Bits and bites

I'm at the first general issues committee meeting of the year, and the agenda is packed.  Budget, Pan Am, reports, and delegations are all on deck. I'm actually glad to be back -- this may sound a little nusty, but I have actually missed committee meetings. There's something about the regular rhythm of meetings and being at City Hall that I have really grown to love.

I will be writing something out of this meeting for tomorrow's paper, of course, but here are a few bits and pieces that have surfaced so far.

-The annual report of the Integrity Commissioner is included on today's agenda. It's an interesting summary of Earl Basse's work in 2010 that gives a lot of insight into his investigations. However, Tom Jackson just said a "review or reconsideration" of the integrity commissioner bylaw might be in order after some of "the events of last term." I'm not sure what he means by this, but I plan to ask him to explain after the meeting.

-Speaking of integrity, my colleague Dan Nolan and I had some interesting encounters with Councillor Terry Whitehead last week. As I reported in this story,  Terry Whitehead is doing a city-wide poll to ask residents about the stadium. However, when we first heard about this poll, we had no idea who had commissioned it. Dan called Whitehead Thursday night to ask if he had any information about it.  Whitehead denied knowing anything about it. "It could be anyone," he said.

Well, I did a bit of digging Friday about who was doing the poll, and all signs pointed to Whitehead. When I called him back, he eventually conceded that he was indeed behind it. Whitehead told me that he initially denied doing the poll because Dan's questions caught him by surprise. He said the polling firm he hired was doing some testing and he hadn't even approved the final questions yet. That's why he was confused and denied his involvement in the poll.

Whitehead, who is now sharing the cost of the poll with Councillor Scott Duvall, says he will share the results, cost, and details of the poll when it's completed. I, for one, will be very interested in those results.

-Brad Clark has withdrawn his notice of motion to withdraw from the Pan Am Games. I have a hunch it has something to do with the rumours that he's leading the charge for a smaller stadium at west harbour. (Again, see my story from Friday's paper for more details). However, that's just a hunch. We'll have to wait and see what happens as the rest of the week unfolds.

-A final note: today's meeting is being chaired by birthday boy Chad Collins. He's turning 40 today.

Comments

[Lawrence]

So what is going on at council today Emma? If we are looking at a 6,000 seat stadium, why not consider replacing Ivor Wynne with one? http://saveivorwynnestadium.com/blog/?p=217

[Mark-Alan Whittle]

So let me get this straight, Whitehead lied, then got caught. I find his excuses laughable. Sad to hear my Alderman Scott Duvall is involved, so much for being in touch with his constituency. I feel for my city.

[ed]

The integity commisioner is a toothless waste of money, wow! we got a report. I guess he had to do something to justify his existence.
We'd all like to know the exact dollar figure wasted accomplishing nothing in the stadium saga. When we see that figure, remember that all along the city claimed we have no money.