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.
The Lytro
I finally picked up my Lytro just over a week ago, thrilled to finally hold this piece of cutting-edge technology in my hands. I’m so excited to be one of the first to try out the original light field camera, an incredible piece of equipment.
The Lytro camera
It’s very Apple-esque in its design, even in the packaging. Everything is sleek, user-friendly and intuitive. The camera’s built-in software only works with Macs as well.
I’ve taken it out a few times, shooting both general pictures and also attempting to make use of the depth of field re-focus that makes the camera so unique. While it will never replace the versatility of my Nikon, it’s a fabulous item to carry around when I don’t want to worry about timing or setting exposures. The shutter is instant, and the options after are amazing.
I’m not able to post the photos here without taking away that opportunity to play with the focal point, so you’ll have to visit my Lytro gallery to check them out.
Budget season
All in one week, the municipal, provincial and federal governments are presenting their budgets for 2012.
Ontario finance minister Dwight Duncan announced his fiscal plan on Tuesday from Queen’s Park, rejecting many of the cost-saving measures suggested in the recent Drummond report. They did, however, suggest wage freezes for many public sector employees for the next couple of years. The opposition Progressive Conservatives immediately announced their intentions to vote against the budget, leaving its fate in the hands of the NDP due to the governing Liberals’ minority position.
Maureen Adams
Cornwall city council met in a three-hour special meeting yesterday afternoon and put the final stamp of approval on its $145 million-budget. Though the steering committee had requested administration come up with a 2% tax increase – which they did – councillors put forward a flurry of motions that eventually brought it down to 1.5%. The final amount roughly equals a $35 tax increase on a home worth $154,000. Here’s a quick recap of some of the ideas debated last night:
- Use cash from the working reserves to freeze taxes, put forward by Coun. Andre Rivette. Supported by: Leslie O’Shaughnessy, Maurice Dupelle and David Murphy. Everyone else was in favour of an increase, so the motion failed.
- Reduce councillors’ salaries by 5%, put forward by Coun. Denis Thibault. Supported by: Bernadette Clement, David Murphy, Maurice Dupelle. Everyone else opted to keep their pay, so the motion failed.
- Use all of the supplementary taxes from 2011 to reduce this year’s increase, put forward by Coun. Glen Grant. Financial manager Maureen Adams had already planned to use $400,000 in surplus dollars, but she was directed to use the other $258,000 to further lower the tax increase. This motion passed, though it was a close vote as many councillors were content with the 2% increase.
- Take $250,000 out of working reserves to help balance the budget, and replenish the amount whenever the Si Miller Arena lands are sold, put forward by O’Shaughnessy. There wasn’t enough support to pass this idea, with most councillors saying they shouldn’t bank on a sale that is still far from guaranteed.
And then we have the feds. Many Parliament Hill reporters are already in lock-up, awaiting the official release at 4 p.m. today. A new era of austerity is expected, with cuts to pensions and other measures to tackle the deficit. But don’t wait until finance minister Jim Flaherty takes to the spotlight – check out this nifty tool to come up with your own ways of balancing the budget.
City council – March 26
Cornwall councillors met last night in their only regularly-scheduled meeting this month. They took March break week off, though they had a special meeting to approve a tender for the secondary wastewater treatment plant and have another planned for tomorrow to vote on the 2012 budget. I’ll have live coverage of that discussion over at the Standard-Freeholder website.
There were a few faces absent from the council table last night. Leslie O’Shaughnessy wasn’t there, though apparently he was present for an earlier in-camera meeting. Chief administrative officer Paul Fitzpatrick is on medical leave for an unknown length of time; planning manager Stephen Alexander filled in for him. Clerk Denise Labelle-Gelinas was also gone – she’s on vacation I believe.
The first major item on the agenda was approving the initial step in building soccer fields outside the Benson Centre. Councillors were unanimous in their support for the project, or at least moving ahead in the design phase. The construction could cost upwards of $1 million, though a few community groups have already pledged some cash to help out. This is such a good idea. The fields will be located on otherwise unused land, and help solidify the new facility as the region’s recreational hub.
