Mississauga Musings

(You may need to click twice or if you wish Go Directly to the clip on YouTube or Google Video)

(You may need to click twice or if you wish Go Directly to the clip on YouTube or Google Video)

This- is Mississauga.

Yesterday. Carolyn Parrish --at Council Meeting, "This isn't a Secret Society."

Sure it is.

"Even if I do like the answers, I'll ask them in Public so that the people watching on television that vote for this Council know what we're doing." --Carolyn Parrish (June 20, 2007)

I sat in on the Bill 130 Standing Committee deliberations and certainly MPP Michael Prue (Beaches--East York ) would agree with Councillor Parrish's conviction regarding the Public's Right to Know --as in this video clip on the ability for municipalities to have even more closed meetings.

"It's the politicians who want fewer closed meetings." Michael Prue (December 11, 2006)

Yesterday, Councillor Parrish stated that she was doing a "study" on Enersource. Me, I'm doing a study on the "Mississauga Secret Society" It's keeping me so busy I actually need a staff (which I understand I will get in September).

Speaking of "busy"....

Got to get to Brampton to cover Mississauga Councillors at another Peel Regional Council meeting (wouldn't want them bein' potentially secretive without me there because I'll miss all the cool potentially secretive stuff).

Why "cool"?

Because afterward I play this video clip of Councillor Pat Saito's December 13, 2006 Christmas address just for fun.

Toodles.

[BACK FROM PEEL COUNCIL MEETING]

I see yesterday's Council "exchange" between Mayor McCallion and Councillor Parrish has reached alllllllllllllllllllll the way to Toronto and *gasp*, the Toronto Star has an article on it!

The Torstar article stated:

"Let me advise you, Councillor Parrish, there's a process around here that we follow," McCallion lectured, describing how at 8 a.m. that very morning she had met with senior staff about the report on the city's hydro utility, Enersource."

Yes, and the process is called Secrecy. Secrecy.

The Torstar article also stated:

"McCallion suggested Parrish was trying to take credit for a proposed review of Enersource when it was actually a staff idea, and accused her of grandstanding."

Like I said, I just came back from a Peel Regional Council Meeting where Hazel McCallion congratulated Peel Regional Police Chief (and Peel Regional Police) for the job they do in communicating with the citizens they serve. Meaning I witnessed Hazel McCallion congratulating Peel Regional Police for its NON-secrecy.

Yes, believe it or not --the entity that has held back-to-back in-camera (in secret) "educational sessions" who does so much of --well, a lot of things "pro forma"-- is congratulating Peel Regional Police for its openness.

Now THAT'S "grandstanding".

(Man oh man, I tell you. Some days covering this Council, I just really think I need to be medicated!)

The reality is The Secret Society could really take a lesson from the Good Hearts at Peel Regional Police and their commitment to serving citizens.

As I stated earlier, I'm studying the "Mississauga Secret Society". But I'm also studying Peel Regional Police (you know, by contrast?) and I'm just so proud of the Peelers because (while my investigation is only preliminary) Peel Regional Police really do exemplify TRUST QUALITY EXCELLENCE.

Thank you to Chief Metcalfe for the openness, the professionalism and above all the respect that Peel Regional Police Service show its citizens.

You see, ultimately, that's what Communication is about. Respect.

Councillor Parrish knows that. So does Chief Metcalfe.

Signed,
The Mississauga Muse
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All "Antonio Batista Pothole Poet Trial" Blog entries:

THEIR MISSISSAUGA, yes, and ever increasingly --THEIR MISSISSAUGA (May 27, 2007)
Hypocrisy Democracy (May 28, 2007 7:27 am)
"What would Edward R. Murrow do? What would he want me to do?" (May 28, 2007 11:55 pm)
"We have to send a message to the public" Crown Attorney. (May 29, 2007 2:51 PM)
A pothole never loomed so large (John Stewart's "Random Access") (May 30, 2007)
"The government must not silence its critics by force." ---Clayton Ruby (May 29, 2007) (May 31, 2007)
"she does not think how you feel" Antonio Batista (June 4, 2007)
"Mrs. McCALLION what is wrong with the City of Mississauga?" (Antonio Batista) (June 5, 2007)
"Reasonable Person Test" --Crown Witness (June 6, 2007)

"We must employ every possible tactic to dissuade those who try to silence us with fear"
---The Mississauga News Editorial (2007-03-24)

Click here for John Stewart's Blog
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