10,000 Hits!

As of 4:00 PM, May 26, 2011, our blog has been viewed 10,000 times! And that doesn't included all the pre-election hits.

Our thanks to our loyal fans, especially all the concerned citizens of Kearney who have provided us with great information, photos, video, and well-wishes! We couldn't do it without you. Keep it coming!

Tomlinson Lies About Everything

At the March 12, 2011 "Town Hall Meeting", in his closing statement, Mayor Paul Tomlinson went to great lengths to state that there had never, ever, ever, EVER been any sort of cap/limit/restriction on the number of volunteers that would be allowed on each committee.

But then a Concerned Citizen sent us this:

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Are you surprised?

Tomlinson Still Bamboozling the Almaguin News

In the May 19, 2011 edition of the Almaguin News, Mayor Paul Tomlinson reported to Mary Beth Hartill that the municipal tax levy in Kearney was only going to be increased by 0.1%. This is typical Tomlinson bullshit. Tomlinson used to bamboozle Rob Learn with his fast and loose “facts”, now he’s doing the same to Mary Beth.

On the surface, the budget looks good with a minuscule increase of 0.1%. But if you read lines 302 through 308 of the 2011 budget you’ll see various grants listed under the 2010 column:

302: Roads and Bridges Grant – 175,000
304: Main Street Light Standards – 50,000
305: Build Canada Fund Grant – 400,000
306: Gas Tax Reserves – 50,000
307: Elderly Persons Centres Grant – 3,500
308: Taxes – 232,900

These numbers are pure fabrication. The real numbers for 2010 were:

302: Roads and Bridges Grant – 0
304: Main Street Light Standards – 0
305: Build Canada Fund Grant – 391,000
306: Gas Tax Reserves – 0
307: Elderly Persons Centres Grant – 0
308: Taxes – 0

Proudfoot Economics

So Tomlinson and his cronies tampered with the 2010 budget numbers to the tune of at least  $520,400.00. Why? So that it would appear that the 2011 budget increases the Tax Levy by only 0.1%, instead of reducing it by 9.5%.

But why wouldn’t the Proudfoot Four and their boot-lick Art Murdy want to crow about a 9.5% decrease in taxes?

Because operating costs for 2011 are up and the town’s income is down, creating a short-fall of about half a million dollars and the town cannot afford a 9.5% tax decrease! But the Proudfoot Four’s cottage association masters have demanded a 9.5% municipal tax decrease to offset their 9.5% property tax increase. “We paid to get you elected…”

You see, many of the Proudfoot Four’s fat-cat buddies had their waterfront properties reassessed and their property taxes went up by 38%. The provincial government, instead of hammering them for the increase all in one year, is phasing in the increase over 4 years at 9.5% per year. So by decreasing the municipal taxes by 9.5%, the Proudfoot cottagers break even.

But where will the money come from to make up the lost revenues? The reserves. Money that was saved in previous years through careful spending. And if the Proudfoot Four want to do the same thing again next year, they’ll deplete the reserves by at least another half a million. All so a few cottages don’t feel the pinch in their wallets. Kind of like dipping into your credit cards to pay your monthly bills… Eventually you’ll still have to pay the credit card bill.

That’s when the Proudfoot Four will increase taxes. So the shortfall that paid for the Proudfoot fat-cat cottagers will now be paid back by all residents of Kearney, meaning a much lower out-of-pocket expense for them and much higher out-of pocket expense for the town’s elderly, widowed, unemployed, etc. You might enjoy what appears to be an unchanged tax rate now, but in a couple of years you could see your taxes increase by 20% or more! The damage will be much worse if the Proudfoot Four decide to keep at for all 4 years of their term and leave the mess for the next council to clean up. That way they’ll be able to blame the next council when people start losing their homes. 

But it's not all bad news. Maybe in four years some of the Proudfoot Four's buddies will get to scoop up some cheap foreclosed Kearney properties.

In the meantime, the Proudfoot Four and wannabe Art Murdy will continue to try to baffle us with their numbers games (kinda like Wadsworth and Dingwall did during the election).

And Proudfoot rich get richer, while the Kearney poor get poorer.

Are you starting to see the real reason why the Proudfoot Four wanted control of the Town?

By the way: If you're okay with this, feel free to sit back and continue to do nothing. The Proudfoot Four are banking on it!

Who is Tim Brown

And why should you care?

Well, Tim Brown is a long-standing member of the Grass and Loon Lakes Residents Group (GLLRG) in Proudfoot. The GLLRG has, over the years, been governed by Mayor Paul Tomlinson, Councillor Barry Dingwall, and Councillor Steve Sainsbury. Mr. Brown has even been a guest in Mayor Tomlinson’s home.

At the July 10, 2010 GLLRG Annual General Meeting Mr. Brown asked for donations for the election campaigns of Steve Sainsbury and Barry Dingwall. Both Sainsbury and Dingwall listed Mr. Brown as their Campaign Fundraiser or Chief Financial Officer on their campaign brochures. Tim Brown also signed himself as Chairperson for the Committee to Elect Dingwall and Sainsbury on a flyer mailed out to the citizens of Kearney. (See below)

So what?

This is where the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act comes in. The Act requires that the Mayor and Councillors declare if they have a pecuniary interest in any business arising at council. "Pecuniary" basically means “relating to money”, so the conflict of interest could mean issues of employment, grants, sales, contracts, etc. involving a friend, associate, family member, etc. We’ve seen this happen on several occasions in the past as when then-Councillor Bob Tilley declared his pecuniary interest in the matter of the landfill attendant position because a family member was competing for the job. Or when Johnston and Zummach declared their pecuniary interest related to shore-road allowances. This meant that none would vote, or directly influence the votes of others at the council table. It’s just one key component in ensuring a fair and democratic process.

Again, so what?

Here’s the point of the story: At the Kearney Council Meeting on March 11, 2011, Scott Richards ("Agent/Contractor, Kearney/Timothy Brown, President Ethical Wealth Corporation, Mississauga") asked the mayor and council to waive the $1000.00 rezoning fee for a piece of property owned by Tim Brown (Part Lot 16, Concession 5, Part 3, 42R-11843, located at 4290 Chetwynd Road). The same Tim Brown we introduced above. When a member of the public asked Mayor Tomlinson, Councillor Dingwall, and Councillor Sainsbury if they had any association with Tim Brown of Proudfoot all three vehemently denied any relationship with him beyond mere acquaintance. They knew him, but hey, it’s a small town. The member of the public asked if any of them had ever done any sort of business with Brown, and again all three denied any relationship beyond that of acquaintance. Tomlinson even went to great lengths to skirt the issue of who the actual applicant was. When asked, Tomlinson gave a very vague response about the "Ethical Wealth Corporation". It was only when pressed that Tomlinson begrudgingly admitted it was Tim Brown. But a little public scrutiny from those dumb Kearney hicks wasn't going to slow them down and the Proudfoot Four proceeded to vote in favour of waiving the $1000.00 fee for their chum Tim Brown. So $1000.00 more in the pocket of a loyal Proudfooter - $1000.00 less in the town’s coffers.

