The allegations of corporate cheating to influence the outcome of the last Town of Newmarket municipal election appear to be highly credible.
But remember that no corporation would risk their brand's reputation just to get one of its employees another part time job as a Town Councillor. This cheating wasn't about obtaining a $40,000 per year job for Kelly Broome. These corporations have their own self interests in play and are expecting a much higher payback.
For example, let's look at the new Mulock GO Train Station. Back in October 2016, Council voted for a resolution that encourages Metrolinx to fund development plans of a new GO station on the south-east corner of the train tracks on Mulock Drive. This same resolution promised to support amending Newmarket's Official Plan to support changes to land use provisions of the neighbouring properties of the train station. Changes to the Official Plan could potentially be worth millions of dollars to landholders in the area if developers seek to cash in on developing within the vicinity of the new train station.
Did anyone consider which car dealership is located at 349 Mulock Drive (located on the north-west corner across from proposed train station)? Or which Council member is employed by the owner of that dealership? And did that Council member declare a conflict of interest prior to casting her vote?
How about another Council member who is also the president of a controversial charity that used to operate right next door to the dealership located at 349 Mulock Drive? What is the relationship between that dealership and the charity belonging to the Council member? Did he declare a conflict of interest prior to voting in favour of the new train station?
And should we forget that other members of Council received "support" in their election from the owner of this dealership? Did that corporate donation weigh into their decision to vote in favour of this Mulock train station?
The public deserves answers from our members of Council to these important questions. When Council decisions could lead to real estate transactions valued in potential millions of dollars involving a Council member's employer, or the member's charity sponsor, or their campaign campaign "supporters", shouldn't every measure be taken to ensure complete transparency and openness?
I truly hope that the Council members will speak openly about their vote. To remain silent (like they are apt to do) only increases the speculation that our democracy is at risk of being sold to the highest corporate bidder.
Sunday 22 January 2017
Tuesday 10 January 2017
Mayor's Levee, By Election Update and Naming & Shaming
Mayor's Levee
"It was a small but enthusiastic crowd."
This is the way a small number of people will remember last weekend's Mayor's New Years Levee.
The weather was decent. The event was organized. Yet hardly anyone showed.
With the Town of Newmarket struggling to stay within its fiscal means, it begs the question whether the annual Mayor's Levee should be continued. Certainly, the event cost some money but couldn't that money be put to better use?
Most telling is that many of our Council members didn't bother to show up either.
By Election Update
After weeks and weeks of delay, the Town of Newmarket finally decided to post the Candidate campaign expenses.
The public can view the filed expenses here.
No word from the Town of Newmarket if there is a deadline for a member of the public to request a campaign finance audit.
All in all, a very sloppy display of election transparency by the Town of Newmarket.and certainly not to the quality that we have been accustomed to in the past.
Naming and Shaming
I have been critical in the past of the Newmarket Era's decision to publish restaurant health violations and it dismayed me to see these stories listed among the most popular articles posted on the www.yorkregion.com web site.
Yet, it surprises me that the newspaper wouldn't be consistent here:
Of course those arrested for drinking and driving ought to be named and shamed.
We have an open and widespread epidemic of drivers flouting the law with their reckless impairment and lives and property are needlessly placed at risk. Arrest rates are at record levels in York Region but the tide of drivers willing to risk your life and property due to their irresponsible intoxication doesn't appear to be abating.
The politicians haven't come to the table with suitably harsh prison sentences.
So the newspaper has a very important obligation to step up and provide the necessary deterrent. Make people think twice before getting behind the wheel after drinking. Let them know their reputation within the community, with their employer, and others is at stake. If someone can't govern themselves to act responsibly around alcohol, then the rest of us should know how dangerous they really are.
"It was a small but enthusiastic crowd."
This is the way a small number of people will remember last weekend's Mayor's New Years Levee.
The weather was decent. The event was organized. Yet hardly anyone showed.
With the Town of Newmarket struggling to stay within its fiscal means, it begs the question whether the annual Mayor's Levee should be continued. Certainly, the event cost some money but couldn't that money be put to better use?
Most telling is that many of our Council members didn't bother to show up either.
By Election Update
After weeks and weeks of delay, the Town of Newmarket finally decided to post the Candidate campaign expenses.
The public can view the filed expenses here.
No word from the Town of Newmarket if there is a deadline for a member of the public to request a campaign finance audit.
All in all, a very sloppy display of election transparency by the Town of Newmarket.and certainly not to the quality that we have been accustomed to in the past.
Naming and Shaming
I have been critical in the past of the Newmarket Era's decision to publish restaurant health violations and it dismayed me to see these stories listed among the most popular articles posted on the www.yorkregion.com web site.
Yet, it surprises me that the newspaper wouldn't be consistent here:
Of course those arrested for drinking and driving ought to be named and shamed.
We have an open and widespread epidemic of drivers flouting the law with their reckless impairment and lives and property are needlessly placed at risk. Arrest rates are at record levels in York Region but the tide of drivers willing to risk your life and property due to their irresponsible intoxication doesn't appear to be abating.
The politicians haven't come to the table with suitably harsh prison sentences.
So the newspaper has a very important obligation to step up and provide the necessary deterrent. Make people think twice before getting behind the wheel after drinking. Let them know their reputation within the community, with their employer, and others is at stake. If someone can't govern themselves to act responsibly around alcohol, then the rest of us should know how dangerous they really are.
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