MUNICIPAL (DooDooDoo-Doo DooDooDoo-Doo) TWILIGHT ZONE
Apologies for no new Blog since January 7th. We’re back online now.
Readers (hopefully) will remember that Niagara Regional Council (to their credit) sought more information regarding the Bill 130 “investigator” provision. To that end, they invited the Ontario Ombudsman’s Office and the Association for Municipalities of Ontario’s “Local Authority Services” to make presentations to Council and answer any questions.
The Niagara Ombudsman/”LAS” discussion took almost two hours.
Bizarre. Bizarre. Bizarre. TWILIGHT-ZONEy. It’s a good thing I got it all on videotape because it’d be tough for people to believe what went down.
Those two-plus Niagara hours were nothing like I expected. I thought it’d be a “no-brainer” –that’s what Fort Erie mayor, Doug Martin called Fort Erie’s decision to go with the Ontario Ombudsman –“a no-brainer”.
(Click here to go directly to Google Video)
I expected this to be the momentous municipal event where Local Authority Services would be vanquished once and for all. Not by the Ontario Ombudsman’s office, oh no.
I expected Fort Erie to wield The Torch of Transparency and clean the “LAS” clocks.
But there was no Joy in Mudville, let me tell you. Not only did “Casey” not step up to the plate, he limited his role to Chair. As for Fort Erie Councillor Bob Steckley, who stated during the Fort Erie “investigator” process that he was for the Ontario Ombudsman all along, he simply wasn’t there! (Hope nothing bad happened to him.)
The only way that I can explain what happened at Niagara Regional Council is to challenge you to imagine a hockey team ordered by its owner to throw the game. Are you imagining?
Oh, they made a great show of pretend –lots of skating, great puck work. They even chanced strident approaches to the net. But no one dared a shot. Good God, no –no one wanted to score. Not even the Ontario Ombudsman’s office.
I watched the “media” seated at the “MEDIA” tables --three reporters. They even wrote stuff down (although I can’t be sure it had anything to do with this meeting). I wondered if they were pretending too. Pretending they were covering this “game”. Fact is, I sure hope the “media” was pretending because if they weren’t I’m not sure what’d be worse.
*sigh* --Another Ritualized-Drama-of-Mutual-Pretense...
I got video of the entire thing –two hours of faking it.
Those two Niagara hours explained a lot about why there’s more poverty in Ontario despite Poverty Reduction Strategies and “War on Poverty”.
Those two Niagara hours explained a lot about why there’s more injustice in Ontario despite claims by our Ontari-ari-ari-o being a place to stand and a place to grow.
Those two Niagara hours explained a lot about why there are seniors (at this very moment) festering for hours in soiled diapers despite claims by Ontario long-term care facilities that they actually care.
Those two Niagara hours explained a lot about why there are “world class” Ontario hospitals currently under investigation by the Ombudsman.
Those two Niagara hours explained a lot about it’s so easy –so seemless-- for MP’s and MPP’s to cross floors.
Those two Niagara hours explained a lot about why Mississauga could claim to “lead Canada in management” despite not having a legitimate public complaints process.
Those two Niagara hours explained a lot about why Peel will have more At-Risk Youth --not less-- despite some Charter presented by a former Ontario Premier.
Those two Niagara hours explained a lot about why a Niagara Councillor came over to me and said there was a need for “alternate media”.
Those two Niagara hours explained –EVERYTHING.
(Click here to go directly to Google Video)
Aloha nui loa,
The (Allow the Ontario Ombudsman into Municipalities!) Mississauga Muse
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"In contrast to the local law enforcement agencies, Corporate Security provides a distinct difference in approach to providing a safe and secure environment within the community." --City of Mississauga Corporate Security 2003 Strategic Draft Plan
"We must employ every possible tactic to dissuade those who try to silence us with fear" ---The Mississauga News Editorial (2007-03-24)
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FELLOW-CITIZEN BLOGGERS
The CRYSTAL BEACH STRAND (Fort Erie Citizen-Blogger, Sharon Bowers)
TORONTOIAM (compilation of GTA Blogs)
Voices of Ajax (Citizen-Blogger, Karem Allen)
WindsorCityBlog (Citizen-Blogger, Ed Arditti)
Woodstock Ontario Independent News (Jim Bender)
FURTHER READING
MEDIA Bloggers:
Click here for John Stewart's Blog, RANDOM ACCESS
and Craig MxBride's X MARKS THE SPOT
"MISSISSAUGA --HOWZIT'S GOING" CARTOON ARCHIVE
Links to all previous cartoons in the Mississauga Howzit's Going series.
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