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CFN – That’s the limited media chart expenses for the City of Cornwall from 2011. The city to date has refused to provide one for 2012, but certainly Claude McIntosh of the Standard Freeholder is earning his paper’s keep at the top of the money list by spinning for his good friend Mayor Bob Kilger of Cornwall Ontario.
Claude wears Rose coloured adult diapers. Instead of objectively looking at facts and evidence; something apparently he’s disdained most of his very long and “storied” career; he instead tugs at strings, mystical strings rarely connected to facts for his starting points.
In his latest weekly movement he bemoans the poor Mayor, his good buddy, as the victim of conspiracy theories even though his own paper, the Free Holder now is reporting on some of the very limited info that is being released due to the Mayor and his team using massive amounts of legal money to handle scandal after scandal.
As Bob has said, the buck stops with him and that means the Paul Fitzpatrick scandal(s) and all those that have lost their jobs and/or been given settlements and all the legal bills associated with them end with Bob. Of course Bob and the City still are not answering whether the City is paying his own legal bills or not while we do know that the poor Whistle Blowers are having to pay their own.
And to Claude, what exactly are the Diane Shay’s and Rob Hickley’s trying to gain by putting themselves and their families through this?
One thing about conspiracy theories is that they are hard to kill off.
So, it is no surprise that an exhaustive investigation by a seasoned outside investigator that took months to complete and found not a shred of evidence to the rumourmongering and innuendo — in some cases outright slander — that hung over city hall is being scoffed at by those who helped spread the dirt.
Recently, in a brief statement, city hall announced that the investigation was completed with no proof of any wrongdoing.
The investigator interviewed dozens of people, some of whom claimed to have concrete evidence that there was hanky-panky at play.
The last person interviewed was a former city councillor who, like everyone else, claimed to know a whole lot, but couldn’t give the investigator an ounce of evidence.
Well Claude the city has not revealed who the investigator was? It has not released who was interviewed and who was not. For example was Donna Derouchie even interviewed? Just because City Hall announced no proof of wrong doing doesn’t mean that there isn’t or that they are correct. How would you know how many people the investigator spoke to unless you yourself are rumour mongering or have inside information? How on earth would you know who the last person interviewed?
So Claude you’re either pulling stuff out of your Depends® or you’re being fed very detailed confidential information that is supposed to be in camera and not released to the public. And if the latter is the case who could possibly be feeding you and why?
Now we have another alleged whistleblower, a fire department deputy chief, making a serious conflict-of-interest charge against Mayor Bob Kilger. In a strange approach, the deputy chief drew back the veil of secrecy (the worst kept secret around city hall and the fire department) by issuing his own news release, something that usually is handled by a complainant’s lawyer.
Well Claude why would a long term veteran on the cusp of retiring come forward? And of course you already knew that the high legal costs Mr. Hickley has endured have necessitated that he move forward without a lawyer for this stage of his journey; something that the public is already stepping forward and organizing a collection to help with his legal bills for. Mr. Hickley doesn’t get to tap the city for unlimited legal costs like Mayor Kilger.
All of this to Mr. McIntosh is smoke and conspiracy theories. It’s enough to have many viewers asking who really is conspiracal in this paradigm.
So Claude here are some facts.
The City’s statement via CAO Norm Levac:
Chief Administrative Officer Norm Levac issued the following statement today:
.
The City of Cornwall has completed a thorough review of a complaint filed under the City’s
whistleblower policy. The complaint was found to be unsubstantiated by a qualified, experienced and
independent outside investigator..
It is a fundamental principle of the process that the individuals involved and the nature of the complaint are kept confidential. As a result, the City cannot release the details of the persons involved or the complaint.
Rob Hickley’s release in full. LINK
There have been many victims in Mayor Kilger’s desperate attempt to keep power in the utterly shameful grasp of power. More shameful are the group of councilors keeping him there while they know much of the truth if not all.
This cabal are as guilty as the mayor and the public needs to step up and confront them for what they are costing taxpayers.
The cabal: Bernadette Clement (herself a lawyer no less!) ; Denis Thibault, Denis Carr, Elaine MacDonald, Syd Gardiner.
Occasional supporters: Gerry Samson, David Murphy.
Guilt by silence: Glen Grant
Guilt by some silence: Maurice Dupelle
Worn out by Fatigue: Leslie O’Shaugnessy, Andre Rivette.
Add in city managers and staff like recently retired Paul Fitzpatrick, Denise Labelle Gelinas, and currents Helen Finn, Bob Peters, Mark Boileau, and Kevin Lajoie, and this is why Cornwall has had to raise taxes 2.88% in spite of MPAC, of which Mayor Kilger sits on the board, raised rates 4.5%!
And unlike the Free Holder we are not muzzling comments which you may post below. That’s the biggest indictment of spin when you can’t face criticism for your words and statements, right Claude? Of course the biggest stink of fear was the tenor of Mr. McIntosh’s scribble. No real shots or lashing out. Mostly spin spin spin. It’s time for the rinse cycle.
