CFN – Andre Rivette was flying at full speed as he showed his outrage at the farcical CAO & Covenant that was foisted upon council Monday night in Cornwall Ontario.
The most popular and populist councilor waved his framed original Declaration of Office from 1997 as council debated the toothless and pointless exercise that Mayor Kilger the Personnel committee ( Mayor Kilger, and councilors Carr, Thibault, Grant and added in Elaine MacDonald) Â put to a vote which was recorded.
Mr. Rivette, Maurice Dupelle, and Gerry Samson voted against the ridiculous document that CAO Norm Levac admitted to CFN had no teeth or device to punish a signing councilor that violated many of the terms listed. Â He also said that he was not the author of the document that was presented to him nor knew who was. Â Mr. Levac also stated many other municipalities have a Covenant with their CAO but could not mention a single one when queried.
The body language of many of the councilors during the video show what must have been a very interesting rehearsal in camera meeting prior to open.
The irony is that the sessions that Mr. Cuff was brought to council for guidance on were issues arising from Mayor Kilger and council attacking, and attempting to bully  Councilor Rivette during an in camera session.  Councilor Rivette filed a complaint against the Mayor and council and was victorious.
Protesters were blowing whistles prior to and during the council session in support of Deputy Chief Rob Hickley and Glen Stor Dun Lodge manager Diane Shay, the two whistleblowers that the city has also bullied and refuses to pay their legal bills while the Mayor sucks the city dry using $1000 per hour Super lawyers to try and delay and hide the truth from the public over allegations of Conflict of interest.
CFN requested comment from several current and former municipal mayors and councilors.
Andre Rivette:
Good Morning JamieÂI think I was very clear last night in regards to this issue, I will not sign this document and will continue to serve the people who elected me… The residents of Cornwall.ÂÂAndre
This is just another item on the long list of things that has made this particular Council the biggest gong show ever.ÂThis Council has not only wasted time, they have wasted millions of dollars on absolute nonsense.ÂCouncil resignations, firings, Municipal Act charges, employee pay offs, court cases, abuse of power, the list of foolishness goes on and on.ÂAnd now this late in their term a CAO covenant and strategic planning sessions, it’s a complete joke.
I have not agreed with many of the decisions of this term; nor have the best interests of the community been served.
COUNCIL-CAO COVENANT
WE, as members of the Cornwall City Council shall:
Carry out our responsibilities as set out in the applicable legislation, Â bylaws and policies.
 Make decisions which we believe to be in the best interests of the citizens of our jurisdiction.
 Review the background information and advice made available to us by the administration prior to rendering a decision.
Seek further input from our CAO when we are unsure of the issues or  direction to be taken.
 Refrain from making any commitments on behalf of the Council to individual citizens or groups.
 Refrain from any public or private criticism of our administration wherein individual employees are identified.
Act as good stewards of the City and as public servants of our citizens through ethical conduct.
 Provide effective leadership through guiding the corporation of the City through annual or longer term goals and priorities (the Council’s Business Plan), through the budget approval process and by agreeing to reasonable policies which reflect, in our views, the best interests of a majority of our citizens.
Ensure that we formally evaluate the performance of the CAO at least once annually and involve the CAO in this process.
We agree to respect the apolitical nature of the office of the CAO and to receive his/her advice as being in the perceived best interests of the community and/or organization. We will respectfully listen to  comments in response to questions posed at Council meetings and will ensure that the CAO is accorded a respectful audience. We will   not bypass the CAO in our search for information and will coordinate  any questions/concerns relative to the jurisdiction of the  administration through the office of the CAO.
We agree to respect the apolitical nature of our senior staff and will  treat their advice and reports with respect. We will not knowingly or willfully interfere with their work and will coordinate concerns  through the office of the CAO.
What do you think amazingly perceptive and intelligent viewers of CFN? You can post your comments below.
I won’t be voting for Elaine ever again. I never know what face she is wearing, I pinky swear,
This is Kilger’s way of covering up his ass yet again, options are running out for him as pressure is mounting so he will now look to hang the new CAO.
As for this council, what a complete bunch of fools, have you not taken 1 minute to take a look how dumb you people really are? seriously, if you have not, please do so, you might wake up to what Cornwall really does see. (all but Mr. Rivette of course)
The more you people stand up and open your mouths the more pathetic you make Cornwall look and yourselves for the matter. Its time you sell your taped council meetings to “This Hour Has 22 Minutes”. People from across Canada could get a good laugh at the goings on in Cornwall and we could be paid big bucks for the comedy show we created and take the funds to pay back the millions you dumbasses paid out.
Yes what a fricken gong show Kilger and Coucil is indeed!!! A dozen or so regular protesters have been committed to fighting for the citizens of Cornwall against this continuous Circus Show of Fools! Thousands of people feel the same but are too afraid due to the bullying ever present I’m this small town. The truth will be told at the next election!!