Tim Brown: Personal guest, fellow GLLRG member, Chief Financial Officer, and Campaign Fundraiser suddenly becomes Tim Brown: Casual Acquaintance.

Did Tomlinson, Dingwall, and Sainsbury suddenly forget who Tim Brown is? Or did they lie to the public and other members of council so they could pull some strings for their Proudfoot buddy who helped them get elected?

Are you starting to see the real reason why the Proudfoot Four wanted control of the Town?

Footnotes: If you Google Tim Brown's "Ethical Wealth Corporation" you'll get ZERO results. Which makes us wonder about what's going on there...

A search for Scott Richards does bring up Richards Contracting. We'd love to know what Richards Contracting's connection is to Tim Brown and why Scott Richards made the request to council instead of Tim himself.

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Tomlinson Gives DingWall a Taste

Spectators got to enjoy some fireworks at the council meeting on May 13th.

As usual Councillor Barry Dingwall had taken zero interest in reviewing any of the material he had been given for the meeting and demonstrated it to everyone as soon as he opened his mouth. Tomlinson, who hadn't had Councillor Yvonne Wills to slap around (she was absent), popped his cork on Dingwall for "wasting council's time with stupid questions!"

Dingwall, who takes criticism almost as well as Tomlinson, lashed back and Tomlinson had to do a fast back-pedal. All to the delight of the audience who Ooh'd and Aah'd.

Don't worry Paul, Councillor Wills will be back in town soon enough and you'll be able to go back to bullying her.

As for Dingwall; Who can blame him for not reading any of the meeting briefs. What with him so busy volunteering and participating and all...

From the Mayor's Throne

One of Mayor Paul Tomlinson’s promises was to discontinue Mayor Johnston’s “From the Mayor’s Chair” and instead publish a quarterly “Report from Council”. Like many of Mayor Tomlinson’s campaign promises, the report never appeared. So, to help out His Worship, we’re providing a first edition to get him started.

Chief Building Official/Building Inspector

Kearney shared with Perry Township an excellent CBO, Paul Schaeffer, until Mayor Paul Tomlinson arbitrarily decided it was suddenly “the law” that the job be put out to tender. In one fell swoop Tomlinson managed to piss off Perry Township, Paul Schaeffer, and leave Kearney without a CBO/Building Inspector. Now because of Tomlinson’s arrogance, the town will have to hire its own full-time CBO, which will cost the Kearney taxpayer about $65,000 more a year: Paul Schaeffer cost the town about $35,000, minus about $25,000 generated by permit fees, so really just $10,000. But a full-time CBO will cost about $100,000 with still only about $25,000 generated by permit fees. So $75,000 a year of taxpayer money. $10,000 vs. $65,000 per year, or $40,000 vs. $260,000 over the term of this council. Kind of like paying a Financial Consultant $50,000 to do a Data-Entry Clerk’s job at a few meetings, eh Paul?


Volunteer Committees

The town of Kearney had several very successful volunteer committees, until Mayor Paul Tomlinson arbitrarily decided to cap the number of volunteers and dump more work on the Public Works department, or just cancel stuff completely. It was only after the Dog Sled Committee stormed the Bastille that Tomlinson did a quick back-pedal. But, when he was questioned about this at the public meeting in March, Tomlinson decided to insult everyone’s intelligence and lie about the whole affair.

Economic Development and Beautification Committees

Two more committees destroyed by Mayor Tomlinson. In this case the Mayor backed off (sort of) when a petition with hundreds of names was presented to him. The Beautification Committee was restored, but is now “Friends of Beautification” (whatever that means). The Economic Development Committee is now comprised of members of council only and their sole task is to determine whether Kearney needs economic development. Well, DUH. Hey, how about a Roads Committee to determine whether Kearney needs roads, Paul?


Volunteer Appreciation

It’s no secret that Mayor Paul Tomlinson has never attended a Volunteer Appreciation dinner in his life, and his recent decimation of all the volunteer committees sent the message loud and clear about how he truly feels about anyone who might steal some of his glory. But, once again, after public outcry, Tomlinson did a fast back-pedal.

Now, in past years, to show their appreciation for the volunteers, the mayor, council, and members of the public would roll up their sleeves and volunteer their time to prepare and serve food and drink at the dinner. But the Proudfoot Four would never lower themselves to serving those icky Townies (Dingwall didn’t get elected to be a Social Butterfly, you know), so Tomlinson decided to spend $3500 of taxpayer money on caterers instead. But his half-assed effort to cobble together some kind of last-minute appreciation dinner fell through. Oh well, eh Paul?

As for Kearney's Veterans... Well, Dingwall made it very clear how he felt about them.


2011 Budget

We’ve already covered this in detail, so here are the key points:

To create the zero tax increase their masters demand the Proudfoot Four must deplete the Reserve (emergency) Fund, which could bankrupt the town in four years. The next council will have to increase taxes by double-digits. Pay a little now, or a lot later…

And remember Tomlinson’s promise to "give direction to town staff on the 2011 budget within 60 days"? Sounded mighty impressive at the All Candidate’s meeting, but it really amounted to Tomlinson telling the staff, “Hey, cut 5%!” No wonder he wanted a full 60 days to come up with that; it’s pure genius!


Ice and Snow Removal

In January, the Kearney Seniors Club wrote to Mayor Paul Tomlinson asking that the sidewalks on Main Street and Rain Lake Road be cleared of ice and snow. Kearney’s elderly and disabled were being forced to walk on the road as logging trucks rumbled past. Not only did Mayor Tomlinson not bother to have to sidewalks cleared, he didn’t even acknowledge the request until well into April! At last report, Tomlinson was having lawyers (at $300 an hour of taxpayer money) look into whether the town had to do it or not. What Tomlinson doesn’t seem to care about is how catastrophic a slip or fall could be for an elderly or disabled citizen, or how expensive the subsequent lawsuit could be for the town. So will Tomlinson have the ice and snow cleared next winter? Well, there’s nothing in the 2011 Budget. Fortunately, we have Reserve Funds in case the sidewalks do have to be cleared… oh, wait…

Photo courtesy of the Kearney Senior's Club

Fire Safety Board

Mayor Paul Tomlinson restaffed the Fire Safety Board with his pals who have absolutely no fire-fighting knowledge whatsoever, except for the Fire Chief. But wait! To ensure that policies totally lack any intelligence Tomlinson also removed the Fire Chief’s right to vote.

