"Although speaker after speaker questioned council on the decision to axe the position of a well-liked and respected employee, mayor Perry Schmunk continually answered that it was a decision made by all of council and could not be discussed further due to legalities."
""It is not performance related whatsoever with Sally," said Schmunk." http://www2.canada.com/westerly/news/story.html?id=4747b4d0-e6a1-4b31-bac7-7dd9b4924f3a
A decision I suspect deliberately shrouded in bureaucratic maneuvering, along with the ham-fisted approach, that will lead to the inevitable wrongful dismissal lawsuit.
One could speculate the council was fleeced by Smith on this fiasco as he would take the "fall" since he was leaving town. Did council follow up on his recommendations to eliminate Sally from her position? Did they talk to her co-workers, did they look at her employee file (which I am told is clean and sparkly)? Did they really look at the consequences of their actions for the future of this town? How could they make such a decision with no format or information to provide for an organizational change? They still have nothing to provide the tax payers on this new look of local government. Would this have happened if the Mayor was here and actually paying attention to the affairs of the local government? With such a lack of presence he basically gave the reigns of this town to Smith and said "give er."
It is completely shameful the way they let a 20 year employee go with no notice but just a kick in the teeth on a Friday afternoon. Normal organizations in the real world do not act with such disregard for people or the community.
I don't believe that all members of council thought this move would back fire as it most certainly has. This change has killed any future political dreams of these 6 people because no one in this town will ever vote for them again. I can guarantee in the next election you will see a new slate of the real representation of this community and not a bunch of 50 + who have zero vision for this town.
Sally is crazy if she does not persue the district with litigation. She will win. Just like Yew Wood, Rosie Bay, Cox Bay Resort, and the Gateway. I am sure I missed a few.
Point is old Smith hasn't been a real successful guy when he goes up against actual achievers and thinkers. He loses every time. He will lose again. Best part for him is he gets some one else to pay his bills every time as well and so he gets to go on losing.
Sally. Get a good lawyer. It won't be easy and it won't be short but you will in the end be successful.
I don't know the whole story and I doubt many do. What I do know is you have to stick up for yourself in this town. If you let this current group push you around then you become a victim. I don't advocate starting meaningless wars but if you believe you have been wronged....
John Alexander is pretty good Sally.
As for the voting public, lest we forget.... hold them accountable! Doing nothing is an action
January 10, 2013 9:33 AM Says "HELLO - who do you think pays ? "
I understand your concerns are centered on increasing taxpayer costs financing wrongdoing by a previous administration. A few points. First, misuse of power to satisfy personal agendas does not immunize anyone against further legal proceedings moving forward. That is to say, if there is gross incompetence and negligence proven in Mrs Mole's ouster, and if then the Corporation (Tofino) is found at fault, then that does not preclude the current administration from pursuing the former administration for recuperation of costs. There are a great deal of if's in that line of logic, however this is not anything legally new, nor is it unfeasible. Second, you are ill served as a member of the taxpaying community by having a council act in such capricious and underhanded ways. Slippery slopes are few and far between, however those in power are particularly adept at going down them. Therefore, it is still in yours and, indeed everyone's, long term interests to discourage any further behavior such as what is being alluded to here. Third, justice and fairness is a doctrine we should all strive for. We should not shy away from seeking justice and fairness just because we think that there may be some consequences for ourselves. Indeed, that type of thinking is not something that we generally aspire to, nor would we condone for our children. Therefore, why should it be OK for us to promulgate that ideology?
Most importantly is to understand that Tofino is not what it was years ago (Meaning choose your arrival time). As hard as this might be to accept, there is a small minority of people who originally come from here. Therefore we all came here and ended up staying due to its magic.
How long we have been in Tofino does not necessarily mean a lesser understanding of what is good for Tofino. (This is assuming that the older you are, the more likely you would have been here longer.)
We also are becoming a huge demographic in Tofino.
At times, we see the DOT obstructive to new ideas.We see the DOT obstructive to new businesses. We see the DOT obstuctive to new building. The red tape quagmire. This is where the process needs to loosen up. It is hard enough as it is to be an entrepeneur in this town to then get obstructionist bylaws against sandwich boards amongst others. You kidding me.
And yes. Because I am sure that many over 50's think that all the young-uns bring to the community is partying. Well you know what? The DOT has also been obstructive to partying. There. I said it.
It is a lack of understanding that the people we make the majority of our money off of are tourists. A large chunk are young. They are on vacation. You know what, the age doesn't even matter. People like to party, Of course, amongst other activities that Tofino has to offer, because we all did not stay in Tofino for the partying. That is not the magic.