Thanks Mr. Rivette, Mr. Dupelle, and Mr. Samson. Keep your self respect and don’t drop down to Bobblehead Bob’s level. Not sure how much more foolish he can look. He is taking Norn down with him!!!!
Ridiculous !!! Some One Should Tell The Mayor Who He Is Representing And That He Should Clean Himself Up I Am Sure He Did Not Campaign For Mayor Looking Like That ??
Bravo Andre!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kilger please resign.
And yet again we see the infamous divide: Carr, Thibault, MacDonald, Gardiner, Clement–but now add to that, Murphy and Grant! Councillors, if you cannot see the ridiculous in this, the insults in this (even though our absolute gentleman CAO says he is not offended), and the absolute nonsense, then honestly, you shouldn’t be there. You’re not embarrassed? Really? Councillor Clement will you ever be able to make a decision that isn’t just “Kilger Politics?” Sweet Jesus, think for yourself outside of the Liberal umbrella. Maybe then I could muster up some respect, but most definitely not now. Councillors Rivette, Dupelle, Samson, thank you so much for not succumbing to nonsense. Keep speaking for us, the people, and stay true to your Oath of Office. Mr. O’Shaunessy, if ever there was a time for you to speak out, it is now.
Is anyone aware of laws or directives that would allow council or any form of government the ability to legislate its own level of security?
are these not concerns that we the tax payers and voters should vote upon.
Take a close look at what is happening in the middle east and see the similarity with the path Canadian goverments of all levels are doing
I agree with little dipper. I , being a former dippy voter myself in the past will not be voting in the next federal and provincial elections. I feel that the NDP party here does not have a candidate that represents my progressive social views.
Wondering what that mess is on Bobby’s chin. Did he forget to shave this week or is this his weak attempt at a play-off beard?
On reflection, I have come to believe this so called ‘covenant’ is in fact a childish way to cover up their tracts, troubles they are in with the community as a whole.
In essence, it really comes down to a stupid admission that the horses have left the barn before the doors were closed.
Training, yes, but to have a signed commitment of this nature is indeed juvenile. Council should be a mature body of men and women and have been anticipated be from the day they were first elected.
is makes one wonder if council members should have a drug and alcohol pee and blood and breathalyser tests before entering chambers.
What it does is confuses the public as to how pathetic and low this council has become.
All the while, covering their basis city business continues to wane.
Andre Rivette appears to be most on queue with common sense here.
I was wondering what was on Bare Ass’s face – I thought that he swallowed a white cat and left the tail sticking out. LOL LOL.
Thanks for the coverage, once again Jamie ! This bunch defies any type of logic ! I’m still shaking my head in disbelief ! Would somebody please, install one of those countdown clocks, so we voters, can cheer on every passing second, to the next municipal election ? I’m somewhat sure, that a suitable location could be found to set it up permanently ?
Jamie, on a slightly different topic, I am humbly requesting you delay your February deadline & move it to the day AFTER election day ? I believe that, the results will be very evident that the citizen’s of this great City, do support & appreciate what you & CFN does for our City !
I,m bursting with pride for Andre Rivette,you are surey the light at the end of the tunnel,for the first time in a long time I,m starting to feel that yes…just maybe…we can clean up this wicked foolish mayor & his sorry thugs Bravo !!!!
Speachless this boycott nonsense has gone on for over a year and devastated CFN and this community. When we speak to locally owned businesses and they want to advertise with us and are afraid of repercussions that’s not productive. When we want to do a “Day in the Life” profile video of a local shop and they too are afraid we all lose.
There are many ways to break this chain and it’s up to the good people of Cornwall to step up from supporting those that do sponsor us; encouraging others to not be afraid, to being subscriber if they want to show us support without being public, to finally as you are doing; viewing and commenting.
Ultimately our numbers are our support and as we keep growing we hopefully will be attracting some agency love from some larger businesses that don’t fear the Mayor and his crony clique.
We all know who wrote that foolish document…He lives in Toronto & cost the city over $1000/hr
Mariah I don’t think so. $1000 per hour lawyers would never do that. The document looks like something that maybe a Bob Peters hashed out for Mayor Kilger. It looks like a lot of cut and paste with a fairy princess wand waved over it; maybe by Bernie Boo Boo.
It appears that MCA and Cornwall have gone to the same governance conventions.
I think Mike and Bob are besties đŸ™‚
Thank you Jamie & CFN for your Reporting
THE COVENANT STATES
” Act as good stewards of the City and as public servants of our Citizens through ethical conduct ”
Checking out the word ethical= ” morally correct & honorable ”
That certainly doesn’t seem to fit Mayor Kilger and City Council
with the exceptions of Rivette Dupelle and Sampson .
