Posts
To the Blog editor:
I’ve lived in three different provinces, in towns and cities of several different sizes, but having resided in Aurora for seven years now, I have decided that this must be the most backwards town in the country.
I’ve never seen such a poorly organized town, run by an incestuous group of buffoons. We’ve got major traffic problems, but can only deal with them by installing ridiculous chicanes on the side streets. We’ve got a good number of green spaces and, despite a high tax base --- under the guise of being “green” --- we can’t bear to spend the money to keep them groomed and weed-free. Our so-called “downtown” is little more than a street-side of vacant lots, empty buildings and “for lease” signs.
The latest antics of our Mayor and town Council are only more symptoms of some deep infection that plagues this town. What passes itself as a "community newspaper" is simply more of the same sycophants, a sort of newsletter for a group that considers itself the "in" crowd. (Could we possibly see any more pictures of Belinda Stronach flipping pancakes and cutting ribbons???)
I suspect there was a time when Aurora was a true community --- the small town of yesteryear --- but more and more, I find Aurora to be little more than a “bedroom” town --- a place where people sleep in their homes until they can work elsewhere, dine elsewhere and shop elsewhere. Even after all these years, I find no underlying sense of community here. I just bide my time until my children finish school so we can move out of Aurora and find a normal place to live again.
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Sunday, August 30, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
What Lessons from Senator Kennedy
Whether you agree with Ted Kennedy’s political views or not, there’s something that can be learned from his leadership approach. Here are some comments made by a few of his colleagues.
This spirit of working together is sorely missed here in Aurora. Last term Councillor Phyllis Morris used a confrontational style battle with Mayor Tim Jones to campaign on the need for change.
Most informed voters now see what type of change she meant. Much can be learned from the comments about Senator Kennedy.
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Vice President Joe Biden said Kennedy's secret as a legislator was "his lack of vitriol, his lack of pettiness forced some of the less generous members of our community to act bigger than they were. It was remarkable to watch."Could the same be said for Mayor Morris?
Senator Orrin Hatch, a Republican from Utah, recounted that when he came to the Senate in 1977 he had told his constituents that he was going to fight Kennedy. "I hadn't the slightest idea that I would eventually have a strong working relationship with, and love for, the man that I came to fight," he said.
Senator John McCain, a Republican from Arizona, said, "We disagreed on most issues, but but I admired his passion for his convictions … and his uncanny sense for when differences could be bridged and his cause advanced by degrees."
This spirit of working together is sorely missed here in Aurora. Last term Councillor Phyllis Morris used a confrontational style battle with Mayor Tim Jones to campaign on the need for change.
Most informed voters now see what type of change she meant. Much can be learned from the comments about Senator Kennedy.
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Thursday, August 27, 2009
Mystery Ad Sparks More Toronto Star Coverage
Mystery ad blasts town council
Anonymous `coalition for a better Aurora' urges residents to turf mayor and five councillors
Aug 27, 2009 04:30 AM -- Gail Swainson - Staff Reporter
A nasty spat within Aurora council that sparked the firing of the town's integrity commissioner has taken a curious turn: a bluntly worded ad in a local newspaper calls on residents to turf Mayor Phyllis Morris and five of the eight sitting councillors in the 2010 municipal election.
"In our opinion, individually and jointly, the group has made a mockery of the concept of public service," says the large display ad that ran in Tuesday's Auroran, which follows a months-long feud between Morris and outspoken councillor Evelyn Buck.
Five councillors, Wendy Gaertner, John Gallo, Stephen Granger, Evelina MacEachern and Al Wilson – all considered staunch supporters of Morris – are said to be tagging "meekly behind" Morris.
The ad calls on potential candidates willing to run against them to step up to the plate in next fall's election.
Sponsored by an anonymous "coalition for a better Aurora," the ad castigates Morris for allegedly "trampling and denigrating almost to the point of blasphemy" her campaign promises, and claims that she has a "manic ego."
It accuses the councillors of demoralizing the town's staff and forcing several senior civil servants from office, and alleges they "engaged in legal and other entanglements detrimental to the best interests of the town."
Gaertner called the ad disappointing. "I believe I went into this for the right reason: to do what is right for the residents of Aurora," she said.
Morris is out of town on vacation and, along with the other named councillors, could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Buck and fellow councillors Alison Collins-Mrakas and Bob McRoberts are not named in the ad, which lists no contact number, email address or website, but promises to be the first in a continuing series.
"I think it's a terrible reflection on our town affairs," said Buck. "For the sake of the community, I feel bad that it's come to this, but it's a sign of people's opinion."
Buck denied having anything to do with the ad.
She pointed out she has already had ample opportunity to express her controversial views in a public blog.
She and Gaertner both hinted they had some idea who might be at the root of the ad campaign, but refused to say.
An ongoing war of words between Buck and the six councillors came to a head earlier this month when the town's integrity commissioner was fired after just two months on the job, over his handling of complaints by councillors about Buck's blog, titled "Our Town and its Business."
David Nitkin, president of EthicScan Canada, was dumped the day after he ruled that the councillors' formal complaint against Buck – for slagging city staff on the blog – didn't have enough information to go forward.
Nitkin said pointedly that he thought the whole affair "raised concerns of political interference."
The sordid infighting on council is the talk of the town, with each side accusing the other of abuse of process and playing fast and loose with the facts.
Just days after Nitkin's abrupt departure, town clerk Lucille King, who went to work for the town last November, announced she was retiring after 30 years of municipal service, sparking another round of finger-pointing and blame-laying.
Last year, rookie councillor Grace Marsh quit, telling a local newspaper in a letter that she'd been subjected to "anger, threats and insults" by a deeply divided council.
Her resignation was followed by a heated debate and a 5-3 vote to appoint a replacement rather than conduct a by-election.
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Anonymous `coalition for a better Aurora' urges residents to turf mayor and five councillors
Aug 27, 2009 04:30 AM -- Gail Swainson - Staff Reporter
A nasty spat within Aurora council that sparked the firing of the town's integrity commissioner has taken a curious turn: a bluntly worded ad in a local newspaper calls on residents to turf Mayor Phyllis Morris and five of the eight sitting councillors in the 2010 municipal election.
