City Council meeting - January 9, 2007

[posting]

COUNCIL MEETING – JANUARY 9TH 2007

Jason here. If Council meetings go on this long during this term I will need a nap on Tuesday afternoons.

Well there you have it - Council showed its green stuff last night both in the move to limit the cosmetic use of pesticides and moving to clarify the tire burning at the Lafarge plant in Bath. And consensus was there. We have been looking for this kind of solidarity for years. Wait a bit for the opposition to warm up. We saw a bit of it last night when Councillor Foster (formerly know as the Councillor for Pittsburgh District) weighed in with a very sensible outline of the problems associated with burning tires as opposed to burning coal.

Our mayor is showing signs of strain – particularly when it comes to Councillor Schmolka. She of the commanding presence withstood with grace a non-confidence motion on the Nomination Committee report from Councillor Smith – and won. But it remains to be seen if our Mayor can reconcile himself to the change and velocity of the wind blowing through the Council chambers. Councillor Garrison is surprised and delighted to be counted now in the majority – a new experience!

Of interest to all is the sale of the Davis Tannery site which had been waiting for assurance that insurance issues had been dealt with.

KEDCO membership has been put off and the current members will be asked to stay until March 31st. At least temporarily the Councillors have chosen to ignore the consensus of the public meeting that the number of Councillors on KEDCO should be curtailed. After some discussion Councillors Hutchison, Gerretsen and Hector were appointed with Councillor Smith as alternate. This will certainly change the atmosphere in KEDCO.


One P.S. Could the mayor please ban Councillors from preceding every comment with the words. “I’d just like …’? Jason is available to provide alternate wording if requested.

[Florence]

A pesticide by-law on the way! Can off-leash parks be far behind?

[Lydia]

COUNCIL MEETING – JANUARY 9TH 2007

Hi Jason, Thanks for input on the meeting. I personally enjoyed this one for various reasons.

Now that Council gave green light to limiting the pesticides. I wonder if they will also stop the stores like Canadian Tire from selling it. I wonder if they will also stop the golf courses to stop getting it as well. Now that they banned the use for the residents, I wonder how many people will become rich due to the companies having the ONLY rights to use the sprays. I agree with One of the people at the meeting who stated that just because they have a business doesn't make them the right people to use the stuff. Many companies just spray the WHOLE lawn in 2 to 3 seconds and don't care where the spray lands. I wonder who will be judged fit to spray anyway!!

Althought I am not in favour of this policy for the above reason, I was still happy that this council did have a 100% consensus on this. Something I never thought would ever happen.


Councillor Foster (formerly know as the Councillor for Pittsburgh District) weighed in with a very sensible outline of the problems associated with burning tires as opposed to burning coal.

I don't often agree with Councillor Foster however, I think she did a great job at explaining her position and I fully agree with her. One way or another those tires will have inpact on our city. Nothing stopping spontaneous fires to happen to landfills where tires are. This has happened previously and was much more dangerous and harmful then if they had been burned under controlled envirnoment. I don't like the idea of burning tires in my neighbourhood but I don't like the alternative more.

Councillor Schmolka does have a commanding presence, grance and confidence to witstand anything that the three stooges put towards her.
Harvey may try to belittle Vicky all he wants but she knows she doesn't NEED his approval one bit. Of course, Councillor Garrison would find this a relief because he had to deal with Harvey last council. Watch out Harvey, Keep in mind that things could have changed had Kevil George not run. People in this city are like women, THEY HAVE LONG MEMORIES and they DO GET EVEN.

I find it very interesting that Councillor Smith would even try to get people on committees just because HE ASKS. Hum, I even wonder if Councilor Sutherland EVEN wanted to be ON a committee. If he did, WAS HE CAPABLE TO APPLY like every other person who is on committees HAD to do???



Councillor Garrison is surprised and delighted to be counted now in the majority – a new experience!

Just like Garrison has prevailed and is admired NOT only by his electors, so will Councilor Schmolka for her confidence and ability to know that she is STRONG, Independent thinker just like Steve is.

Of interest to all is the sale of the Davis Tannery site which had been waiting for assurance that insurance issues had been dealt with.

I don't understand something here, was one of councilors worried because of ONE TREE on this property???? Oh well. I must be mistaken.