Council also reviewed a financial statement closing out 2011, their expenses for last year, and approved several tenders. The meeting wrapped up in roughly an hour, leaving me enough evening left to go for a five-kilometre run.
Mulcair and the Mariana Trench
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Thomas Mulcair
Thomas Mulcair was elected leader of the New Democrats last weekend, after three rounds of voting that slowly weaned out less popular candidates. After a week off, the House resumes today with everyone back in their seats and opposition portfolios, along with Craig Scott who was elected in Toronto-Danforth last week. The party continues to rebuild and move on without its champion Jack Layton, though the process has already hit some bumps with the resignation of several national staffers.
- Ontario’s top court has legalized brothels in a decision announced today. They also struck down a current ban on prostitutes hiring security staff to protect them on the streets. The ruling is expected to be appealed to the Supreme Court.
- James Cameron, the ground-breaking director of Titanic and Avator, recently returned from a dive to the depths of the Mariana Trench. He’s one of only a few people brave enough to explore the deepest place on earth, and he did so in a submarine he designed himself. He spent several hours underwater, but had to return to the surface more quickly than planned due to a fluid leak. Even so, it was a historic moment and I’m looking forward to hearing what he experienced and seeing what he collected from the ocean floor. I kind of want to add a trip like this to my own bucket list.
- Elections in Alberta are now officially underway, as the writ dropped today for the April 28 vote. Premier Alison Redford will attempt to maintain power for the Conservatives, which has won the last dozen elections and currently holds 67 seats. She’s facing off against the Wildrose and Danielle Smith, Liberal leader Raj Sherman, Brian Mason and his NDP, and the Alberta Party with Glenn Taylor at its helm.
Sunshine and the NDP
- It’s the first day of spring. My favourite season. Yet, it already feels like summer out there, with temperatures expected to hit 25C today. I’m not complaining, and neither are my flip-flop-happy feet.
- I have a lot of good things to say about Cornwall, but it’s hard to find a lot of positives in a new ranking of 190 cities released today. Cornwall fell to 167th place, with its crime rate, unemployment, low income and lack of doctors. It’s a far cry from being solidly in the middle last year. However, a city official says the survey accounted for a 12% unemployment rate, a number higher than the current reality.
- The Hunger Games opens this weekend. I’m ridiculously excited. I’m not at all a bandwagon jumper when it comes to books or movies (I’ve only ever seen one Harry Potter film and none of Twilight), but I’m happy to say I read this entire trilogy before it ever became an international bestseller. Most of the reviews I’ve read of early screenings of the first feature note that it stays true to the printed version, which is very good news.
- The NDP held on to the riding of Toronto-Danforth in a by-election yesterday. It’s no surprise, given the enormous popularity of the previous representative: the late NDP leader Jack Layton. Craig Scott is the newest MP, taking 60% of the vote and bringing the Official Opposition’s seat count to 102.
The party is heading into a convention this weekend, where members will vote for a new leader to take over for Layton. Candidates are Paul Dewar, Brian Topp, Thomas Muclair, Peggy Nash, Nikki Ashton, Martin Singh and Nathan Cullen. Any predictions? Leave ‘em in the comment box below.
Report from city hall – March 16
It appears I have survived my first city budget process.
The steering committee met this morning and approved the latest draft with a 2% tax increase. Staff cut $1.2 million to bring the hike to that amount, offsetting lower than expected provincial grants, raises in salaries and a new waste/recycling contract. The document will now go before full council, but I can’t see any issues popping up there since all but two councillors were present for today’s discussions.
Also from city hall, rookie Coun. Maurice Dupelle chatted with me this week about the pressure he’s feeling from the recent controversies. It can’t be easy being an elected official in Cornwall these days; even more experienced councillors such as Denis Thibault are feeling the strain. But throughout the recent tension, my relationships with local politicians and staff have only improved and I’m enjoying the beat more than ever.