"In our opinion, individually and jointly, the group has made a mockery of the concept of public service," says the large display ad that ran in Tuesday's Auroran, which follows a months-long feud between Morris and outspoken councillor Evelyn Buck.
Five councillors, Wendy Gaertner, John Gallo, Stephen Granger, Evelina MacEachern and Al Wilson – all considered staunch supporters of Morris – are said to be tagging "meekly behind" Morris.
The ad calls on potential candidates willing to run against them to step up to the plate in next fall's election.
Sponsored by an anonymous "coalition for a better Aurora," the ad castigates Morris for allegedly "trampling and denigrating almost to the point of blasphemy" her campaign promises, and claims that she has a "manic ego."
It accuses the councillors of demoralizing the town's staff and forcing several senior civil servants from office, and alleges they "engaged in legal and other entanglements detrimental to the best interests of the town."
Gaertner called the ad disappointing. "I believe I went into this for the right reason: to do what is right for the residents of Aurora," she said.
Morris is out of town on vacation and, along with the other named councillors, could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Buck and fellow councillors Alison Collins-Mrakas and Bob McRoberts are not named in the ad, which lists no contact number, email address or website, but promises to be the first in a continuing series.
"I think it's a terrible reflection on our town affairs," said Buck. "For the sake of the community, I feel bad that it's come to this, but it's a sign of people's opinion."
Buck denied having anything to do with the ad.
She pointed out she has already had ample opportunity to express her controversial views in a public blog.
She and Gaertner both hinted they had some idea who might be at the root of the ad campaign, but refused to say.
An ongoing war of words between Buck and the six councillors came to a head earlier this month when the town's integrity commissioner was fired after just two months on the job, over his handling of complaints by councillors about Buck's blog, titled "Our Town and its Business."
David Nitkin, president of EthicScan Canada, was dumped the day after he ruled that the councillors' formal complaint against Buck – for slagging city staff on the blog – didn't have enough information to go forward.
Nitkin said pointedly that he thought the whole affair "raised concerns of political interference."
The sordid infighting on council is the talk of the town, with each side accusing the other of abuse of process and playing fast and loose with the facts.
Just days after Nitkin's abrupt departure, town clerk Lucille King, who went to work for the town last November, announced she was retiring after 30 years of municipal service, sparking another round of finger-pointing and blame-laying.
Last year, rookie councillor Grace Marsh quit, telling a local newspaper in a letter that she'd been subjected to "anger, threats and insults" by a deeply divided council.
Her resignation was followed by a heated debate and a 5-3 vote to appoint a replacement rather than conduct a by-election.
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Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Citizens Speak Out
Dissatisfaction continues to grow with the conduct of our Council. This ad was published in the August 25, 2009 edition of The Auroran -- as well a number of Letters to the Editor.
Click on visual above for clearer picture
It may be another year until the next election, but the campaign to replace our current Council continues to heat up.
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
Aurora Makes Wikipedia
The controversy in Aurora has now available on Wikipedia.
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2009 Council ControversyIt will be interesting to see how long before someone tries to remove these factual links from the site.
In August 2009 a controversy erupted when the Aurora town council fired its integrity commissioner in a special meeting after receiving his first decision on a contentious issue. Three of eight councillors were absent from the special meeting. The mayor and five councillors who were present at the special meeting had filed a complaint with the integrity commissioner against councillor Evelyn Buck for comments made in her blog. Although the integrity commissioner's report has not been released to the public, it is believed that he dismissed the complaint.[6][7] The council was criticized for the decision to fire the integrity commissioner.[8]
Links 6 - 8 refer to;
6. Aurora sacks its ethics czar". The Toronto Sun. 2009-08-11. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
7. Councillor's blog ignites Aurora firefight". The Toronto Star. 2009-08-12. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
8. Aurora losing its aura?". The Toronto Star. 2009-08-13. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
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Friday, August 21, 2009
How Does Media Influence Our Opinions
Recent news articles provide an interesting perspective on the role of media on our opinions.
For example, Debora Kelly of The Banner wrote an editorial Aug 12, in which she takes a fairly supportive position on the antics of our Council and the recent firing of our Integrity Commissioner. Providing lots of room for quotes and spin from former colleague and Banner columnist Mayor Phyllis Morris, Debora declares her opinion with the comment “Fortunately, the experience hasn't dampened council's desire to have a watchdog at its side. (Though, may I suggest they get an understanding on the complaints procedure before handing over the retainer fee next time?)”
Compared this to the point of view of the Editorial department of a more disinterested party, the Toronto Star “A war of words on the web and a bruising battle at city council has culminated with the outlandish firing of Aurora's integrity commissioner.” and “Aurora's aura of good governance is on the wane.”
Note that both of these pieces are opinions versus news stories. News stories are supposed to be fact based -- while in editorials or opinions, the writer is expected to provide their own opinion/spin. Did Ms Kelley's prior relationship colour her opinion? How was The Stars writer influenced by their prior knowledge of Aurora and Mayor Morris (Right to Dry??). We'll never know.
Relying only on our media can be dangerous -- because all papers (and blogs for that matter) have their own view of the facts. So listen to your friends and neighbours, read the papers, and blogs -- but be sure to check out the meetings where you will see this Council in action live. Links are available at the top left if you can’t attend in person.
The next meeting to discuss the issue of the Integrity Commissioner is Tuesday Sept 8. Then draw your own opinion and join in the conversation. We’d love to hear your thoughts.
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For example, Debora Kelly of The Banner wrote an editorial Aug 12, in which she takes a fairly supportive position on the antics of our Council and the recent firing of our Integrity Commissioner. Providing lots of room for quotes and spin from former colleague and Banner columnist Mayor Phyllis Morris, Debora declares her opinion with the comment “Fortunately, the experience hasn't dampened council's desire to have a watchdog at its side. (Though, may I suggest they get an understanding on the complaints procedure before handing over the retainer fee next time?)”
Compared this to the point of view of the Editorial department of a more disinterested party, the Toronto Star “A war of words on the web and a bruising battle at city council has culminated with the outlandish firing of Aurora's integrity commissioner.” and “Aurora's aura of good governance is on the wane.”
