Could anyone really expect KPMG to look at the concerns of the average citizen like having decent roads, and non escalating tax rates each and every year. It should be everyone’s concern that council promoted a dike that is unnecessary and would do nnothing but add to civic debt. Let’s concern ourselves with the big spending projects like the new RCMP station, the so called community energy system where the city purchases units of energy from Lakeland Mills, and the latest money burner, the winter games. Where is KPMG on these type of projects?

Power Corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

I agree on this one with Peter. I was there as well, but at another table. It was obvious they were not expecting that many people, while they should have been ready for many more. As always in such pressure situations which they got into through their own devices discussion was kept short. I also had the impression that on several occasions the facilitator did not understand the point being made, while several around the table obviously did.

I have been through many such consultation processes in my life. This one was one of the worst I ever attended for multiple reasons.

The draft ideas that are out there right now are virtually useless as is the fact that KPMG is simply acting as a scribe.

They need to get rid of their “covering their ass” disclaimer clauses since they are not acting as auditors, they are acting as consultants. Consultants take positions and are liable for the positions they take and recommendations they make.

In my view, the Peter Principle has just been seen and KPMG has been promoted to their level of incompetence on this project.

I would very carefully look at their RFP submission to see whether they have delivered what they said they would. If they have, then, in my opinion, it is the fault of the City for getting themselves into such a useless and unprofessional contract.

Perhaps someone not connected to KPMG or politics should organise another ‘public input session’, maybe a former judge. Then the citizens/voters of this town could present their results to the city and general public and see what happens.

If the city took our ideas seriously or not would openly show everyone their true colours.

I think something like this really needs to happen so we, the people, can see what we have for administration.

So what else is new Gus?

Cheers

Great to have the inside scoop on this public consultation. I’ve attended a half dozen public consultations with the City over the past few years. Now it seems the results of this one will counter the ones developed in the past – ie. the myPG Goals vs the Core Review. It’s sad really. A lot of volunteer time feels wasted with this current Council. There’s most defiitely a culture of ‘we know what’s best for you’ in this one.

Hey Comrade Ewart. Why don’t you organize your own public forum (sans KPMG) and present your recommendations to the Core Review Committee?

If you don’t like how the current process is working, stop complaining and do something about it.

Stand Up for the North could facilitate… rocky, could they count on your help?

Does PG have a Community Association?

Peter, I feel your pain and apprehension from 200 miles away.

We heard on the radio the controversy surrounding the recommendation of reducing Fire Fighting Staff to two employees per truck in some areas, and the subsequent concern for staff safety.

As soon as I heard that report I suspected that there was potentially a manipulation underfoot. What better way to obtain general public complacency than to offer some outrageous solution to have it rejected. The public will feel as though it had a victory… meanwhile other equally ludicrous options slip under the radar.

Meanwhile, UBCM convention gets bigger and bigger. Perhaps a Union of B.C. Community Associations could create an entirely different discussion.

I always get a kick out of the standard, lame response from people who object to legitimate complaints. “If you don’t like how the current process is working, stop complaining and do something about it.”

Gee, and here I thought Joe Q. Public DID do something about it by electing supposedly honest and independent people to represent him/her while they went about their jobs making money to pay taxes!! You mean it’s not enough, Rocky, to get out to the polls and vote at election time, and then take time out of one’s busy day to attend a “public input” seminar that’s clearly skewed in favour of a pre-ordained result, and then take the time to write about it in the media…but he has to do SOMETHING MORE about it???

If Joe Q. Public can’t trust the public officials who are specifially paid to do the job that you are suggesting Peter do himself…then why do we pay them at all?

I always get a kick out of the standard, lame response from people who object to anything and everything and dream up outrageous conspiracy theories. “Find fault with every aspect of the process, point fingers and pretend that you could do any better.”

Find fault with every aspect of the process, point fingers and pretend that you could do any better.”
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Why would we do it when we have elected these people to do it for us. And thats not all most of them gave us fairy tails to get elected and then THEY stab us in the back.
Cheers

Here is another tidbit about a two-man fire station shift that I have heard about. I would like O-250 to confirm this if they could: If they (two firemen) were to respond to a fire, and the homeowner says,”my kids are still in there”, the two responding firefighters cannot legally enter the structure – WCB and a whole host of other regulations/agencies prohibit them from doing so. They would have to wait until more firefighters arrived before they could enter the structure. All they could do is pour water on the structure. So what happens in the meantime – everyone stands around and listens to those trapped inside scream in agony until they die?

So, surely KPMG and City Council is aware of this ruling (again, it would be good for O-250 to confirm whether this rule is true). If they are not aware, then they should be. I am going to assume that Council does know of this rule, and so, is the two-man fire hall shift nothing more than a red herring, as has already been previously mentioned, and Council will reconsider and leave staffing as is while something else slips under the radar?

Well sure. We all know this is all about privatizing everything that isn’t nailed down or doesn’t affect the wages of those on council or in the mayors chair.
Which wouldnt necessarily be a bad thing providing the private company is from HERE, the employees are from HERE, the taxes get paid HERE and the wages earned are spent mostly HERE. The problem is you will most likely be trying to converse with a non english speaking person when complaining about a pothole or snow removal, since the contract will be given to the lowest bidder regardless of where they come from.

Can you repeat that please, sir. Did you say you would like to report a potholder?

Oh ….. a pothole there ….. I thought you were French Canadian ….. ;)