What Goes Around, Comes Around... As If Tomlinson Cares

During the last term of council, then Councillor Paul Tomlinson and his Proudfoot cronies ran crying to the Ombudsman's Office at every opportunity demanding openness and transparency from Mayor Johnston and council. Fast forward to August 5th, 2011 and Mayor Tomlinson has to read out to the public a letter from that same Ombudsman's Office chastising him for 2 breaches; One breach of town by-laws, and one breach of the Municipal Act.

Tomlinson scoffed at the Ombudsman's findings saying it was "much to do about nothing". But Tomlinson's new-found disdain for the Ombudsman, by-laws, and the Municipal Act didn't stop there. This week Tomlinson called a "Special Council Meeting" without specifying the reason, which is a violation of Kearney's by-laws. And this "Special Meeting" will include a "closed session". But Tomlinson's not telling the public the reason for the closed session, which is a violation of the Municipal Act and the very thing the Ombudsman just finished chastising him for.

But Tomlinson doesn't give a rat's ass about the Ombudsman. He doesn't want the public coming out to this meeting and he's trying to advertise the meeting like there will be nothing to see, even though council will have to start the "open session" by explaining the reason for the "closed session" and then report again in an "open session" once the "closed session" has completed. 

And so the Ombudsman's Office will issue another admonishment and the Almaguin News will implore us all to just "Gee Whiz! Give them a chance, will ya!", 'cause Tomlinson's only been a member of council for the last five years and is still figuring things out, right?

Tomlinson and his Proudfoot cronies have been running slipshod over the rules, regulations, and the law since taking over council. And they're doing it with virtual impunity because the Ombudsman's Office is really all bark and no bite. They'll investigate this latest breach and write another polite letter, but in the end The Proudfoot Four will continue to do as they please and the people of Kearney will grumble behind closed curtains and do nothing.

Are You Surprised?