Remember This?

Robert A. Goodings

In October 2010, Paul Tomlinson supporter, fellow Proudfooter, and Sand Lake Property Owners Association Chairman Robert A. Goodings sent out this open letter, in which he speaks about "Us" and "Them" politics:

Then, in November 2010, another Paul Tomlinson supporter, and fellow Proudfooter Jim Skelton sent out this open letter in which he also speaks about divisiveness:

But In the fall of 2010, the Almaguin News also had some things to say about "Us" and "Them" politics:

"...it is with more than a little trepidation this week that we acknowledge the remarks of mayor-elect Paul Tomlinson from the Town of Kearney.

By highlighting how he built his electoral success by sowing and nurturing the seeds of anger amongst seasonal residents, Tomlinson has show a great deal of recklessness in that he is not afraid to play “us” and “them” politics in a small community. We find equally disturbing the manner in which he describes the way seasonal residents seemed determined to use the ballot box to punish local residents with a slate of their choosing.

Since Mr. Tomlinson couldn’t take the time to be gracious, we will take a moment to acknowledge the contributions made by incumbents Charlie Zummach, Mary Lesperance, Shirley Reeds and Bob Tilley. We have found all of these people to be hard workers for the betterment of the community not just in their roles with council but also in the many community groups and volunteer opportunities they have taken on and led. When we attended functions in Kearney we didn’t just find them in attendance but working hard in the kitchen, at registration tables or elsewhere to do their part to make events a success.

The newly elected members of Kearney council have some big shoes to fill and mayor-elect Tomlinson would do well to acknowledge as much.

With the start that he is off to in to his four years in office, we do not predict there will be any healing of rifts in the community of Kearney. We believe there is every reason to think that strife and fractiousness will be the hallmarks of his term.

We put it to you Mr. Tomlinson to prove us wrong."

Now, a year later, Mssrs Skelton and Goodings, and other once-vocal Proudfoot Property Association critics, like Dave Matson and Robert Pritchard are deafeningly silent. Where are the outraged letters about "Us" and "Them" politics now?

Are You Surprised?