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City bows to pressure, will grant OMAH's deputation request

OrilliaMatters

43

Our mayor, the most senior official in the City, follows in the footsteps of his well-respected parents, both of whom were past mayors, went on CBC radio and said OMAH reps were like '4-year-old children who demanded more cookies'.This is a jaw-dropping comment, dripping with contempt, dismissal and disrespect. Exactly who is the child?Mr. McIsaac has shamed his office.P.S. Mr. MAYOR, priming your CAO with a nice little speech today about OMAH does nothing to mitigate the harm you've done to our City's reputation.

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BREAKING: Champlain statue resurrected in Orillia park

OrilliaMatters

27

A disgusting and contemptible move by the outgoing mayor of Orillia. His behaviour is that of a 12-year old. He calls this move 'storage' because it will be shrink wrapped. Meanwhile he has the statue moved to the park at the same time children from Chippewas of Rama are in the park, specifically to learn, and to celebrate Rama's Gathering festival. The mayor, besides going against council's wishes, has demeaned himself further.Just when you thought he couldn't stoop any lower.

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As things 'spin out of control,' Champlain monument tarped, fenced off

OrilliaMatters

31

This story now goes beyond whether you want the statue returned or not. The mayor knows he has defied a legal council motion settled through a super majority vote, i believe. He calls this eye-sore 'storage'. It's not. This is his revenge on all but one councillor. How immature and narcissistic.

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Did mayor blow the lid off CAO firing controversy with 'hypothetical' scenario?

OrilliaMatters

39

The mayor started the night with a jaw dropping accusation. He accused the presenting lawyer of homophobia. How insulting and untrue. Later, he closed the council portion by accusing an un-named councillor of racism. He told us, in his 'hypothetical' rant, that he simply had to get strong mayor powers to save us all from certain ruin! He said the hiring committee didn't follow the rules and didn't hire the most qualified candidate, AND were racist in their job search.His tactics last night to discredit the presenting lawyer and our council failed. He only proved that he has no leadership skills and has only disdain for council and residents. Does he believe we will say 'Oh, we see now why you needed these powers. You are so smart, smarter than anyone else.'Lastly, his scripted supporters told us how SMP helped us with the ice storm. So strange because the mayor told us months ago his didn't use SMP for the storm. All in all, last night the mayor further disgraced himself.

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Pierre Poilievre easily survives leadership review with 87 per cent support

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The Conservatives have an identity problem - within their own party. And they have nobody else willing or able to take over leadership. Watching the vast majority of 2,500 Conservatives, in Calgary, vote overwhelmingly for PP does not win a federal election. On the other hand - no, I do not support the Conservative party - I thought his speech was pretty good. Just enough about gun rights and ensuring immigrants act like Canadians to get his base fired up. I also know the Liberals are thrilled with the result.

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Mayor 'has a lot of explaining to do' over firing of CAO: councillor

OrilliaMatters

38

Oh my goodness. I didn't realize the councillors weren't told of the firing of the new CAO before the public found out. Unbelievable disrespect to everyone involved. And for what reason?The mayor publicly supported the new hire when it was announced a few weeks ago, and then he fires him when he comes in to pick up his laptop. Come on. This is so unprofessional and underhanded. What is this really all about?

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City to spend $6.6M to refurbish cooling system at Orillia rec centre

OrilliaMatters

34

If legal issues stopped the discussion about legionaires, why didn't the mayor jus say that. His abrupt words, and rudeness to 2 councillors surely left the audience feeling very uncomfortable and appeared to be very disrespectful. All he had to say was that 'there are legal issues pending which prohibits us from discussion about legionaires. Geez.

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COUNCIL SERIES: Council has faced disappointments, challenges

OrilliaMatters

28

In this article the mayor said "building consensus" is in the best interest of the taxpayer. However, he chose to take on Strong Mayor Powers. Actually, he activated those powers. He made a phone call or sent a letter, or both, to the province to request those powers, in the guise of the ice storm but meant to give him the power to fire a hired CAO. These powers now negate consensus whenever he chooses.He also specifically decries the lack of investment in road and sidewalk work, but he vetoed Councillor Lauer's proposal - against a majority council 'yes' vote - to increase a fund annually in order to speed up backed-up work. Why? Because the mayor's goal was to end up with the lowest tax increase in Ontario, not to improve road and sidewalk work. For maybe an extra $5-$10/month/tax payer.A champion of consensus? A supporter of speedier road and sidewalk work? I think not.