Council had a closed meeting yesterday, approving a change to the structure of its EMS and fire departments. They have another private gathering scheduled for Monday, prior to the planning advisory committee meeting. The next open council meeting is set for March 26, and a special meeting to approve the budget is expected soon thereafter.
Afghanistan and Cornwall’s rumour mill
- I’ve been following a couple of high-profile trials lately.
Accused Kevin Gregson awaits his fate in Ottawa, as a jury deliberates whether not he’s guilty of first-degree murder in the death of a police officer in 2009. Gregson has admitted to stabbing the constable, but maintained he didn’t mean to kill the man.
Terri-Lynn McClintic is testifying today in the trial of her former boyfriend, Michael Rafferty, who is charged in the death of Tori Stafford in 2009. McClintic has already been convicted of murder in the case, but Rafferty has pled not-guilty.
- There’s crazy stuff going on in Afghanistan.
Ever since a Koran was accidently burned on a NATO base, the country has been extremely volatile. It doesn’t help that a U.S. soldier killed more than a dozen villagers on Sunday; there’s already been retaliation against local officials. The Taliban and Afghan forces are both understandably angry, and emotions are running high on all sides. Some are calling for an early withdrawal of troops, but the U.S. has maintained its position that it will remain in the country until 2014.
- The drama of Cornwall city hall never ceases.
Andre Rivette
Last week, Coun. Andre Rivette filed a formal complaint over a closed-door council meeting, continuing to add to the picture of a fractured group of councillors. Coun. Syd Gardiner is stepping away from some of his commitments as he tries to improve his health; Coun. Leslie O’Shaughnessy also recently gave up some of his committee appointments, though his reasons are less clear. The newest elected officials are not finding the job to be quite what they expected – they’ve dealt with legal hassles, watched their mayor battle cancer, fired their human resources manager, and who knows what else. I told one of them I don’t envy his position at all right now … especially since I keep hearing that there’s more coming soon.
It’s not just councillors facing challenges though: city staff have been under fire lately as well. A former mayoral candidate has filed a complaint over the last election, claiming the clerk was a biased returning officer due to her affiliations with his rival. Then in the last few days, a story has been swirling about the CAO getting his car stuck in the parking lot of the soccer fields. Sounds embarrassing, sure, but it’s ridiculous how an incident like that so quickly becomes an attack on character or conspiracy theory. But then, I like to believe the best about people over the wild rumours.
If you’re looking for a refresher on recent goings-on at 340 Pitt Street, check out my timeline of events here.
- It’s not news, but I thought I’d let you know that my Lytro camera should be shipping out in the next two weeks. I can’t wait!
Elections, and more elections
We haven’t had to vote for all of nine months, but that doesn’t mean I can’t continue to blog my little heart out about elections.
- Vladimir Putin has claimed victory in Russia’s presidential vote yesterday – no surprise there. But election monitors have alleged fraud gave him the advantage – also not a major shocker. Putin will serve another six years as president, despite a growing shift of support away from the long-time leader.
- Here in Cornwall, a former mayoral candidate has complained about election issues of a different kind. Mark MacDonald, who ran unsuccessfully against Bob Kilger in 2010, has claimed returning officer and city clerk Denise Labelle-Gelinas was also a member of Kilger’s reelection campaign. She has denied the allegations.
- Tomorrow will be a big day for those vying for the Republican nomination. It’s Super Tuesday, when nine states will cast votes for their pick for president. In the running are: Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, and Mitt Romney.
- The scandal surrounding robocalls in last May’s federal election continues to unfold. Some good news has emerged though: many ridings hit with the irritating phone messages actually ended up with higher voter turnout than many of their neighbours. Residents angry over the allegations that the calls sent voters to the wrong polling stations took to Parliament Hill in a protest today, while a backbench Tory MP has shifted the blame to Elections Canada.
Cheryl