Claude..you are just spinning your wheels trying to save bobblehead bob but you have no credibility any more ,the fat lady is singing!!!
Thank you Jamie for such great coverage that we can never get from rags like SF or chorus for that matter
How might an individual pitch-in to assist Mr Hickley with his legal expenses?
Hi Michael. That information will be coming out soon.
Once again, Bob Kilger(AKA Cornwall Taxpayers) vs Rob Hickley(His honest self)! We all need to stand up for and support this BRAVE Whistle-blower. I think another protest is in order….they are only getting bigger and bigger each time. Perhaps someone with a law background would also be of great assistance not only to Rob, but the city as a whole!!!
Excellent article Jamie and let the truth be known! Once of the many reasons I do not read the TP er I mean Freeholder is due to lack of coverage on the truth about Bob Kilger and city hall as well as Claude`s nonsensical and non-factual rants!
Love the ratings that you gave the councillors. Couldn`t be more DEAD ON|
Leslie, Andre and Maurice would be the only ones that have any integrity. Maurice has lots of good qualities, but is stilll young and I am sure Mr. Bobblehead can be very bullying and intimidating at times…..ok at most times.
We need to get these these people out now! They are all lawbreakers for supporting Kilger`s evil-doings! Just because he was an MP and has a link to hockey and cash doesn“t make him above the law. Too many people forget that!!!!
Norm Levac issued a statement that contained, “the City cannot release the details of the persons involved…”. A councilor being questioned would be “involved” in that they might be in a position to confirm or refute information gathered by an investigator. So Claude has in his statements suggested that he has information that Norm Levac has stated cannot be released. So either Mr Levac meant to qualify his statement by saying not to the public only the privileged or perhaps Claude simply makes crap up or is so arrogant that he believes not to be accountable like his “friends” on city council. Whatever the reality is this is exactly what Cornwall doesn’t need going forward.
We are not getting value for our hard earned money, period.
I can only hope, pray and encourage fellow citizens to turn out and vote so that in the future we install to office a Mayor with integrity and purpose and a complete NEW group of councilors who represent us with vigor and honesty.
Oh and did I mention that they should embrace accountability?
Claude MacIntosh is absolutely correct, we do live in times of rampant conspiracy theories. Except that when it comes to municipal politics in Canada lately, many precedents have been set. Several city mayors from Gerald Tremblay and Giles Vaillancourt to Joe Fonatana and Rob Ford, have all been through the wringer. And rightly so.
These things had nothing to do with conspiracy theories.
In the meantime, and where Cornwall is concerned, the whistleblowers shouldn’t be ignored, diminished or victimized, and Ms. Shay is our living example.
Claude should take his own advice.
I’m still looking for evidence (proof) that Mayor Kilger and Council lack integrity, vigor and honesty.
Transparency, maybe, but that doesn’t make the guilty of the accusations leveled against them.
Even a cursory glance at the administrative structure of the fire department and how/when it was engineered (and by whom) is illustrative of how dysfunctional Cornwall has become. City Council should also be held accountable for this unfolding tragedy–they knew and chose to look the other way.
@ Mariah
La la laaaaaaaaaaaaaa la la!!
Mr.Oldham,
Very good comments, espeacially your last paragraph, regarding the removal of the present Council, at the next election .
The “BG FLUSH MOVEMENT” is gathering much momentum & voters are realizing, that we must vote out, all of the present elected members of Council ! We all know why, this must be done, so lets just do it ? Tell your friends & relatives and we will
rid ourselves of this anchor, that is around all of our necks.
Sincerely,
Double Flusher
Membership Chair
Winner’s Sports Bar has a new drink named “The MacIntosh”.
The recipe is as follows:
2 shots Canadian Club
2 Teaspoons Metamucil
1 Can of Boost (Strawberry)
Put contents in shaker with ice, Shake vigorously. Pour through strainer into highball glass. Sprinkle one measure of hubris, a dash of cronyism, and crushed Adderall on top. Serve with a slice of “Project Truth”
@PIERRE
Could not agree with you more Pierre ! I definitely would like to see evidence (PROOF) as you suggest. Funny those are exactly the same qualities that in my comment above I stated that I would like to find in the next council elected !
When you take into consideration the ratio of in camera meetings to the more normal open environment type that tends to better support transparency the “maybe” Pierre is just an unnecessary extra word in your sentence above.
Fortunate for all that sit around the horseshoe Pierre, with the prospect of a court being enlisted to render a decision the court of public opinion can take a well deserved rest.
Hey Pierre, good to see you alive and still kicking it !
@THE FAT LADY
That was funny, I enjoyed that !
Does the City have a value for money chart? It would be interesting to see readers/viewers/listeners per dollar spent in ads
Let’s not forget this gem Jamie
“Being related to somebody at city hall shouldn’t give an edge when applying for a city job, but neither should it disqualify someone.” says scribbler/watering hole/pinhead big mac
In your world it doesn’t mr big mac…but in other worlds..it might be considered conflict of interest…like commenting on the police dept while your son works there…another no conflict situation
If only we could get the scribbler/failed journalist…to re-read the Canadian Press hand book.