Other “Accomplishments” of the Proudfoot Four

• Revenue-generating initiatives – Score: ZERO
• Participating in community committees, organizations, and projects – Score: ZERO
• Snubbing MPP Norm Miller and MP Tony Clement at the Dog Sled Races – Score: MINUS 1
• Lying about it – Score: MINUS 1
• Cancelling the Economic Development Committee – Score: MINUS 1
• Trying to vote down the Dog Sled Races, Regatta, etc. – Score: MINUS 1
• Not informing the general public of meetings, but personally inviting the Proudfoot Associations (Although some uppity Townies blew the whistle and spoiled their fun!) – Score: MINUS 1
• Same approach for the 2011 Budget meeting, ensuring that no one shows up to criticize their super-awesome-amazing budget. – Score: MINUS 1
• Cancelling the Lord’s Prayer – Score: MINUS 1
• More secret meetings. The latest in an attempt at damage-control over the CBO issue, because even Tomlinson is realizing that paying $260,000 of taxpayer money to have someone sit around twiddling their thumbs is about the stupidest thing you could imagine. – Score: MINUS 1

We could go on, but you get the idea. And the newspapers have certainly covered all this enough times. In less than six months, Mayor Tomlinson has managed to create more damage and destruction, on so many fronts, we can only wonder if besides being an arrogant bully and all around asshole, if he isn’t grossly incompetent as well. Tomlinson never takes responsibility for his actions, blames council for his stupid mistakes, and outright lies.

Petition for Resignation

There’s a petition circulating asking for Mayor Tomlinson’s resignation. Many have felt we needed to give Mayor Tomlinson time to demonstrate his true worth and it was too soon to be demanding his resignation.

But ask yourself this:

If the first six months is an example of what we can expect over the next three and a half years, can the Town of Kearney afford Mayor Tomlinson and his Proudfoot cronies? If your answer is NO, then sign the petition for Mayor Tomlinson’s resignation. But if you like the idea of a bankrupt town, a mayor that caters to the Proudfoot property owners associations, a mayor that opposes events like the Dog Sled Race and Regatta, a mayor who cares nothing for Kearney's seniors, volunteers, or veterans, a mayor who never participates in town organizations or events, a mayor who puts personal loyalties above town safety, and a huge tax increase in four years, then feel free to do nothing.

Hee hee! Stupid Townies!

Kearney Bankrupt in Four Years

Once again we’re seeing Proudfoot fiscal policy in action.

First, a bit of background:

The Proudfoot Four (Mayor Paul Tomlinson and Councillors Steve Sainsbury, Louise Wadsworth, and Barry Dingwall) got into office with the support of at least two Proudfoot residents associations, one of which the Four have, at various times, held executive positions or been members. This was made possible after Sainsbury and Dingwall canvassed the OMB to abolish the ward system, allowing the Proudfoot Four to take control of all of Kearney, instead of just Proudfoot.

While running, their main platform was the “outrageously high” taxes in Kearney. As some might recall, at the All Candidate’s meeting, Dingwall finally admitted that he had really been quoting "outrageously high" Property Tax rates (which are controlled by the province, not the town) and not Municipal Tax rates. It wasn’t much more than a begrudged mumble so most probably missed it. To date, Louise Wadsworth has refused to admit that she just made her tax numbers up. If you can't dazzle them with brilliance...

But now that the Proudfoot Four are in power, they have to make good on their promises to the residents associations who funded them. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to be looking past their 4-year term and are planning to make some fiscal decisions that will impact Kearney long after they’ve jumped ship.

Take, for example, the new 2011 budget. In order to allow a zero tax increase, the Proudfoot Four will be drawing on the town’s Reserve Funds. This is the very thing that a municipality must not do! Reserve Funds are created in case of emergency, like a road or bridge washes out, a public works vehicle needs costly repairs or replacement, etc. Kind of an insurance plan. But if the reserves are depleted, the Town would have to borrow money in an emergency.

So the Proudfoot Four are gambling. Gambling in the same way as if you decided to stop paying your home insurance to save money, hoping that nothing bad ever happens.

On paper, a zero tax increase will look great to the average tax-payer, but the Devil’s in the details. If the Proudfoot Four vote to deplete the Reserves just to please their Proudfoot masters the Town will be bankrupt in four years. That means the next council will have to raise municipal taxes by double-digits just to stay afloat!

But on April 8^th, 2011, Mayor Paul Tomlinson wrote:

“Tidied up Kearney budget yesterday - our ratepayers will be pleased!!”

Pleased, until the bullshit runs out and it’s time to pay the cheque in four years.

We all know that Tomlinson is an arrogant bully, but now we have to wonder about his competence. Sorry, Paul. But bullshit will only get you so far…

Are you surprised?

And still waiting...

Remember this?

Further, you should be aware that I have copies of your blog since inception and unless this blog is taken down within the the next 24hrs its contents will be referred to my legal councel[sic] .

Regards

Paul H. Tomlinson
Mayor
Corporation of The Town of Kearney 

And then what, Paul? 

Tomlinson wrote that almost two months ago and we still haven't heard from his legal counsel, the OPP, the RCMP, or anyone else he's threatened us with over the last year or so.

So, what's our point (other than rubbing Tomlinson's nose in it)? We have two:

You can stand up to bullies like Paul Tomlinson.


And if he can't dazzle you with brilliance, Paul Tomlinson with try to baffle bully you with bullshit.

 It might work on most people, Paul, but we're still here and we're not going anywhere. And we're starting to figure out what you and the Proudfoot Weak-enders are up to...

Stay Tuned.

(This is going to get interesting)

Why Kearney Has to Hire Its Own CBO

In the April 28, 2011 print edition (not available online) of the Almaguin News (Page 5), Mary Beth Hartill has written an article on why building services negotiations have ground to a halt. It's a well written article but it can be a bit tough chewing through Mayor Paul Tomlinson's double-talk (or outright B.S.).


So let's see if we can sift out the facts. (Some of this has already been covered.)

Kearney used to share Chief Building Officer Paul Schaeffer with Perry Township.

Tomlinson told council that "it's the law" that the town advertise the CBO position when the contract expires. We've already established that that was total B.S.

Tomlinson, who nobody outside of Proudfoot likes anyway, completely disrespected Perry Mayor John Dunn by not bothering to let him know that Kearney was looking elsewhere for a CBO. (Burned bridge number 1).

Tomlinson, after reading our blog, sees the potential PR fallout of paying triple for CBO services at the taxpayer's expense and starts canvassing other municipalities for shared services.

After realizing that no other municipality will do business with him, Tomlinson goes sucking back to Perry township and Paul Schaeffer. Paul Schaeffer makes it well known that he'd rather quit than work for Tomlinson again. (Burned bridge number 2)

Mayor Dunn, diplomatically, cites the loss of their building inspector as the reason they'll no longer negotiate CBO services with Kearney. 'Cause that building inspector was the very last of his kind, so there are no more... anywhere... forever. Tough luck, Paul.

