Shame, nastiness and bullying by council

“Please read to the end… WDI shareholder direction motion not available in video replay of meeting!”

Aug 22, 2024. Please look this date up on the Towns Website and check out the agenda… then go to YouTube and look for that meeting. What you will find is that if you wanted to watch the entire meeting, you are out of luck. The first 4 hours and 22 minutes are there. Then, the video suddenly cuts out…. Gone.

I’m sure there will be a reason provided, followed by the defence that they only provide these as a courtesy and the Municipal Act only requires that they provide Minutes, without comment.

However, I think it was convenient that it cut out right after Mayor Smith leveled an accusation that all Integrity Commisioner reports have, in his opinion been launched by the same person who he says was on the last Council. He went on to say that he recognized that even making that statement would probably solicit a complain to the IC from someone, but he didn’t care. His chair… his rules, regardless of any cost to the taxpayer. As long as he could publicly make his point, he didn’t care about cost.

Prior to him speaking, Councilor White also said he wanted to talk about a complaint against him but was told by the IC that he could not. He claimed the Clerk approved his statement.

Councilor Belanger stepped in and added (with a grin) “Although I’m somewhat of an expert on this, I have no comment”. This gave Mayor Smith a good chuckle and they moved on.

This assault on the Integrity Commissioner’s authority and the taunting of residents truly shows the mindset of this Council. They don’t care, as long as they get to flex their power.

I honestly think the biggest shame in any of this nastiness they constantly display, is that it casts a shadow over the great work being done by so many staff that are under their direction. Yesterday’s meeting addressed some serious issues and the staff reports are what we should be focusing on. They will after all lead to some pretty big changes to day to day life for Thousands of Wasaga Beach Residents.

Over the next few weeks I hope to delve into some of these reports in more details as staff are tasked with finding solutions to all of the signs our Council says are illegal, the long grass, the parties and particularly the massive number of homeowners they are going to stop from doing illegal rentals.

What I do want to demonstrate today though, is the attitudes our Council display and the fact that they don’t seem to care that we see them behave this way.

Mayor Smith addressed those who he claims are saying that the Town is targeting them regarding SIGNS OR GRASS OR WHATEVER to “Get over yourself”.

He says “we don’t have the time, desire or care to be focusing on any one business or individual”

Many of you know I disagree with his comment, as I KNOW they have the time, the desire AND the care, if it is someone they WANT to disrupt.

There was frequent mention of “Granicus” (a software) and of the new “AMP’s” system of issuing and collecting fines. They are all in support of these and their leader Mayor Smith said, “If you want to get somebody to comply, you take money out of their pocket and they will comply just about every time.”

Followed by, “Which is why the AMPS program has been brought in”.

When they were talking about Air B&B and other short term rentals in Wasaga Beach, Councilor Joe Belanger said he wants the Town to offer the threat that if you are illegal and if we have proof that you have been renting, then that will be reported to the CRA.

I truly hope the remainder of the meeting is restored and was not removed as part of a careful edit. Honestly, when they go off script and speak from their hearts, that is when we really need to listen. THAT is when they reveal their true character.

When they were talking about possible fines for illegal rentals and Licensing fees, Mayor Smith said that they should increase fees to what they charge in Tiny. (Which is where he lives) This would take fees for a business license in their pending new bylaw up from the present $226-$1000, to as much as $1700.00.

Fines for operating an illegal rental will be $2000.00 a day. They spoke of multiple stacking fines on the same day and repeating the same fines the next day, and so on.

So… if you rent now, ensure you are legal. It’s about to get very expensive!

There is a lot of great stuff to talk about from this meeting, but if anyone watched it live, please call me about the second half. I’m truly hoping discussions about our financial situation when reviewing the Q2 Financial Report were candid and reflect genuine concern. Knowing the tiny amount they have allowed us to learn about Beach One costs…. THEY SHOULD BE VERY, VERY CONCERNED!

Most importantly, there was an important shareholder direction to Geosands (WDI) and coincidentally, THAT was discussed AFTER, the video cut out.

Why did it cut out? Was it a recording issue at YouTube, or did the cameras get stopped? Did anyone see it live beyond their attack on the Integrity Commissioner?

Do you want to hear every word discussed about WDI and especially the shareholder direction? I do.