What can we do about all of the lies and deceit being displayed by our elected officials?

There are a few choices; Go to the integrity Commisioner, go to the Ombudsman’s office or, ask those lying.

Lies are told by some people all of the time. However, when elected officials knowingly condone those lies, they may as well be telling the lie themselves.

Why do they do this?….

Yes, the previous Council planned, discussed and built a Twin Pad Arena / Library. No, despite applying they did not receive any funding from other levels of government. There was a very detailed, financial report that outlined how it was affordable, so the Council proceeded. The entire community will soon enjoy this great facility.

But…. the present council still feels the need to attack the previous Council, so they created explanations that made it look like a huge tax increase was solely to blame on the TPAL. But that wasn’t enough. They had to say they could have done it better. On several occasions, Council or staff have talked about our town being on a list for 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 funding the last time Brian Smith was Mayor.

Now, I think I have heard both Brian Smith and Joe Belanger tout this nonsense, but more concerning is that CAO McNeil is using this lie in public presentations.

At the recent AGM of the WBRPA, CAO Andrew McNeil repeated this Lie again. This meeting was attended by all of Council. The Mayor had an opportunity to correct the lie when he spoke, but did not. In fact not one member of Council stood up to correct it.

To my knowledge, WE WERE NEVER ON A GOVERNMENT LIST to receive the funding they boast of.

Below, is a letter I wrote to the Mayor on January the 8th, asking him to tell me what list we were on.

When confronted with these lies, I encourage everyone not only to question our Council, but to share your responses publicly. I have not heard from Mayor Smith regarding this issue yet.

More importantly, talk to your neighbours about it. Why is Mayor Smith spreading (and allowing the spread) of information he knows to be false. This is not a “mistake”, this is a blatant misrepresentation of the truth.

Do they fear members of the previous council one day returning? Are they still stuck in campaign mode where it didn’t seem to matter if it was true?

There was no commitment of 1/3 funding. We were not on a list to get this funding. The previous Council did not cancel or walk away from funding. Why lie?

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Mayor Smith,

I recently listened to the presentation at the WBRPA AGM, regarding the Towns new Community Hub.

This is at least the second time I have heard mention of being on a list for funding. Andrew McNeal clearly stated that the Town of Wasaga Beach had been on a list with the Wynn Government for 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 funding for the Community Hub on Main Street (during your last term of office) I note that you spoke after Mr. McNeil at the meeting and did not clarify or correct the statement.

So, could you please provide information as to the exact list we were on for funding and any possible details about when and how we got on that list?

To be clear, I did not think we had ever been added to any funding commitments from the government of Ontario or Canada for the Main Street Hub and I want to know if I missed something.

The second item I would like clarification on is that Mr.McNeil claimed that the new Hub, beside the TPAL would be at no cost to the taxpayers of Wasaga Beach (as long as the speakers in the auditorium get sponsorship). Is this true? No cost?

Answers to these questions are important to me as a Wasaga Beach taxpayer.

Regards,

Mark Winegarden

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These elected officials took an oath of office. So ask yourself this; If they are willing to knowingly lie about something as meaningless as a funding commitment five or six years ago, what else are they doing to manipulate public opinion.