudding, the Mayor didn’t know what this resolution was all about until she received her agenda at the same time as the rest of council! If this resolution goes through the Mayor would receive "surprises" every council meeting!

AND THAT the General Manager of Corporate Services through the information Systems Division ensure that all e-mail sent to the Mayor by title or name, is automatically copied to all Councillors and the County Clerk; Oh this one is really special, now a staff member, currently Karen General, will receive as well all the Mayor’s e-mails and she will ensure that all council members receive the information. It seems that at the start of this resolution that even the Mayor’s assistant won’t be trusted to do this part, which is to forward all "e-mail" information to all! Notice the part where it says by "title or name", they covered it all! Where will Karen General find the time to do all this additional work? Well looks like a request for a "raise" coming!

AND THAT the Mayor’s assistant implement this direction for all hard copy correspondence; Well look at that, they have all hard copy covered (mail) as well. Thank goodness they have shared the ownership of the Mayor’s office, by sharing the duties of making sure that "all" have "all" the information!

AND WHEREAS the dissemination of this correspondence to the remainder of Council as well as the Clerk is if utmost importance to successfully conduct the business of the Corporation; Well that says it in a "nutshell", "dissemination"…..spread the news!!!

Now if they are really serious about implementing this resolution, they should include the following;

AND WHERAS all e-mail, and hard copy correspondence that is sent to "all" members of "Council", should be in return sent to "all" other members of "council", and the "Mayor’s office", and such "e-mails" and hard copy correspondence be in return "sent" to "all" heads of staff, as this is "critical" to successfully conduct the business of the "Corporation".

There is a reason why we have Wards in Haldimand County. You vote for your "elected official" and the "Mayor" once every 4 years. Each Ward Council Member has their "own" e-mail address, as well as the "Mayor". Each member of Council is "responsible" for addressing the "concerns" of their "wards" at Council Meetings. If this "resolution" is adopted, the only elected "official" that it affects is the "Mayor", why? I believe that certain "council members" need to get a grip! The "PUBLIC" votes for the Mayor, start "respecting" the "public" which by the way is whom "you as a council member" represent!

If you don’t agree with the above resolution, the following is a list of our current council members, at this point I guess you could just contact any one of these individuals, as all "boundaries" seem to have been removed!

Leroy Bartlett 905 961 4834, lbartlett@haldimandcounty.on.ca
Lorne Boyko 905 774 6309, lboyko@haldimandcounty.on.ca
Tony Dalimonte 905 768 1260, tdalimonte@haldimandcounty.on.ca
Craig Grice 905 961 1264, cgrice@haldimandcounty.on.ca
Don Ricker 905 774 4661, dricker@haldimandcounty.on.ca
Buck Sloat 905 961 3270, bsloat@haldimandcounty.on.ca
Mayor Trainer 905 318 5932, Ext 201, mayor@haldimandcounty.on.ca

Sugar Coat this all you want, but bottom line is this, once approved "Council as a whole will be our Mayor"!

Haldimand "I SWEAR"

The following is Mr. McGuinty's first speach as Premier of Ontario. This speach was very heartwarming, and uplifting, and full of promises.


Remarks By Dalton McGuinty, Premier Of Ontario
On The Occasion Of The Swearing-In of The Premier and Cabinet
October 23, 2003 — CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY


Your Honour, my Lord Chief Justice, distinguished guests, colleagues, friends and those people sitting in the first 30 rows here — family. My first words as Premier are to the people of Ontario. Thank you for the work you have entrusted to us.

Thank you for having given us these important responsibilities. I thank you for all the work you do every day.

We are honoured to work for you because we've seen you work. We've seen you make the kids' lunches, fill out the school forms, sell the chocolate almonds, put in more than a full day at the office or down at the plant, and still manage to get the kids to Brownies or hockey practice — sometimes even on time. Our government will be as tireless as you are.

We've seen you neglect your own needs to care for your aging parents, or make sacrifices to care for your young grandchildren. Our government will be as selfless as you are.

We have seen you innovate and take risks to create jobs. Or do your jobs so well that you help your employers create still more jobs. Our government will work as hard as you do.

