City council – May 14
I’m a day late in blogging about the last city council meeting … but I have no exciting excuses. Just plain busyness. I know my days are especially packed when I barely check Twitter. Yes, I’m experiencing minor withdrawal.
It was a lengthy gathering on Monday evening – three hours – covering first quarter financials, the hiring of a new human resources manager, staff replacements, park improvements and more.
- Last week, the Seaway International Bridge Authority announced their plans to locate the toll booth at the north end of the new low-level span. Makes sense, considering that’s where it is relative to the current bridge. But both the Cornwall mayor and Mohawk grand chief slammed the idea, suggesting the booth be either eliminated or moved to the U.S. bridge instead, to allow a freer flow of traffic between the two Canadian communities. The issue was brought to full council this week, though the more interesting discussion was on the timing of the mayor’s statement. Coun. Glen Grant said he was rather offended he (and his colleagues) weren’t consulted before an official release came from city hall. He voted against a resolution – which passed with the support of everyone else, except Rivette – that called on the federal government to reconsider the booth’s location, citing not enough information on the controversy.
-
Rebecca Sorrell in Guindon Park
A group of a dozen or more protesters hit up city hall this week, despite not making it onto the evening’s agenda. The Save the Beaver petitioners brought signs and homemade t-shirts, hoping to make a plea for the end to trapping of the country’s national animal in Guindon Park. When they realized they wouldn’t be invited to speak, they left in a rather noisy fashion. “I’ll see you next council, Mr. Kilger,” said Rebecca Sorrell, the unofficial leader of the group, and the petition’s author.
Personally, I don’t think they’re going to get too far. Trapping for the purpose of population control has been going for more than two decades with very little controversy; the beavers are still around but the roads haven’t flooded. The city has little motivation to make changes … plus a couple of traps were stolen from the park this year, which I’m sure will do the opposite of helping this group’s cause. - Councillors fired questions at an auditor during the meeting, wondering how they can improve their budget process and overall fiscal health. Though they were assured Cornwall is in a good place financially, auditor Ross Markell encouraged them to do more budget planning during the year, rather than just in the first few months of a new calendar. He also suggested the creation of a broad 10-year plan, which would help council see the longer-term effects of their decisions, especially when it comes to deferring capital projects.
The discussion followed a recent governance training session, where there was also a conversation about the budget process. Last year councillors seemed determined to make adjustments, but there was very little change when it came down to it. Hopefully this time will be different – whether it means the steering committee meeting more often, city departments giving detailed looks into their operations throughout the year, a fresh look at infrastructure needs vs. the pressure on taxpayers, or whatever. There’s always room for improvement.
I’ll be back at city hall on May 22 for the planning advisory committee. Council meets next on May 28.
Playoff predictions 2012, round three
I did significantly better on calling winners of the second round of the NHL playoffs – my only miss was in not picking New Jersey. Let’s see how I do on the conference finals …
- LA Kings vs. Phoenix Coyotes – Kings in seven
- New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers – Rangers in six
I know the Rangers beat my team in round one, but I’m already rooting for them to take it all the way.
Helicopter, check
12. Ride in a helicopter
This was unexpected, to say the least. An association of pilots who fly out of the Cornwall Regional Airport hold a junior aviation day a couple of times a year, to give young children the chance to experience the wonder of flight – for free. As a lover of the air myself, I asked my Little Sister Bethanie if she wanted in. She did, so on Saturday morning we headed out to Summerstown, expecting a brief jaunt over the city in a four-seater Cessna.
When we arrived, the first thing I noticed was the helicopter parked on the tarmac. I’ve wanted to fly in one pretty much since my inaugural trip to the skies, so I asked Beth if she’d mind a ride in it, rather than a plane. She was game, and the organizers were willing to let me go along – despite not being a “junior aviator”.
It was seriously cool. It’s a bubble of glass – no fuselage or wings to obscure views of the ground and skies around us. Liftoff was smooth, a joystick the only real controller as we shifted to the right and then picked up speed and height.
It was a quick flight; we sped over Glen Walter and Summerstown before touching back down. Our pilot, Dave, has been flying the birds for a couple of years. Coincidentally, he was also the guy who took me up last year when I was reporting on the event for the paper.
Good times.
Playoff predictions 2012, round two
I had two … two out of eight right for my earlier playoff predictions. That’s pretty bad – also sad to see both Canadian teams lose in the first round. Let’s see if I can do better with the next series.
- LA Kings vs. St. Louis Blues – Kings in six
- Nashville Predators and Phoenix Coyotes – Coyotes in seven
- Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers – Rangers in six
- New Jersey Devils vs. Philadelphia Flyers – Flyers in seven
What do you think? Who’s your favourite for the cup this year?