So Kearney is back to having to hire a full-time CBO at TRIPLE the cost to the Kearney taxpayer.

But according to Tomlinson, MAYBE we'll be able to contract out to another municipality, and MAYBE the CBO can do the By-law Enforcement job, too.

And MAYBE Tomlinson will stop being such an asshole and pissing off other mayors and town staff and bull-shitting the public.

In the meantime, the Proudfoot Four have promised their masters a reduction in taxes this year...

Stay Tuned.

Tell Them How They Are Doing

Love 'em? Hate 'em? Let them know...

Councillor Yvonne Wills:  cricket8@xplornet.com
Deputy Mayor Art Murdy:  amurdy@bradleycoredrilling.com
Councillor Louise Wadsworth:  louiseinkearney@gmail.com
Councillor Steve Sainsbury:  stevesainsbury1@gmail.com
Councillor Barry Dingwall:  barryinbarrie@yahoo.ca
Councillor Ken Ball: kb1174@gmail.com
Mayor Paul Tomlinson:  kearneytomlinson@gmail.com or kearneytomlinson@sympatico.ca or kearneydemocracy@hotmail.ca

(Listed by voter popularity)

Barry Dingwall: Doesn't Live Here, Doesn't Want to Know You

Recently in the Almaguin News, when asked why he never attends Kearney social events, Councillor Barry Dingwall said:

"I ran for the job to be a councillor, not to be a social butterfly. There is no secret to the fact that I don’t live in Kearney all year round and can’t always be at these functions."

Don't live here. Don't want to know you. But, I'm more than happy to make uninformed decisions that will affect the lives of the people who actually live in Kearney. And why should I care if I screw up? I live in Mississauga.

That's what we're hearing.

Which begs the question: 

Why did you get on the town council, Barry?

Pauldo Responds

Mayor Paul Tomlinson, an avid reader of our blog, had this response to our criticizing him for not showing up to the Heritage Day Dinner:

“I noticed that I was criticized for not being at the heritage dinner but unknown to the staff I was in Toronto at a head of council training meeting, I was meeting our lawyer, and it was impossible for me to make that dinner.”

"I'm a big boy!"

Training meeting or meeting the lawyer... Either would have been fine, no need to dogpile, Paul.

But, we would be a lot more forgiving of your absence if you otherwise regularly attended town events. Unfortunately, that's not the case and this is just another half-ass, mumbled excuse for not having to rub elbows with They-Who-Are-Not-From-Proudfoot.

This Just In...

Just when we thought we really might just be a "small number of smaller people, mentally speaking*", the editors of the Almaguin News wrote this.

Are You Surprised?

*Barry Dingwall, Kearney councillor and faithful Blog reader, in an interview with the Almaguin News.

You CAN Fight City Hall!

We don't know if it's our blog or the petition being circulated for Mayor Paul Tomlinson's resignation, but the Proudfoot Four (and their sycophant Art Murdy) were playing a very different tune at the Council meeting on Friday, March 11th.

As you might recall, Council (i.e. the weak-end members) had voted against this years' Regatta, ending a 60-plus year tradition. Instead, Kearney residents would have had to come to the Sand Lake (Proudfoot) Regatta in the hopes that the people of Proudfoot would let the Townies join in their reindeer games.

But, following a groundswell from the real citizens of Kearney, who have had just about enough of Tomlinson, Council voted unanimously on Friday for the Kearney Regatta to go ahead, including the street dance and beer garden.

Of course, Barrie resident, Councillor Barry Dingwall had to remind everyone of the Proudfoot Four's real feelings about Townie events when he tabled the motion to have councillors assigned to attend events. Dingwall assumed that the other councillors felt as he does and would have to be ordered to attend a minimum number of events. Councillor Yvonne Wills raised the point that councillors, as representatives of the citizens of Kearney, should make every effort to at least attend every town event, if not pitch in and help out. Councillors shouldn't just have to meet a minimum quota. As the people of Kearney (or at least the ones that actually live in Kearney) know, Councillor Wills has attended virtually every event, even prior to entering town politics. Can Mayor Paul Tomlinson or his bootlick, Deputy Mayor Art Murdy claim the same?

Council's reversal on the Regatta surprised us, but on the rest of it...

Are You Surprised?

Peeping Tomlinson

Tee Hee!

We've been thinking about it, and does anyone else find it creepy that Mayor Paul Tomlinson likes to secretly photograph people?

And...

Are You Surprised?

Tomlinson Closes In

It's been a lot of fun watching Mayor Paul Tomlinson play Inspector Clouseau as he tries to guess who the Concerned Citizens of Kearney are. He's threatened us with the OPP, RCMP, his legal counsel, and a rampaging mob of Proudfooters carrying torches and pitchforks.

His latest bit of sleuthing follows hot on the heels of our last article with an email to Concerned Citizens.

Here's what he wrote:

Dear Usual Suspect: you finally have bitten off more than you can chew. Tonight’s blog  has come to my attention.

I am attaching a copy of two photos taken of you [by Tomlinson himself, no less] video taping the All Candidates meeting and therefore my address to you this evening of [Usual Suspect]. You were in fact the ONLY person video taping the All Candidates meeting. In addition to sitting on the front row you moved along the side wall later in the proceeding as you were in need of a power source.

I am also sending along a copy from the January 14, 2011  Council minutes as follows:

BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Kearney has prepared the following direction for the 2011 budget:

1.  That presentation of the 2009 Audit to Council occur as soon as possible;

2.  That a Municipal Finance Information session for Council be arranged as soon as possible, including the role of the budgetary control document, as well as debt and reserves statement, capital plan of 2010, Roads needs study, 518 project outline, and bridge report;

3.  That a draft budget be prepared with operating costs to be reduced by 5% from 2010 budget numbers in the following departments: Council, General Administration, Administration Office operations, Fire Department, First Response, Community Centre and Public Works. NOTE: Capital expenditures and transfers to reserves are not included in this target number;

4.  That each department will detail the changes proposed to manage this change to the Budget Ad Hoc Committee;

5.  That the draft budget be prepared and provided to the Budget Ad Hoc Committee by February 23, 2011.

CARRIED
              

I am expecting an IMMEDIATE apology and retraction.

Further, you should be aware that I have copies of your blog since inception and unless this blog is taken down within the the next 24hrs its contents will be referred to my legal councel[sic] .

Regards

Paul H. Tomlinson
Mayor
Corporation of The Town of Kearney
8 Main Street
Kearney , ON P0A 1M0

705 636-1608

kearneytomlinson@gmail.com 

By God, Holmes! You've done it again!

But 'allo, whot's all this then...? We see the guys in the front row with the video camera, but what do you suppose those other good citizens are up to, Sherlock?

Dash it all! Foiled again, Watson!

But all kidding aside, Paul old boy; Are we supposed to interpret the resolution you included as your "direction  to our staff for the 2011 budget"?

