London Welcomes Diversity - Whities, get yo asses on down here!
In her debut move as the first female member of Board of Control, Gina Barber complained at London's first City Council meeting of the "new & improved" council - that there were no women councillors on the committee that governed the Western Fair board.
And I can't agree more. Anyone who ever grew up on a farm knows that the work of the women goes largely unappreciated. Even tho it's dawn to dusk just like the work the men-folk do. And an hour before and three hours after the farm-hands even get up and go to sleep. And that's not even taking into consideration the contributions of livestock on the farm who happen to be female. Dairy farms? Where would we be without them? Veal, eggs, prime rib, chicken wings, giblets - where would we be without females down on the farm?
But Barber's point was that we need more "diversity" on city council-nominated boards and commissions. And a point well taken.
So what does City Council do to rectify this situation? They appointed a woman councillor to the Western Fair board. To do this, they had to get rid of one of the three male councillors who already sat on the board.
So "Mr. Creative Cities" himself, Board of Controller Gord ("Diversity") Hume, suggested that councillor Harold Usher give up his place on the Western Fair board - in the name of diversity and opening things up to "everyone" irregardless of sexual orientation, race, religion and dorkiness.
Harold, of course, initially declined this wonderful opportunity saying (according to the L.F. Press,) "I'm not going to take my name off the nomination list voluntarily. I don't think there are any visible minorities on that board and with 24 members, I think that's pathetic."
After that was said, to quote the L.F.P. - "Councillor Cheryl Miller was then appointed."
It should be pointed out to non-Londoners that Harold Usher is the ONLY black member of City Council. In fact, until Harold was elected about a decade ago and occassionally showed up on the TV news, the truth is that most Londoners didn't know that we even had any black people in London. Wow! Times sure are a-changin' when black people are no longer a "visible" minority up here in what was once known in Michigan as "Honkie-town."
Don't believe me, just ask Butch McLarty for his thoughts on the special insert entitled "150 of London's Most Prominent Citizens of the last Century and a half" the London Free Press did a couple of years ago to commemorate the sesqui-centennial of the founding of London. Not a black person in the whole bunch. Not to mention the original settlers (meaning the 'native' tribe of the 'Neutrals' - a London name if I ever heard of one.)
Only in London in the name of 'diversity' and 'inclusivity' would our elected fave raves appoint a woman and take away the appointment from a black man who already had been doing the job for years. I guess I don't have to point out that Mrs. Miller is a white woman.
In all fairness, it should be pointed out that Mrs. Miller had spent the last eight months on the Western Fair board. It should also be pointed out that according the Free Press, the fair board position is a popular appointment because it is "loaded with perks such as free tickets and meals."
It makes you just wonder what happened at council that night if a newly-elected councillor asked if it was okay for someone recently charged (but not yet convicted,) with assault, to be appointed to the Police Services board.
And I can't agree more. Anyone who ever grew up on a farm knows that the work of the women goes largely unappreciated. Even tho it's dawn to dusk just like the work the men-folk do. And an hour before and three hours after the farm-hands even get up and go to sleep. And that's not even taking into consideration the contributions of livestock on the farm who happen to be female. Dairy farms? Where would we be without them? Veal, eggs, prime rib, chicken wings, giblets - where would we be without females down on the farm?
But Barber's point was that we need more "diversity" on city council-nominated boards and commissions. And a point well taken.
So what does City Council do to rectify this situation? They appointed a woman councillor to the Western Fair board. To do this, they had to get rid of one of the three male councillors who already sat on the board.
So "Mr. Creative Cities" himself, Board of Controller Gord ("Diversity") Hume, suggested that councillor Harold Usher give up his place on the Western Fair board - in the name of diversity and opening things up to "everyone" irregardless of sexual orientation, race, religion and dorkiness.
Harold, of course, initially declined this wonderful opportunity saying (according to the L.F. Press,) "I'm not going to take my name off the nomination list voluntarily. I don't think there are any visible minorities on that board and with 24 members, I think that's pathetic."
After that was said, to quote the L.F.P. - "Councillor Cheryl Miller was then appointed."
It should be pointed out to non-Londoners that Harold Usher is the ONLY black member of City Council. In fact, until Harold was elected about a decade ago and occassionally showed up on the TV news, the truth is that most Londoners didn't know that we even had any black people in London. Wow! Times sure are a-changin' when black people are no longer a "visible" minority up here in what was once known in Michigan as "Honkie-town."