We have seen the Legion, Maquinna, the old beach fire, and coutless other recreational outlets close down over the last couple of years. There have been many frustrated promoters deciding that it is not worth the effort here.
Obstructionism is also bad for the budget. Because you do not need the DOT to finance festivals, theatres, etc. There are enough intelligent and passionate people in this community to create their own visions. Not rehashing the same; evolving. The DOT can facillitate by donating space (such as the mostly unused community hall and theatre or the village green). They can utilize their RMI money towards small empowering grants rather than huge festivals. Or no contribution at all, just not be obstructionist. No wasting money on no fun committees and police.
Yes there are negative aspects to partying. But I assure you, there will not be a riot at the legion due to an MC Hammer concert. That was in Penticton in '91. That is also the example given by the RCMP at their public community vision meeting to scare the public into accepting the no fun committee recommendations.
The negative aspects are few and far between and believe it or not, 99% of people do not like chaos.
Seeing who is on council and new mayor(THicke and Osborne specifically), I will come out and say this now with the possibility of me being dead wrong in my assumptions. We do not need the DOT financing a college or university in Tofino. It is not a bad idea, but if somebody wants it, let them try as a private enterprise. We do not need the DOT getting involved in these pet projects anymore than they already are(oops). I will repeat. this is mear allusion and speculatiom. But there have been rumblings of this as a vision of some at the DOT and in the community. The reason we do not need it, is that the internet exists and we have too small of a tax base for such things when we have other bigger issues that a DOT is designed to tackle.(yes. sewage: the mandatory mention.) Facilities are not needed to get educated where you live anymore. This is a trend that will become even more pervasive. So lets not waste any time or money on this. Again, simple, cheap facilitation methods such as donating the community hall or small empowering grants also works here for anyone who wants to start educational classes, clubs, support groups, philosophers circles, etc.
Heck. Why not free community wide internet access? OK. Not a small investment but a good one. If we are going to spend money somewhere, why not where it empowers the whole community? Municipal WIFI is more economical to the community as a utility rather than idividual households and businesses paying private firms.
This trend (the internet economy) will also make it more feasible to live in Tofino and make a decent living. The "internet office" is also going to become more prevalent and not everyone will have to rely on tourism and service industry to live here.
We see the DOT obstuctive to new building. The red tape quagmire. This is where the process needs to loosen up. It is hard enough as it is to be an entrepeneur in this town to then get obstructionist bylaws against sandwich boards amongst others. You kidding me.
And yes. Because I am sure that many over 50's think that all the young-uns bring to the community is partying. Well you know what? The DOT has also been obstructive to partying. There. I said it.
It is a lack of understanding that the people we make the majority of our money off of are tourists. A large chunk are young. They are on vacation. You know what, the age doesn't even matter. People like to party, Of course, amongst other activities that Tofino has to offer, because we all did not stay in Tofino for the partying. That is not the magic.
We have seen the Legion, Maquinna, the old beach fire, and coutless other recreational outlets close down over the last couple of years. There have been many frustrated promoters deciding that it is not worth the effort here.
Obstructionism is also bad for the budget. Because you do not need the DOT to finance festivals, theatres, etc. There are enough intelligent and passionate people in this community to create their own visions. Not rehashing the same; evolving. The DOT can facillitate by donating space (such as the mostly unused community hall and theatre or the village green). They can utilize their RMI money towards small empowering grants rather than huge festivals. Or no contribution at all, just not be obstructionist. No wasting money on no fun committees and police.
Yes there are negative aspects to partying. But I assure you, there will not be a riot at the legion due to an MC Hammer concert. That was in Penticton in '91. That is also the example given by the RCMP at their public community vision meeting to scare the public into accepting the no fun committee recommendations.
The negative aspects are few and far between and believe it or not, 99% of people do not like chaos. .
7:29 Well put. Josie is a contemplative individual unlike our last two Mayors. This is a chance to try again. So please try...CAO needs to be qualified experienced and not a cast off from some other small community...lets look hard for the right fit for our little town. Aaron should hold this position in the future but not yet. And a town of under $2000 should not be paying over 100k plus housing for the position. Lets adjust to fit our budget instead of raising taxes...again. "Politics is like mowing the lawn you'd like to quit but the neighbors would complain."
"Although speaker after speaker questioned council on the decision to axe the position of a well-liked and respected employee, mayor Perry Schmunk continually answered that it was a decision made by all of council and could not be discussed further due to legalities."
