THE ISSUES - COVER-UPS
CLOSED MEETING INVESTIGATION
Contrary
to the opinion expressed by several candidates at the 2014 Council
Candidates Debate, "no complaints" does not necessarily equate
to "no problems".
Although we had been refraining from submitting closed meeting complaints for some time, out of consideration for costs, revelations which came to light in the days following the debate have compelled us to move forward with at least one request for an investigation.
In the summer of 2013, we had sent Council a letter asking some tough questions about the handing of a particular issue. We were very careful to omit any references to any names or even gender - specifically to eliminate any possible concerns about privacy. We explicitly requested the letter to be received as part of the public record (in the same way other letters have been).
What was Council's response? We received a letter from their lawyer, telling us that there had been no wrong-doing and that our letter would not be received in public forum. Council never even acknowledge the lawyer's letter in public. What do you suppose they were afraid of?
[Click] for more details.
Although we had been refraining from submitting closed meeting complaints for some time, out of consideration for costs, revelations which came to light in the days following the debate have compelled us to move forward with at least one request for an investigation.
In the summer of 2013, we had sent Council a letter asking some tough questions about the handing of a particular issue. We were very careful to omit any references to any names or even gender - specifically to eliminate any possible concerns about privacy. We explicitly requested the letter to be received as part of the public record (in the same way other letters have been).
What was Council's response? We received a letter from their lawyer, telling us that there had been no wrong-doing and that our letter would not be received in public forum. Council never even acknowledge the lawyer's letter in public. What do you suppose they were afraid of?
[Click] for more details.
MANIPULATING THE MINUTES
In a related matter - Council's official minutes for its September 23rd, 2013 meeting include the recording of a particular motion as follows: "On a verbal motion, moved by E. Brayton, seconded by D. Downey, Council directed that no staff or member of the Waste Management Committee will attend a conference in 2013."
But that's not true - there is a significant piece of the real motion missing (because it really wouldn't look good). Several letters have been written to Council as a whole, and to each member individually, pointing out the omission and requesting that the minutes be corrected to reflect what was actually voted on at the meeting.
There have been no responses, and nothing has been done to correct the minutes.
[Click] for more details. (under construction - actual details to be added soon, complete with audio proof)
But that's not true - there is a significant piece of the real motion missing (because it really wouldn't look good). Several letters have been written to Council as a whole, and to each member individually, pointing out the omission and requesting that the minutes be corrected to reflect what was actually voted on at the meeting.
There have been no responses, and nothing has been done to correct the minutes.
[Click] for more details. (under construction - actual details to be added soon, complete with audio proof)
PLEASE ATTEND COUNCIL MEETINGS
The clearest, most effective message you can send to Council, is to attend their meetings. So long as the public gallery is empty, they will get the impression that no one cares.
It would be hypocritical to hold Council responsible for the outcome of all things if we are perpetually absent from the process, ourselves.
Typically, Council meetings are held on Mondays. [Click] to open the Township's official calendar in a new window.
It would be hypocritical to hold Council responsible for the outcome of all things if we are perpetually absent from the process, ourselves.
Typically, Council meetings are held on Mondays. [Click] to open the Township's official calendar in a new window.