Don't believe me, just ask Butch McLarty for his thoughts on the special insert entitled "150 of London's Most Prominent Citizens of the last Century and a half" the London Free Press did a couple of years ago to commemorate the sesqui-centennial of the founding of London. Not a black person in the whole bunch. Not to mention the original settlers (meaning the 'native' tribe of the 'Neutrals' - a London name if I ever heard of one.)
Only in London in the name of 'diversity' and 'inclusivity' would our elected fave raves appoint a woman and take away the appointment from a black man who already had been doing the job for years. I guess I don't have to point out that Mrs. Miller is a white woman.
In all fairness, it should be pointed out that Mrs. Miller had spent the last eight months on the Western Fair board. It should also be pointed out that according the Free Press, the fair board position is a popular appointment because it is "loaded with perks such as free tickets and meals."
It makes you just wonder what happened at council that night if a newly-elected councillor asked if it was okay for someone recently charged (but not yet convicted,) with assault, to be appointed to the Police Services board.
posted by Sonny Drysdale at 12:21 PM
7 Comments:
According to the Council Orders-of-the-Day for the Inaugural Meeting of City Council (available on the City's web site at www.london.ca) on Monday, December 4 at 5 p.m., Ward 4 Councillor Steve Orser IS NOT being appointed to any in-house committees or any outside boards and commissions, EXCEPT the Environment and Transportation (Standing) Committee and City Council itself.
This is extremely unusual and a first in the past 25 years or so, if memory serves, if not longer.
Members of City Council are usually appointed to sit on a variety of in-house committees or outside boards and commissions such as the Old East Village BIA, London Hydro, the Police Services Board, the Audit Committee, the City/County Waste Management Steering Committee, the Covent Garden Market Board of Directors, the area water boards, Landmarks London, the LIcensing Appeal Committee, the London Convention Centre Corporation, the LDBA, the London Middlesex Housing Corporation, the London Public Libray Board, the Licensing Appeals Committee and the Midlesex-London Health Unit, to name but a few.
Not rookie Ward 4 Councillor Steve Orser.
Is this good for the residents of Ward 4? Hardly.
There are a myriad of ways for a Ward Councillor to positively impact the city and his or her ward by sitting on these various committees, boards and commissions.
Unfortunately, the residents of Ward 4 won't have the benefit of this value-added representation.
You might want to ask Councillor Orser why this is.
NOT TOO LATE: City Council can still change this sorry state of affairs on Monday, December 4 during their first council meeting.
PHONE: 519-438-6037
E-MAIL: sorser@london.ca or stephen.orser@rogers.com
Apparently, Steve Orser did indicate that he wanted to sit on the Licensing Appeal Committee but the Council Caucus rejected him -- even for one stinking committee.
Not a good sign for him or his constituents, as most of the appointments (other than the standing committees, which are for one year) are for four years, with a few for three years.
The overwhelming message to Orser from his council colleagues is one of complete and utter non-confidence.
To give you an idea of how many of these committees/board/commissions council members usually sit on, Controller Polhill is recommended by the Council Caucus to sit on 5, Councillor Armstrong 4, Councillor Eagle 5, rookie Councillor Walter LOnc 3, rookie Councillor Paul Hubert 2, Councillor Van Meerbergen 4, Councillor Usher 6 and Councillor Miller 4.
Like I posted originally, it is unheard of for a member of city council, rookie or otherwise, to be denied even one committee, board or commission appointment (standing committee appointments are a given, as in "mandatory").
While I supported Greg Thompson in the Ward 4 race, I still believe that Orser (and his constituents) are getting the shaft here and that he shouldn't take it laying down, like some sort of bruised and battered lap dog.
To date, he has taken it laying down, no doubt due to his difficult personal circumstances. But it's nothing short of bullying and an act of humiliation on council's part.
In the interests of fair play and what's best for the City of London and its residents, I'll be sending an added communication to city council, copied to all the council members and the media, expressing my outrage as a citizen, recommending that Orser be appointed to two committees where he has particular expertise: the Licensing Appeal Committee and the City/ County Waste Management Steering Committee.
Will they ignore me? Perhaps. But I believe the point has to be made, nonetheless.
The Licensing Appeal Committee deals largely with taxi and limousine licensing suspensions and revocations/ appeals and in the past (pre-1990) Orser has worked in the industry, as well as sitting on the Taxi Liaison Sub-Committee (1994-1997), the Taxi Driver Safety Task Force (1997-98) and the Taxicab-Limousine Task Force in 2004.
