It's July 23 and Peterborough City councillors will be sitting tonight after a two week break. I admit, it's been nice having to last two Monday nights off, but heck I'm looking forward to seeing that kooky gang of go-getters again.
And Mayor Paul Ayotte will be back. You might remember our Mayor has had some time off to get over surgery he had a few weeks ago. I talked to him the other day and he seems genuinely happy to be back on his feet.
Now I'm sure a lot of you reading this are wondering why a man would choose to get off his sick bed to go back to work at City Hall and why I, a reasonably sane, journalist would be looking forward to another Monday night with these people. I have to say, though, that through all their wrangling and verbal grappling, through their grandstanding and postulating and vicious ripping apart of the English language, and all their merciless dragging out of even the most simple, basic item on the agenda, there is something really loveable about this specific group of councillors.
There's Patti Peeters and her rolling eyes and frustrated sighs.
Dean Pappas and his goofy laugh and horrible but heartfelt rendering of the national anthem.
Bob Hall who loves to stand up in front of the TVCogeco cameras but runs a heck of a well-paced meeting when he is chair.
And Len Vass, whom I watch closely and listen to every meeting for the new new word to be born from his lips. It will be hard to improve on "silo-ized", but I have faith that he will do it.
Ann Farquharson is a very smart lady who loves her smoke breaks and because of that when she chairs people at least get a few minutes to stretch before heading back into the fray.
Doug Peacock is a pleasure to watch when he talks about his work on the Mayor's Anti-Poverty Taskforce; the man really wants to help.
Shirley Eggleton, aside from criticizing stories before she's read them, has a demeanour you find yourself wishing would rub off on others in council. Shirley doesn't talk much.
'Nuff said.
Jack Doris, our council elder. We need this man not just because he is so passionate about his city, but because he speaks for seniors in our community, who are part of a constantly growing population.
And then there's Eric Martin, with his sweet smile and his desire to do good. He's a regular Joe and he never tries to be anything else.
Last but not least, Mr. Henry Clarke! The man with the military history. He loves this city and the people in it and he always shoots from the hip.
All in all, a likeable bunch. I don't know exactly why or how, but they have charmed me.
Unless it's 10:30 at night and the same people are asking the same question for the 50th time and I'm ready to scream at them and tell them for God's sake to grow up and get the friggin' job done!
Yep, overall, a likeable bunch.
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3 comments:
Awww...do I fee a group hug in the air? Let us all get together, sit in a circle and sing Kumba ya.
You think I really care if Dean Pappas has a bad singing voice or if Len Vass has poor grammar?
I live in the West West in of the city. As far as I am concerned this Council is nothing but a group of people that know how to take our taxes dollars and let everyone else live the high life. I got a corner of Sherbrooke and Woodglade where there should be a grocery store that sits empty. I have been trying to get some benches at Kawartha Park so that way we can sit down and watch our kids to no avail. Although Council Clarke says there coming. I got the City who wants to build a 8 storey apartment in my backyard. I got a strip mall that is empty on Sherbrooke St that I wish has a pizza joint, a breakfast bar and maybe a community police station. I have traffic problem on Brealey where my kids cross to go to school. The only thing this council can do is raise my taxes so they can hand my money to every special interest group they can suck up too. I have one city councilor who is decent Henry Clarke only because I think the last election woke him up to the fact that he could lose. But the fact is if he hadn't lost 1000 votes in the Ward last time he likely wouldn't have looked passed Wallis Street like he has done for all his years in office. I think Clarke is a good guy but he is also very concerned about what other Councilors think because he is eyeing the mayor's chair. Jack Doris! Give me a break! The only thing I regret is that at the time I thought there was no victory in kicking an old man out of office. How wrong I was he's made a fool out of himself with that whole Conservative gambit thing. What's worse we are dealing with a group of people that did not receive more votes than the guy I backed in this ward. Alan Wilson got 2800 votes and the only other person to get more was Len Vass. That's twice the votes Dean Pappas got! Alan Wilson came in 3rd place in this Ward. Explain that one to me? That means this council is hardly reflective of people in this community.
I love Peterborough and there many fine things about it. But quit kissing butt just so you will get back room access.
I hate these losers who sit around in Chambers writing about frivolous things. Want to impress me knock on 100 doors in a Ward and ask people what they think. Then I'll be impressed.
Put your crack berry in a drawer and get a life!
Anti-Idling.. in Peterborough, never!
Ex-Councillor Bill Juby was spotted yesterday leaving his car idling while stopping for money at a bank machine.
Peterborough City Council...lets keep a close eye on this group. They haven't done anything to warrant a hug from me.
Did I hear coucil talking about an Anti-Idling campaign? Or maybe they are going to hire a consultant to write up a report on all the drive-trus in the city.
I spotted Ex-City Councillor Bill Juby yesterday leaving his vehicle idling while he went into the credit union to use the bank machine.
Enough said...actions speak louder than words!!!
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