Loose Lips Belanger.

There is so much to talk about from today’s Council Meetings. I guess over the next week or so we will get into different aspects of the two meetings. I’m about half way through. I’m watching because I want to see them PUBLICLY deal with Councilor Belanger’s Notice of Motion where he wants his old integrity Sanctions reversed. I’m just past the 2.5 hour mark… nothing on that yet.

But on the topic of integrity, I want to share a quote and get your opinions. At the time Councilor Belanger said the following. For perspective, they were discussing a report CAO McNeill presented where he wants to spend all kinds of money and use bylaws to force property owners to improve their properties, mostly on Main Street and River Road West.

“You talked about land speculation, aaaah, I know we’ve have had some discussion internally about that, maybe we need to look at the taxation on vacant properties or vacant lands and find some ways to encourage these individuals, if not to fully develop but that they have to have some level of development to avoid higher taxes or other encouragements. “

So my question is… what is “some discussion internally”? Is this in camera? Is this in the Mayors office? Is this with a sub-set of Council?

There are actually all kinds of “Wow, did he/she actually say that” moments. Most of them occur when they go off script. I think when they do this, they probably regret saying certain things. Like this for instance,…

Councilor Belanger was talking about what he thought was a good idea when he says,

(@ 2:01:50 of the meeting)

Talk among yourselves, or publicly here, or internally, or secretly, or in camera…. Basically however you are comfortable. But you are not an elected official so you probably don’t need to whisper!

More tomorrow.