You Can Run But You Can't Hide

Not surprisingly, Rogers Cable was unable to film and broadcast last nights City Council meeting, which took place before a full house. Also not surprising was Council's decision to dismiss Jim's request for a public inquest into the loss of public funds. Curiously, before Harding was elected in November 2006 he had promised an inquiry upon release of the Navigant report. This was obviously just a cheap political tactic designed to steal your vote. Now that King Harding is once again seated in the 4 year throne of dictatorship we shall have to rely upon public pressure to ensure accountability within our municipal government.

Portions of the report were released on February 14th 2007, however, many pages have been omitted.  Although this fact in itself is enough to pique one's curiosity, of even greater concern to our democratic way of life is that Harding seems to believe that he should have ultimate dominion over the public who elected him as their public servant.  The fact remains, public money is lost and the public has a right to know why.

Harding claims that this issue does not warrant further investigation and that Jim's request will be taken as nothing more than information, without further process.  I wonder, therefore, how often does he play before a full house.  These people obviously have an interest in what happened to their money.  I happen to know several people who were disappointed to find reruns on Roger's cable and lets not forget that 3 councilors spoke in support of Jim's request.  As usual, Harding has his big swelled head up his ever widening middle age spread!

Council approves hiring of integrity commissioner Hoping to put Hydro matter to rest  By Hugo Rodrigues POLITICS REPORTER Woodstock Sentinel Review Monday April 09, 2007

More complete investigation’ into Woodstock Hydro Holdings Coun. Pat Sobeski asks council to vote on motion April 5 By Hugo Rodrigues POLITICS REPORTER Sentinel Review 16/03/07

‘Accountable process’ is not happening Letter by former Mayoral candidate Brian Currah Sentinel Review 03/02/07

City council may be contravening act Letter by Wm. A. Downing Sentinel Review 02/28/07

Still puzzled why no public meeting called Letter by Jim Bender 20/02/07:  In regards to the city council meeting held last Thursday, in which I presented a request for a public meeting on the issue of Info Energy (Read More)

Former councillor calls for public meeting on Info Energy Inc. 19/02/07
By Hugo Rodrigues POLITICS REPORTER Sentinel Review: WOODSTOCK -- Former councillor and mayoral candidate Dave Nadalin wants the public to strike the meeting on Woodstock Info Energy Inc. that council has to-date been unwilling to do. (Read More)

Following is a copy of the request submitted by James Bender to the Mayor and City Council February 15/07

I'm here tonight in regards to the Woodstock Navigant Report created by George   Bedard, and posted on the Citys' website earlier this week.
Can you tell me, how many pages of the Navigant report were removed for Privacy reasons? Can you tell us the complete number of pages contained in the report and identify a reason for their removal? Without the complete report, it is impossible to guage what the problem exactly boils down to. So in light of that concern, I am here to ask for your assistance in clarifying the situation in its' entirety.
There are numerous issues that remain outstanding in regards to this matter, and I believe that it is in the interest of all ratepayers that we are apprised of the situation in an open and public forum in which questions may be asked and answered in an open and frank manner.
Some of the main issues are whether or not the Navigant reports' recommendations are being followed at this point or not,  and the involvement of the management, the board of directors and chairperson in the losses, and the systemic failure to adequately report this massive loss to the prime shareholders, namely the ratepayers of the city of woodstock in a timely fashion that would have allowed for the minimizing of financial exposure to liability and loss.
The actions of this privately held company, and its' board of directors and chairperson are not conducive to the ideal of accountability or the democratic requirement of transparent actions of elected officials serving in their capacity as directors or chairpersons of boards.
As the Ontario Municpal Act does not govern its' operations, and as it is not accountable to the people, I am asking for a public meeting to address this matter,and that of its' enormous losses.
As the Minister responsible for the OMA, John Gerretsen recently confided to me on January 23, 2007, it is necessary to bring this to resolution through local public discussion and debate.
Will you move to offer an open forum on this matter to the citizens of Woodstock?

Below is a copy of the response James received from the Ministry Municipal Affairs:

Godivas