On the agenda for Monday night at Amherstburg Town Council will be a proposed by-law to appoint a Lobbyist Registrar. This Lobbyist Registrar will have the power to force organizations to register as "Lobbyists" and monitor any and all contact between them and members of Town Council. The Lobbyist Registrar will be paid $300 per hour. The report from Amherstburg CAO John Miceli specifically targets the Amherstburg Taxpayers Association, a not-for-profit taxpayer group which held its first meeting only 10 days ago. The stated goals of the Amherstburg Taxpayers Association are lower taxes, less waste, and more accountability.
I don't need to write an article on this one. Taxpayers have provided more than enough commentary, which I repeat for you here. (I obtained their permission first). If you want to set the taxpayers on fire, just try to separate them from their elected officials.
I don't need to write an article on this one. Taxpayers have provided more than enough commentary, which I repeat for you here. (I obtained their permission first). If you want to set the taxpayers on fire, just try to separate them from their elected officials.
JASON LAVIGNE: "Here is the problem. The Administration that concocted this by-law, those cheerleaders already out supporting it, are doing one thing unfortunately. They are disrespecting our democratically elected representatives on Council. In essence, this by-law is saying one thing, 'We don't trust our elected officials to be able to listen to ratepayers and make the right decisions.' Let's be honest, who cares if residents want to form a group to discuss their taxes and talk to their elected representatives about it? I hope Council sees what a disrespectful move this is and let's administrators know they are more than capable of listening to any taxpayers or groups in Amherstburg without having their hands held by administrators."
TOM WILSON: "Since when did an association become a lobbyist? We as citizens of this town have every right to speak to Council and anyone in town hall at anytime without registering as a lobbyist. It appears to me that someone in administration is really trying hard to hide something, in my opinion. This needs to be stopped now."
GIO AMORE: "That is totally absurd. This Council needs to get a grip on this out-of-control freight train. They need to know the reason they were elected. They were elected to serve the hard-working TAXPAYERS OF THIS TOWN. After all, we are the ones that are sustaining the well-being of the Burg, NOT ADMINISTRATION AND ALL THEIR CREATED WELL-PAYING JOBS."
JOANNE CAPEL-CURE: "I don't tend to post often but do read to keep informed, however, to this I must respond. What utter ridiculousness! Where IS our mayor? Why is a town employee speaking and making decisions for the mayor, and councillors? I know in my job I don't get to make big decisions or speak for my employer."
LUC PRIMEAU: "What's next? My cell phone and password, having to wear a GPS monitor to monitor my location? Someone needs to rethink the 'under the thumb' mentality."
MARK JUTRAS: "When government fears their citizens and taxpayers it's a clear sign that something is amiss."
FRANCOIS RENAUD: "It will be interesting to see which members of Council (if any at all) support this administrative proposal and confirm who is 'truly in control' of our municipal affairs. The taxpayers in Amherstburg must have a voice. I hope that this proposed unfortunate 'muzzle by-law' is NOT subject to future 'whim amendments' that may even cover gender, race and/or religion!"
LIBBY KEENAN: "Hmmm sounds like 'McCarthyism'. Even the members of Council will know this smells like a giant kettle of rotten sardines. This IS Canada remember? I don't believe Council would buy this infringement on their personal rights and freedoms for one minute. If in fact they do, they have my deepest sympathies since they no longer have any right to their own considered opinion. Furthermore, they no longer represent me or my Town. The only thing they will represent is a rubber stamp and a filled chair. Democracy people, we live in a Democracy!"