We've seen you teach a child to read, nurse a patient back to health, fight a fire, police a community, provide public service, serve in our armed forces or strengthen our province in thousands of ways. Our government will work with you.

You do so much, so well. Government's job is to help you overcome those challenges that are simply too big for you to tackle on your own. And we gladly assume that responsibility. We won't blame you for our mistakes. We will starve cynicism, and feed hope.

A poet once described hope as "that everlasting duty that heaven lays for its own sake on mankind's heart." We embrace this notion of hope being our duty, our obligation, our shared responsibility. Our mission is to build a government that inspires hope in all Ontarians. People have told us they want things done differently.

They want real, positive change. They want us to improve their schools and health care, protect our environment and live within our means.

Today marks a first step in delivering change. There will be a new Ministry of Children's services to deliver on our commitment to ensure that children get off to the best start in life.
A new Ministry of Public Infrastructure signals our determination to provide the tools Ontarians need to compete and win by building roads and sewers and hospitals and schools.

For the first time, Ontario will have a Democratic Renewal Secretariat. Because we believe in public service and we believe in government, we will strive to make government more relevant to the people that we serve.

With that goal in mind, we're moving to make the people's representatives — our MPPs — even more relevant to government. For the first time in Ontario history, every MPP in the government caucus will sit on Cabinet Committees. And those committees will be chaired by non-ministers. In keeping with our parliamentary traditions, decisions will remain with Cabinet. But with this innovation, MPPs will have real, meaningful input into those decisions. When it comes to policy making in our government, there will be no back bench.

Our government will work for all Ontarians and with all Ontarians. That's why I'm so happy to welcome each of you today, and to have you here with us. Together, we will represent businesses and workers, youth and older Ontarians, public and private sector, as well as volunteers. You are all welcomed here, and you will be always.

I want you to know that yours is an idealistic government — one that wants to make Ontario the envy of the world.

We're not naive about the challenges ahead. We're under no illusions, but we do have a vision. It is a vision of working and building and dreaming together. And it is a vision that Ontarians share.

Before closing, I just want to say how proud I am to have my mother with us here today.
I also want to acknowledge the love and support of my family, Terri, my wife, and my children Carleen, Dalton Jr., Liam and Connor. I want to thank them for their particularly leveling influence. When I told Connor we were coming to Queen's Park for my swearing in, his only inquiry was, "is there going to be any food there?"

I want to conclude this, my first speech as Premier, in the same way that I concluded my maiden speech as an MPP in this chamber some 13 years ago. I want to conclude with words of advice written by my late father, Dalton McGuinty Sr. in a letter he sent as the member for Ottawa South to all members of this legislature, at that time.

His words are in paraphrase of a prayer from St. Francis of Assisi:
"Let us remember that when we leave this earth, we take with us nothing that we have received, fleeting symbols of honour, trappings of power, but only what we have been given, a full heart, enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage."

My friends, let our new government govern with a full heart. Let it provide honest service. And let it show as much love, sacrifice and courage as the people we have the privilege of serving. Thank you.

Here are have a few questions that I have asked myself about the last 4 years with our "current" government;

Have they inspired Me? Is Ontario the "envy" of the World? Has this current government worked as "Hard" as you and I? Has this current government been as "selfless" as you and I? Has this current government given me "Hope" for the "future? Has this current government been "accountable"? Has this current government been "honest"?

For those that agree that Mr. McGuinty and his present government have in the past 4 years honoured their commitment to all Ontarians, your job is an easy one come October 10th, 2007.

Haldimand "One Ballot, Two Votes"

On Monday a neighbour down the road dropped in with a pamphlet titled "One Ballot, Two Votes", that she was given when she attended Cayugafest on the weekend.

Well this has prompted me to do many hours of research, and I am still really "unsure" of what the consequences are if this is actually adopted. I am hoping that I can "appeal" to all to get involved! At least for those that "don't vote" for whatever reasons, that you "must" exercise your right to vote, and those that do vote, need to be "educated" on this "referendum"!