"Hey, you staff, go make a... a... budget! Yah, that's it, a budget! And um... uh... cut 5% somehow so people will think I'm great! Chop, chop!"

Wow! None of us dumb Townies could have come up with that in 60 days! We totally apologize, Paul!

Seriously?

That's your idea of going "one further"? We could have gone you "one further" and come up with that while you were still cramming your face full of inauguration cake.

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But on a more positive note: We'd like to give a shout out to all the concerned citizens (nudge, nudge) who have been sending us their pictures, videos, and insider info. We couldn't do it without you! Especially those guys in the front row! Or was it the guy in the back? No, wait...

---

And a special thanks to Mayor Paul Tomlinson, who apparently has been a faithful follower and blog scrap-booker: Thanks for making this all too easy, Paul!

Anyway, gotta run! INTERPOL and a bunch of Mexican Federales just kicked our door in.

More Broken Campaign Promises

During the All Candidates meeting last Fall, the mayoral candidates were asked what the people of Kearney could hold them accountable for having completed within their first 90 days in office. Candidate Frank Herron offered his commitments and stated he would resign if he could not meet those commitments within the 90 days.

Candidate Paul Tomlinson, now our illustrious mayor, took his turn and, not to be upstaged, pledged:

"I'll go you one further. I'll tell you, in 60 days this is what I will do: I will give direction to our staff for the 2011 budget."

You can watch the clip on YouTube.

So, Mayor Paul Tomlinson was sworn into office on December 4, 2010. 

60 days later: No direction to staff for the 2011 budget.

90 days later: No direction to staff for the 2011 budget.

You lied, Paul. In your arrogance, you bragged that you would get the job done in 60 days instead 90. But 60 days, and 90 days, have come and gone. Will you do the honourable thing and resign as promised? Or were your campaign promises just more bullshit?

We're banking on more bullshit.

Are you surprised?

Tomlinson Boycotts Heritage Day Dinner

We'd like to thank Mayor Paul Tomlinson for making the Heritage Day Dinner at the Kearney Community Centre a fabulous success by failing to show up.

Once again, it's "Where's Pauldo" as Tomlinson snubs the townspeople of Kearney. Rumour has it he was too busy goose-stepping around his living-room with his Chain of Office to take the time to rub elbows with those icky Townies.

Councillor Barry Dingwall almost wrecked the evening by showing up, but fortunately he high-tailed it back to Proudfoot as soon as he realized he wasn't going to get a free meal without having to roll up sleeves and help out.

On a more positive note: The rest of the councillors really pitched in and the evening was a great success! Councillor Steve Sainsbury deserves a special mention for his ever-increasing community spirit. He's been pleasantly surprising us since the election and he really seems to be making an effort to show that he has ALL of Kearney's interests at heart. But we're still a bit gun-shy about the company he keeps. 

Keep proving us wrong, Steve!

As for Tomlinson's no-show...

Are you surprised?

But Where Are The SEASONAL Residents?

In an article in the Almaguin News, Mayor Paul Tomlinson said: 

"[Weekend meetings] was a big issue that was in my campaign platform and we heard from the public, in no uncertain terms, if we are to [be] open and transparent Wednesday afternoon at 1 pm does not allow residents of Kearney to attend the council meetings."

Well, there have been three regular council meetings and not a single seasonal resident has shown up. 

So either Tomlinson was lying about having "heard from the public, in no uncertain terms", or his adoring public had turned their backs on him even before his first council meeting.

Tough call.

Are you surprised?

Mayor Paul Tomlinson really HATES the Kearney Fire Department

It began years ago when Tomlinson held the new firetruck for ransom when council wanted Jim Skelton to resign from the Capital Management sub-committee. You can read up on that here. Then there was the incident with volunteer firefighter Frank Colley responding to an emergency in Perry Township. As you recall, Colley helped save two senior citizens and their dog, but got chewed out for leaving his job at the community centre to do it.

So what is Tomlinson up to now?

A bit of background first: The Fire Board is an advisory committee to council on matters of fire safety for the town. During the last term, Kearney's Fire Board consisted of the Fire Chief, the Fire Captain, and two members of council, Bob Tilley and Charlie Zummach. Tilley and Zummach were both appointed to the board primarily because they are ex-firefighters and fire safety instructors, as opposed to their just being councillors. Makes sense right?

Okay. Here’s Tomlinson’s new Fire Board:

• The Fire Chief. But, the Fire Chief will not be allowed to vote.
• Two of Tomlinson’s lackeys from council who have zero firefighting knowledge or experience.
• One member of the public, appointed by Tomlinson, who is also without any firefighting experience or knowledge.

But maybe they were the only ones to volunteer to sit on the new board?

Nope. Tilley and Zummach volunteered, as did several other Kearney residents with firefighting experience. But none were Proudfoot-approved so were rejected.

So, a Fire Board where the only knowledgeable member has been gagged, leaving three votes, two of which we know will vote as Tomlinson dictates. 

A bit of revenge for the Fire Department taking exception to Jim Skelton’s slandering the Fire Chief last term, or just another example of Mayor Paul Tomlinson trying to control and micromanage everything in Kearney?

Either way, you better hope he likes you if your house catches fire.

Are you surprised?

How Can You Tell When Paul Tomlinson Is Lying?

His lip are moving.

It's an old joke, but sadly an apt description of Kearney's mayor.

At the last council meeting a member of the public asked Tomlinson why he had abandoned VIP's Tony Clement and Norm Miller at the Dog Sled Races. Tomlinson, in response, didn't try to justify his absence, but chose instead to just lie. 

Let's look at the closing ceremonies. Mayor Paul Tomlinson, typically wearing his Chain of Office like a pompous ass, introduced MPP Norm Miller to the crowd and it went something like this:

Tomlinson: "Let me introduce Norm Miller, MPP for Muskoka."

Miller: "Thank you, Paul. But let me just correct that; I'm the MPP for Muskoka AND Parry Sound."

Tomlinson, who hates to be corrected, stomped off and went home. Seriously. He just stomped off without another word.

But! According to Tomlinson, when questioned at the council meeting, he and Miller (and Clement) hung out all weekend, watching the races, having dinner, and generally being the best of pals. 

Sorry, Paul, but unlike you, we were there.

Are you surprised?

The End of the Kearney Regatta?

Well, it looks like the Proudfoot Four and their sycophant Art Murdy have finally been able to do what Mayor Paul Tomlinson and Councillor Louise Wadsworth have been trying to do for years:

"BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Kearney approves the Event 2011 Regatta and further that the format be preserved as it had been in 2010 and previous years.   

Recorded vote requested by Councillor Wills

Ken Ball – Yea
Barry Dingwall – Nay
Arthur Murdy – Nay
Steve Sainsbury – Absent
Louise Wadsworth – Nay
Yvonne Wills – Yea
Paul Tomlinson – Nay

DEFEATED"

Are you surprised?

