Who will repair this broken Council?

Two years ago, Newmarket council was elected with a lot of promise.  Newmarket Council was comprised of a good blend of new blood and experienced incumbency.  The rookie councillors were given a clear mandate from voters to push for change while the incumbent council members, including the Mayor and Regional Councillor, had the numbers of Council votes behind them to make sure these changes would be gradually implemented.

Today, it isn't hard to see that Council is deeply divided.  There are 8 Council members on one side and the Ward Six Councillor on the other.  (The rookie Councillors Hempen and Twinney wasted no time turning their backs on their campaign promises and, to put it politely, sold out.  If there is any doubt just check their web pages www.ourward.ca or www.janetwinney.ca and you'll certainly be questioning what happened to what appeared like a promising start?)

With the numbers heavily in favour of the group of 8, the ability to dominate the Council agenda, and to make every vote go their way, you would have thought that two years in, this would have been a tremendously successful council term for the Van Bynen/ Taylor two-some.  Normally, 8 to 1 wouldn't be a fair fight but Di Muccio has shown that she is a formidable opponent at almost every turn.       

When Regional Councillor Taylor sent around his October 2012 postcard, he highlighted just two accomplishments this term -- the Riverwalk Commons (which was actually a Lois Brown accomplishment), and a property tax increase.  People are wondering.  With everything going right for Van Bynen/ Taylor, why haven't they been able to accomplish more?  What happened?

So there are two years remaining.  With nowhere to go but up but no one in the group of 8 stepping up to lead.  No strategic direction, no political will to change, it seems like this Council will drift along until the voters deal with the impasse in 2014. 

If there is any reason to hope, it lies with Councillor Di Muccio continuing to reach across the table.  Of the group, she seems to be only one who realizes that this current situation doesn't need to be permanent.  In the past two Council meetings, she has made offers to bridge the gap and has been rebuffed both times by Van Bynen/ Taylor.  Hopefully she'll continue to show leadership towards fixing this broken Council and maybe Van Bynen/ Taylor will recognize the vacuum their "leadership" has created.