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I'm sorry, another councillor "checking into it"?
ReplyDeleteIt's becoming obvious that these 15 cover each other. These "arms length" organization have been run horribly for years and they've done NOTHING!!!!!
Now Ferguson is going to do something about it?
Please..........
Forensic Audit on all of these agencies now.
The old boys club is coming down ladies and gentlemen on council....and soon!!!!
A delegation. That's where you show up after having done a whole bunch of work, get only 5 minutes and be in shock as the counselors play with their blackberries, whisper to each other about other things and generally try to look as though they give a care. good luck with that. This is just stonewalling. They still have not answered the 10 questions have they?
ReplyDeleteNorth Ender
btw, they were trying to put The Hamiltonian in a box so that they would stop asking questions and get into delegation land. Good on you for not agreeing to it. You should not be in a delegation. keep doing what you do and ask the tough questions.
DeleteNorth Ender
If this weren't such a serious issue, it would make a great farce. Clr. Ferguson had a "further meeting", weeks ago, with Clr. Jackson and Mr. Plessl; he is now awaiting "further information."
ReplyDeleteI wonder how much further both Councillors and HWT will go with their "let them eat cake" behaviours. I'd be curious to know what psychiatrists and psychologists think of the current situation as it relates to the treatment of people/citizens and if such treatment is harmful to one's mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. I, for one, am feeling the City Councillor/HWT crowd is displaying behaviour so similar to the everyday bully and would like some experts to weigh in.
What this has done is buy council time, hoping that another issue will take over the attention of the media and people. Pitiful.
ReplyDeleteAs it is with every issue that has come and gone, when the two largest media outlets in our City, The Spectator and CHCH show no interest in reporting on a story it will inevitably fade and die. Email and letter writing campaigns to Councillors and the above mentioned media outlets should be stepped up. For example has anyone here sent a letter to the Spectator that has not been published concerning the Waterfront Trust? While answers to questions are important full disclosure by way of an external forensic audit is what is needed. We as citizens have the responsibility to make sure that happens.
DeleteMy question is, what is Earl Basse doing about all this. We pay him a $1,00.00 per month retainer. Don't tell me he is sitting back waiting for complaints? On the Merulla melt down at ther Hamiltonian, Basse should be proactive and reprimand him. I think we should write to Basse and ask him to look into this. it doesn't need to be a complaint, although it can be, He should be doing proactive work as well as reactive work. In terms of The Spec, well, they publsihed Merulla's views on Casinos today. Sad.
Deletesorry $1500 per moth
DeleteHis contact info is on this site. Do your part and call him. I have already asked for an interpretation on the conflict of interest guidelines for Councillors who serve on arms length boards. We have begun a dialogue.
Deletetalk about "bully" walk into the Mayor's office and observe the goings on.
ReplyDeleteBasse's mandated role is to act on complaints submitted by the public. He can't unilaterally change his mandated role.
ReplyDeleteAlso, he really has no authority to do anything other than issue a report with recommendations, that may or may not be followed.
IMHO, it's better to follow Gary Santucci's suggestion to let councillors know your opinions by email and question in writing why the so-called mainstream media, including CBC Hamilton, has been 100% absent from this developing story.
What are they waiting for an okay to investigate? Or, do they feel investigative journalism is so 1970's...
I don't know but please ask them, I know I will.
This issue needs a full scale forensic audit and report.
I agree Gary, we need too follow the conflict of interest trail/guidlines/ policies - we might find those counsellors whom have volunteered to sit on these "arms length boards" have agendas of their own.
ReplyDeleteLets start with campaign donations then maybe connect the dots from there.
I have just filed the GIC Delegation Request with Caroline Biggs of the City Clerk's Office. The text of the request is as follows;
Delete"In response to the advice of Councillors Merulla and Partridge as posted on the Hamiltonian.net, I am filing a GIC Delegation request on behalf of a number of concerned citizens with regards to questions raised by the Bay Observer and subsequently the Hamiltonian pertaining to alleged operational and financial issues of The Waterfront Trust as outlined by both sources. Our intention is to make a formal presentation to the GIC committee and to call for an external forensic audit as the means to restore confidence in the publicly funded Waterfront Trust."
Those wishing to endorse this request that will go before the committee on August 13,can do so by gathering signatures on a prepared petition-like form. Simply email us at gicdelegation@gmail.com and we will email the form to you with instructions.
Gary Santucci & Brian Bonham
Keep the pressure on!
ReplyDeleteTerm Limits Now
Obviously a can or worms has been opened and certain councillors may find themselves a little----- exposed.
ReplyDeleteCan of worms? lol good analogy as some are already "squirming around"
DeleteGary, this story goes deeper than one could ever imagine. The WFT and some city councillors know exactly what I am referring to. I have some questions that I am going to ask The Hamiltonian to ask on behalf of us citizens. The questions could be very beneficial to your upcoming delegation.
ReplyDeleteJon
I have been keeping my mouth shut because I think the actions of the councillors speaks volumes in terms of the need for term limits. I believe we have a mean spirited bunch who obviously target anyone or anything who threatens their sense of entitlement. They targeted Bratina and recently, The Hamiltonian. We need to rid ourselves of these bullies as they are the ONLY thing standing in Hamilton's way of becoming the city it should be. They all need to go because obviously, even the new ones are now in the tent. If they can't answer simple questions about the Hamilton Waterfront Trust, then maybe it has become the Hamilton WaterTrust Front.I feel badly for the Mayor, having to deal with this bunch.
ReplyDeleteTerm Limits Now