City council – April 23
Gerald Samson is sworn in.
A new person joined the ranks of Cornwall city council last night: Gerald Samson was sworn in to replace Leslie O’Shaughnessy, who resigned earlier this month. Samson took the oath in council chambers before taking his seat around the table. He wasn’t shy for his first meeting either, he made and seconded several motions and stood up to add his input on several issues. Afterwards, he said he’s thrilled to be appointed to the job, though he would have preferred to be one seat to the left – the spot his father held during his years as a city councillor.
Despite public reaction and committee recommendations to the contrary, council voted to allow e-bikes on city recreation trails for at least another year. It’s just a trial period, and will be connected to an education campaign on overall path courtesy. Responses to an online survey showed plenty of people had negative experiences with other park users – from bikers not ringing their bell as a warning, to dogs left off their leashes, to pedestrians acting like they own the place. There are going to be poor sports no matter the situation, but it sounds like there’s already a lot of confusion about right-of-way and what’s allowed where … adding e-bikes could muddy the waters even further.
Personally, I don’t use the path enough to see them as a problem or not. However, I am absolutely against any other kind of motorized vehicles using the trails, and if e-bikes are allowed permanently I can see the trend leading toward owners of vespers and mopeds making their case for access. What do you think? Leave your comments below.
During last night’s two-hour meeting, council also discussed the need to promote local shopping and the next steps for increasing intercity bus travel. They approved changes to the city’s ice allocation policy, and accepted recommendations to improve in-camera meetings.
They are scheduled to meet next on May 8.
Alberta votes and snow falls
- Alberta goes to the polls today as two female conservative party leaders go head-to-head. The race is between Progressive Conservative Premier Alison Redford and newcomer Danielle Smith of the Wildrose Party, with polls showing the Liberals trailing significantly. The Wildrose is expected to win by a close margin, despite several gaffes by candidates throughout the campaign.
- The RCMP has laid charges in the case of two seniors who went missing in Alberta more than two years ago. Police and family searched for Lyle and Marie McCann for months, finding only a burned out trailer. Travis Vader has been a suspect almost since the beginning, but it wasn’t until today that he was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. I’m sure everyone involved is relieved this is finally moving ahead – Vader has been in limbo for months, while McCann’s family waited for answers.
- I’ve been following the Anders Behring Breivik trial to some degree over the last couple of weeks. The man who admitted to killing 77 people in a Norway massacre and now faces life in prison continues to claim he is thoroughly sane, though I think the rest of us have our doubts. He said he underwent desensitivity training before beginning his rampage, in an effort to convince his country of the evils of immigration. I’m pretty sure you’d have to – any normal person would be positively broken after doing what he did so callously.
- In other news, what’s with the snow? I love the fluffy stuff in normal winter months, but the inch-deep slush greeting me this morning was not at all welcome.
Report from city hall – April 17
It’s been a busy couple of days for news in the city of Cornwall. In case you were wondering, that’s not a complaint.
It started with the Max Keeping Foundation kicking off a local chapter of its sports and recreation support program on Monday morning, and continued with a special city council meeting that afternoon. There, councillors voted to appoint Gerald Samson to the vacancy left by Leslie O’Shaughnessy’s resignation. Samson finished 11th in the last municipal vote; I spoke to him in Florida today, where he’s rushing to pack up and head north, and he’s very excited to begin the new job.
The Monday special meeting also included discussion over the city’s recently revamped procedural bylaw. I can understand some suspicion over the timing of the changes – which included new wording for council vacancy appointments – but the adjustments are made at least once a term and will always be trumped by the Municipal Act anyway. I don’t think the uproar over a few tweaks were, or are, justified.
William Wise
Today we learned former city councillor William Wise turned himself in to FBI and IRS officials in California. The former Cornwall Royals owner was apparently hiding out in Toronto over the last few years, but decided to head south to face 17 charges related to a $129 million Ponzi scheme. He pled not guilty in court this morning – a surprise considering he essentially admitted his guilt in a tell-all interview with the Toronto Star – but remains in custody.
In non-city hall-related news, the Cornwall Colts are heading to game four of their championship series against Nepean. They’re up two games to one and looking for an additional boost with a win at home tonight.
I’m scheduled for duty at the good ol’ Standard-Freeholder this weekend, and it’s shaping up to be a busy one already. In addition to several community activities running all over town – from an AA conference to the spring clean-up campaign launch – the Raisin River Canoe Race is happening on Sunday. I’ve regrettably never attended this event before (though I almost signed up two years ago), so I’m really looking forward to not only watching, but shooting, the competition.
