We do most of our living between Friday night and Monday morning. Monday morning is the time to reflect on the weekend and get back into our week day routine . As I get older it becomes more difficult to get myself moving on Monday morning. I guess that is part of what retirement planning is about - letting go of the weekday routine and spreading the rest of your life over seven days!
Monday June 16, 2014
The Mayor of my hometown has been embroiled in a scandal over the past couple of years. No, I am not talking about Rob Ford - this is yet another Canadian Mayor who has failed to do the right thing.
In a nutshell - our mayor was formerly a federal politician who during his time serving as a member of Parliament allegedly altered an $1700 invoice for the deposit for his sons wedding to an invoice for a cancelled political visit. The forged document was leaked to the local newspaper spurring an RCMP investigation resulting in charges of forgery, fraud and breach of trust. On Friday, the court case came to conclusion and he was found guilty on all three charges. He awaits sentencing.
It seems to me that every step along the way, he had the opportunity to do the right thing....
The most obvious was the initial crime. How do you get to the point that you think you are entitled to have the hard earned tax contributions of Canadians pay any part of your sons wedding
When confronted by the RCMP he could have admitted his actions, confessed and accepted the consequences of his actions. This would have saved the embarrassment of the city and saved the taxpayers the expense of the trial.
When charged, he could have stepped down temporarily as Mayor until the outcome of the charges were known. Why carry on and have the City tagged with this scandal.
When found guilty on Friday - he should have stepped down as Mayor immediately. He no longer has the moral authority to be the steward of this citys resources or reputation. The decision to appeal is up to him and his legal team, but step down. Stop this from being a civic issue and instead turn it into what it should be - a personal issue .
For a man that takes every opportunity to profess his love of this City....he seems to care little for what is in the best interest of our town.
Just do the right thing, Joe.
It's sad. I didn't vote for him as mayor and I wish Canadians had better choices for representation. What does it say about Canada that we vote in the least-horrible choice rather than someone we can be proud of and trust?
ReplyDeleteAny possibility you would go into politics Mary? I would trust you!
Thanks Janice. Not a chance.
ReplyDelete