The councillor who cried wolf?

If the province was worried about being slapped with a lawsuit from the City of Hamilton, they can officially exhale. Councillor Sam Merulla said yesterday that his plan to sue the province was a tactic to draw attention to the high cost of provincial downloading. Read the full story here.

Several of Merulla's council colleagues were relieved to hear that the option to sue the province had been taken off the table yesterday. Judging from their comments, it seems a tad unlikely that Merulla's plan would have passed. But at the same time, as Merulla pointed out yesterday, bringing up the possibility of suing pushed the cost of downloading  to the front page.

What do you folks think about Merulla's backtrack on suing the province?

Comments

[Mike Russell]

What else is new, Sam likes to see his name in the news. The story was just as much about Sam as it was about the downloading.

[ed]

With the amount of time this banana spends on grandstanding and being wishy washy, its a wonder he ever gets anything done for real.

[Tom Robertson]

Once he is turfed out of office he can go into acting. His theatrical skills are amazing. How much staff time in the legal department was wasted doing research on this and what dollar amount could be attached to it? He should be forced to pick up the expense of this just like Whitehead and his fridge.

[Rick]

...and the buffoonery continues.

[Markalanwhittle]

I sent the following communication to Ontario's Liberal Finance Minister Dwight Duncan respecting Hamilton's sad state of affairs.
--
Dear Minister Duncan,

Below is a story in Today’s Hamilton Spectator.

The budget variance report that I perused shows this 14.5 million dollar deficit is self-inflicted if someone took the time to read all the eye-glazing reports to get at the truth, which is not a cent of this money will go to any of the clients that use social services such as Ontario Works and Ontario disability Support Payment clients.

Ontario Works, which is administrated by city employees have allowed over-payments and outright fraud to go un-checked, for the past three years alone they have accumulated almost $20 million.

Social service deficits are administrative deficits not client service deficits.

Why should the clients be used as an excuse for management and municipal staff failures to address the root cause?

I have also perused the various ask letters sent to you from Hamilton Council.

Each one has a lower amount, which tells me somebody doesn’t have their story straight.

Not a good way to spend all Ontarians money, considering your own deficit situation, something we will all have to slay, including municipalities in the future.

Another pattern I’m sure you haven’t missed is that whenever you give a social service grant to Hamilton, the property tax rate levied on homeowners magically drops overnight.

How many more times will your government fall for this example of government largesse for instant tax savings that Aldermen and woman can use to say they “lowered” taxes.

The municipal election is in the fall, after those results are in, then your government and ours should talk about how to best remediate the root cause of Hamilton’s plight.

As always, I appreciate your replies, and if you need a copy of any pertinent documentation I have based my comments on, I can send you a copy and you can read for your-self.
--
The city will wait to hear whether it will receive millions from the province before it finalizes this year's budget.

Yesterday, council voted to park the final steps of the budget deliberations until the province announces whether Hamilton will receive a $14.2-million grant to help offset the cost of social services. That decision is expected by the end of March.

The city is currently meeting its guideline of a 2 per cent tax increase or less. This figure includes education taxes and a 0.5 per cent surcharge to help the city update its aging infrastructure.

However, without the provincial money, residents will face a 4.4 per cent increase.

The city also has to decide whether it will implement several enhancements to the budget, including putting more money into street tree trimming, the physician recruitment program, roads, parks and cemeteries.

If all the enhancements on the table are approved, it would toss an extra $1.3 million back into the budget. The budget was initially slotted for final approval at tomorrow's council meeting.

[Tom Robertson]

Why park the budget process until we hear from the province. Council and staff should still be looking at cut waste and pet projects from the budget. They want all budget talk quiet until after the election.

[Kathy Hagan]

Perhaps it was a way to get front page news. Mr Merulla often speaks before he thinks thus we should not be surprised at his "backtracking'
We sorely need a whole new set of Brains when this council gets voted out in the fall.

[WRCU2]

Ed, Mike, Tom and Rick what is your problem? Tell me who your councillors are that I may be frank with you and yours. I am damn proud of my fourth ward councillor Mr. Sam Merulla! Every once in awhile we do elect a keeper.

The east end of this city is improving by leaps and bounds. Here are Mr. Merulla's own words on this, "I think it's just another example of the renaissance we're going through in the east end."

