“For the first time ever, you and the other residents of Niagara have a chance to choose our Regional Chair. Finally, you have the power to make a truly democratic choice. Let’s take this opportunity to reset the Region and focus on what matters across the Niagara Peninsula.” – from the “Blueprint” Town of Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn rolled out this July 12th as he launched his campaign to run for Niagara Regional Chair
An Introductory Message and Commentary from Niagara At Large reporter and publisher Doug Draper
Posted July 13th, 2018 on Niagara At Large
Pelham Mayor Dave Auguystyn, following his announcement to run for Niagara regional chair this July 12th.
Niagara, Ontario – This July 12th, with little more than 100 days left before voters across Niagara go to the polls in the October 22nd municipal elections, Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn, who has taken a lot of hits over the past three and a half years for standing up to the cabal now ruling the roost on Niagara Region’s council, announced his plans to run for Niagara regional chair in the first election that gives citizens at large the opportunity to choose who holds that position.
As far as this journalist is concerned, no other regional council in my almost 40 years as a news reporter in Niagara, has come close to being as divisive, or to conducting itself with the lack of civility and decency as this regional council of 2014 to 2018 – a council chaired by former St. Catharines regional councillor Al Caslin, who just recently announced his intentions to run for the job again.
In the past three and a half years there has been example after ugly and disturbing example – all captured on video and some that will be highlighted here as October 22nd draws closer – of councillors attacking or tarring each other, and of treating individuals speaking before the council as delegations being treated in condescending and disrespectful ways.
In one particularly dark moment, while Niagara Region’s council was in closed session last December, 2017, St. Catharines Standard reporter Bill Sawchuk (right) had his computer and notes seized by regional staff and was ordered out of the regional headquarters. The incident has been the subject of an investigation by the Ontario Ombudsman’s Office. A report on the findings from that investigation is expected from the Office soon. Photo by Emily Spanton
Toronto, Ontario – NDP Energy critic Peter Tabuns says Doug Ford’s latest attack on the environment – ripping up 758 renewable energy contracts – could cost thousands of jobs, hundreds of millions of dollars, and damage the quality of the air and water in Ontario.
Trump landed on British soil this second week of July and right on cue, up in the skies above London went the Trump Baby Balloon, complete with diapers, small hands and a little phone for tweeting – all to the cheers of countless many British citizens who don’t want Trump in their country.