Regarding the City/County Waste Management Steering Committee, Orser has been in the "recycling-waste management business" for 13 years (1993-the 2006 civic election), plus he's sat on the Advisory Committee on the Environment (2000-2003).
I'll post my letter here after I've sent it.
ADDED COMMUNICATION for the Inaugural Council Meeting, December 4, 2006
Her Worship the Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best
and Members of City Council
The Corporation of the City of London
Re: Recommended committee appointments by the Council Caucus
I notice that newly elected Ward 4 Councillor Stephen Orser has not been recommended to be appointed to a single committee, board or commission -- outside of his mandatory appointment to a standing committee of city council (in Councillor Orser's case, the ETC).
I cannot recall a single case of this happening before, to a rookie councillor or otherwise.
In the interests in fair play and the best interests of Ward 4 residents/ City of London residents and the City of London itself, would it not make eminent good sense to appoint Councillor Orser to a couple of committees which deal with matters that Councillor Orser has special expertise in?
Namely: (1.) the City/County Waste Management Steering Committee, noting that Mr. Orser has 13 years of experience operating his own recycling-waste management business (he's since shut it down so he has no conflict of interest in this regard) and that Mr. Orser was a valuable member of the Advisory Committee on the Environment from 2000-2003 (Vice-Chair and Chair).
(2.) the Licensing Appeal Committee, noting that Mr. Orser worked for a few years in the taxicab industry prior to 1990 and that he has made invaluable contributions to several taxicab industry-related advisory committees in the past: the Taxi Liaison Sub-Committee (1994-1997); the Taxicab Driver Safety Task Force (1997-1998) and the Taxicab-Limousine Task Force (2004).
It is clearly the right thing to do, noting that isolating, ostracizing or humiliating any duly-elected member of city council serves the interests of absolutely no-one.
Yours very truly,
Butch (The Beast) McLarty
President and CEO
McLarty Farms Ltd.
2424 Gibson Drive
Delaware ON N0L 1E0
A member of board of control left a message for me today on my phone advising that the council caucus wanted to appoint Councillor Orser to a few committees but that they were advised by the city clerk that it must wait until his present legal difficulties are dispensed with.
Makes no sense to me whatsoever.
If he can take his seat on the council and be appointed to one of the three standing committees, why can't he sit on one of the many other committees where council members are appointed?
In any event, I suspect that there will be some debate on it Monday night during Council's inaugural meeting -- even if Stevey boy doesn't want it.
THIS JUST IN: Tonight, during its inaugural meeting, city council unanimously adopted two amendments to its Council Caucus recommendations:
1. To replace Controller Polhill on the City/ County Waste Management Steering Committee with Ward 4 Councillor Stephen Orser (Bud Polhill was very gracious in this regard), and
2. To replace Councillor Cheryl Miller on the Licensing Appeal Committee with Ward 4 Councillor Stephen Orser (Cheryl Miller was very gracious in this regard.
Unfortunately, Councillor Orser didn't ask to be appointed to the Western Fair Association Board or the Old East Village BIA several weeks ago when the clerk's department solicited committee preferences.
I, your devoted pig farmer and humble manservant, take no credit for this development but do expect future considerations when my farm is annexed by the City of London.
Residents of Ward 4 can sleep easy tonight knowing that they're represented on the two 'prestige' committees - and that their Ward master is going to have to earn all his pay.
The City/County Waste Management Steering Committee could prove to be an interesting one.
The Licensing Appeal Committee is a constant parade of taxi drivers (new Canadians) who've screwed up on the job and are getting their respective taxi driver or owner's licences suspended.
Entertaining, actually.
The Western Fair Association Board is a holiday camp of food, booze and tickets. An old boyz club of fun and frivolity.
Orser'd fit right in but unfortunately he can't go near alcohol.
Orser should have his cell-phone/ Blackberry by now from the City.
E-mail him at sorser@london.ca and ask him what his cell phone number is. If he won't tell you, tell him that you'll have his ass in the frying pan before you can say "Dick Tracy."
The word is that he's already ducking phone calls by saying not to call his 519-438-6037 number which is call forwarded to his cell phone. So use that number.
He's says he's FULL-TIME right? Put it to the test. Put him to work. You'll find he's an ass just like the rest of them in no time.
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