Vote…

I learned tonight that if I had any comments regarding the redistribution of Federal election ridings I only have until
April 3oth to submit comments.

Too bad our press or my MP did not put anything out on this issue.  Here is an article with the email of where you can submit your comments.

More then likely Ajax will become it’s own and would loose the Pickering portion.

Any thoughts on this?

Based on population Ajax will be on it’s own.

Town of Ajax should send in an official communication supporting the more then likely that we should be our own Riding.

Pickering needs to decide what’s best for them,  take in more of Scarborough?

Received the following in my email,  figured I would share it.   

What is a pimp in this context?  LOL!

Update on Minutes page- March 26th minutes are linked to.   In the Council meeting Minutes you also have the minutes of various Advisory Committees,  watch for news about a Farmer’s Market that hopefully will be on Saturdays  in Pickering Village area.

I have added a new page that links to each of Durham’s 8 Municipalities Public Meetings links if they exist or main page.  With the Direct Election results at the Region on the 4th of April it is important to watch for the public meetings that will be scheduled in other Communities, I will plan to go to Whitby’s if I don’t have anything else to do.

Just scanning the public meetings and noticed in the new format a potential confusing issue , I will alert the Town you can be sure.

If you go to the Town’s landing page and access public meetings , it shows a date and the topic, it does not give indication the date you are seeing on first glance is only the posting date,  not the date of the meeting.  Some may think they have missed the following meeting just looking at this view alone,.

Waterfront Management and Drive Thru Study,  they were posted March 30 and April 3rd, you have to continue to the public notices page to see the posting date is what was displayed and the meeting date is another date, so these two meetings are coming up,  Waterfront meeting is Thursday April 12th and the Drive Thru Study is April 17th.

Accessing the link from my link on the blog will take you to the public meeting listing and the first one you can see with posting date , info and the actual date of the meeting,  then the listing below shows the posting date and no column for the actual meeting date.

I do think the initial view from the main page should be showing the actual date of the meeting , not the posted date.

The new site is pretty and all but I honestly thought the last one was far more functional.

Vote just happened for step 1. It passed but the people of Whitby need to ask their Mayor why she was not there to vote.  Now it is up to the lower tier to vote to ratify the decision.

I am on my phone and it’s about to die. I am glad I came and now the real work begins

The Region of Durham is holding a public meeting tomorrow morning at 10 am,  I am taking the day off work to attend.

This is in regards to the issue of Direct Election of the Regional Chair position. 

I have a confession to make.  In 2006 when only Ajax, Oshawa and Pickering had the question on the ballot, I voted No.   Let me explain.  I thought at least the Chair should come from elected Councillors though. 

I was under the impression the Regional Chair was a figurehead and only chaired meetings and was like the Speaker of the house per say, I know it sounds silly but really what do other people know about his role, the average citizen , of which I was in 2006 before opening this blog.   I did not think he had a tie breaking vote though like the elected Speaker in Ottawa.
I was not as politically aware in either Ajax or Durham politics.   I don’t vote yes for something I don’t understand. 

Then…. I learned the Regional Chair moves motions and has a lot more power then I knew so in 2010 I did vote Yes. 

Over 200K in salary, moves motions, sits on every Committee, should be elected by me.

Others say- “Why not appoint from sitting Mayors or Council?” 
** I don’t get to vote for anyone but a single Ward and Regional Councillor plus my own Mayor. 
**Local candidates run local elections in scope.

Urge your Council to support this Democratic method of Selection of the Regional Chair.

 I will endorse the site :
www.accountabilitystartsatthetop.com    It’s my job as a citizen do this advocacy.

If you can’t make it to the meeting tomorrow, let your views be known to Councillors, your own and WHITBY’S !!!!!!!!!!!!!  
 

Again here is what I was told in 2009 when I saw double digit increases for quite a few years in a row.

I read the response Mr. Skinner gave to news advertiser for explaining the list and the context.  What is recognition pay and what is a bonus?   Read the rest of this entry »

I came across a new site to add to the Other Council Watchdog page.

CATCH- Citizens at City Hall-  Hamilton area.   From their website
..a volunteer community group that encourages civic participation in Hamilton. Our members attend and report on meetings of city councillors and other City committees, and carry out related research and activities.

I created a new page to document the activities of this wider issue I am advocating for.

Verbatim Records of meetings.  In the pages section.  

I found a new site today, this is an excellent article about the Casino in Fort Erie that will be closed.

http://niagaraatlarge.com/2012/03/22/ontarios-godfathers-for-gambling-should-get-the-boot

The link is on Other Council Watchdog sites page on the lower right side.   The site is independent news and commentary.

Doug Draper is the founder of the site.

Edit to fix the link.