By Stephen Vance, Editor
Hey Santa,
It’s that time of year again. The time of year when some of my readers remind me that I’m due for sending you my annual wish list.
I trust that everything is going well at the North Pole – which reminds me, given all of his recent sabre rattling, has Mr. Putin forced you to fly the Russian flag yet? Just curious.
With a newly elected council in Meaford this holiday season, many people have lengthy wish lists, I however have just a small list of wishes this year. Hopefully you can pull through for us as you’ve done in previous years.
Gone is the “Other Big Apple” slogan from the municipal letterhead – you must have had to dig deep to make that wish come true as it took a few years, but better late than never! So thank you. The curbside organics pickup I asked for a couple of years ago was not only granted, but it has helped Meaford become one of the top municipalities in the province with respect to waste diversion. It isn’t just us that thanks you for that, the folks in Michigan probably like having a few less tonnes of trash dropped on their doorstep each year.
As well as you have done for us in previous years, we still don’t have an integrity commissioner in this town. I know, I know, a lot of people don’t see the need for such a post, and we do have a new council that looks promising thus far, but just as you don’t buy insurance after you’ve crashed your car, an integrity commissioner should be standing by, ready to investigate a complaint involving council should one crop up. Just like insurance, we hope to never have to use it, but it would be comforting to know that it’s there should the need arise.
If you are unable to fulfill this request yet again, I would still think it pretty nifty if you could scrounge up an integrity commissioner action figure as I’ve asked in previous years. I promise to take good care of it, and to have it standing on the media table at every council meeting to watch over the proceedings.
On a more serious note, Santa, Meaford does need a few key things this holiday season. For starters, now that we have a new council, let’s mend the relationship among our three distinct areas. The rural/urban conflict is becoming tiring, and at some point we need to realize that we’re stuck in an arranged marriage with little possibility of a divorce, so let’s figure out how we can all coexistand help each other out.
That could be helped along, of course, if you were able to deliver piles and piles of gravel and asphalt in order to get some our dangerously neglected roads into shape. There aren’t many municipal services the rural folks need or want, so can we at least make sure that a good chunk of the hefty taxes they pay are spent on the roads so they can actually see their tax dollars at work?
Before I sign off, Santa, I must mention that I heard a rumour that I nearly ended up on the naughty list last year after asking you to find the right-sized balls for our council to enable them to deal with the rural/urban conflict. I know I was being cheeky, and I know I should choose my words carefully, so please don’t put me on the naughty list this year as I am about to commit a second offence.
We’ve got a new council, and we have to assume this early on that they will come to the council table with all of the appropriately sized tools and equipment, so I will withdraw my previous request for some large council balls. However, I will reserve my right to re-submit that request if this council doesn’t quickly and efficiently put the future of Meaford policing to bed once and for all.
Thank you for considering my letter, Santa. Safe travels in your journey this year, and don’t forget to check for flames before heading down the chimneys. Our utility bills in Ontario are skyrocketing causing many to have to burn old hockey sticks in their fireplaces for warmth.
Regards,
Stephen Vance, Editor, The Meaford Independent