The last "referendum" held in Ontario was in 1921, when voters had to decide if alcohol should be prohibited. At that time 50% plus one was needed for a majority. This "referendum" is set at 60% as a majority. Why you ask? Well I still haven't found the answer to this, I have always understood a majority to be 50%! If you have the answer, please let us know!

Our current "electoral system" which is "First Past the Post" system has be in place since 1792. I would think that if in fact this current government was "really serious" about actually wanting our opinion on "change", they would have given more time to educate us on the issue, after all they have had "4 years"!

The "current" Liberal Government has formed the Citizens Assembly Group to "assess" Ontario's electoral system, and has set aside around "6 million dollars" of our hard earned taxes to "educate" Ontarions on the "referendum" taking place in October 2007. Where has all the money gone you ask? I have found so far that this money has gone towards; 103 randomly chosen individuals that have been educated on our electoral system, a website, pamphlets, 41 public meetings. (none by the way in Haldimand/Norfolk/Brant)

As it is now almost the end of July, and we are on the "doorstep of the most important election" that most of us will take part in, where are the "TV adds"? Where is the "Media Coverage"? Are we really being "Educated"?

In the last Provincial Election held in 2003, 56.9% of Ontarions voted! We need every single person that is eligible to vote, to do just that, "VOTE". We all need to send a "STRONG" message, let our "VOICE" be heard!

According to Elections Ontario come October 2007 you will have 2 ballots to fill out, one for the regular provincial election, and one for the "referendum"! Both ballots will be placed in the "same box"!

If I had been asked for my opinion on what the referendum "ballot" question should have been, I would have asked the public this;

"Should The Premier Elect of Ontario be made "accountable" for their "PROMISES"!

We would only need 50% plus one for a majority!


The following information is what I have gathered from the website, please take the time to "educate" yourself, you will need a coffee for this one, as I have also added some links that are full of information.

The Referendum

On our next provincial election day, October 10, 2007, a referendum will be held to ask Ontario voters whether they support the Assembly's recommendation for a Mixed Member Proportional system for Ontario.

The government has set a double threshold for approval of the recommendation:
It must win at least 60% of voter support across the province, and it must be approved by a majority of voters in at least 60% of electoral districts.

The Assembly is pleased that the referendum law (Electoral System Referendum Act, 2007) directs that the wording of the question be "clear, conscise and impartial."

The Assembly believes that a simple yes/no question would be clearest and that the question should inform voters that the recommendation for the new system was made by the Citizens' Assembly. We believe the question should ask the voters whether Ontario should adopt the Mixed Member Proportional electoral system recommended by the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform.

The Assembly feels that all citizens must be well informed about the referendum and have a good understanding of the new system. A comprehensive, well-funded public education program, beginning in May and continuing through to the referendum, is vital.

We believe that the program should include a description of the new system and how it differs from the current system; a description of the Citizens' Assembly process; and the Assembly's rationale for recommending a Mixed Member Proportional system for Ontario.

It is common to think of candidates who do not win elections as having been defeated.

Candidates might be defeated because they received fewer votes or because their party did poorly. But there is one place where some defeated candidates are actually "winners".

In the German Land (or province) of Baden-Württemberg (B-W), candidates who are defeated in their electoral district get a second chance to win a seat. In B-W, like in Ontario and the rest of Canada, voters select the candidate of their choice and the candidate with the most votes wins a seat. This happens in each of B-W’s 70 single-member electoral districts. These candidates are said to receive a "direct mandate" from the voters.

In B-W an additional 50 seats are allocated to the parties according to their share of the total votes. The innovation is that these seats are awarded to the "best runners-up" of each party (i.e. the defeated candidates with the highest vote totals in their districts). In B-W, these candidates are said to receive a "second mandate." Because second mandates are given to those who initially lost in their local district, some districts may have more than one representative whereas others may have only one.

We, the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform, recommend a new way to vote that builds on the province’s traditions and reflects the values that we believe are important to Ontarians.

The Assembly recommends that Ontario adopt a Mixed Member Proportional system, specifically designed to meet the unique needs of Ontario."