I agree that councilors are making the correct decision to wait until March 31 to disclose who they are going to place on the Board. They need to understand how this board actually worked and works before they will really know who is the best to serve on it. I would have prefered to have known that last night but I can wait. :D :D

Hum, asking the mayor to ban councillors from speaking certain words, Isn't that what he tried to do with Vicky and Steve previously???? No, it might be incorrect but they are people and they could use other words that really shouldn't be said.

Anyway Jason, thank you for your view on this. I appreciate it very much.

[Peter Walker]

Is nobody concerned about the new council?

While I think most welcome the movement on the pesticide bylaw and look forward to some movement on an off-leash dog park, what about the nominations committee process?

The committee applicants understand that the public are expected to see their resume/application details, and that the committee deliberations have never been in-camera before.

Does the nominations committee not realize that, by going in-camera, they leave themselves open to the charge that they wish to say things about applicants behind their backs that they are not willing to say to their face?

This does not give good vibes about this new council's willingness to be open and consultative.

Look at the damage already. We know that one highly qualified candidate (Bittu George, an individual with considerable legal training --i.e. - training in logical thought -- and a former city councillor thought of so highly by those who worked with him that they elected him deputy mayor) was rejected because (so nominating commitee chair councillor Schmolka stated) he was thought by the committee to practice a particular type of law, when in fact he does not practice that type of law.

Essentially -- it appears that the nominating committee mislead council (inadvertently), resulting in council making what was possibly a poor decision. Of course, had nominating committee not met behind closed doors, the misinformation could have been corrected for city council members prior to the council meeting because people who truly knew the correct facts (including Mr. George) could have drawn council's attention to nominating committee's error.

[Lydia]

In Camera discussions have been more widely used in previous councils and I have not noticed others being very upset.

However, I do make a good point when you stated:

Does the nominations committee not realize that, by going in-camera, they leave themselves open to the charge that they wish to say things about applicants behind their backs that they are not willing to say to their face?

This does not give good vibes about this new council's willingness to be open and consultative.


Should this also apply to the countless discussions that the previous council did on other occassions?

I think Vicky is right on the money on everything she has said to this point and isn't intiminated one bit.

Did Bittu George, even put forth his name to be on a committee, similiarly to George Sutherland???? Does anyone know???

Don't forget this council witnessed alot of secretive procedures done by the past council and won't be fooled into things or treatened by others either.

I do agree that it would be nice to let the public know the names of people who cared to be nominated. I also think that this council will CHOOSE the correct people that THEY believe will work for the best of the WHOLE city.

Keep in mind that the reason THESE councilors were elected is due to the fact that PEOPLE DIDN'T TRUST THE PREVIOUS COUNCILORS THAT ARE NOT THERE NOW. Now if the people didn't trust the previous councilors why would THE PRESENT councilors trust them to be the advisors on committees?

Having said that, I will surprise you in stating that I personally LIKE BITTU GEORGE. It comes down to the question of TRUST. Would you TRUST YOUR EX????? Just maybe this new council sees need for NEW BLOOD and view points.

[Dogma]

Don't forget this council witnessed alot of secretive procedures done by the past council and won't be fooled into things or treatened by others either.I said this before and I will say it again - does the public really think that this council will be (less suspect) barring in mind: the realitively easy and obvious less hectic agenda in this term (4 years) not 3..than the previous with the 7 super projects going on?

I think not.

What I suspect will be lots of misguided political mistakes (rookie mistakes) over relatively minor issues of the day. But, I still know the public will need to and the media will try to: make a big deal out of a minor league of council issues this term. (i.e the cosmetic pesticide ban)

Gosh; I wonder if that was going to pass?????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???

Frankly; it was a no brainer, although the Lafarge (B.S) to write a letter was slightly a waist of our time and money.

Lenore hit it on the head. (Get use to it. Use cars- use gas, use tires, (polymers) - to get you to Cosco's - way to "go". North America generation........

Hopefully; we learn to move our lazy, fat bums around better in the future - god forbid Ford Inc. to figure it out in time!

And the CBC coverage over the "tire burning" issue - is as significcant as their weather reports. (A day out ....and its over!)

I feel for the folks in Bath - but its not like they have not been "chemically" exposed to Zoca's plant - chemical drift + Bombardier welding catalist's for years! What about Duponts, chemical soup landscape...hummm - I wonder why they could NEVER be moved???????????

All I know is: For this councils survival............

The councillor who just shuts up, or shows some prepared risk for a good cause - (likely enviromental) for the term - for the most part - will return
with ease.

The budgets will be the only test.