Spinning success
http://thespec.com/News/Local/article/726049

The proposal to sue the province is no worse a threat than selling the airport. "As Merulla pointed out yesterday, bringing up the possibility of suing pushed the cost of downloading to the front page."

If anyone in this flippant foursome wish to discuss this or any other "tactics" with me face to face, or engage Mr. Merulla himself in the flesh, please come to the Pat Quinn Parkdale Arena, Community Room, Thursday February 25th at 7:00 P.M. for a scheduled community meeting.

You can also expect to see in attendance Mr. Daniel Rodrigues, Chair of the Hamilton Clean City Liaison Committee along with a member of Hamilton Police Services to touch on questions raised in the Hamiltonian over "keeping the issue of graffiti (at) the forefront."

Don't miss IT.

[Tom Robertson]

WRCU2...My alderman is Tom Jackson he has to go too. I hope Tom runs for Mayor so at least we can have some new blood in the ward. Sam Merulla is of no benefit to the Citizens of Hamilton. The meeting you mention just goes to show how he is a narrow minded man of no substance. Look at the topics being addressed. Now if the subject was his plan on economic development and had some speakers from business to give their views on what the City needs to become a thriving economy I would be in line to get a front row seat. Does Sam even have a plan for economic development? You can keep him and I hope you enjoy your socialist world in the east end and prepare for the taxes to pay for it. Maybe at the meeting you can ask him his economic development plan and get back to us. I think his plan would be to increase social services and then beg and sue the other levels of government to pay for it.

[Anon.]

Personally I just want to see this situation corrected ... we still continue to see the effects of downloading from several years ago and continue to pay for what were once provincially funded programs (ie. Ontario Works). In fairness I believe the Province has started the upload, but it will be a long time until the major costs are fully covered by the province. It's probably a good thing this has been brought up again because it is an important financial issue.

[Cal DiFalco]

Not very astute of the councillor.

Cal DiFalco
www.thehamiltonian.net

[Michelle Hruschka]

I think Mr Merulla has brought up an important point about the downloading of social services to the municipal levels.

Though I hink that suing them is not the answer but Mr Merulla should be doing all he can to speak to the other member of council to get on board to bring forward the untenible problems with socia services and the fact that so many i nour community live on amounts that are not sustainable in any shape or form.

Mark Alan: I think you should be directing some of your angst toward the province and not so much those, the workers who operate a computer system that causes the problems. I mean considering your political leanings, should you not put some of the blame on yourself.

[Mike K]

To all of you that are missing the point and attacking Merulla please read below.

Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.". Now focus your energy on how you can be part of the solution rather than negative armchair quarterbacks.

[Rick]

To WRCU2 - the fact that Mr Merulla would even contemplate suing the Province (which essentially means suing ones self)is an assinine move - and if I had the time Thursday I would tell him that to his face - I have no problem with that. What I do have a problem with is his continual grandstanding BUFFOONERY showing a total lack of respect for the office and citizenry - not to mention the embarassment we as Hamiltonians have to endure everytime he opens his mouth.

By the way - my councillor is Bob Bratina - and he too needs to be replaced in November. Thankfully, I can cast my ballot to help turf him out. If only I could do the same in Merulla's ward.

[Burke Austin]

I think threatening to sue a higher government is just plain stupid and a total waste of time. I do remember being at the finance committee meeting the day the downloading ball dropped and the councillors present were totally dismayed and shocked, I didn't completely understand what was happening but I sure found out quick enough.
I have lived and raised my family in Parkview West and like it here but Ward Four has and continues to be the City's dumping ground, Sam or no Sam. I must say that he always returns my calls and helps with any issue that arises. The current one being the 68 million dollars sludge incinerator the City wants to build on Woodward Ave. as noted in todays Spec. We continually fight to protect our little niche from pollution emitting business's and the City of Hamilton.

[Markalanwhittle]

Michelle, you of all people should be familiar with the systemic problems municipal staff have delivering a program they are never held to account for allowing a huge deficit, on the backs of the clients, who have nothing to do with the problem.

Personally, I don't have a problem giving people a hand-up, most want to improve their lives, I'm happy to support this with my property taxes.

Anyone who abuses the public trust should be held accountible, that's all I'm saying.

