Wednesday 28 December 2011

New Years Greetings and Resolutions for Newmarket Council

A Newmarket Rhyme About the Passage of Time
As they prepare for the year hereafter;
And the plans that they will undertake;
A few verses dedicated to our bylaw drafters;
Resolutions, for Newmarket’s sake.

Some suggestions to Newmarket Council;
To remember in 2012’s tomorrows;
Simple, yet written down still;
To prevent regrets and sorrows.

First, a resolution to remind them;
To whom Council is accountable;
Newmarket ratepayers are the precious gem;
Councillors remember to be responsible.

Second, our money is dear to us;
So a resolution to tax us wisely;
Not to waste money frivolous;
But treated in a manner most miserly.

Third is to always be transparent;
Not carry on behind closed door;
The nature of debate clear and apparent;
Obfuscation we abhor.

Stop campaigning is resolution four;
The next election is years away;
And much work you need to complete before;
Please save the rhetoric for another day.

Resolution five is about respect;
And showing each other common decency;
Working together, it is what we expect;
This is governing, gentlemen, not UFC.

Sixth is some consideration for independence;
Act not as a member of an alliance;
You were elected to vote with your conscience;
So trust your own good sense for guidance.

Show leadership, is resolution number seven;
In settling the YRT/Viva labour dispute;
The strike is heading into week number eleven;
It is unfair to those of us who commute.

Please don’t boast, is your resolution number eight;
About two percent property tax increases;
While increasing user fees and the water rate;
We get the sense you are trying to fleece us.

Ninth is a promise to use elected office;
Not for photo ops and cutting ribbons;
But to make our community better for us;
You can accomplish much with your actions.

Tenth is a promise not to make promises;
Especially if you don’t intend to live up to your word;
Integrity means trying not to disappoint us;
Being truthful is always preferred. 

I hope this list of resolutions is helpful to Council:
Whether your name is Jane, Dave or Tom;
Maddie, Joe, Chris or another Tom still;
But especially Mayor Tony and Deputy John.


Happy 2012 Everyone

Friday 23 December 2011

What is in Santa's Sack for Town Council?

Here is what Santa is delivering to 395 Mulock Drive

  • To Mayor Van Bynen, Santa is bringing a lump of coal.  Watching him on Rogers Cable 10 for five minutes is long enough to determine that "His Worship" belongs on the Naughty (and rude) list.
  • To Regional Councillor Taylor, Santa is bringing new pair of shoes.  Not "brand-new" shoes but the shoes that York residents are wearing as they walk to work, school, or doctors appointments during the YRT strike.  Its about time he learned to walk a mile in our shoes as opposed to continually back "big business" interests with anit-union tactics.  
  • To Ward 1 Councillor Tom Vegh - Santa is bringing an autographed 8X10 photo of Councillor Di Muccio.  Councillor Vegh's obsession with the Ward 6 councillor is remarkable as demonstrated by the amount of ink he devotes to her on his twitter feed.  
  • To Ward 2 Councillor Dave Kerwin - Santa is bringing term limits.  40 years is long enough.  
  • To Ward 3 Councillor Jane Twinney - Santa is bringing a new back bone.  She campaigned on making changes at Town Hall but her record since getting there has been to ingratiate herself with the Old Boys Club.  So disappointing.
  • To Ward 4 Councillor Tom Hempen - Santa is bringing a "Job Applications for Dummies" book.  Councillor Hempen is the least involved of this group of low-achievers.  
  • To Ward 4 Residents - Santa is bringing a 2014 calendar with October's election day highlighted.  Let's bring hard-working Larry Blight back to Town Hall.
  • To Ward 5 Councillor Joe Sponga - Santa is bringing an ounce of courage.  Councillor Sponga says the right things but then consistently votes the wrong way.  He seems terrified about what the other guys would say if he voted against them.  
  • To Ward 6 Councillor Maddie Di Muccio - Santa is bringing a bigger spot light for her in 2012.  Truly she is the star of this term's Council.
  • To Ward 7 Councillor Chris Emanuel - Santa (and the Canadian Criminal Justice System) have placed him on the Naughty list.  Santa never, ever drinks and drives.