Note that both of these pieces are opinions versus news stories. News stories are supposed to be fact based -- while in editorials or opinions, the writer is expected to provide their own opinion/spin. Did Ms Kelley's prior relationship colour her opinion? How was The Stars writer influenced by their prior knowledge of Aurora and Mayor Morris (Right to Dry??). We'll never know.
Relying only on our media can be dangerous -- because all papers (and blogs for that matter) have their own view of the facts. So listen to your friends and neighbours, read the papers, and blogs -- but be sure to check out the meetings where you will see this Council in action live. Links are available at the top left if you can’t attend in person.
The next meeting to discuss the issue of the Integrity Commissioner is Tuesday Sept 8. Then draw your own opinion and join in the conversation. We’d love to hear your thoughts.
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Thursday, August 20, 2009
What is the Proper Use of Social Media by Politicians
A very interesting discussion has branched off in the commentary section of Toronto Star Editorial Weights in. We thought we would start a specific post for this discussion.
Unfortunately we can't move the comments, so if you are interested, check out the comments in the original post.
The discussion is about how elected politicians should use social media (i.e. blogs, letters to the Editor) as well as interviews/press releases to get their points across. And whether they should continue to publicly debate issues after the decision has been made in the political arena.
Also covered is how their use of media is different from the general public.
Some very interesting commentary.
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Unfortunately we can't move the comments, so if you are interested, check out the comments in the original post.
The discussion is about how elected politicians should use social media (i.e. blogs, letters to the Editor) as well as interviews/press releases to get their points across. And whether they should continue to publicly debate issues after the decision has been made in the political arena.
Also covered is how their use of media is different from the general public.
Some very interesting commentary.
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Granger Shows True Colours
Councillor Granger has decided to step out from behind Mayor Morris and stand up for his beliefs. However, it seems his beliefs are limited to "Mayor Morris is a fantastic leader and I love working for her".
The key issue of the day -- the firing of the Integrity Commissioner -- seems unimportant when compared to trying to repair the damaged reputation of this Council and his leader.
Was this some attempt to get into the good books of the Mayor? Possibly.
Was it done with her approval? We suspect not.
Even she knows that an obvious puff piece that so blatantly praises her would be seen for exactly what it is. Pure rubbish. Give the Mayor her due, she understands the concept of spin. This was so blatant it has backfired. Sorry Councillor, bad move on your part.
Councillor Granger is living in a dream if he thinks Mayor Morris is an open and approachable team leader. He has probably found that out after this attempt to curry favour.
Which Councillor will be next in their letter writing campaign?
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The key issue of the day -- the firing of the Integrity Commissioner -- seems unimportant when compared to trying to repair the damaged reputation of this Council and his leader.
Was this some attempt to get into the good books of the Mayor? Possibly.
Was it done with her approval? We suspect not.
Even she knows that an obvious puff piece that so blatantly praises her would be seen for exactly what it is. Pure rubbish. Give the Mayor her due, she understands the concept of spin. This was so blatant it has backfired. Sorry Councillor, bad move on your part.
Councillor Granger is living in a dream if he thinks Mayor Morris is an open and approachable team leader. He has probably found that out after this attempt to curry favour.
Which Councillor will be next in their letter writing campaign?
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Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Bloggers Wanted
If you are interested in sharing your opinions with other citizens of Aurora, we want to hear from you. Readership continues to grow and we are interested in expanding our base of writers.
You will never be required to publish according to a schedule and you can pick your favourite topic -- sports, traffic, environment, youth, culture, politics -- we don’t care.
Our only criteria is people who love living in this great town and want to share that passion.
Interested? Let us know. To start the conversation, send an email to communitycorner@auroracitizen.ca
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You will never be required to publish according to a schedule and you can pick your favourite topic -- sports, traffic, environment, youth, culture, politics -- we don’t care.
Our only criteria is people who love living in this great town and want to share that passion.
Interested? Let us know. To start the conversation, send an email to communitycorner@auroracitizen.ca
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Saturday, August 15, 2009
Willfully ignorant vs. aggressively skeptical
The following post was reprinted from Seth Godin's Blog.
Willfully ignorant vs. aggressively skeptical
Challenging the status quo is what I do for a living. Either that or encourage other people to do it.
But there are two ways to do it, and one of them is ineffective, short-sighted and threatens the fabric of the tribe. The other seems to work.
I heard someone screaming about death panels and how the government was not only going to kill his grandmother, but would take out Stephen Hawking himself if it had the chance.
The screaming is a key part, because screaming is often a tool used to balance out the lazy ignorance of someone parroting opposition to an idea that they don't understand. (If you want to write to me about this post, please write to me about the screaming part, not about whether or not you agree with the facts or the science. That's what the post is about, the screaming.)
If you want to challenge the conventional wisdom of health care reform, please do! It'll make the final outcome better. But if you choose to do that, it's essential that you know more about it than everyone else, not less. Certainly not zero. Be skeptical, but be informed (about everything important, not just this issue, of course). Screaming ignorance gets attention, but it distracts us from the work at hand.
It's easy to fit in by yelling out, and far more difficult to actually read and consider the facts. Anytime you hear, "I don't have the time to understand this issue, I'm too busy being upset," you know that something is wrong.
Brands face this as much or more than politicians do. I witnessed a knock-down fight between two teenagers over which operating system was best. There are generations of arguments between Ford and Chevy owners. Motorcycle gangs are often parochial in their choice of bike. And in each case, the less people know, the more they yell.
If you want to change what your boss believes, or the strategy your company is following, the first step is to figure out how to be the best informed person in the room.
We think it applies. Facts are essential. Opinions drawn from facts are worth listening to. Opinions without facts to support them are just yelling. We love your informed opinions -- thanks for joining the conversation.
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Willfully ignorant vs. aggressively skeptical
Challenging the status quo is what I do for a living. Either that or encourage other people to do it.
But there are two ways to do it, and one of them is ineffective, short-sighted and threatens the fabric of the tribe. The other seems to work.
I heard someone screaming about death panels and how the government was not only going to kill his grandmother, but would take out Stephen Hawking himself if it had the chance.
