Letters: October 17/13

Oct 10, 2013

CSEC In Brazil

When did the coup happen? This week’s news is that Canada’s spy agency CSEC may have monitored communications of Brazil's Mines and Energy Ministry, and then reported the results to the multi-national oil companies operating here, at the expense of the people of Brazil. Last week, when Harper was in the US, he said that in regards to the Keystone XL (Tar Sands-to-Texas) pipeline, he would not take “No” for an answer. Coincidentally, Obama’s approval of Keystone XL was included in the original list of House Republican demands to avoid Government shutdown. Trans-Canada Pipeline’s latest American advertising campaign clearly suggests that Harper is working hand-in-glove to take advantage of the stalemate in Washington, at the expense of the American people. Oh, Canada. Oh Canada. Is this the Canada we want?

Ken Fisher

Re: Mayor Gutowski

October Thirds letters in defense of Mayor Janet Gutowski (Letters, Oct 3/13)continue to rest upon the view that every single problem plaguing County Council stems from the rabid male chauvinism of her colleagues. It’s ironic that those complaining about gender discrimination are the very ones who are deciding blame based on whether the people involved are male or female.

True equality is represented by the view that integrity and leadership count for more in an elected official than what public restroom society directs them to use.

In Canada the population ratio is 0.98 males for every female. Simple math tells you that out of Central Frontenac’s 4556 citizens, roughly 2187 are men and 2369 women. Anyone elected to public office will represent a community where roughly half the population does not share their gender.  If this is the measure we use, then no person will ever be fit to be Mayor or Warden.

Janet Gutowski is not the first woman to serve as County Warden, but she was the first to trash 148 years of tradition and to treat some of her dissenting colleagues to a visit from a bailiff. Talking about gender is a purposeful distraction on the part of her supporters.

If this is all about ‘equality’, then what about the equality of citizens throughout the entire county? Municipal terms last four years, and Frontenac County has four townships. Follow the precedent, and each township gets represented in the Warden’s Chair.

By Gutowski refusing to relinquish the Chair, at least one other township will not get to name a Warden. If I lived in one of the other townships, where my representatives were not only frozen out of the Warden’s chair but were being sued for complaining about it, I would be quite annoyed.

Gutowski did nothing illegal. Her supporters make a point of mentioning that, and I agree. But is that really a defence? Proroguing Parliament and Queen’s Park wasn't illegal either. Neither Stephen Harper or Dalton McGuinty broke the law. That did not stop a flurry of letters to this paper in complaint. A lot of things are technically ‘legal’, but that does not make them a good idea to do.

Many of Gutowski’s defenders are quite comfortable in using a justification for her behavior that they would find unacceptable from others. Such people should be more consistent if they wish to preach the virtues of ‘equality’ to the rest of us.

Brent Cameron

Frontenac County says - You Go Girls!

The six or eight of Warden Janet’s “You Go Girl” supporters must be wondering how Frontenac County will ever survive without the dictatorial regime of Gutkowski and Saville in command. For the rest of us, a final end of this pair’s communal reign which featured county bondage, absolute control and dominance by Kingston Town will be a relief. Yes please -- “You Go Girls!”

Who and what is next for the county table? The silly circus hasn’t packed up and left Glenburnie yet. This current council is intent on extending its dysfunction and uselessness as it tosses the golden crown on to just whatever or whichever or whomever might be next in line as Warden of the County.

If you thought the county council capers we’ve witnessed over this past year were trivial, childish and a waste of our taxes, just look at the named successor waiting in the wings. Is it right that county councilors blindly vote to entrench their buddy into the warden’s position simply because it’s her or his turn to warm the Warden’s Chair and wear the Chain of Waste? Are they just puppets following the Old Boys tradition? Township mayors and council representatives should be smart and bright enough to choose the best council member as warden. They could and should nominate and vote for a new warden who has the competence, management ability and fortitude to either turn this senseless county money pit into something that will directly benefit its tax payers or work to disband it.

If they need anymore help in knowing who to choose or not, listen to the electors of North Frontenac who are chanting that very similar and familiar phrase. Yes please -- “You Go Guy!”

Leo Ladouceur