Once Again...

At this year's Kearney Dog Sled races, many members of the new council were on hand to help out with setting up, working the kitchen, staffing the tracks, and cleaning up afterwards.

Mayor Paul Tomlinson on the other hand managed to be available only for the Opening Ceremonies and Closing Ceremonies. The rest of the time he was nowhere to be seen. He certainly wasn't rubbing elbows with any of the Townies or guests.

MP Tony Clement not only attended the Opening Ceremonies, but joined the locals for breakfast in the Community Centre and watched the races.

MPP, Norm Miller attended the Closing Ceremonies on Sunday and stayed for the spaghetti dinner.

So where was Pauldo?

One of the prime responsibilities of the Mayor is to represent his town and be an attentive host to special guests. Instead, Mayor Tomlinson virtually boycotted the entire event, save the opening and closing photo-ops. Messrs Clement and Miller had to fend for themselves when they attended the races and community events. Nice manners, Paul.

But we did notice that Mayor Tomlinson busted out the Chain of Office and bent over backwards strutting his stuff for his personal friends from the U.K. who were visiting. He probably gave them all autographed photos of himself carrying the Olympic torch through someone else's town.

Tony Clement and Norm Miller have been huge supporters of the Town of Kearney and much of the improvements and funding over the years have been because of their continued goodwill and friendship. We owe both a sincere apology for Mayor Tomlinson's inexcusably  rude and selfish behaviour. 

Are you surprised? 

Incompetent or Malicious?

If you happened to peruse the Classified section of the February 10, 2011 edition of the Almaguin News you might have noticed that the Town of Kearney is looking to hire a Chief Building Officer (CBO). This follows a resolution tabled by Mayor Paul Tomlinson at the January 28th council meeting.

Tomlinson has screwed up here in several ways:

• First, Tomlinson told council (and about 50 members of the public) “it’s the law” that the town advertise the position of CBO whenever the term of contract expires. This is a lot of hooey. Kearney has always shared CBO services with Perry Township and it is allowable under the Procurement By-Law to just renew the contact. Tomlinson either doesn’t know what he’s talking about or he’s deliberately misleading council and the public.
• Next, Tomlinson should have discussed this in a “closed session” as protocol requires. You don't discuss staffing issues in a public session and Tomlinson knows it. But, Tomlinson has an aversion to closed sessions, because the Ombudsman’s Office has been scrutinizing Tomlinson’s abuse of the process and continues to monitor him. (Remember those secret meetings a while back?) Now he just circumvents proper procedure to keep the Ombudsman off his back.
• And Tomlinson slapped Mayor Dunn of Perry Township in the face by failing to discuss the tender before going public. Kearney and Perry share the CBO and it would have been just common courtesy to let Mayor Dunn know what was going on instead of letting him read about it in the newspaper.
• Currently CBO services cost Kearney about $30,000 to 35,000 a year. Hiring its own CBO would cost Kearney tax-payers about double that (CBO’s are high-demand and don’t work part-time. At least not ones that are any good). Tomlinson says he plans to enter into an agreement with a neighbouring township thereby splitting the cost. But the only neighbouring township that qualifies for sharing the cost is Perry Township and Tomlinson has just burned that bridge. Why would Mayor Dunn want to set himself up to be burned again? This means that Kearney will have to pay for a full-time CBO who will never have more than a part-time workload. Weren’t the Proudfoot Four screaming about over-staffing not too long ago?

Proudfoot fiscal responsibility in action once again.

Or are we starting to see some of that payback Tomlinson has been planning against staff who filed harassment complaints against him last term? Incompetence or malicious intent… Either way:

Are you surprised?

Tomlinson Shows That He Can Suck And Blow At The Same Time

Have a look at this article in the Almaguin News and see how many contradictions you can spot.

Looking for Volunteers

Kearney Councillor Louise Wadsworth's blog says that council is looking for volunteers for various committees. 

But, even if you've already been a well-established volunteer, you'll have to be screened by Mayor Tomlinson and his Proudfoot masters before you're allowed to continue. Sure, your years of selfless service to your community will count for something, but ultimately if the Proudfoot Four don't feel that you're worthy, you'll be out, Townie!

Let's consider the Town Beautification Committee. This committee has boasted the most volunteers of all of Kearney's committees. Volunteers provided everything from architectural drawings for the town dock to the watering of flower planters on main street. to panoramic photos that adourn the Community Centre. Maybe Wadsworth didn't notice, but at the last council meeting Mayor Paul Tomlinson disbanded the Town Beautification Committee stating that Public Works can do the job better. So it you end up wondering why the potholes aren't being filled it's because the roads department is watering flower pots or putting up seasonal decorations at the Community Centre. Awesome use of resources, Paul! 

But hey! Mayor Johnston used to help with the decorations, so maybe Mayor Tomlinson will cover that. Yah. Right.

So the dissolution of the Beatification Committee must be what Wadsworth means (in Proudfoot-speak) by:

"The council had some interesting discussions regarding the makeup and number of committees."

And let's not forget that Wadsworth and Tomlinson were the only ones to vote AGAINST a $300 donation from the Town toward a plaque honouring Kearney's Veterans, to be presented at the 2010 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner (An event that Tomlinson has never attended). Wow! A whole $300!?! Jeez, Paul, next time, just ask us; We'll write you a cheque.

And don't overlook the small print on Wadsworth's blog:

"The committees can be revised as council see[sic] the need."

In other words, if the volunteers, or their committees, don't march to Tomlinson's drum, they're out!

No wonder they can't find volunteers.

Are you surprised?

Former Mayor Johnston Speaks Out

Quite fittingly, this was just posted on the CottageCountryNow (Almaguin News) website:

To the Editor:

Comments by newly elected Mayor of Kearney, Paul Tomlinson have always been critical of the previous council, both pre and post election. Some take great offence to Tomlinson’s negative and nasty style, and in the Almaguin News Editorial of Oct. 28, “To those who chose to run, we thank you,” the Editor was so disgusted with Tomlinson, he rose to the defence of former council members and wrote some very supportive and deserving words.

Before I go on I would like to echo some of the Editorial’s sentiments and say that members of the former council, excluding those on the current council, are some of the most dedicated, fair-minded, and caring individuals I have ever had the pleasure to know. Their efforts, coupled with wonderful staff and our many, many volunteers, have resulted in a significant betterment of our community.

What was accomplished over the past four years is history so, you may ask, why bother at this point to respond to Mayor Tomlinson’s consistently destructive diatribes? Well, there are several reasons:

§   As stated above, the dedicated councillors of the 2006-2010 Council, staff, and volunteers do not deserve the treatment they have and are receiving form Mayor Tomlinson. He has claimed he was misquoted, or misunderstood, in the Oct. 28, Almaguin News article (Seasonals clinch mayor’s race). Well Mayor Tomlinson, you have had every opportunity to correct the record and have not done so. Your silence speaks volumes.

