posting
03-04-2010, 12:45 AM
Kingston City Council Meeting March 2, 2010
Jason here. And well rested!. Last night’s Council meeting had NO delegations or briefings and finished at a reasonable 9:15. Also, the in camera session finished at 7:37. This must be a record. BUT that doesn’t mean it was happiness all around. Barriefield was blessedly not under discussion last night although it could well have been. Apparent was the mayor’s lack of tolerance with almost anything that isn’t standard. For instance he snarled at Councillor Osanic when she asked- somewhat late- to have three items separated for individual discussion on the CAO’s report. Speaking of Councillor Osanic, or the ‘tree lady’ as she has become. When she speaks it is almost always about trees. I have a bit of difficulty taking her seriously, but remember that it takes work and the ability to withstand scorn to raise an issue to a priority. She could practice thundering. Her voice is very light.
As I mentioned before, I really have no doubt that Domino will be moved to the Harold Harvey arena eventually. This is a north side/south side debate in all but words. Another issue that has underlying issues is that of the potential closing of the prison farms. Can one honestly consider all farms as being the same?
The farm within Kingston – not the Pittsburgh facility -was bound to go into the fabric of Kingston eventually. All that bears talking about is how the property will be used. I’ll bet everyone is bearing down on the Mayor for a piece of the action. The property is a blank slate to try out some of the ‘smart growth’ planning principles in the air around the horseshoe. Walking, bikes, integrated commercial/industrial, grids, all worth discussing. And TREES! And Councillor Gerretsen is correct. The minister will probably not appear at the behest of Council to ‘explain’ the move to eliminate prison farms. Why be beaten up when you can avoid it.
Jason here. And well rested!. Last night’s Council meeting had NO delegations or briefings and finished at a reasonable 9:15. Also, the in camera session finished at 7:37. This must be a record. BUT that doesn’t mean it was happiness all around. Barriefield was blessedly not under discussion last night although it could well have been. Apparent was the mayor’s lack of tolerance with almost anything that isn’t standard. For instance he snarled at Councillor Osanic when she asked- somewhat late- to have three items separated for individual discussion on the CAO’s report. Speaking of Councillor Osanic, or the ‘tree lady’ as she has become. When she speaks it is almost always about trees. I have a bit of difficulty taking her seriously, but remember that it takes work and the ability to withstand scorn to raise an issue to a priority. She could practice thundering. Her voice is very light.
As I mentioned before, I really have no doubt that Domino will be moved to the Harold Harvey arena eventually. This is a north side/south side debate in all but words. Another issue that has underlying issues is that of the potential closing of the prison farms. Can one honestly consider all farms as being the same?
The farm within Kingston – not the Pittsburgh facility -was bound to go into the fabric of Kingston eventually. All that bears talking about is how the property will be used. I’ll bet everyone is bearing down on the Mayor for a piece of the action. The property is a blank slate to try out some of the ‘smart growth’ planning principles in the air around the horseshoe. Walking, bikes, integrated commercial/industrial, grids, all worth discussing. And TREES! And Councillor Gerretsen is correct. The minister will probably not appear at the behest of Council to ‘explain’ the move to eliminate prison farms. Why be beaten up when you can avoid it.