The screaming is a key part, because screaming is often a tool used to balance out the lazy ignorance of someone parroting opposition to an idea that they don't understand. (If you want to write to me about this post, please write to me about the screaming part, not about whether or not you agree with the facts or the science. That's what the post is about, the screaming.)
If you want to challenge the conventional wisdom of health care reform, please do! It'll make the final outcome better. But if you choose to do that, it's essential that you know more about it than everyone else, not less. Certainly not zero. Be skeptical, but be informed (about everything important, not just this issue, of course). Screaming ignorance gets attention, but it distracts us from the work at hand.
It's easy to fit in by yelling out, and far more difficult to actually read and consider the facts. Anytime you hear, "I don't have the time to understand this issue, I'm too busy being upset," you know that something is wrong.
Brands face this as much or more than politicians do. I witnessed a knock-down fight between two teenagers over which operating system was best. There are generations of arguments between Ford and Chevy owners. Motorcycle gangs are often parochial in their choice of bike. And in each case, the less people know, the more they yell.
If you want to change what your boss believes, or the strategy your company is following, the first step is to figure out how to be the best informed person in the room.
We think it applies. Facts are essential. Opinions drawn from facts are worth listening to. Opinions without facts to support them are just yelling. We love your informed opinions -- thanks for joining the conversation.
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Thursday, August 13, 2009
Toronto Star Editorial Weighs In
EDITORIAL: Aug 13, 2009 04:30 AM
TheStar.com
Aurora losing its aura?
Aurora rarely gets a second glance, but the bizarre behaviour of town council in recent days merits a double take. A war of words on the web and a bruising battle at city council has culminated with the outlandish firing of Aurora's integrity commissioner.
The surprise sacking of David Nitkin by city council – he served as ethics watchdog for barely two months – came just one day after he submitted his first formal report. Nitkin had dared to defy council by rejecting a bitter complaint against its most outspoken member, dismissing it as a politically motivated affair.
The target of council's wrath was maverick councillor Evelyn Buck, 80, who has embraced blogging with a blunt style that gets under the skin of her rivals. A 40-year veteran of politics, her passionate web posts are the talk of the town – one reason why council wants to rein her in.
But when the watchdog refused to muzzle the maverick, he found himself in the doghouse. Aurora council is making a mockery of the integrity process and providing more grist for the blogosphere.
Writing in her blog yesterday, the irrepressible Buck neatly summed up council's public relations blunder: "All they did was prod me with a pointy stick and create another unholy mess for themselves."
Aurora's aura of good governance is on the wane.
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TheStar.com
Aurora losing its aura?
Aurora rarely gets a second glance, but the bizarre behaviour of town council in recent days merits a double take. A war of words on the web and a bruising battle at city council has culminated with the outlandish firing of Aurora's integrity commissioner.
The surprise sacking of David Nitkin by city council – he served as ethics watchdog for barely two months – came just one day after he submitted his first formal report. Nitkin had dared to defy council by rejecting a bitter complaint against its most outspoken member, dismissing it as a politically motivated affair.
The target of council's wrath was maverick councillor Evelyn Buck, 80, who has embraced blogging with a blunt style that gets under the skin of her rivals. A 40-year veteran of politics, her passionate web posts are the talk of the town – one reason why council wants to rein her in.
But when the watchdog refused to muzzle the maverick, he found himself in the doghouse. Aurora council is making a mockery of the integrity process and providing more grist for the blogosphere.
Writing in her blog yesterday, the irrepressible Buck neatly summed up council's public relations blunder: "All they did was prod me with a pointy stick and create another unholy mess for themselves."
Aurora's aura of good governance is on the wane.
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The Press Continues To Ask Questions
Another article by the Toronto Star-- this time about the "coincidence" of another senior staff retiring.
We also thought the closed door of Mayor Morris when Rogers Cable came for an interview -- sans lawyer for Mayor Morris -- was a perfect symbol of her open door policy of openness and transparency.
A picture is indeed worth a 1,000 words.
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We also thought the closed door of Mayor Morris when Rogers Cable came for an interview -- sans lawyer for Mayor Morris -- was a perfect symbol of her open door policy of openness and transparency.
A picture is indeed worth a 1,000 words.
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Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Aurora Continues to Garner Media Coverage
We had a number of comments today informing us about articles in the news. Rather than publish all the comments, here are the links.
Globe & Mail
Toronto Star
One interesting quote by Mayor Phyllis Morris that caught our eye was in the Toronto Star.
Is this more of the new math Mayor Morris has become famous for?
Era Banner
Then another classic quote from the Banner story.
Mayor Morris stated, "We called the meeting previously, so it's just a coincidence we got (the report) the day before," she said of Mr. Nitkin's firing. "(People) can speculate on things all they like."
If the meeting was scheduled in advance -- how come the agenda was released only 13 minutes before the start time and why didn't McRoberts, Collins-Marakas or Buck hear about it until the day of the meeting. Hmmmm? What could people speculate from those facts.
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Globe & Mail
Toronto Star
One interesting quote by Mayor Phyllis Morris that caught our eye was in the Toronto Star.
"Morris said, adding all but two of the town's eight councillors, including BuckSo let's do the math together -- if Collins-Marakas, Buck and McRoberts didn't attend -- that means only 5 or 8 Councillors attended the meeting. How did they get 6 of eight Councillors to support the firing?
– who didn't attend the meeting – supported firing Nitkin"
Is this more of the new math Mayor Morris has become famous for?
Era Banner
Then another classic quote from the Banner story.
Mayor Morris stated, "We called the meeting previously, so it's just a coincidence we got (the report) the day before," she said of Mr. Nitkin's firing. "(People) can speculate on things all they like."
If the meeting was scheduled in advance -- how come the agenda was released only 13 minutes before the start time and why didn't McRoberts, Collins-Marakas or Buck hear about it until the day of the meeting. Hmmmm? What could people speculate from those facts.
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Another One Bites The Dust
Thank you to the many readers who told us about this news in their comments -- but until we were able to confirm it as factual, we were not prepared to publish what was still a rumour.
Another senior staff member is no longer in the employ of the Town of Aurora. Lucille King, Director of Corporate Services, has decided to retire -- after starting in November 2008. One has to wonder what led to the change in plans.
