Tomlinson Sells Out To Huntsville?

"Quick! Take a picture of me with Claude Doughty!"

Early in his term Mayor Paul Tomlinson eliminated Kearney's Economic Development Committee (along with the Roads Committee and Beautification Committee). On March 16th, 2012, Kearney's Economic Development Officer had finally had enough and quit in disgust. He was eagerly snapped up by Perry Township.

On the front page of this week's Huntsville Forester, we find the article entitled “Graphite Mine May Reopen,  Kearney facility could employ 80 people” and read how Mayor Tomlinson is now making deals with Huntsville’s Economic Development Officer and Grants Officer. Meanwhile, in this week's Almaguin News we read about Tomlinson and his boot-lick Councillor Louise Wadsworth sticking it to to two of Kearney's most promising businesses. (This is why we didn't get too excited about Councillor Wadsworth when we were told she stood around at the Dog-Sled Races). The main article is here, and a letter to the editor here.


So let's go through the facts, point by point:

• Tomlinson killed Kearney's Economic Development Committee (and others).
• Tomlinson ran off Kearney's Economic Development Officer (and others).
• Tomlinson, while still a councillor under Mayor Johnston, tried to obstruct the development of the graphite mine. (While the rest of council was trying to work out an equitable deal on how Ontario Graphite Ltd. would pay the back-taxes on the mine, Tomlinson wanted the town to simply run in and seize all their property. This would have eliminated any chance of the mine reopening. In the end, it turned out that Ontario Graphite didn't owe as much as Tomlinson thought.)
• From the very beginning, Tomlinson has made it clear that he will use any means to forward his own agenda at the expense of Kearney's townies (or Kearney's "trash", as he puts it).
• Tomlinson has done nothing to build relationships with the provincial or federal governments (he thoroughly managed to piss off our MP and MPP though) and has not procured any new grant money since coming into office.
• Huntsville's Economic Development and Grants Officer, John Finley, is employed by the Town of Huntsville.
• John Finley is now coordinating the deal between the graphite mine and FedNor for potential grants (because Tomlinson thoroughly managed to piss off our MP and MPP).
• Huntsville wants jobs for the residents of Huntsville.

Good work, Paul! The Town of Huntsville and their Economic Development Officer are working with Ontario Graphite and our federal and provincial governments to address employment opportunities and grant money for the Town of Huntsville. Meanwhile, Huntsville's Mayor Doughty thinks Kearney is a region. "The Kearney Region": a place where nobody lives or tries to make a living but rather an opportunity for Huntsville to help rectify Huntsville's unemployment situation. And our bumbling mayor is bragging that he'll be panting at Doughty's table in the hopes that some scraps might fall his way.


But, here's the big question:

WHERE THE HELL WAS THE REST OF KEARNEY'S TOWN COUNCIL WHEN TOMLINSON MADE THIS DEAL?

Did council approve this business relationship that Mayor Tomlinson has set up with Huntsville’s Mayor and his Economic Development Officer? We couldn't find anything in any of the council minutes.

If council didn’t approve the actions of Mayor Paul "Just-One-Voice" Tomlinson then Kearney has a big problem. Our Mayor has unilaterally committed the Town of Kearney to a very damaging and irreversible arrangement and council must demand the Mayor’s resignation. Anything short of Tomlinson's removal will ensure the Huntsville/Ontario Graphite deal remains in place to the severe and lasting detriment of Kearney.

So, Council of Kearney, we leave it to you to sort out this horrendous mess.

Are You Surprised?