From the Assembly’s Final Report –One Ballot,Two Votes: A new way to vote in Ontario http://www.citizensassembly.gov.on.ca/en/default.asp

In A Mixed Member Proportional System

A Mixed Member Proportional system combines members elected in local districts and members elected for the whole province from party lists to serve as Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) in the legislature.This combination produces proportional election results that better reflect the wishes of voters. http://www.citizensassembly.gov.on.ca/en/the_recommendation/default.asp


You asked how were they chosen?

CITIZENS APPOINTED TO RE-EXAMINE ONTARIO’S ELECTORAL SYSTEM

Members Of The Citizens’ Assembly On Electoral Reform To Participate In Strengthening Ontario’s Democracy

TORONTO — One hundred and three Ontarians will be at the centre of the most ambitious and far-reaching democratic renewal initiative in Ontario’s history, Minister Responsible for Democratic Renewal, Marie Bountrogianni announced today.

"We believe that the shape of Ontario’s democracy is a matter for Ontarians to decide," Bountrogianni said. "That’s why we’re appointing these members of the Citizens’ Assembly, and asking them to lend their talents, creativity and commitment to this citizen-led process of re-examining our electoral system and recommending possible changes."

The 52 female and 51 male assembly members, each representing one of Ontario’s ridings, were randomly selected from the Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario by Elections Ontario.

The assembly will operate independently of government. If the assembly recommends a change in the electoral system, that recommendation will be put to a referendum within the government’s current mandate.

"These 103 people are at the centre of the process, but I’m hoping that all Ontarians will take advantage of the opportunities we are developing for them to express their views to the assembly," said George Thomson, chair of the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform.

The first meeting of the Citizens’ Assembly will be held on September 9, 2006.

The assembly will issue its final report outlining its recommendation on or before May 15, 2007. For more information about the Citizens’ Assembly and its members, go to the assembly’s website at http://www.citizensassembly.gov.on.ca/.


"We can make a difference" Donna Pitcher

Haldimand "McGuinty don't Bother yourself coming to Haldimand"

Well we can’t be reminded enough that an "election" is on our doorstep here in Ontario! An "election" that we "all" need to pay close attention to!

An "election" that we "all" need to exercise "our right" to vote, and I would hope in record numbers!

This is a call to all "residents of Haldimand County"; we have the "power" to make a difference. Haldimand residents need to come out in "record" numbers on Election Day.

McGuinty has already demonstrated over the past 17 months that he has no intentions on coming to "Haldimand County" anytime soon! So that means he won’t personally be campaigning here, although he does have a Liberal Candidate in Haldimand/Norfolk….. Lorraine Bergstrand.

Mr. McGuinty has been "very close" to Haldimand County on a number of occasions recently, but he seems to have his "own personal map" of Ontario, and "Haldimand County" is not on his map!

McGuinty is sticking to the "big cities" where the population is higher, and he feels he has a better chance, well Mr. McGuinty I do believe that your "days are numbered", so take that hard earned "vacation" that you seem to think you "deserve" and "don’t waste your time"!

I can’t even think that McGuinty would have a "hope in hell" of being re-elected! But if we "do nothing" his supporters will make damn sure he succeeds!

We need to get involved! We need to remind people of this current governments "broken promises and lies"! We need to spread the news that "we can make a difference"!


The following is a news release from Toby Barrett July 16th, 2007;


Government can't ignore its role during tough times

There's an old saying, 'if you break it, you've bought it.' This rings true locally, as recent government policies have disrupted our economy on our area's sand plain and along the Grand River.


At a time of year when construction and farming should be booming, a shroud of uncertainty has been created. Last week, at a meeting of 40 Haldimand County builders, it was reported some area property values have dropped 20 per cent.

To the west, sand plain tobacco farmers learned that no hope is in sight - with this year's crop 43 per cent smaller than last.

Combined with endless rules and regulations and red tape and forms to fill out, farmers and business people of all stripes are up against an increasingly hostile government. Regrettably, this compounds the trend - closed car dealerships, shuttered downtown’s, and an out migration for work.

