Appalled by council’s condemnation of Mayor Bradley
Sir: As a regular and enthusiastic reader of your newspaper, I have just read your almost comprehensive coverage of the attempted assassination of our veteran mayor, Mike Bradley, and I hope you might allow a few more comments.
It becomes necessary to look at Bradley’s “accusers,” as reported in The Journal article.
The write-up states that Coun. Anne Marie Gillis said these so-called problems have been going on for some time and the Code of Conduct is to ensure no member of council can coerce, threaten or intimidate staff or subject them to malicious attacks on their reputation. Problems?
Coun. Bev MacDougall said, “I personally feel great sorrow that this has gone on for as many years as it has.” So long?
Coun. Andy Bruziewicz questioned claims that the investigation was biased due to the Commissioner ignoring possible evidence in the Mayor’s favour. Why?
Coun. Matt Mitro went further by proclaiming he has witnessed what was reported by Commissioner Swayze. I suppose that justified a new boy looking for ‘Brownie Points.’
Coun. Cindy Scholten went even further to announce she had personally experience the abuse of power. No complaints?
Coun. Brian White said Mike Bradley “is well-liked in this community, and for good reason.” His only negative response appears to be that the Commissioner’s report was triggered by complaints from two senior managers.
It seems more than strange that the so-called conduct of the Mayor was so old and intense that elected representatives who had only recently endorsed a Code of Conduct could not bring themselves to report to the appropriate authority.
It was certainly not for loyalty, or the above would not have been said by council members who showed personal opposition to Bradley and his 28 years of service.
It is evident that Commissioner Robert Swayze is a very ambitious municipal successor to the great Donald Trump.
As a citizen of Sarnia, I begrudge this disgusting cost to the city, and I am appalled at the condemnation of a mayor whose record shows nothing but progress for our city and a continuation, until now, of a political administration that has held honourable members.
Neil Motchan
Sarnia
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Bradley unfairly blamed for problems
Sir: Re: the letter "Sarnia Needs New Mayor."
To blame Mayor Bradley for crumbling roads, failing infrastructure, derelict buildings, high unemployment and every other ill plaguing Sarnia is unfair.
Decades of previous city councils made "minimal tax increase" a point of pride, so replacements, upgrades, and repairs that were shelved or received Band-Aid solutions are now today's problem.
Having the major players of the oil industry located here, those same shortsighted councils viewed Sarnia as a "petrochemical" city. Times were good and spin-off businesses sprang up to support the booming industry. Who needed anything else?
Like Fort McMurray, when your target market has a downturn, unemployment soars. High unemployment has a domino effect - fewer incomes, fewer discretionary dollars, less spending, closing stores, derelict buildings.
Competition for industrial settlement is tough, but Mayor Bradley was instrumental in attracting UBE, a big step toward diversity. That UBE ceased operation is unfortunate, but the effort continues.
With pathetic rail passenger service, nonexistent inter-city bus line, minimal air transport, no unique tourist attraction, and a major highway speeding traffic past (not through) the city, what is Sarnia's allure?
What happened to the Highland Games and like events, or the Celebration of Lights tour buses. Poor attendance? Lack of interest? Bad management? Couldn't someone else sponsor Bayfest? Without community support, nothing succeeds.
We have the one-sided Swayze report of allegations, but nothing about whatever provocation led to the alleged mayoral incidents. With incomplete investigation, the penalty in undue. Where diverse personalities intermingle, dissension and friction are common, and perceptions can be skewed.
Without direct knowledge, we have speculation and hearsay. Sometimes, others' own agendas repudiate attempts to be led, straining the cohesive nature and atmosphere of a group.
A round table meeting of the entire council to discuss the alleged issues would have created less animosity and done more to resolve the matter than spending thousands on a disputed report.
Dorothy Allan
Sarnia
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Garden tour a resounding success
Sir: Communities in Bloom Sarnia hosted its 4th Annual Garden Tour on Saturday, June 25, featuring nine spectacular gardens.
The tour was a resounding success and we extend our appreciation to the homeowners, volunteers, garden tourists, local businesses, Tourism Sarnia-Lambton and the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery for planting en plein air artists in the gardens.
Plans are underway for the 2017 edition of the Garden Tour.
Barb Toye
Organizer and co-ordinator
Sarnia