Whats this really all about ? I see it as follows :
Nothing but a non Disclosure Agreement / they want to shut down any City Councilor from speaking out who doesn’t agree with them
( Mayor Kilger and his supporters ) .
In a way I feel sorry for them as I don’t feel they know what ETHICAL CONDUCT is all about on the other hand if they do then shame on them and shame on everyone who continues to support
them .
Makes me laugh anytime I hear………..Mr. Worship……….really Kilger or any other Mayor for that matter is an elected official by the people…….he/she is in office to serve the greater good. Mere humans are not worthy of the title of WORSHIP…..in my opinion.
No human being is “your worship” or “your highness” or anything else. Those at the top are the ones who are destroying “we the little people” and the sheeple can’t take the truth but bury their heads in the sand. Jamie it is like hitting one’s head against a brick wall to try and wake up most people.
This begs me to ask the question “What man is worth hiring for $1000 an hour? (I heard $2000)” What person could be worth that kind of money? I don’t think that even God makes a $1000 an hour!
No high priced lawyer from a big city would write such a ridiculous and childish thing – that has to come from Fossoli only. Where is that old program “Laugh In” it would make people laugh so much to bring it all back on to show what Fossoli is up to. No big city lawyer would lower their reputation on such ridiculous acts.
Didn’t Rivette run for the Mayor’s position before……enough said. Rivette is retiring, may he have a nice retirement.
@ Speachless FYI, The next municipal election is scheduled for Monday. October 27, 2014. 503 Days from today before we as a city can officially work on election day to rid 360 Pitt from the despicable actions from this Mayor and his crony inept council.The only way this can happen though is for all of Cornwall to vote next time and not just Bobby’s sunshine club clique members. The sign I am holding above asks for a BIG FLUSH at City Council. I strongly believe this and will be running again next year but there is a lot more work needed to end the apathy in Cornwall People here dont vote or give a damn anymore So sad but Kilger and Co know this and are already planning their next victory party. Fitzy and Gelinas will be their guests of honor and 4 more years of coverups, corruption, hidden agendas wasteful spending tax hikes No accountability etc… So Sad but probably true. I hope I am wrong thinking this but being a progressive and socially minded I see hope and unlike this band of misfits serving HIS HIGHNESS King Bobby. I promise to work everyday for all Cornwall and its people and not only for the clique that feel they own this city and not the people.
AndrĂ© Rivette said that his son might run for council – we will see if that happens. AndrĂ© himself is a mighty good man and that I know for more years than a lot of people on board have ever been alive. If AndrĂ© retires it will be a great loss for Cornwall. You will not know that and realize that until that happens.
Why would we need this agreement… don’t all elected officials have to swear by an oath of office?
Thank you Andre Rivette ! Finally a voice of reasons speaks out and is heard ! Greatly appreciated.
Thank goodness for clear thinking Andre Rivette. He may not realize it but he has avoided the negative phenomenon known as Group Think.
Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of people, in which the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in an incorrect or deviant decision-making outcome. Group members try to minimize conflict and reach a consensus decision without critical evaluation of alternative ideas or viewpoints, and by isolating themselves from outside influences.
That sounds an awful lot like our City Council….
Groupthink, is that from “Nineteen Eighty Four” or “Animal Farm”? I don’t think it matters because we are truly living in Orwellian times. To quote the great author and journalist:
“Political language… is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.” – George Orwell
Yes we are living in 1984 “an Orwelian State” by George Orwell aka Eric Blair. What is good is bad and vice versa, truth = lies, etc.
If André retires I can tell all of you that he will be mighty missed. The rest of the gang around that table are useless to the core and are there for their own self interest.
Jamie for many very long years people had a mighty hard time to make a business in Cornwall and it was long before Bare Ass ever showed his face. Domtar ruled the roost and other companies like General Motors was shunned by former mayor Nick Kaneb. Cornwall could have advanced many years ago but it was kept down by a certain few “the clique” and there was always a clique for many many years but a lot of people were not made aware of it or they just shunned from it.
Cornwall is situated in a good place in between major cities and it could have grown and yes it has potential but a lot of people (not all) but a lot of them have no education so they are stuck now with low paying jobs. Even those who are educated have to do what they can to put a roof over their heads and put food on the table and life is not getting any easier. I put the blame of the mayors of the past to the very present on what they did as damage to the public at large.
We used to have wonderful people living in Cornwall and believe me Jamie they left for other cities for better education and opportunities. Cornwall lost big time and I can’t see changes happening until the people themselves wake up and make changes themselves and decide to run and make the town better. As it stands now Cornwall does have some good citizens but they have to get together and throw the bums out and start new. It isn’t just Bare Ass and council but it is the city management as well that is to blame.
As for businesses being afraid of retaliation from Bare Ass and company believe me Jamie that would chase away potential businesses who may want to invest in Cornwall and you see folks you have to get rid of the entire gang before it gets any worse. Only you can do that.