Today and right up to July 27th, when Mr. Antonio Batista learns his fate at his "Death-Threat by Poetry Trial", we continue reporting on what happened in Court Room 105 back in May and attempt to understand some-of-the-why.
And so, Moving Forward.
During his testimony in Brampton Court, Mr. Batista summarized his frustration at trying to be heard by his councillor, his mayor and the City of Mississauga in general. At one point he summarized the situation stating that he just wanted Councillor Saito to admit:
"I am sorry for not doing my job."
Saying sorry, whether you're a two-year old new at human interaction or a politician like this Queen's Park dude:
requires that you accept responsibility and a commitment to being held accountable.
And so, Mississauga Boys and Girls, we present today...
The MISSISSAUGA WATCH Top 10 City of Mississauga "Accountable" Statements!
The Countdown:
Number 10, from: "Corporate Policy and Procedure Policy No. 04-09-01
SUBJECT: CORPORATE GRANT PROGRAM" (in short Big Yellow's accountability expectation for other organizations)
"Accountability: Accountability is achieved when the group exhibits sound management and financial practices, and responds to the changing needs of the community."
Number 9, from (I kid you not) "Hazel McCallion April 2004 --Why a Separated City?"
"The City of Mississauga’s proposal suggests to the Province that a series of economically-viable, separate, locally accountable, yet inter-dependent and closely-linked communities will give citizens the best possible type of communities. Mississauga has always set the example of how municipalities should be run."
Number 8, from the Hope-for-Ward-10-Residents at "Biography of Councillor Sue McFadden" --feel free to click here.
"Councillor Sue McFadden has made a promise to Ward 10 to be transparent, accountable and approachable."
Good for you, Councillor McFadden, thank you.
At Lucky Number 7, from "Citizens’ Task Force on the Future of Mississauga SECURING OUR FUTURE Final Report May 2002" Yes, a report from five years ago meaning Big Yellow has had five years to implement the recommendations.
"Any reforms must also ensure that governance is accountable, accessible, responsive to residents’ concerns, efficient, and easily understood."
Number 6, from the "City of Mississauga Accessibility Plan 2006 Annual Report":
"All municipalities are accountable to their communities and, as such, must make their accessibility plans available to the public.
Number 5, from "City of Mississauga 2003 Successes":
"9.0 Strategic Plan Vision Statement:
Mississauga will achieve excellence in public administration
9.1 Objective: To create a corporate culture that emphasizes customer service, innovation, creativity, integrity and accountability."
Number 4, from "By-law Number 241-2004 A By-law to adopt Terms of Reference for the Audit Committee and to repeal By-law 627-93"
"WHEREAS the Council of The Corporation of the City of Mississauga wishes to continue to demonstrate a high level of public accountability..."
At Number 3 on our All-Time Fave List of Mississauga-originating "We are accountable" Accountables, we have Councillor Pat Saito's Christmas Message! (December 13, 2006)
"I don't know any other council that's as open and as accountable as we are." --Councillor Pat Saito (December 13, 2006)
(You may need to click twice or if you wish, Go Directly to the clip on YouTube or Google Video)
Number 3 on the "The MISSISSAUGA WATCH Top 10 City of Mississauga "Accountable" Statements!" is from the "World Mayor 2005" Contest, "Hazel McCallion interviewed by an international audience"
"We have an accountable and transparent governance system in place; procedures open to public scrutiny; a strong internal audit system; a responsible and effective senior management team; provide the public with access to information; allow public access to Council and committee meetings, and we have ensured that all employees and elected officials are made aware of the expected standards, polices and corporate procedures."
Number 2, also from the "World Mayor 2005" Contest --this a "comment" about Hazel McCallion and notice the word "accountability is used twice all in *GASP* one sentence!
"Mayor McCallion may be considered a Mayor from a small City in relation to the 'world' but her dedication to make Mississauga known as a leader in areas relating to accountability, transparency, fiscal stability, free of debt, environment, transportation, growth, accountability, and the list is endless, all make Mississauga hugely enormous in Ontario, in Canada and in the rest of the world."
And now, the quote you've all been waiting for, please let me introduce, from the City of Mississauga Resolution 0231-2006 adopted by Council on October 11, 2006:
"That in recognition of the fact that all municipal governments are responsible and accountable governments"
The all-time big winner! Why? Well, I attempted to get The Corporation to define "accountable" as used in Resolution 0231-2006. After numerous unsuccessful email back-and-forths, I quit trying to get anyone at Big Yellow to define "accountable" when I got the following message from the very people who created the sentence, "That in recognition of the fact that all municipal governments are responsible and accountable governments"
Date: Mon, 08 Jan 2007 14:35:25 -0500
From: [name deleted] @mississauga.ca>
To: [my email address]
Subject: Re: Please define "accountable" in Mississauga Resolution
0231-2006[My name],
I really do not have anything further to add and do not see another question to answer. Perhaps you may wish to set out how you view these words in your deputation as an alternative to this ongoing exchange with various City staff.
Yes. They refused to be held accountable for the definition of "accountable" in their declaration that all (yes "all", Mississauga is not bashful about speaking up for everybody) municipal governments are accountable.
And there you have it. "That in recognition of the fact that all municipal governments are responsible and accountable governments" Tops the The MISSISSAUGA WATCH Top 10 City of Mississauga "Accountable" Statements! list! Yes, Number 1! Numero Uno!
And THAT, Mississauga Boys and Girls was what Mr. Antonio Batista was up against when he wrote Mayor Hazel McCallion to ask for her help. To read Mr. Batista's actual letter, please click here.
Signed,
The (Please. Define "accountable" for me.) Mississauga Muse
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"Edward R. Murrow --My Hero". To Go Directly to the clip on YouTube or Google Video)
"Mississauga Saga". To Go Directly to the clip on YouTube or Google Video)
"A Flag named The Andre Marin". To Go Directly to the clip on YouTube or Google Video)
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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