§   The new council has begun with a fair amount of misinformation regarding property taxes, financial management, and the town’s organizational structure. Tomlinson has been in office one month (but his council experience is four years) and his total focus has been at the micromanagement level; dictating to staff what should be in their budgets, time and motion studies to determine office efficiencies, and internal procedures. There is no vision. The macro view is nonexistent, and critical areas of importance such as economic development and betterment of the community are, at best, on the backburner. Tomlinson has not learned from his 2009 experience when he was chair of the budget committee and racked up a significant and unnecessary cost to the taxpayers. In 2010, we kept Tomlinson out of the process and budget meetings went from 14 to three and property taxes in 2010 were reduced by 3%.

§   There were a number of initiatives underway by the previous council, which, by gauging Tomlinson’s attitude, these initiatives will be allowed an early death. Such initiatives include;

a)     Financial assistance from the Province for Kearney road maintenance. Kearney is the only municipality in the area whose arterial roads are not funded or partially funded by the Province. This means all costs are borne by the property taxpayer and to mitigate this, it is critical that the Mayor establish and maintain a working relationship with various provincial ministries and to encourage continuing discussions on partnering and cost sharing.

b)    Pursuit of a wind turbine farm in Butt Township. The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, and Forestry have expressed interest and have assigned staff to work on the project. Tomlinson will now be front and centre to move this project forward. Key benefits are economic, environmental, growth.

c)     Property Tax Review. The Property Tax Ad Hoc Committee (2007) needs to be resurrected to pursue issues of provincial downloading and to explore revenue generating ideas, eg fees and fines, sale of shore road allowances, community festivals, economic development. Trying to address property tax issues through the budget process is a fool’s errand and more of an exercise in slash and burn.

d)    Town Beautification. Main Street has been revitalized and the town dock is being replaced. Landscaping opportunities including the Kearney Community Centre and town dock area, expansion out to other parts of Town, replace Sand Lake boat ramp and dock, general community vibrancy need to be maintained. Funding opportunities need to be pursued.

e)     Expansion of fire protection and emergency service facilities to Proudfoot.

f)     Economic Development and Community Prosperity – new businesses are opening, existing businesses are expanding, new and upgrade construction is active, and it is time for Kearney to actively promote to the world.

Unfortunately Tomlinson’s Campaign material and any of his remarks, and frankly his behaviour over the past four years, do not bode well for the above. With the exception of wanting to “promote… retail and manufacturing…” Tomlinson’s focus has been entirely on administrative issues/micromanagement, restoring the mail-in vote, budgets, time and motion studies. No vision. No grasp of the big picture.

I hope Mayor Tomlinson proves me wrong, and he can do so by starting with a public apology to former councillors. I, of course, will be more than willing to help him if he is willing, and to guide him along the way.


Jeff Johnston

Former Mayor of Kearney

Jim Skelton Offers Up Another 2 Cents

Jim Shelton writes:

It would be helpful to many if the editor(s)/author(s) of this so-called BLOG would reveal his, her or their names. While a BLOG can be a useful vehicle for the democratic expression of views, thoughts or ideas, if misused it can be a vehicle for defamatory or near defamatory statements.

For example, the comment in the most recent BLOG on the 2011 Budget as follows: "Tomlinson also mentions how "the committee" handled the purchase of the firetruck. Does he mean the same firetruck HIS ad hoc budgetary committee held for ransom when Council moved to have Tomlinson's buddy, Jim Skelton resign from that same committee for publicly libelling the town's fire chief? That firetruck, Paul?"

In fact, Council defeated the requested motion. Council obviously disagreed with the interpretation of one individual volunteer firefighter complainant. The Fire Dept. acquired a better truck, more suited to its needs at the time. The work done by a private citizen [Jim's talking about himself here], on his own time and at his own expense, should be applauded rather than denigrated.

What is important to realize in 2008-2009, the state of Kearney's financial management was in complete and utter disarray. Staff had not kept proper records and/or implemented all required budgetary and financial management tools. This is why it took so long to produce final financial statements for 2 to 3 years running!

And that brings me to my main point. This BLOG appears to be nothing more than a clandestine vehicle for a future re-run by a past Mayor, to flog the same old horse(s) and to publicly disparage any current Mayor, Councillor or member of the community (whether permanent or seasonal) should he or she happen to disagree with his agenda! Campaign material can be distributed in an election period only. This BLOG is a clear attempt to circumvent the rules....sooner or later the good citizens of Kearney are going to catch on to the real purpose of this so-called BLOG and it will disappear! The BLOGGER(S) should just come to Council like everyone else did in the last term of Council to voice their concerns, to advise his, her or their comments directly and to receive on-the-record responses from the current "elected" Council. Until he, she or they do this, their remains a real or perceived lack of legitimacy to this BLOG!

Well, yes Jim, Council did defeat the motion to demand your resignation, because your buddy Paul threatened to withhold funding from the budget for the new firetruck. Council didn't agree with your libellous statement; They simply didn't want to jeopardize the safety of the people of Kearney just to punish you for being an asshole. (Didn't we cover this already?)

As for being a "clandestine vehicle for a future re-run by a past Mayor", "a clear attempt to circumvent the rules", blah, blah, blah: We suggest you ask Sheriff Tomlinson how his "RCMP investigation" into our blog is coming along. We expect our door to be kicked in any minute now, so we suggest you relax and go back to working on your next genealogical update that we're sure everyone in town is breathlessly awaiting.

And Hey! Thanks for writing!

And Tomlinson says WE'RE "full of shit"?

Despite his demand that councillors not read our blog, it was fairly evident from the December 30th, 2010 edition of the Almaguin News that Mayor Paul Tomlinson reads us. Virtually everything Tomlinson had to say was an effort to counter many of the issues we've reported on here; Tomlinson's past handling of the budget, the firetruck, weekend council meetings, etc. 

Let's go through Tomlinson's statements together, shall we?

Tomlinson says: 

"[Weekend meetings] was a big issue that was in my campaign platform and we heard from the public, in no uncertain terms, if we are to [be] open and transparent Wednesday afternoon at 1 pm does not allow residents of Kearney to attend the council meetings."

"...Heard from the public..."? Unless we missed the poll, the only ones we ever heard from, about the council meetings, were Tomlinson's Proudfoot Cottage Association puppet-masters. And if 16% of the popular vote is "no uncertain terms", then it's pretty obvious that Tomlinson is only listening to a very select group of people.

