THE FERMENTATION OF SOUR GRAPES -

IMMATURE CHEAP SHOT DEMEANING AND SHORT-SIGHTED

Hopefully the mayor elect for the Town of Gravenhurst, will laugh-off a sour grapes’ sucker punch, courtesy a local disgruntled media outlet this week. It was inappropriate in my opinion, as I’m sure many others felt, who may not have voted for the winner....but are fair enough to give the mayor-elect the opportunity of sitting at the head of the council table, for at least a couple of moments, before being accused of working for, and on someone else’s agenda.

The mayor elect, who bested the bunch, is cartooned as a puppet, being manipulated by the current mayor.....an editorial opinion that the “former” is going to control the “incoming!” My concern is how fast a mayoral candidate can change from putting the interests of Gravenhurst first, to disrespecting the majority of citizens who did vote for the alleged puppet on a string. More than doubling the votes on second place. Troubling moreso, is the portrayal of the mayor, as someone who does not have an opinion, independence, and the competence to lead without direction of the puppeteer. This is pretty strong stuff, not to mention the unintentional (I’m sure) connotation to a woman mayor, which could muster some outrage from the numerous women who were successfully elected this week, to serve our community.....as democracy, not as controlling interest, warrants. Or are they being controlled by puppeteers as well?

Usually editorial cartoons don’t bother me but the fact that the publisher was the second place finisher, in the mayoral race, makes this even more troublesome. Is this the attitude that would have made it to council had he been elected? The optics of this stink. It was an uncalled for, rude, editorial comment, that clearly demonstrates the unfair advantage that occurred many times during the election, when a publication was used as a battering ram to bang home a point.....on behalf of a vested interest. Who the editor is, well, that’s moot. The publisher is top dog and you don’t need a journalism degree to know that as fact! Editors don’t follow the publisher on mast-heads. Therefore....well, the editor answers to the owner. Content? I’ve never come across a publisher yet who admitted he didn’t have knowledge and over-riding authority about what runs and what doesn’t.

I would have expected, for the last print edition of this publication, something more memorable and heartfelt than hurtful.....to both the town and each member of the incoming Gravenhurst Council. To me, it’s a sad way to end, and as I was there in the beginning.....and for some time there-after, I do know how the dream unfurled.....and it was a pleasure to be a part.

To the Mayor-elect.....well, the majority of Gravenhurst citizens are willing to give you a wee bit more time on the job before we cast any opinions, one way or the other.

Good luck!