On May 29, in the Ontario Legislature, I listed a selection of the local jobs that have been lost under our current Ontario Government. In the Norfolk area, there are at least 284 manufacturing jobs down the drain while government focuses its priorities elsewhere.

In recent years, communities along the Grand River saw impressive growth - economically, and in population. Now, due to the threat of illegal land seizures, construction crews are a rare sight within six miles of the Grand. With no evidence of a government plan to deal with land seizures and occupations, construction crews - and their economic spin-offs - are largely looking elsewhere.

In addition to the failed approach to illegal land seizures, area residents continue to worry about Premier McGuinty's promise to throw 600 people out of work at OPG Nanticoke. I frequently hear people asking why government would take another 600 jobs, after watching economic development slide to a halt.................................................................................

Please read this entire news release at http://caledoniawakeupcall.wordpress.com/


Mr. Barrett says it all, and he has my support! Please visit Toby Barrett on his website at http://www.tobybarrett.com/.

Haldimand "Clarification/Frustrated in Haldimand"

On June 13th, 2007 I wrote an article called "Frustrated in Haldimand", which was based in part on comments made by Janie Jamieson during an interview with the Canadian Press, and published in the Brantford Expositor. Janie Jamieson is the spokesperson for the protesters in Caledonia/Haldimand.

"CHINTA PUXLEY" a reporter for the "Canadian Press" stated in her original story "It doesn’t give me hope" published June 13th, 2007 the following;

"Over the course of the 15 month occupation, Six Nations protesters temporarily shut down a railway, blockaded the town’s main thoroughfare and "knocked out the community’s hydro", she added".

I had many comments posted regarding my story "Frustrated in Haldimand". One comment was stating that this certain reporter has been known to "twist words". My response to this individual was that if this reporter had twisted her words that I would expect this paper to apologize to Janie Jamieson. I also stated that I would update my article.

The following is an article from the Canadian Press published in the Brantford Expositor "SEVEN" days after the original story. "It doesn't give me Hope".


"CLARIFICATION"

Wednesday, June 20, 2007 - 07:00 - In a June 12 story about reaction to a federal proposal to revamp how land claims are handled, The Canadian Press reported that Six Nations protesters in Caledonia, Ont., had - among other things - "knocked out the community's electricity supply" during their ongoing occupation of a housing development on disputed land.

In an interview for the story, Six Nations spokeswoman Janie Jamieson said the occupiers successfully "had hydro stopped" as part of their ongoing protest.

Jamieson later said she was referring to the group's successful effort to prevent Ontario utility Hydro One from working along a section of disputed land, and not to an incident of vandalism that saw the town's power supply cut off temporarily.


I personally believe that a "reporter has a duty" to it’s readers, among their duties is to report the "truth", to have "integrity", and if you have made a mistake to "apologize"!

I personally want to apologize to Janie Jamieson for any grief that I caused writing the original story "Frustrated in Haldimand".

I will also send this article to all the individuals that I sent the first one too, as this original article, is what "peeved me off", to write "Frustrated in Haldimand".

Haldimand "Fool me Once, Fool me Twice"

What is really going on in McGuinty’s camp? I must admit that I totally missed this "News Release" from the Canadian Press, as I was busy sitting on a "bridge" in Dunnville for 3 days!

Thursday (June 28th), Mayor Trainer called me regarding my "bridge sit in", and in our conversation it came up about the investigation into Fantino’s e-mail that was sent to Haldimand County Council Members in April of 2007.

Mayor Trainer had mentioned to me that the investigator had called her in the afternoon (Thursday June 28th) and asked for some "clarification" before he sends in his report! My comment to the Mayor was, haven’t you heard? Fantino has been cleared!

Now what was very interesting about this conversation was that the same morning (Thursday June 28th) there was a news release from Monte Kwinter’s office that had cleared Fantino of any wrong doing. The problem with this was that the investigator according to Mayor Trainer hadn’t yet completed his report, and in fact hadn’t even formally handed in his report to Monte Kwinter! Yet the news is already "old news".

Below is the news release from Chinta Puxley, which says it all!