[Deano]

Rick:

I've had the opportunity to speak with Sam about this issue and frankly he is sticking his neck out on behalf of all Hamilton tax payers. What's fascinating about his initiative of exposing the provincial shorfall is the fact we are paying an additional 150 million dollars a year for provincial programs. In essence that equals approx 1500 dollars per home in our city. As he has stressed to me this is the single largest financial pressure we have. Although Sam might be loud he indeed knows how to push the issues to the forefront. You might want to reserve your anger for the premier and express your gratitude to Sam for having the courage to stand up and be heard regardless of his approach. Trust me when I say he doesn't need the press his track record in the east speaks volumes and that is why we will always elect him.

[Tom Robertson]

Mike K...The best way to focus our attention on a solution for the problems that have been plaguing our City for years is to ensure that Councillors that have been on Council for years and been ineffective in finding that solution be removed from office in the upcoming election. Mr. Merulla falls into that category. Do you have a better solution Mike?

[JoanneB]

I have to wonder what has made Merulla such an attention seeker.

[MikeK]

Tom:

I've lived in Sam's ward for 25 years and I've actually never encountered a representative that is so effective dedicated and frankly focused to serve his residents. A measure of his success is in the fact the east end has seen such a change for the good in developments from the public purse and private investors. These changes make me proud of my alderman its unfortunate you don't feel the same about your alderman. I suggest you give Sam a call because one thing that is certain is no matter where you live he will be ready to serve. Most importantly you will get to know him because when you do you will most likely feel the same.

Mike

[warren shannon]

Why do you care if the Province or City Taxes pay for welfare.
It is the same taxpayer.

[Rick]

Deano:

I never said that I agreed with the fact that downloading has hurt Hamilton - badly. We can thank Mike Harris et al for that...my issue is with the way in which Merulla brings these issues forward - suing the provincial government? I would ask Sam what has he done to bring economic activity and investment to this city - that, more than anything else, will help to bridge the gap in our budget shortfalls. Instead of crying the blues and saying "It's thier fault" all the time, how about coming up with some ideas to move this city forward.

And by the way - I'm not "angry" - just stating facts - wishing and hoping that come November we will have a whole slew of new, young councillors with positive ideas and true leadership to bring greatness once again to the city I love.

[Tom Robertson]

MikeK...Maybe he looks after his residents but you also have to remember the person you elect as alderman also has to represent the best interests of the entire city. His theatrics and disruptive behavior at council are of no benefit to the city? As mentioned earlier he has his public meeting Thursday night on the deep issues of clean up and graffiti. Actually that shows that he has a poor opinion of his constituents thinking that are shallow and that is all they care about rather than developing the city to get it back to the greatness it had. I'm sure Sam is reading this blog and I would challenge him to post his plan for the economic development of the city.

[Michelle Hruschka]

Mark Alan: Yes I agree with your point, ther is no accountibility by staff.

so: the individual gets lump sum payment of back child support during the month of february

the client would not report it until march 15 on their cards,

by the time this info is input then an overpayment occurs and if say you got 750.00 in back support, by the time it is reported, the money would be spent, thus causing the problem of an overpayment.

[WRCU2]

I am grateful to Mike K., Deano, Burke A. and Michelle H. for their reasoned voices and show of support. Half of the opposition has already fallen by the wayside as only Tom R. and Rick had the courage, or should I say the time to waste, making futile arguments. Don't you guys realize Hamilton is already suing other levels of government over Red Hill construction delays?

We're not going to get anywhere in this city bad mouthing one another for NO GOOD REASON. If I ever do, and I have , I have done so justifiably and I always provide supporting information.

An example of a valuable insight, Mr. Mahesh P. Butani recently posted these words on the RTH blog:

"Our biggest challenge in Hamilton, is creating the 'conditions' (environment) for socially relevant developments to occur pervasively.

Our sciences tell us that among the most powerful human instincts are: parental care and social instincts.

We all are already hardwired for it. We just have to figure out a way to create the right conditions for Morphogenesis.

Maybe by replacing confrontation with inquiry and open discussions; and by making the unconditional acceptance of the other, the new cool thing to do – the 'conditions' (environment) needed for socially relevant developments to occur could just evolve naturally."

http://raisethehammer.org/article/1025#comment-38422

See y'all Thursday night.