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Tiny home housing homeless man in the woods torn down

OrilliaMatters

31

Bylaws must be followed! The tiny house was an illegal build! A non-lethal instrument was drawn. Oh, but not fired. Gee, that's wonderful news. Not scary at all, then. Good grief. A man with such severe schizophrenia he couldn't live with anyone, and a son who loved him enough to give him this meager shelter where a solitary life and 4 walls brought some comfort. Did bylaw just show up out of the blue, with police carrying guns? Where were the mental health workers who could have given this man some help? Surely he is now in a downward spiral. We must do better.

CAO fired by Orillia mayor before starting his job 'bewildered' by unexpected termination

OrilliaMatters

29

Here we go again. First his public endorsement of Dunlop/Ford. He did not publicly address resident concerns about this. Then, magically, he has Strong Mayor Powers. Immediately, he rescinds the offer to the new CAO - someone who had been formally hired, had a contract, and had been announced in the press by this same mayor. The new CAO even had a City laptop for Pete's sake. Then the mayor gives the job to a candidate that had already been deemed to not be the right choice. What is the connection between SMP and his CAO choice? Why did he do this? Is he that desperate to exert power?The mayor has shown disdain and a complete lack of respect for process, policy, staff, council and Orillia residents. This latest move proves he does not have the skill or ability to do the job.

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City councillors force special meeting to deal with McIsaac's use of strong mayor powers

OrilliaMatters

27

I understand the legal issues that surround the firing of any employee. I would hazard a guess the mayor understands them better than most. He surely used that knowledge to fire the newly hired CAO. He knew the law would isolate him and prevent him from explaining his actions to the people he serves. As we all do, he created his own (end of career) legacy. Let us not forget he told us he called the province asking for Strong Mayor Powers. Regardless hpw all this ends, history will show he had choices to make and he chose power over integrity. was his decision.

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Council to discuss strong mayor powers in closed session, again

OrilliaMatters

28

Sadly, it looks more and more likely the taxpayers won't ever understand why McIsaac used strong mayor powers to fire the approved CAO. Nor will we know why he told the province he needed his new powers because of the ice storm when that was patently untrue. What we do know is that the vast majority of residents have lost all faith in him - and that will be his legacy.

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Did mayor blow the lid off CAO firing controversy with 'hypothetical' scenario?

OrilliaMatters

24

Good points. Let's hope this is not the last we hear about the mayor's racism accusation. That is so serious.Interestingly, last night the mayor accused the presenting lawyer of homophobia because the lawyer used the words 'namby pamby' in a previous statement. Mayor McIsaac should use Google. Namby pamby actually means weak, silly or overly sentimental - I would put this right back on the mayor - is this what he thinks of gay men and because of this, was projecting???

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Sparks fly as council opts to shelve plans on Champlain Monument

OrilliaMatters

24

Even with two chances to apologize to Councillor Leatherdale, Ms. Smith did not. Her remark was so out of line. She doesn't understand decorum. And never has the mayor called her on her behaviour, even after a point of order was called. Anyway, thank you to all other councillors for their professionalism on a difficult subject.

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BREAKING: Champlain statue resurrected in Orillia park

OrilliaMatters

16

Good description 'Trump move'. Who approved this move and the cost? He'll be gone before there's more cost to move it out of the park or into a location of an interpretive centre.A war. A ballroom. Reflecting 'pool'. Monument.

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Jill Dunlop shuffled, now Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response

OrilliaMatters

24

I am quite sure I'm not the only Simcoe North resident to see the irony in this cabinet move . Ms. Dunlop's new position includes the word 'response'.

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As things 'spin out of control,' Champlain monument tarped, fenced off

OrilliaMatters

17

I am not condoning vandalism, but I ask myself: Are some community members so unaware of the damage the mayor has wrought that some spray paint, applied by one First Nations woman, on a piece of metal, as a sign protest, might result in more outrage than the behaviour of an out of control (non-Indigenous) man who is supposed to be a leader of 32,000 Orillians? I hope not. Who should have the lasting 'bad name'?

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'Frustrating experience': Special council meeting on strong mayor powers cut short

OrilliaMatters

22

I didn't know democracy had a left and a right.

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Pierre Poilievre easily survives leadership review with 87 per cent support

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As long as our PM continues to source new markets, we will be better off. Sacrifices are what built our country. We will do it again and come out the other end. Nobody, including PP, can satisfy Trump. Trudeau is gone. Carney is in. Let's move forward!

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RECAP: Liberals win minority, but local ridings remain Conservative

OrilliaMatters

17

Darn, our household was hoping to turn the Simcoe North riding red. Good try by the new Liberal candidate to get so close. Congratulations to Adam Chambers. He has been a visible and helpful MP.

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