The Canadian Press . . . Our standards
Stick to the facts without editorial opinion or comment. Reporters’ opinions are not wanted in The Canadian Press copy. Their observations are. So are accurate backgrounding and authoritative interpretation essential to the reader’s understanding of complicated issues.
Admit errors promptly, frankly. Public distrust of the media is fed by inaccuracy, carelessness, indifference to public sentiment, automatic cynicism about those in public life, perceived bias or unfairness and other sins suggesting arrogance.
We can help overcome such public attitudes through scrupulous care for facts and unwavering dedication to fairness. We must not be quick to dismiss criticism and complaints, a trait journalists refuse to accept in others.
The power of news stories to injure can reach both the ordinary citizen and the corporate giant. Our integrity and sensitivity demand that we respond sympathetically and quickly when an error has been made. It doesn’t matter whether the complaint comes from a timid citizen acting alone or from a powerful figure’s battery of lawyers.
Every story shown to be erroneous and involving a corrective must be drawn to the attention of supervisory staff.
Don’t worry bout it…the coffee shop boys have it in a twirl, and CFN is now a winner of the accolades.
Claud(iya) mCi. is ruining his own column, as well as his own paperNTO THE GROUNDING MACHINE…the public opinion grind.
YOU SEE, JAMIE, THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE AND THE SMART ADVERTISERS TOO, WILL BEGIN TO SEE.
@ Sherlock
Not Holmes, I am sure of.
As the real thing would not rely on just a “cursory glance” to make up his mind, on anything… That would, simply be, out of character.
But, a cursory glance is what so many may have relied on, here…
And maybe, on bad influence?
I forgot to mention that Claude’s son, not the UPS dude, used {MODERATED} high school, allegedly. So he likely, allegedly,{MODERATED} application to the police department. Similar to the alleged lost written test results of the Humonculous fireman, and his alleged physical superiority to the other alleged applicants who were not considered. I for one would not want to rely on a 300 pound ringer to climb stairs to save me.
Just a question,
I see many people talking of a missing written test, but Claude claims, “It created controversy at the time, but the fact is the former NHLer placed first on the department’s physical test and second on the written examination.”
Is this missing written test a fact, or just talk around town?
He probably is an excellent firefighter no one is going to dispute that,however,when there are already trained firefighters applying,daddy should not pull rank!!! Conflict of interest there,also if he was the only one writing the test at that time…….how can he come 2nd…its pass or fail
@ Mariah: Can you prove daddy pulled rank? Where you involved with the hiring process? Where you present at the interview? Do you know the required qualifications for the job?
Innocent until proven guilty….is how it works in this country.
@ Stellabystarlight:
*Were you, *Were you..
Not Where you..
For someone who supports the French language so much, and apparently advocates for bilingualism, I am disappointed in the fact that you do not properly know how to translate to proper English terminology and grammar when speaking in English. Someone could have a heart attack if you were trying to assist them in English.. 😉
Stella’s dreaming by starlight…
Hey Anon….thank-you for helping me out. That’s what happens when one is fluent in two different languages. It happens that some insignifant words may be mis-spelled. WHERE would I be without you, if it WEREN’T for you correcting my spelling.
Once again…..thank-you, much appreciated **smile**
as a former candidate for council only spent $300) i am ver dismayed about what has been going on…I had advocated for bringing a university to Cornwall and expanding train serive here. but i was not part of the “network” that exists in this town. At the time is was employed by the Benson;s…but was not a favorite “boy” in their company. damn i should have flipped burgers .. might have got elected..oh well….sadly Cornwall will continue to go down this poor trooden path, until we have new bllod in this town, which will care about change, and not about ..i voted for so and so. and he must be good..I have been silent for 5 yrs now, but i’m fed up with out of control spending.. taxes keep going up and up… geee we all make $12.00 an hour and should be happy, while the top of the food chain keep gouging us. with impossible and secret council meetings…Things need to change in this town.. and soon!!! Mr Lauzon is useless as an MP, and the current council is either to busy drinking there wages away at local bars, or aspiring for a greater polital calling which i cannot see for any of them.
Sorry for all my mis spelling in the earlier post, was using a notebook and no spell check, or i was to upset to check my spelling.. apologies
Innocent until proven guilty….is how it works in this country the bold statement by a guy who declared a store clerk was stealing so much a store had to close.
It is shameful how this Kilger booster lies through his teeth then acts the high and mighty about other issues..sad really sad
@James Luciani April 16, 2013 at 6:47 pm.
Happens to me too…all the time. Don’t sweat it.
If really bad like some of mine have been, let Jamie or Don know and they will take a revision and remove the bad one. They have been really fair about that.
They are really good people, honest and well intentioned.