ReplyDelete""It is not performance related whatsoever with Sally," said Schmunk."
http://www2.canada.com/westerly/news/story.html?id=4747b4d0-e6a1-4b31-bac7-7dd9b4924f3a
A decision I suspect deliberately shrouded in bureaucratic maneuvering, along with the ham-fisted approach, that will lead to the inevitable wrongful dismissal lawsuit.
http://www.cba.org/bc/public_media/employment/241.aspx
One could speculate the council was fleeced by Smith on this fiasco as he would take the "fall" since he was leaving town. Did council follow up on his recommendations to eliminate Sally from her position? Did they talk to her co-workers, did they look at her employee file (which I am told is clean and sparkly)? Did they really look at the consequences of their actions for the future of this town? How could they make such a decision with no format or information to provide for an organizational change? They still have nothing to provide the tax payers on this new look of local government. Would this have happened if the Mayor was here and actually paying attention to the affairs of the local government? With such a lack of presence he basically gave the reigns of this town to Smith and said "give er."
ReplyDeleteIt is completely shameful the way they let a 20 year employee go with no notice but just a kick in the teeth on a Friday afternoon. Normal organizations in the real world do not act with such disregard for people or the community.
I don't believe that all members of council thought this move would back fire as it most certainly has. This change has killed any future political dreams of these 6 people because no one in this town will ever vote for them again. I can guarantee in the next election you will see a new slate of the real representation of this community and not a bunch of 50 + who have zero vision for this town.
HY-Sterical! My Momma tells a story of when the Red River flooded. 'Pparently, rats were diving out of every window of St. Boniface Hospital!
ReplyDeleteBetween this Supreme Court ruling and the new Municipal Ombudsman I imagine we'll see more folks diving out of Municipal office.
Sally is crazy if she does not persue the district with litigation. She will win. Just like Yew Wood, Rosie Bay, Cox Bay Resort, and the Gateway. I am sure I missed a few.
ReplyDeletePoint is old Smith hasn't been a real successful guy when he goes up against actual achievers and thinkers. He loses every time. He will lose again. Best part for him is he gets some one else to pay his bills every time as well and so he gets to go on losing.
Sally. Get a good lawyer. It won't be easy and it won't be short but you will in the end be successful.
11:13 ......thats it get a good lawyer and sue the village -- HELLO - who do you think pays ?
ReplyDeleteI don't know the whole story and I doubt many do. What I do know is you have to stick up for yourself in this town. If you let this current group push you around then you become a victim. I don't advocate starting meaningless wars but if you believe you have been wronged....
ReplyDeleteJohn Alexander is pretty good Sally.
As for the voting public, lest we forget.... hold them accountable! Doing nothing is an action
January 10, 2013 9:33 AM Says "HELLO - who do you think pays ? "
ReplyDeleteI understand your concerns are centered on increasing taxpayer costs financing wrongdoing by a previous administration. A few points.
First, misuse of power to satisfy personal agendas does not immunize anyone against further legal proceedings moving forward. That is to say, if there is gross incompetence and negligence proven in Mrs Mole's ouster, and if then the Corporation (Tofino) is found at fault, then that does not preclude the current administration from pursuing the former administration for recuperation of costs. There are a great deal of if's in that line of logic, however this is not anything legally new, nor is it unfeasible.
Second, you are ill served as a member of the taxpaying community by having a council act in such capricious and underhanded ways. Slippery slopes are few and far between, however those in power are particularly adept at going down them. Therefore, it is still in yours and, indeed everyone's, long term interests to discourage any further behavior such as what is being alluded to here.
Third, justice and fairness is a doctrine we should all strive for. We should not shy away from seeking justice and fairness just because we think that there may be some consequences for ourselves. Indeed, that type of thinking is not something that we generally aspire to, nor would we condone for our children. Therefore, why should it be OK for us to promulgate that ideology?
To 7-12 PM, Can you please enlighten Me, what the vision of Tofino is for a person under 50?
ReplyDeleteMost importantly is to understand that Tofino is not what it was years ago (Meaning choose your arrival time). As hard as this might be to accept, there is a small minority of people who originally come from here. Therefore we all came here and ended up staying due to its magic.
ReplyDeleteHow long we have been in Tofino does not necessarily mean a lesser understanding of what is good for Tofino. (This is assuming that the older you are, the more likely you would have been here longer.)
We also are becoming a huge demographic in Tofino.
At times, we see the DOT obstructive to new ideas.We see the DOT obstructive to new businesses.
We see the DOT obstuctive to new building.
The red tape quagmire. This is where the process needs to loosen up. It is hard enough as it is to be an entrepeneur in this town to then get obstructionist bylaws against sandwich boards amongst others. You kidding me.
And yes. Because I am sure that many over 50's think that all the young-uns bring to the community is partying. Well you know what? The DOT has also been obstructive to partying. There. I said it.