Fantino cleared in controversy over Haldimand council e-mail
Chinta Puxley / canadian press Local News - Friday, June 29, 2007 Updated @ 9:04:08 AM

Ontario's police commissioner didn't breach the Police Services Act or cross the line when he wrote an angry e-mail to local politicians grappling with an ongoing aboriginal occupation in Caledonia, the province's community safety minister concluded Thursday.

Monte Kwinter told The Canadian Press he's reviewed the complaints his office received about the controversial e-mail sent by Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Julian Fantino in April, and has determined they didn't have any substance.

Although the local council wrote a letter to Kwinter about the e-mail, he said no one directly involved with the correspondence formally lodged a complaint.

"I have complete confidence in Commissioner Fantino, and I am dismissing outright all of the complaints filed against him," Kwinter said in an interview.

"I commend the commissioner for doing an excellent job under very difficult circumstances."

The investigation was sparked by complaints following an e-mail Fantino wrote to members of Caledonia council and senior bureaucrats in April. In the e-mail, Fantino suggested the town was encouraging divisive rallies against the policing of the ongoing aboriginal occupation there, and he threatened not to renew his force's contract to police the area.

The e-mail also suggested Fantino would back any lawsuit brought against the town by an injured officer.

Kwinter hired an outside investigator to look at the complaints and report back with private legal advice rather than referring the investigation to the ombudsman. Kwinter wouldn't discuss the advice, citing solicitor-client privilege, but said he took it into account when making his final decision.

Fantino has declined to comment on the e-mail, except to say that "the truth always comes out."

On Thursday, Fantino said he has been "totally preoccupied" with today's aboriginal day of action and hadn't been told of the decision. "I'm not going to worry about it," Fantino said. "I've got other things to deal with right now. It was a non-event to begin with."

The decision came as a shock to Haldimand County Mayor Marie Trainer, who said she spoke to the outside investigator twice Thursday and was told he hadn't finished his final report for Kwinter.

The decision to exonerate Fantino is "100 per cent wrong," Trainer said. "

This e-mail was certainly inappropriate," she said. "

I can't understand where they are coming from at all. It just baffles my mind. Why do they want to slap us in the face continually?"

Fantino should at least be disciplined for threatening elected officials, Trainer said. "It's inappropriate for him to try to silence anyone."

"Well I know that I am also shocked", not so much by the "outcome" of the "apparent" investigation, but by the "waste" of yet more of our tax dollars, and we are being "boldly lied too yet again"!

What has happened to the Promise of "Accountability and Transparency"?

You see the way I look at it is this "outside" investigator was "hired" to do a job, he hadn’t even "completed" his task, and low and behold he is "paid"?

What exactly was he "paid" for? He hadn’t completed his "investigation".

This tells me that this "government" of ours had no "intention" on even listening to this "investigator", or in reading his report, so once again "we" have paid for services "not yet rendered"!

This Government should be "ASHAMED".

Haldimand "My Chat with the Mayor"

ititWell Haldimand County Council had their "BIG" news release yesterday! I am still trying to figure out what they are thinking, or if they even "understand" as a "County" what the real issues are!

This Council as a whole decided after 17 months to "finally stand together" and announce to the press and to the "residents" of Haldimand County "NOTHING" that we didn't already know! So what is next you ask? Well I see that the next time "Haldimand County Council" makes a "BIG" announcement, they will be "talking to themselves"!

I would like to personally "thank" all of Haldimand's Councilors for finally speaking out! We were all wondering where you have been!

Last week Haldimand County Council and staff held a "closed" door session for "developers", this session was an "invitation" only, there was a wide range of quest speakers from government officials to the O.P.P. once again we will not be privy to what was said by anyone.

So, was this "news release" stemmed from that closed-door session? I can only "assume" the answer to be "YES".

This morning I called Mayor Trainer to clarify a few things, and to ask what the big fuss was all about? When I say "big fuss" what I mean is that the message "Haldimand County Council" sent was nothing new to anyone here in "Haldimand County".

This Council had an opportunity to be heard and they this missed a "golden opportunity"!

Here is a copy of the News Release in case you "missed" it. After each paragraph I "posted" my question to Mayor Trainer and her answers.