The revolving door continues. Draw your own conclusion.
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Another senior staff member is no longer in the employ of the Town of Aurora. Lucille King, Director of Corporate Services, has decided to retire -- after starting in November 2008. One has to wonder what led to the change in plans.
The revolving door continues. Draw your own conclusion.
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Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Mainstream Media Coverage Continued
In case you missed it, Toronto Sun article Aurora Sacks its Ethics Czar
"Mayor Phyllis Morris said she couldn't release a copy of the report, but calls the firing and the filing of the report a "huge coincidence."
The commissioner's report will be released in September when it goes to council and will be turned over to the next integrity czar, she said."
We all look forward to seeing the full unedited report.
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"Mayor Phyllis Morris said she couldn't release a copy of the report, but calls the firing and the filing of the report a "huge coincidence."
The commissioner's report will be released in September when it goes to council and will be turned over to the next integrity czar, she said."
We all look forward to seeing the full unedited report.
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What Did Mayor Morris Know When
Councillor Buck has provided some of the text from the DECISION by the Integrity Commissioner. Her post can be read at Our Town and Its Business.
A couple key quotes;
It also appears to directly contradict the comments made publicly by Mayor Phyllis Morris of when the decision was made versus when they fired the Integrity Commissioner.
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A couple key quotes;
It is the DECISION of my office that this statement of complaint, as is, is unacceptable and that as is, no investigation or inquiry shall take place.We appreciate that this is not the entire text, possibly Mayor Morris will make that available. But from the parts we see, the comments appear pretty clear and damning.
Query oo8 is INAPPROPRIATE that the way it was crafted, politicized and communicated, may be, and be seen to be, wholly political. Explanation of this last test point can be seen in the many tests or measures of political interference that were raised in my e-mail of July 30th in direct communication to the proponents.
The decision was made on the 5th of August. It was in the hands of the Deputy Clerk, Acting clerk for the previous week and a half, on that date.
It also appears to directly contradict the comments made publicly by Mayor Phyllis Morris of when the decision was made versus when they fired the Integrity Commissioner.
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Monday, August 10, 2009
Keystone Cops Alive and Living In Aurora
News coverage is finally starting to shine a light on the activities of Council.
Aurora's Integrity Commissioner Axed
By Sean Pearce - Era Banner
August 10, 2009
Less than two months after formalizing his agreement with the town, Aurora’s integrity commissioner has left the building.
Following last Thursday’s special meeting of council, the six members who attended left closed session after voting to immediately remove the powers of integrity commissioner EthicScan Canada Ltd. president David Nitkin.
Further, it was also resolved the search for a new integrity commissioner begin immediately, the integrity commissioner section on the town’s website be removed and any pending complaints be stayed and reported to Aurora’s director of corporate services and held in abeyance until a new integrity commissioner is appointed.
For her part, Aurora Mayor Phyllis Morris said council’s decision is a result of the inability to reconcile Mr. Nitkin’s procedures with the town’s own code of conduct, despite multiple attempts.
“We have a code of conduct that we have adopted and wish to uphold,” Mrs. Morris said. “We, the council, entered into an agreement for a complaint procedure that we put in place and we agreed to it and it would appear the procedure the integrity commissioner wishes to follow appears not to be in compliance and, in fact, appears to conflict with council’s adopted code.”
In an interview between The Banner and Mrs. Morris Friday afternoon and attended by town solicitor and acting CAO Chris Cooper, the mayor explained council resolved to abide by a section in the agreement between the town and EthicScan, although she said she could not divulge any specifics about the section of the contract nor could she say what, if any, financial implications the decision might have for the town due to concerns about confidentiality. Citing similar reasons, Mrs. Morris said she was unable to comment on how much Mr. Nitkin had been paid for his services so far.
CBC News at Six
(The following link http://www.cbc.ca/mrl3/8752/newsatsix/toronto.wmv, will take you directly to the August 10th show.)
We also made the news on CBC News at Six. Check out the report from 17:43 - 20:25. Councillor Buck confirms --after finally getting a copy of the report -- that she was completely cleared of the accusations that were made by Council.
A Few Questions That Spring To Mind
First it's clotheslines -- now ethics. Mayor Phyllis Morris is certainly putting Aurora on the map. Too bad it's for all the wrong reasons.
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Aurora's Integrity Commissioner Axed
By Sean Pearce - Era Banner
August 10, 2009
Less than two months after formalizing his agreement with the town, Aurora’s integrity commissioner has left the building.
Following last Thursday’s special meeting of council, the six members who attended left closed session after voting to immediately remove the powers of integrity commissioner EthicScan Canada Ltd. president David Nitkin.
Further, it was also resolved the search for a new integrity commissioner begin immediately, the integrity commissioner section on the town’s website be removed and any pending complaints be stayed and reported to Aurora’s director of corporate services and held in abeyance until a new integrity commissioner is appointed.
For her part, Aurora Mayor Phyllis Morris said council’s decision is a result of the inability to reconcile Mr. Nitkin’s procedures with the town’s own code of conduct, despite multiple attempts.
“We have a code of conduct that we have adopted and wish to uphold,” Mrs. Morris said. “We, the council, entered into an agreement for a complaint procedure that we put in place and we agreed to it and it would appear the procedure the integrity commissioner wishes to follow appears not to be in compliance and, in fact, appears to conflict with council’s adopted code.”
In an interview between The Banner and Mrs. Morris Friday afternoon and attended by town solicitor and acting CAO Chris Cooper, the mayor explained council resolved to abide by a section in the agreement between the town and EthicScan, although she said she could not divulge any specifics about the section of the contract nor could she say what, if any, financial implications the decision might have for the town due to concerns about confidentiality. Citing similar reasons, Mrs. Morris said she was unable to comment on how much Mr. Nitkin had been paid for his services so far.
CBC News at Six
(The following link http://www.cbc.ca/mrl3/8752/newsatsix/toronto.wmv, will take you directly to the August 10th show.)
We also made the news on CBC News at Six. Check out the report from 17:43 - 20:25. Councillor Buck confirms --after finally getting a copy of the report -- that she was completely cleared of the accusations that were made by Council.