It is a lack of understanding that the people we make the majority of our money off of are tourists. A large chunk are young. They are on vacation. You know what, the age doesn't even matter. People like to party, Of course, amongst other activities that Tofino has to offer, because we all did not stay in Tofino for the partying. That is not the magic.
We have seen the Legion, Maquinna, the old beach fire, and coutless other recreational outlets close down over the last couple of years. There have been many frustrated promoters deciding that it is not worth the effort here.
Obstructionism is also bad for the budget. Because you do not need the DOT to finance festivals, theatres, etc. There are enough intelligent and passionate people in this community to create their own visions. Not rehashing the same; evolving. The DOT can facillitate by donating space (such as the mostly unused community hall and theatre or the village green). They can utilize their RMI money towards small empowering grants rather than huge festivals. Or no contribution at all, just not be obstructionist. No wasting money on no fun committees and police.
ReplyDeleteYes there are negative aspects to partying. But I assure you, there will not be a riot at the legion due to an MC Hammer concert. That was in Penticton in '91. That is also the example given by the RCMP at their public community vision meeting to scare the public into accepting the no fun committee recommendations.
The negative aspects are few and far between and believe it or not, 99% of people do not like chaos.
Seeing who is on council and new mayor(THicke and Osborne specifically), I will come out and say this now with the possibility of me being dead wrong in my assumptions. We do not need the DOT financing a college or university in Tofino. It is not a bad idea, but if somebody wants it, let them try as a private enterprise.
ReplyDeleteWe do not need the DOT getting involved in these pet projects anymore than they already are(oops). I will repeat. this is mear allusion and speculatiom. But there have been rumblings of this as a vision of some at the DOT and in the community. The reason we do not need it, is that the internet exists and we have too small of a tax base for such things when we have other bigger issues that a DOT is designed to tackle.(yes. sewage: the mandatory mention.) Facilities are not needed to get educated where you live anymore. This is a trend that will become even more pervasive. So lets not waste any time or money on this. Again, simple, cheap facilitation methods such as donating the community hall or small empowering grants also works here for anyone who wants to start educational classes, clubs, support groups, philosophers circles, etc.
Heck. Why not free community wide internet access? OK. Not a small investment but a good one. If we are going to spend money somewhere, why not where it empowers the whole community? Municipal WIFI is more economical to the community as a utility rather than idividual households and businesses paying private firms.
This trend (the internet economy) will also make it more feasible to live in Tofino and make a decent living. The "internet office" is also going to become more prevalent and not everyone will have to rely on tourism and service industry to live here.
We see the DOT obstuctive to new building.
ReplyDeleteThe red tape quagmire. This is where the process needs to loosen up. It is hard enough as it is to be an entrepeneur in this town to then get obstructionist bylaws against sandwich boards amongst others. You kidding me.
And yes. Because I am sure that many over 50's think that all the young-uns bring to the community is partying. Well you know what? The DOT has also been obstructive to partying. There. I said it.
It is a lack of understanding that the people we make the majority of our money off of are tourists. A large chunk are young. They are on vacation. You know what, the age doesn't even matter. People like to party, Of course, amongst other activities that Tofino has to offer, because we all did not stay in Tofino for the partying. That is not the magic.
We have seen the Legion, Maquinna, the old beach fire, and coutless other recreational outlets close down over the last couple of years. There have been many frustrated promoters deciding that it is not worth the effort here.
Obstructionism is also bad for the budget. Because you do not need the DOT to finance festivals, theatres, etc. There are enough intelligent and passionate people in this community to create their own visions. Not rehashing the same; evolving. The DOT can facillitate by donating space (such as the mostly unused community hall and theatre or the village green). They can utilize their RMI money towards small empowering grants rather than huge festivals. Or no contribution at all, just not be obstructionist. No wasting money on no fun committees and police.
Yes there are negative aspects to partying. But I assure you, there will not be a riot at the legion due to an MC Hammer concert. That was in Penticton in '91. That is also the example given by the RCMP at their public community vision meeting to scare the public into accepting the no fun committee recommendations.
The negative aspects are few and far between and believe it or not, 99% of people do not like chaos.
.
sorry for the bad posting ralph. can you delete the repeats?
ReplyDelete7:29
ReplyDeleteWell put. Josie is a contemplative individual unlike our last two Mayors. This is a chance to try again. So please try...CAO needs to be qualified experienced and not a cast off from some other small community...lets look hard for the right fit for our little town.
Aaron should hold this position in the future but not yet. And a town of under $2000 should not be paying over 100k plus housing for the position. Lets adjust to fit our budget instead of raising taxes...again.
"Politics is like mowing the lawn you'd like to quit but the neighbors would complain."