Thursday, October 16, 2014

11 DAYS - THE RASHOMAN EFFECT

A diverse group of people experience the same event yet have vastly different perceptions of what took place. The regular council meeting On Tuesday, October 14 was just such an event. The interpretation of the meeting might fall under the definition of the Roshomon Effect, named after the classic Japanese movie.

I listened and look forward to seeing the council meeting as it is telecast later today (1:00 p.m.) on Cogeco 10. Many of us perceived mayor-by-five-votes' behaviour to be way over the top and unnecessarily abrupt, especially when he was dealing with questions posed by Ward 5 Councillor Don Lubberts. Meanwhile, those on the other side of the spectrum saw it as the mayor punishing the bad behaviour of an overly curious councillor. Even the acting town clerk took exception to the questions that were asked by Lubberts about the procedure of the ballot collection on Election Day just eleven days hence. He expressed his displeasure after the meeting on a hot mic, saying, "Don't ever do that to me again" to Don Lubberts.

Many of us are wondering why the clerk was not ready and able to answer questions regarding the procedure. He did not even have the local procedure on hand to clarify some questions that had come up in last week's meeting. In fact, the procedure that is outlined in the Municipal Elections Act was provided in June of this year and, according to the Act, cannot be changed once the council was informed of the procedures. Yet, when questioned by Don Lubberts about those procedures, the clerk could not recall the answers and advised that he would "look them up and get back to you."  The people should be provided with the answers now at the last meeting before the election and one that was to be broadcast on television would have been the perfect opportunity to inform the voters and potential scrutineers of those procedures.

But that did not happen, thanks to the interference of Doug Martin and the stonewalling of the town clerk.

It seems that, not only is this election very nasty, but it is being subverted by the temper tantrums of a retiring mayor and an acting town clerk. 

And interpreted in at least two different ways.


MUST READ ARTICLE in Niagara Falls Review about negativity in local elections. Seems to be a trend this year.

15 comments:

  1. It sounds like Douglas has been getting rudeness lessons from James T. Makes one wonder if he was running for mayor again (instead of quitting in shame) would he be a little more civil. (dont want to use the word nice, as in that atmosphere that would denote weakness).Will be interesting to see the TV copy of the proceedings,(hopefully not edited by some backroom friend) to confirm what seems to be a guilty man exercising behavior bordering on the criminal.

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    1. I disagree about one thing you said, Andre. The mayor did not quit in shame; he is still angry that he can't run for re-election. He surely realized that he had no chance of it. Remember, an incumbent usually enjoys a 30% advantage in most elections. In 2010, Martin blew that and ended up winning by a mere five votes. Also remember that the lame duck council of the day had to be forced to order a recount. It should have been automatic. Same thing happened in another town in Niagara and the winner welcomed a recount. But not our Dougie. Makes one wonder.

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  2. The first Advance Poll is TOMORROW. I think it is about time the person who is to supervise this election takes the time to search out the proper procedures.

    It seems to be that the clerk doesn't grasp the gravity of his responsibilities.

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  3. One ask's; "Why would an "acting town clerk " take exception to the questions that were asked ", could it be that they might of been offered a full time, very well paying job?

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    1. Just listening to Stephen Passero on CKTB radio. He's taking credit for the $50K from the region for "lakefront enhancement." Has an "in depth knowledge" of transit system. He is promising expansion of the transit system if elected. "I look forward to ..."

      I look forward to Stephen Passero leaving town.

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    2. Can he collect unemployment if he doesn't get re-elected?

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    3. He'll probably go back to making cakes in his grandmother's un-inspected basement. Maybe he'll be forced to go on welfare but I'm sure his buddy Thibert will find a spot for him somewhere.

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    4. I thought it was cookies, that were made in huge batches so many so that they were frozen and pulled out when needed? One could taste the freezer when eating them.

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  4. so this is likely to be another rigged election........3 in a row.........wonder which ballot boxes will "accidently" fall open this time

    ........maybe a call to the big city newspapers/TV is in order to actually get the town clerk to do the proper job.

    (what will the fall out cost the tax payer this time???)

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    1. This year, Don Lubberts and others are trying to educate people about how the balloting is done in the hopes that voters will be observant and aware of the process. A well-run and open voting process would alleviate any doubts about its fairness.

      The big question is: why would thee mayor not do everything in his power to make sure that there were no reasons for doubt about the election results? He has no skin in this game. Or does he? Just seems odd that he tried to shut down any discussion about the balloting process in the last meeting before the election. Hope people watching the council meeting take note.

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  5. Of course Dougie is embarrassed by the questions asked since each question is only about the procedures regarding the traveling ballot box that ended up for count at Ward 2. Everyone knows there was a problem .2 Staff involved, open boxes, open truck. one staff left alone with open boxes and messed up comingling of ballots. Monkey shines that Lubberts does not want to see repeated.

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  6. No one we talked to expects the turnout for voting to be much better than it was 4 years ago. With so many candidates running for every possible seat the results will be so watered down, the possibilitys of so many recounts and the resulting fighting means some of the positions wont be settled for weeks or even months. Even then after that bit of friction, again a town council bitter and vindictive against one another. More law suits to try to make a point?? That last council really stuck a pointy stick in it getting involved with a group of outsiders from across the lake when we had all the talent we need here to improve our quality of life free of charge.

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    1. Those who think that some current council members are under the influence of people from "across the lake" do not understand that this town has always been influenced by events and taxpayers from the States. Places like Crystal Beach were created for and by people from WNY. The people who chose to live here, either permanently or for the summer have invested in the community; pay taxes; and love Fort Erie. They do not want to see it ruined by overdeveloping its shoreline - especially on its public beachfront lands.

      The brainchild of Rino Mostacci is not now, nor ever will be a good fit for Crystal Beach. It was he who set this juggernaut in motion with his grand idea.

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  7. If anyone has opened up Fort Erie to the possibility of a $10 Million law suit it's Doug "Shit For Brains" Martin.
    This entire cluster fuck was conceived,concocted and contorted by a vindictive little prick (and his henchmen) that has managed to divide and degrade an entire town just because his buddies couldn't sell their half baked project.

    And all the while little Jimmy T wiggles, waggles, whines and walks... all on our dime

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  8. And they think the town was divided before???? You ain't seen nothin' yet. So sad that those that want this condo are willing to bury the town in order to be proven right. It has nothing to do with what's good for the town.

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