A Few Questions That Spring To Mind
- Why does Mayor Phyllis Morris need the Town Solicitor sitting in on interviews? What was she afraid she might say?
- How did Aurora Council hire someone after months of discussions only to find out "the procedure the integrity commissioner wishes to follow appears not to be in compliance and, in fact, appears to conflict with council’s adopted code.”? What kind of research did they do the first time? Is their latest "spin" credible?
- What will the process of hand-picking their next Integrity Commissioner be? Will it require an upfront agreement to follow Council direction since autonomy is clearly not allowed?
- Why does our procedure conflict so seriously with an acknowledged expert who has built a reputation based on managing these issue? Maybe the problem is the Code as written by this Council?
- Was the reason for Councillor Buck's vindication because the Integrity Commissioner viewed the basis for the complaint as politically motivated?
- Why are citizens of Aurora unable to see the cost to our taxes of this latest (insert your own descriptive here) move by this Council? After all, it's our money they keep spending.
First it's clotheslines -- now ethics. Mayor Phyllis Morris is certainly putting Aurora on the map. Too bad it's for all the wrong reasons.
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It All Depends On How You Look At Things
The story is told ....
Judy Wallman, a professional genealogy researcher in southern California, was doing some personal work on her own family tree. She discovered that Congressman Harry Reid's great-great uncle, Remus Reid, was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Montana in 1889. Both Judy and Harry Reid share this common ancestor.
The only known photograph of Remus shows him standing on the gallows in Montana territory. On the back of the picture Judy obtained during her research is this inscription: 'Remus Reid, horse thief, sent to Montana Territorial Prison 1885, escaped 1887, robbed the Montana Flyer six times. Caught by Pinkerton detectives, convicted and hanged in 1889.'
So Judy recently e-mailed Congressman Harry Reid for information about their great-great uncle.
Believe it or not, Harry Reid's staff sent back the following biographical sketch for her genealogy research:
NOW THAT's how it's done, Folks! That's real POLITICAL SPIN. Even our own Mayor, Phyllis Morris would be impressed.
Stay tune for her comments on the recent departure of our much admired Integrity Commissioner.
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Judy Wallman, a professional genealogy researcher in southern California, was doing some personal work on her own family tree. She discovered that Congressman Harry Reid's great-great uncle, Remus Reid, was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Montana in 1889. Both Judy and Harry Reid share this common ancestor.
The only known photograph of Remus shows him standing on the gallows in Montana territory. On the back of the picture Judy obtained during her research is this inscription: 'Remus Reid, horse thief, sent to Montana Territorial Prison 1885, escaped 1887, robbed the Montana Flyer six times. Caught by Pinkerton detectives, convicted and hanged in 1889.'
So Judy recently e-mailed Congressman Harry Reid for information about their great-great uncle.
Believe it or not, Harry Reid's staff sent back the following biographical sketch for her genealogy research:
"Remus Reid was a famous cowboy in the Montana Territory . His business empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and intimate dealings with the Montana railroad. Beginning in 1883, he devoted several years of his life to government service, finally taking leave to resume his dealings with the railroad. In 1887, he was a key player in a vital investigation run by the renowned Pinkerton Detective Agency. In 1889, Remus passed away during an important civic function held in his honor when the platform upon which he was standing collapsed."
NOW THAT's how it's done, Folks! That's real POLITICAL SPIN. Even our own Mayor, Phyllis Morris would be impressed.
Stay tune for her comments on the recent departure of our much admired Integrity Commissioner.
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Saturday, August 8, 2009
Guest Post: Why Has the Integrity Commissioner Been Dismissed?
The following letter was delivered by Grace Marsh to the Editor(s) of The Auroran and The Banner and copied to the Aurora Citizen Blog.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views of the AURORA CITIZEN.
Council created and approved their own Code of Conduct. Some felt the Oath of Office wasn’t enough . Apparently, they believe they need more in order to “control” some Members of Council from expressing opinions that don’t mirror theirs.
Council approves the hiring of an Integrity Commissioner. Puts someone at the ready to “investigate” any complaint that may be lodged under their Code. His bio and experience as posted on the Town website is impressive.
Next Council approves the hiring of Aird & Berlis, at Town cost, to help get ready ammunition in order to prepare a formal complaint against Councillor Buck under the Code.
6 members of Council file a formal complaint against Councillor Buck. 2 do not participate. No surprise who the 6 are. The complaint is placed on the Town’s website and paid advertisements are taken out in 2 local papers. Apparently Councillor Buck has levelled “unmerited public criticism of staff”. So much for confidentiality in the process.
On July 30th, I called Mr. Nitkin directly on his confidential line to let him know that I was willing to provide information for his investigation should he be interested. I actually do have firsthand experience with how other Members of this Council , including the Mayor have criticised staff. Mr. Nitkin advised me that he was unable to discuss Council’s complaint as he had not yet either accepted or rejected the complaint that was advertised by Council. A fair and appropriate response in my view. My feeling from the conversation, although Mr. Nitkin said nothing specific, was that it may not be long before he would make that decision.
Just 7 days later, on August 6th, Rogers First Local broadcasts that Councillor Buck believes a decision has been made and while looking for a copy, it appears she is stonewalled. On the same broadcast the Mayor admits that an email was sent to the Director of Corporate Services, and a copy was sent to the Director’s assistant (the Deputy Clerk). She further stated nothing would be disclosed and it could be up to 90 days before anything is made public. Seems to me that a staff member (the assistant to the designated person) getting a copy should not be a big deal. Why should that stop the Councillor accused from receiving a copy?
Later that same night, there is a Special Council Meeting at which, according to the public minutes, the same 6 Councillors that lodged the complaint, spent 5 hours and 12 minutes behind closed doors on 2 “personal” items and the results are:
The Integrity Commissioner is removed. Any mention of him is gone from the Towns’ website by the next day, and it’s directed that more money will be spent recruiting a new Integrity Commissioner. We (the people paying the bill for all this) still don’t know what his decision was or why it must be secret. Council’s complaint was made very public, in two newspapers, at our expense, but we are not entitled to know the result.
Draw your own conclusions:
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views of the AURORA CITIZEN.