Then there's, "...allow residents of Kearney to attend..."? Uh, Paul... The residents of Kearney actually live in Kearney and are in town on Wednesdays. If Tomlinson was concerned about the residents who might be at work during the day, he simply could have proposed that the time be changed. And, during the last four years, it was only every second meeting that was held on Wednesdays, while alternating meetings were held on the weekend. Having every meeting on the weekend is not about the residents, but the Proudfoot seasonal and part-time property owners who funded Tomlinson's campaign. Are we really supposed to believe it's just coincidence that two of Tomlinson's Proudfoot buddies, and his newly selected deputy mayor aren't in town during the week?

The previous council voted to alternate the meetings to reduce the overtime costs and safety risks of having staff working late into their Friday evenings and driving home in the dark after a long day. This balanced the needs of seasonal residents with fiscal responsibility and staff well-being. The latter being something that Tomlinson has repeatedly demonstrated he cares nothing about (You do remember when Councillor Tomlinson had to be barred from the town office after he repeatedly  harassed town staff, don't you?). Actually, Tomlinson has repeatedly demonstrated that he cares nothing for fiscal responsibility, too!

Then there's "...open and transparent..." This coming from the man who, not having yet been sworn in as mayor, was holding a secret "council" meeting at his home on November 5th. When can we expect to see the minutes for that meeting?

On to the 2011 budget:

Tomlinson has abolished the Financial Management Advisory Committee in favour of an "ad hoc budgetary committee".

In 2009, the town of Kearney had an ad hoc budgetary committee, chaired by Paul Tomlinson. He held fourteen meetings with a privately contracted financial adviser attending each meeting just to do data-entry. As we so often mention, this financial advisor cost the Kearney taxpayer $50,000 (which is 2% of your property taxes). The reason there were so many meetings was that under Tomlinson's micromanagement the committee built the budget, addressed every single line, made arbitrary changes, and virtually wiped out every reconstructive project already in progress. This cost the Kearney taxpayer because these projects had to be completed under the 2010 budget at additional costs. One example was repairing partially reconstructed roads that badly deteriorated because Tomlinson's ad hoc budgetary committee cancelled funding to complete the work in 2009. This meant that all the partially reconstructed roads had to be rebuilt from scratch in 2010.

In 2010, with Tomlinson no longer involved, the Financial Management Advisory Committee was mandated to only became involved after the town staff had prepared a practical and defensible draft budget for the FMAC and Council to approve. This was accomplished after just three meetings instead of fourteen (without hiring a financial advisor), restored the five-year reconstruction program, and reduced municipal property taxes by 3%. Tomlinson tried to interfere with the committee, but was prevented by then Mayor Johnston. Now that he's in charge, Tomlinson wants to return to the costly, ineffective, and micromanaging style of 2009.

2009: With Tomlinson: An unnecessary 2% property tax increase and decreased infrastructure funding.

2010: Without Tomlinson: A 3% property tax decrease and increased infrastructure funding.

2011: With Tomlinson: ???

Tomlinson also mentions how "the committee" handled the purchase of the firetruck. Does he mean the same firetruck HIS ad hoc budgetary committee held for ransom when Council moved to have Tomlinson's buddy, Jim Skelton resign from that same committee for publicly libelling the town's fire chief? That firetruck, Paul?

And finally, Tomlinson says:

"[Town staff creating the budget] will either agree with the direction of council or make a case with why they can't". 

In 2010, town staff proved that they could create a budget, that reduced taxes while increasing services, to a man who in 2009 proved that he didn't have a clue. But now they'll have to use their time, not serving the taxpayers of Kearney, but writing up business cases for Tomlinson and his Proudfoot cronies who still think that municipal taxes went up last year. (Louise Wadsworth says taxes went down 3%, while Barry Dingwall says they went up... Oh wait, he did finally admit that he wasn't talking about municipal taxes after all, didn't he). So, how much staff time and cost will be consumed building business cases to arrive at a budget that staff is very capable of creating from the beginning? Tomlinson doesn't care... just so long as he can impose his will and the will of his Proudfoot masters.

 Are you surprised?

Food For Thought

A reader sent us this quote:

The first truth is that the liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in its essence, is fascism — ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power.

— Franklin D. Roosevelt

And all this time we thought Mayor Paul Tomlinson was trying to create a dictatorship. Sorry about that, Paul.

How The Grinch Boycotted Christmas

Is Mayor Paul Tomlinson as big a Grinch as we made him out to be on December 16th? Probably not. At least as far as his friends and family are concerned. 

But time and time again he's clearly demonstrating how little he (and his cronies Steve Sainsbury, Barry Dingwall, and Louise Wadsworth) care about the Town of Kearney (outside Proudfoot) and its traditions.

We already know that Tomlinson and Wadsworth are against Kearney having Regattas and Dog Sled Races, so it wasn't much of a surprise that they and the other Proudfoot Two didn't show up Christmas Eve for the traditional "Lighting of Santa's Runway" on Main Street, by the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department.

Now, the first rebuttal that comes to mind is that His Worship and the other councillors were at home with their families, and what's more important than family, right? Oh, please. For as far back as we can remember, every other mayor and most members of council have come out to the lighting each year with their children and grandchildren. Not to mention the volunteer firefighters who "light the runway".

If Tomlinson can't drag himself out of Proudfoot to rub elbows with his Townie constituents for 10 minutes on Christmas Eve, maybe he should have let someone who actually cares about the people be the mayor. (You can run with the Olympic Torch when it makes for a great photo-op during your campaign, but God forbid you come out to a traditional Townie event, eh, Paul?)

And rumour has it that Deputy Mayor Art Murdy was in Kearney Christmas Eve but also chose to boycott the event. Apparently, it was too much trouble to step out the front door (Murdy's  weekend residence is on Main Street, next to the Fire Hall).

But one councillor did show up. Yvonne Wills.

Are you surprised?

High-Speed Internet for Kearney?

Xplornet, the company that already provides the Town of Kearney and many of its residents with high-speed Internet, is announcing that by 2012 all of rural Canada will have 4G internet access.

4G is the replacement for 3G technology that most of us have been using for our cell phones. Devices such as the new iPhone take advantage of new 4G speeds, which are about 4 times as fast as 3G.

What this means is that people living in rural areas like Kearney will be able to use an adapter with their computers to access high-speed Internet at speeds comparable to most mid-range DSL plans. No word of prices, though...

Read more about it at the Xplornet website.

The Lord's Prayer Saved

Bet you didn't know that Kearney's "Santa" doesn't believe in Christmas.

Mayor Paul Tomlinson (who was goaded into playing Santa this year by outgoing Mayor Johnston) tried his best to impose his non-Judeo/Christian beliefs on Kearney's council by having the Lord's Prayer struck from the opening proceedings. Fortunately, the majority of council is more tolerant than Tomlinson and voted to continue to recite the prayer.

Isn't religious intolerance usually found in a dictatorship?

If you see His Worship, tell him that the Concerned Citizen's of Kearney wish him a "Merry Christmas!", but he's probably back in Proudfoot decorating his Holiday Tree.