Playoff predictions 2012, round one
Hey look, it’s back. My annual series of blog posts on the NHL. Though I’m still not as avid a follower as many, I did manage to make it to a couple of Senators games this year, in addition to the rather fabulous All-Star exhibition in Ottawa. I would have crossed number 10 off my life to-do list, but alas, I have to work Monday evening when the Sens host the Rangers for the second match of the series.
I’m pumped to see a Canadian team at the very top of the standings this year, though I wish more than two had made the playoffs. Toronto’s failures don’t surprise me any longer, but I was bummed Calgary – my second favourite team – wasn’t able to squeeze into the top of the western conference.
Enough rambling. Here’s my predictions for round one of the playoffs, based on no expertise or significant research whatsoever. Leave your taunts, cheers or expectations of your own in the comment box below.
- Los Angeles Kings vs. Vancouver Canucks – No question: Canucks in six
- San Jose Sharks vs. St. Louis Blues – Sharks in seven
- Chicago Blackhawks vs. Phoenix Coyotes – Blackhawks in six
- Detroit Red Wings vs. Nashville Predators – Predators in five
- Ottawa Senators vs. New York Rangers – I have faith: Sens in seven
- Washington Capitals vs. Boston Bruins – Bruins in six
- New Jersey Devils vs. Florida Panthers – Panthers in four
- Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins – Penguins in five
City council – April 10
Leslie O’Shaughnessy officially resigned his seat on Cornwall city council yesterday. He said he plans to hold a press conference in the coming weeks to explain his reasons for the decision, though he’s previously expressed frustration over in-camera issues and how they were handled. He’s walked out of several of the private gatherings over the last few months, refusing to participate in votes.
The rest of council will meet next Monday, April 16, at 6 p.m. to decide how to replace him. They have three options: hold an expensive by-election, appoint Gerald Samson – who finished 11th in the last municipal race – or appoint someone random from the community. I think the second option is best, though there are some concerns about Samson’s eligibility.
The vacant seat didn’t slow down the other ten members of council last night.
They approved a plan to combat geese in Lamoureux Park, agreed to allow leashed dogs in the green space on a permanent basis, debated a public consultation process for waterfront development, reviewed changes to their procedural bylaw, and voted on some tenders and bylaws. They agreed to purchase a piece of land from the conservation authority – for the whopping sum of $2 – that will eventually house a relocated snow dump.
They also asked staff to come up with a recommendation on a possible casino for Cornwall, since the provincial gaming agency has suggested building a new facility somewhere in Ontario. Personally, I think there’s better things we can do with our resources than offer gambling – especially in a community with such a high concentration of social assistance recipients who can’t afford to burn cash on slot machines. The city shouldn’t even offer that temptation. I understand the argument that it will provide a much-needed influx of jobs and dollars, but I’m sure there’s less controversial avenues to do that.
Council craziness and the penny
- Never a dull day in Cornwall’s municipal politics. Coun. Leslie O’Shaughnessy announced yesterday that he plans to resign next week.
Leslie O'Shaughnessy
It wasn’t entirely unexpected, especially after I spent two hours talking with him both on and off the record last Friday. He spent most of that time expressing his frustration with how things have been handled at city hall, especially in-camera issues that he can’t disclose. The problems have piled up to the point that he doesn’t think he’s being effective in either his personal life or around the council table. Still, it’s a big decision and will have major impact on his colleagues. They’ll have to decide whether to hold an expensive by-election, or appoint Gerald Samson – who was first of the losers in the last municipal vote – to the post.
This comes in the middle of a search for a new human resources manager; the last one was sent packing following two cases of employee mistreatment. The mayor said it’s time for a “new culture” in the department.
The city’s chief administrative officer is also away from the job right now, on sick leave until the end of April at least.
- The federal government plans to shut down the agency known as Rights and Democracy. It was a good idea when it began, but it’s been plagued with controversy and scandal in recent years, demolishing its reputation and decreasing its ability to have impact. It’s disappointing an organization with this kind of mandate and potential has to be shut down, but considering the internal issues and a budget of $11 million in these tough times, it also makes sense.
- Mitt Romney narrowed the gap between him and the Republican nomination yesterday, with a win in three state primaries. The rest of the candidates have fallen behind and nearly fallen off the radar as well, as Romney picks up delegates and endorsements. Five more states vote for their candidate in three weeks.
- We’ll soon have less change clinking in our pockets and wallets. When the feds announced their budget last week, they included measures to cease production of the one-cent coin. It’s strange to think of a Canada without the penny, but it also makes practical sense to cut it out of circulation. There’s got to be a ton of work involved, though, in now rounding prices up or down and adjusting to its disappearance.
Cheryl