Council created and approved their own Code of Conduct. Some felt the Oath of Office wasn’t enough . Apparently, they believe they need more in order to “control” some Members of Council from expressing opinions that don’t mirror theirs.
Council approves the hiring of an Integrity Commissioner. Puts someone at the ready to “investigate” any complaint that may be lodged under their Code. His bio and experience as posted on the Town website is impressive.
Next Council approves the hiring of Aird & Berlis, at Town cost, to help get ready ammunition in order to prepare a formal complaint against Councillor Buck under the Code.
6 members of Council file a formal complaint against Councillor Buck. 2 do not participate. No surprise who the 6 are. The complaint is placed on the Town’s website and paid advertisements are taken out in 2 local papers. Apparently Councillor Buck has levelled “unmerited public criticism of staff”. So much for confidentiality in the process.
On July 30th, I called Mr. Nitkin directly on his confidential line to let him know that I was willing to provide information for his investigation should he be interested. I actually do have firsthand experience with how other Members of this Council , including the Mayor have criticised staff. Mr. Nitkin advised me that he was unable to discuss Council’s complaint as he had not yet either accepted or rejected the complaint that was advertised by Council. A fair and appropriate response in my view. My feeling from the conversation, although Mr. Nitkin said nothing specific, was that it may not be long before he would make that decision.
Just 7 days later, on August 6th, Rogers First Local broadcasts that Councillor Buck believes a decision has been made and while looking for a copy, it appears she is stonewalled. On the same broadcast the Mayor admits that an email was sent to the Director of Corporate Services, and a copy was sent to the Director’s assistant (the Deputy Clerk). She further stated nothing would be disclosed and it could be up to 90 days before anything is made public. Seems to me that a staff member (the assistant to the designated person) getting a copy should not be a big deal. Why should that stop the Councillor accused from receiving a copy?
Later that same night, there is a Special Council Meeting at which, according to the public minutes, the same 6 Councillors that lodged the complaint, spent 5 hours and 12 minutes behind closed doors on 2 “personal” items and the results are:
The Integrity Commissioner is removed. Any mention of him is gone from the Towns’ website by the next day, and it’s directed that more money will be spent recruiting a new Integrity Commissioner. We (the people paying the bill for all this) still don’t know what his decision was or why it must be secret. Council’s complaint was made very public, in two newspapers, at our expense, but we are not entitled to know the result.
Draw your own conclusions:
- Would the decision put those who orchestrated the complaint into a bad light,
perhaps? - Did he reject their complaint outright?
- Did he come to the conclusion that it was purely political?
- How can they explain promoting the high standards and experience of Mr. Nitkin and so easily dismiss him?
- Are they looking to hire a “different” Integrity Commissioner who will accept their
complaint? - How many will they have to go through before they find the “right” one?
- How much will this cost us in the end in money and time? A staggering
number, I’m sure.
I have certainly drawn my own conclusions, and quite frankly this whole affair simply does not pass the smell test. But I’m also not surprised.
Grace Marsh
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Friday, August 7, 2009
Believe it or Not
Thursday night, Aug 6, the contract for the Integrity Commissioner was terminated by Council -- only 6 Councillors attended the closed session meeting Councillors Buck, Roberts and Collins-Marakas declined to attend because they weren't informed why the meeting was held until too late to attend.
This decision was reported out after the emergency meeting in response to the decision that was provided by the Commissioner about the complaint against Councillor Buck lodged by Council on July22.
Let's summarize.
It will be very interesting to hear what Mayor Morris has to say about "cause" for the termination. However, don't expect to hear anything concrete. The contract was probably written to allow termination by either party without cause -- so we will be left to decide what the real back story is on this issue.
It will be equally interesting to hear whether members of Council have seen the report or anything from the Commissioner. And if so, which ones. Give them a call -- see what they have to say.
Maybe one of them would be willing to make a comment to this post -- in their own name versus anonymous -- and let us know. Confession is good for the soul.
Truth is stranger than fiction. A fiction writer couldn't make this stuff up and have anyone believe it was a credible story!
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This decision was reported out after the emergency meeting in response to the decision that was provided by the Commissioner about the complaint against Councillor Buck lodged by Council on July22.
Let's summarize.
- Contract signed: June 18
- Complaint lodged: July 22
- Decision rendered to Mayor Phyllis Morris: Aug 5
- Commissioner terminated: Aug 7
It will be very interesting to hear what Mayor Morris has to say about "cause" for the termination. However, don't expect to hear anything concrete. The contract was probably written to allow termination by either party without cause -- so we will be left to decide what the real back story is on this issue.
It will be equally interesting to hear whether members of Council have seen the report or anything from the Commissioner. And if so, which ones. Give them a call -- see what they have to say.
Maybe one of them would be willing to make a comment to this post -- in their own name versus anonymous -- and let us know. Confession is good for the soul.
Truth is stranger than fiction. A fiction writer couldn't make this stuff up and have anyone believe it was a credible story!
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Confirm or Deny!
Watch for Mayor Phyllis Morris -- promoter of openness and transparency -- to address the following.
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- In addition to Councillor Buck's statements on Rogers News, whispers inside Town Hall indicate the Integrity Commissioner rendered a decision about whether to accept Council's complaint about Councillor Buck. Apparently it was received in the clerk's office on Tuesday. However, Councillors were refused access to the report even though the complaint protocol states that they are to receive it.
- Subsequently -- in addition to Councillor Buck who was not invited -- apparently 3 Councillors did not attend a "special" meeting called at the urgent request of Mayor Phyllis Morris. No agenda was given and until shortly before the meeting Council was not informed why or whom the meeting was about. Possibly these Councillors refused to attend because they felt they shouldn't be placed in the position of having to guess what a meeting is about or because they felt a meeting was being held without proper notice. In addition to Roberts and Collins-Marakas, who would have the gumption to stand and be counted?
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Thursday, August 6, 2009
A little decorum would go a long way
The comment below is from today's Toronto Sun and it sounds a lot like Aurora. What lessons can be learned?
A little decorum would go a long way
Interim integrity commissioner blasts councillors for rudeness
By SUE-ANN LEVY, 6th August 2009
In a tiny paragraph of his annual report to council yesterday, interim integrity commissioner Lorne Sossin hones in on the immature and petty behaviour that has become the norm during meetings at Socialist Silly Hall.
