MUNICIPAL COUNCILS THINK THEY SHOULD DECIDE WHICH CITIZENS TO APPOINT TO REPRESENT THEIR MUNICIPALITIES

Four years ago our enlightened citizens of Woolwich (including me) voted Todd Cowan Mayor over two contenders. Two months ago these same citizens voted Sandy Shantz Mayor while relegating Todd to fourth place out of four candidates. The point is this: four years ago all incumbents were turfed except one and two months ago all incumbents were turfed except one. Julie-Ann Herteis at least was smart enough not to run for a second term and get thrown out with the rest. For the record Bonnie Bryant did an excellent job and I'm sorry to see her go.

Our voters whether municipal, provincial or federal generally don't have a clue on a collective basis. How the hell did they re-elect the provincial Liberals after the mess they've made financially and ethically with scandal after scandal? How the hell have the federal Tories finally got a majority government? Geez.

Our municipal government in Woolwich Township have historically been part of the problem rather than part of the solution regarding the restoration of Elmira's groundwater. They have consistently appointed hangers on and suck ups to their committee of council dealing with Uniroyal and then Chemtura. The best CPAC ever has just about ended and the gamesmanship is in full swing. A past councillor and her sidekick have been lobbying the winning Mayoralty candidate throughout the election and since. They want back on the Chemtura Public Advisory Committee (CPAC) in order to restore peace and harmony via their unique method of selling out to both the polluter (Chemtura) and their inherently corrupt regulator (MOECC).

Citizens committees representing the community should not be municipal council appointees. Especially committees dealing with serious pollution problems. What they generally want are people who are compliant and who won't raise a fuss, no matter what. This of course is just dandy with the polluter and their regulator and guarantees nothing positive will actually happen. A totally new system is desperately required because as is these so called independent public advisory committees become nothing more than an arms length extension of council telling councils exactly what they want to hear.