12 months later, Does it still matter?

It’s been a year since this:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1040337--councillor-fined-for-driving-drunk

Since this time, Councillor Emanual has under gone a superficial "make over" to try and make people forget. His strategy is apparently three pronged: he has surrounded himself with supporters to write letters to the editors of the local papers to tout his good works in the community; he has arranged to speak to grade school students, scouts, and graduates to heighten his profile among Newmarket youth; and he has ingratiated himself with local charity events advertising Councillor Emanuel as a ‘community hero’ and as a ‘star’.

Apparently Councillor Emanuel thinks the average Newmarket resident is really, really stupid.

FACT – He pleaded guilty. That means he does not dispute any of the allegations that were made against him. He admitted to all of them.

FACT – He caused tens of thousands in dollars of property damage. He could have been killed. He could have killed others. The only reason that didn’t happen was due to dumb luck.

FACT – He was drunk on the job. A lawyer cannot show up to court drunk. A doctor can not attend surgery drunk. A teacher cannot be drunk in the front of the classroom. All of them would lose their careers (and face disciplinary hearings and likely hefty fines). Why does Councillor Emanuel think he is so much better than a doctor, lawyer, or teacher and we must overlook this behaviour?

FACT - Councillor Emanuel has friends in high places and they are committed to protecting him. The Mayor, his fellow councillors (except for Councillor Di Muccio who publicly called for his resignation), and even Ontario Liberal Party big wigs like Warren Kinsella have refused to condemn his crime. They don’t have an ounce of credibility on this issue but they still refuse to do the right thing.

FACT – Back in August 2011, Regional Councillor John Taylor said that Councillor Emanuel was very important to the Glenway fight. Regional Councillor Taylor should read these recent letters to the editor:

http://www.yorkregion.com/opinion/letters/article/1486127--staff-still-upset-about-glenway-s-closure and http://www.yorkregion.com/opinion/letters/article/1486125--glenway-more-than-bricks-mortar

The truth is that Councillor Emanuel has been entirely ineffective with the Glenway file. The Town’s strategy of not negotiating with the Glenway developers has been a complete and total dud. Glenway is lost and people like me point a j’accuse finger squarely at Councillor Emanuel, Regional Councillor Taylor and the Mayor. Enjoy your new neighbours Glenway residents. Maybe we should name an Emanuel Street, John Taylor Way, and Van Bynen Avenue in that new neighbourhood too because they were instrumental in seeing this development proceed.

FACT – Councillor Emanuel hasn’t spoken out against drinking and driving. I am not saying that he condones the crime but why isn’t he using his experience to raise awareness?  If he is sincerely interested with raising money for charity or speaking with young people, then I believe he should be lending his name to MADD Canada and SADD Canada. His silence on his criminal behaviour is deafening.

FACT – Newmarket residents are not stupid and we don’t forget. There is still time for Councillor Emanuel to do the right thing (resign) but that window is closing fast. Fortunately, as time goes by, we get closer to that date when we get to vote him out of office.

FACT – That day can’t come soon enough.