He contends that the "lack of civility" he's witnessed at several council meetings in the past year "is corrosive to an environment of mutual respect" and likely to "undermine public confidence in city council."
When I contacted him for more specifics, Sossin, who leaves the city in early September, said the kinds of things he's referring to run the gamut from "name-calling, casting aspersions on other councillors to indifference" -- meaning councillors are often busy chatting with other councillors while their colleagues try to address council.
Like me, Sossin says he has seen plenty of "snickering, heckling" and other attempts to "demean and diminish colleagues." He feels councillors need to "show respect" for their colleagues and the "office" since everyone has been elected to council by constituents, who want their views represented. "This petty back and forth ... that's where the lines need to be drawn," he said.
Being far more diplomatic than me, Sossin wouldn't name names. But, in my view, it is usually the same cast of characters -- mostly the cabal of councillors in the mayor's inner circle -- who believe their self-righteous views are the only ones that are legitimate, and that those who dare disagree have no concern about the public interest.
I've lost count how many times I've seen and heard councillors such as Pam McConnell, Paula Fletcher, Adam Vaughan, Kyle Rae and Gord Perks loudly heckle right-of-centre colleagues who endeavour to provide a view other than that shared by them. Budget chief Shelley Carroll is often seen wandering around the council floor and committee rooms openly yakking and laughing with her leftist pals on council, whenever a councillor dares criticize one of her beloved mayor's initiatives.
CITIZENS GRILLED
The rudeness isn't just directed at councillors. I've watched many times in standing committees as councillors like McConnell and Fletcher grilled members of the public, who have come in to give their opinions, as if they were lawyers cross-examining opponents. Many councillors don't even feign giving public deputants their undivided attention. They either leave the room, tap on their Blackberries or chatter with their seatmates. Maybe these rude, self-important politicians, apparently suffering from a political version of attention deficit disorder, need some lessons from Miss Manners.
Sossin says a problem at City Hall is that the Speaker -- Sandra Bussin -- does not have the same "authority" as speakers in Ottawa and at Queen's Park -- who can toss out politicians who don't behave. In contrast, at City Hall, an ejection is "put to a Council vote," he noted. The interim integrity commissioner believes councillors must take responsibility for their own actions and "not accept" a culture of incivility.
Coun. Mike Del Grande, who often finds himself heckled and cat-called by the mayor's inner circle, feels there's much more Bussin could do as council's speaker. He says she hasn't always been fair with her rulings and doesn't work to stop the heckling as soon as it occurs.
Coun. Case Ootes adds Mayor David Miller does little to discourage the heckling and does not , in his view, set an example by applying council rules in a fair and equitable manner. "I lay a lot of the problems at the foot of the speaker and the mayor for playing fast and loose with the rules of the chamber," he said. "That's what causes the polarization of this council and the heckling and disrespect between councillors."
SUE-ANN.LEVY@SUNMEDIA.CA
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A little decorum would go a long way
Interim integrity commissioner blasts councillors for rudeness
By SUE-ANN LEVY, 6th August 2009
In a tiny paragraph of his annual report to council yesterday, interim integrity commissioner Lorne Sossin hones in on the immature and petty behaviour that has become the norm during meetings at Socialist Silly Hall.
He contends that the "lack of civility" he's witnessed at several council meetings in the past year "is corrosive to an environment of mutual respect" and likely to "undermine public confidence in city council."
When I contacted him for more specifics, Sossin, who leaves the city in early September, said the kinds of things he's referring to run the gamut from "name-calling, casting aspersions on other councillors to indifference" -- meaning councillors are often busy chatting with other councillors while their colleagues try to address council.
Like me, Sossin says he has seen plenty of "snickering, heckling" and other attempts to "demean and diminish colleagues." He feels councillors need to "show respect" for their colleagues and the "office" since everyone has been elected to council by constituents, who want their views represented. "This petty back and forth ... that's where the lines need to be drawn," he said.
Being far more diplomatic than me, Sossin wouldn't name names. But, in my view, it is usually the same cast of characters -- mostly the cabal of councillors in the mayor's inner circle -- who believe their self-righteous views are the only ones that are legitimate, and that those who dare disagree have no concern about the public interest.
I've lost count how many times I've seen and heard councillors such as Pam McConnell, Paula Fletcher, Adam Vaughan, Kyle Rae and Gord Perks loudly heckle right-of-centre colleagues who endeavour to provide a view other than that shared by them. Budget chief Shelley Carroll is often seen wandering around the council floor and committee rooms openly yakking and laughing with her leftist pals on council, whenever a councillor dares criticize one of her beloved mayor's initiatives.
CITIZENS GRILLED
The rudeness isn't just directed at councillors. I've watched many times in standing committees as councillors like McConnell and Fletcher grilled members of the public, who have come in to give their opinions, as if they were lawyers cross-examining opponents. Many councillors don't even feign giving public deputants their undivided attention. They either leave the room, tap on their Blackberries or chatter with their seatmates. Maybe these rude, self-important politicians, apparently suffering from a political version of attention deficit disorder, need some lessons from Miss Manners.
Sossin says a problem at City Hall is that the Speaker -- Sandra Bussin -- does not have the same "authority" as speakers in Ottawa and at Queen's Park -- who can toss out politicians who don't behave. In contrast, at City Hall, an ejection is "put to a Council vote," he noted. The interim integrity commissioner believes councillors must take responsibility for their own actions and "not accept" a culture of incivility.
Coun. Mike Del Grande, who often finds himself heckled and cat-called by the mayor's inner circle, feels there's much more Bussin could do as council's speaker. He says she hasn't always been fair with her rulings and doesn't work to stop the heckling as soon as it occurs.
Coun. Case Ootes adds Mayor David Miller does little to discourage the heckling and does not , in his view, set an example by applying council rules in a fair and equitable manner. "I lay a lot of the problems at the foot of the speaker and the mayor for playing fast and loose with the rules of the chamber," he said. "That's what causes the polarization of this council and the heckling and disrespect between councillors."
SUE-ANN.LEVY@SUNMEDIA.CA
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