The (tax % issues) will make the papers to really set the tone for any term...

And I would expect taxes will remain lower than the past few years - (that is my prediction) Oh boy!

- although NOT ALL the budgets are in quite yet. (for 2007)

As long as the economy is doing ok over all - and the LVEC is completed on time..

Kingston (even though they try to be so contriversal) will be on cruse control of the 4 year term.

The hard stuff was done - last term!

Mark my words. Rosen changed the landscape for the better of this council and for any future!

;)

[Lydia]

Neither is mine Dogma, We are NOT secretive one bit. :D :D

The nature of the politicial beast is for the public to know that they are secretive in many ways and always will be. They have to be at times.

This council will be suspect just like all the previous ones before them. That is the nature of the public. :D :D

The problem with the EXperts that make political mistakes is that they are always looking at the BIG PICTURE instead of seeing the little things. They all tend to look DOWN. Rookies will make mistakes however they usually see the trouble where it starts at the bottom at things and then these people start to look UP.

I'm sorry but Lenore has to get a hit on the head if she or YOU think that this society will ever give up their cars. Whether you like it or not, in this country we will ALWAYS use our cars and further more until the transit company knows now to count routes this fact will be true. After all would you trust a company that counts half the city streets as one route??? in several different locations???

Frankly, It is the 21st century not the 18th century where there were no cars. Of course you can life like the Amish if you choose and that is okay if that is what you wish to do. Just remember when the previous council asked everyone to USE THE BUSES FOR ONE DAY. Lenore and no other councilor did either. Interesting!!!!!

Lenore did explain exactly what the problem is with tire burning. The choice is ours, burn under controlled environment or RISK a burning environment outside where no one can put it out until the damage is done.

Don't get me wrong, I happen to think that Lenore is an excellent councilor. I just DON'T AGREE with most of what she says. Of course, She is like you in many ways. lol lol JOKING :D :D

I sadly I must agree with you regarding the folks in Bath. They have had their fill of chemical exposures.


The councillor who just shuts up, or shows some prepared risk for a good cause - (likely enviromental) for the term - for the most part - will return
with ease.

Only if that councillor doesn't try the crap that Ed Smith has tried.


Here is a surprise. I hope your prediction on taxes is incorrect. Althought I HATE TAXES, I also know that they are an necessary evil.:p

I would like to see our infrastructures revamped.

You are correct all kinds of stuff was done last term. I hope this council doesn't go on cruse control. I hope they pick a project or two and deal with them in a better friendlier manner. If they go on cruse control this city will pay for it in the end.

Rosen has changed the landscape hopefully he will change his manner in dealing with Councilors and not try to bully, ignore, or torment them. Rosen is a good mayor only when he isn't pushing his weight around. I said it before and Ill say it again, I would have prefered Kevin George for Mayor, but we were lucky in having Rick Downes and Harvey all running.

I am just totally happy with the councilors who were elected. Not so happy with Ed Smith but I have to give him credit because he won.

Mark my words. Rosen changed the landscape for the better of this council and for any future

Let us see what he plans on doing now. I will give him credit for having guts to show the entire city that he will represent ALL OF Us. (proven when he took his campaign office to West End) I will give him credit in that he will speak his mind despite other's view points. I will give him credit that he will not be a mayor that doesn't achieve what he wants. Hopefully what he wants and what the residents want turns out to be the same things.

[Dogma]

Rosen has changed the landscape hopefully he will change his manner in dealing with Councilors and not try to bully, ignore, or torment themThese are personal observations.

And there is some truth to them.

I think his "a matter of fact" personality needs some soothing.

I suppose his partner is probably coaching to a degree. But,both swept off their feet, and enjoying the limelight again. (Probably enjoying it more this time.)

Its NOT an easy job. I certainly cannot see George there. Sorry he may have been an ok major for this council...but a rookie too.

I agree a dose of humility and motherly patience after the last term would be warranted. (Considering the lefty, enviromental, softer touch agenda on councils horizon.)

- Why bother getting pissed off at waisting my time writing a protest letter to Lafarge? Hmmm. waist of time. YES!!!!!!

In any event, perception is 90% politics. And that will like not change here.;)

Vicky is great. (and probably more ready than most)

A few others are starting to get their footing..

I think the mayor just wants to get them going (rowing in the same direction) on his time and not in the last year of the term.

I do not blame him for that..and so he should. And frankly tough for the ones that need a little more of a reminder from time to time.:D