July 9/07 Haldimand County Council Press Conference
Press Release

Haldimand County has become an innocent victim of circumstances created by the Federal Government. For well over a year, Caledonia, and recently other communities in the County have become the lightening rods for First Nations frustrations over land claim inaction by the Federal Government.

My question to Mayor Trainer; why was the "province" left out of this statement? Mayor Trainer answers this question by stating; "I asked that the Province be put into this press release; but the rest of my Council voted against it! Here are the names of the ‘Councillors" that voted against directing the "news release" to the "province". Councilors Sloat, Dalimonte, Ricker, Grice, Bartlett.

My question to Mayor Trainer; who wrote the news release? Mayor Trainer answers CAO Bill Pearce. I asked if she had any input to what was in this news release? Mayor Trainer said "NO", she was asked to read the release as it was, or someone else would read it!

The result is a climate where the many development opportunities in Haldimand County are not being realized because of fear of occupations or demonstrations. Occupations and demonstrations that the Ontario Provincial Police cannot or will not intervene in, other than to keep the peace. This is grievously affecting the County’s economy and if allowed to continue much longer, will result in permanent damage because of lost opportunities.

Haldimand County Council has tried to be patient and understanding about these events that have overwhelmed the County. Haldimand County Council will no longer accept being treated as an insignificant player in this event that is so crucial to the future of the County. We cannot stand on the sidelines and watch this municipality’s economy fail. We can no longer tolerate a situation that inhibits any future planning to realize this County’s potential.

My question to Mayor Trainer; what took council so long? why have they been standing on the "sidelines"? Mayor Trainer states that she has always been up front to the issues, I guess "council" is doing a "catch up". My response to the Mayor was that this was" too little too late", and directed at the wrong level of government!

The only solution to this problem is an accelerated process for land claims in Haldimand County. To that end, Haldimand County Council representatives will be requesting a meeting with Prime Minister Harper and Member of Parliament Diane Finley, as soon as possible. The County’s expectation will be that Prime Minister Harper will assign M.P. Finley as the Federal Government’s person on the ground, or if you will, Minister responsible for Haldimand County, to ensure that claims settlements are given the highest priority.

I find it rather interesting that the "only" solution that Council seems to see is an "accelerated" process to land claims! What about the "provincial government" that is totally "ignoring" their "responsibility" to "clear title of deed"! What about the "lack" of "communication" with "Six Nations"?

I noticed a slight of words here, "or if you will" Minister responsible for Haldimand County! Well we all know that M.P. Finley is our federally elected official, are council members showing their "colors"?

My question to Mayor Trainer; Do you think that this statement will speed up the "land claims" issues? Mayor Trainer states that the direction should have been to the province, in regards to "clear title of deeds". This is the priority; the "province" is not guaranteeing a "clear title of deed". Mayor Trainer spoke of the Hennings Brothers that received money from the province, yet Dan Valentini a developer from Hagersville has stated that the Province will not help him financially? I asked again why council voted "against" directing this news release at the "province" and she didn’t have a clear answer for me, accept to say that "the majority rules!

Haldimand’s goal is to be able to again function as a normal municipality seeking stability and prosperity for its residents as well as maintaining strong, healthy relationships with its neighboring communities.

My question to the Mayor; at the "closed session" of last week in regards to "development", was a representative from "Six Nations" invited? Mayor Trainer answered "No"! Now I find this ironic, as one of the problems that this County has is with "communicating" with it’s "neighboring communities", was this an oversight on Staff’s part or Council's part?

I would like too personally Thank Mayor Trainer for being so candid with her
Answers.

As a huge "majority" of Haldimand’s local council members are "liberals", (and that is "NO" secret!) It seems to me that this "news release" was geared towards supporting the "Liberals" in the upcoming "Provincial" election. If I am wrong here, I am sure someone will correct me!

Locally elected officials "should" be non-partisan, so in saying that, if in fact the County is talking about economic "growth", this has nothing to do with the Federal Government. It is the "Provincial Government" that "guarantees" clear title of deed, so why did they not attack the "Province"?

Well only "YOU" can answer that question.