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Where’s the beef?: Oliphant
By Carla Garrett STAFF WRITER
Friday December 22, 2006

WOODSTOCK - What’s on the menu was perhaps the most entertaining discussion Wednesday night at East Zorra-Tavistock’s council meeting.
Coun. Dave Oliphant told councillors he wants “some real meat” - not ground up meat on his sandwiches at their lunches.
During council’s day meetings, an area resident brings lunch, including dessert, to the township office.

Oliphant questioned whether it was time to look for a new caterer.
“I’m satisfied with what we are getting,” said Coun. Don MacDonald, adding they are getting their money’s worth.
Coun. Betty Yeoman noted she would prefer no buns, just white and brown bread.
But, Coun. Clive Lawry piped up saying, “I like the buns.”
Finding no consensus within the 10-minute or so discussion, Mayor Don McKay said they would continue with the present system. He said he would pass on Oliphant’s concerns to the caterer, who in the past has made changes to the menu to satisfy individual councillors.

I would think that after reading the story on Mr Oliphant of East Zorra Tavistock council demanding some "real"meat on his sandwiches(served at the poor taxpayers' expense I might add), that perhaps if what is lacking in his dietary standard is "real" meat, he should consider packing his own lunch instead.(I'm sure he can well afford his own beef) I find it difficult to believe that there is such silly behaviour going on at council when so many other pressing concerns of the taxpayers are not being met. It is even more sad though to see that these people are actually being paid to attend these meetings, and therefore by that virtue alone,are being paid to decide their lunches. The worst thing of all though, is that here in Oxford, comprised of all of these townships, we have a poverty problem, a homeless problem, and people utilizing the generosity of the Operation Sharing Program in order to barely feed themselves. As a taxpayer(certainly not in EZT, but in Woodstock), I just feel that I needed to express to him how shameful his begging for a larger lunch really is.

"The real story here isn't Mr Oliphant's dietary preferences or his petty complaints regarding the makeup of his free lunch. The real story is that the Sentinel feels this is news!

This "newspaper" has avoided any serious reporting on the hydro scandal or the Sally Creek golf course but they feel that Oliphant's whining when his lunch expectations aren't met is front page news.

My New Year's resolution will be to never buy a copy of this pitiful rag again. Feel free to join me."