Lame duck is defined in popular vernacular as:
A politician's inability to do anything of substance. (urban dictionary)
Under Ontario legislation, a "lame duck" council is defined in the Municipal Act, 2001 under restricted acts. It happens during the period when nominations close (in 2010 it is September 10 @ 2:00 p.m.) until the election (in 2010 it is October 25, 2010) AND again, depending on the circumstances from the election until the new Council is sworn in (in Ontario that is from October 25, 2010 to December 1, 2010).
So....a lame duck Council, with the inability to do anything of substance SHOULD begin in Ontario after September 10, 2010 at 2:00 p.m.
Why then, is the Melancthon Council leaving a massive problem/decision to the next Council to deal with?
I am referring to the demolition control bylaw.
In August 2008 ratepayers attended a Council meeting to inquire about options available to Council to stop the demolition of structures in Melancthon.
2008.....August....that meant there was MORE than 2 years left on the term of Council in which to take action.
In March/April of 2009 more and more oposition to the demolition of homes in Melancthon began to appear on Council agendas....
2009....April....that meant there was more than 18 months left on the term of Council in which to take action.
In December 2009 Council introduced a demolition control bylaw on the agenda.
2009....December...that meant there was 10 months left on the term of Council in which to take action.
In May of 2010, with more than 5 months left, Council takes the definative action of leaving this important issue to...the NEXT Council. They have cited costs ($10,000.00-where is the breakdown of costs???, and the possibility of having to go (altogether now) the OMB!!) The should have cited the very real issue of lack of leadership and vision.
If this Council can't take action in their term, there is NOT one single incumbent on this current Council who deserves a position on the next Council.
If you can 't make the tough decisions now, why in the hell would anyone vote you in to provide leadership for the next term of Council?
Here is a campaign slogan for every incumbent....
VOTE for me, I won't take you to the OMB
You are so right, get rid of them.
ReplyDeletePLEASE, SOMEBODY SEND THIS TO THE NEWSPAPERS. THE SAME PEOPLE CAN NOT ALWAYS BE THE ONES TO SPEAK OUT. IT MAKES THEM LOOK FANATICAL AND THEN PEOPLE WILL NOT TAKE THE ISSUE SERIOUSLY. OTHERS MUST TAKE SOME OF THE RESPONSIBILITY AND THE RISK. PLEASE SPEAK UP PEOPLE!
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