CHRISTMAS IN GRAVENHURST -

MANY GROUPS IN OUR COMMUNITY HELPING THE LESS FORTUNATE - AS THEY HAVE BEEN FOR DECADES - WITHOUT A FUSS

SOMETIMES, BECAUSE OF PROLIFIC MEDIA TYPES LIKE ME, WE LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT, OUR COMMUNITY WELL-BEING IS HANDLED BY MANY OTHER GROUPS, BEYOND THE WORK OF THE SALVATION ARMY. THERE ARE CHURCH GROUPS AND SERVICE CLUB OUTREACH PROGRAMS, AND BUSINESSES THAT CONTRIBUTE FUNDRAISING PROCEEDS TOWARD THESE RELIEF ACTIVITIES. I AM ALWAYS IMPRESSED BY THE WAY OUR COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER, IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS, TO HELP OUT OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED. AS OUR FAMILY HAS MADE A TRADITION OF HELPING OUT THE FOOD BANK, OPERATED BY THE SALVATION ARMY, WE OBVIOUSLY DIRECT OUR CHRISTMAS CONCERT FUNDRAISING IN THEIR DIRECTION. BUT THE SALVATION ARMY IS JUST ONE OF THE COMMUNITY GROUPS WORKING FEVERISHLY THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON, TO HELP PUT SOME FESTIVITY BACK INTO THE LIVES OF THOSE SUFFERING ECONOMIC WOES. IT'S A NICE FEELING BEING A HOMETOWNER, AND WATCHING THIS BENEVOLENCE ROLL OUT. AND IT'S LIKE THIS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. IT'S AT CHRISTMAS THAT WE CAN SEE IT ALL MORE CLEARLY, THIS COMING TOGETHER OF THE CITIZENRY, AND RESPECTIVE BENEVOLENT GROUPS, WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK TO HELP SOMEONE HAVE A MORE FESTIVE CHRISTMAS, THAN HAD BEEN EXPECTED. DID I MENTION THE GENEROUS VOLUNTEERS AND BUSINESSES THAT HELP WITH SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAMS? I LOVE THEM ALL.

One of my annoyances in this town, is one you can pick up pretty easily in this blog collection……in a matter of several sentences. I don't like the disconnect I see at town hall, to what the economic realities are in this bailiwick. Not just focusing in on the downtown misfortunes but taking a real interest in the welfare of the citizenry at large…….because it seems to me, they feel the matter is being looked after by other groups……the upper governments' social assistance and unemployment insurance programs. Both of these are programs woefully outdated and inadequate in the real world economy. As town continues to toss money at the new recreation centre, and having paid an enormous amount for a new roof for the town hall, money appears to have lost its significance. What a fraction of that money would do for the Food Bank, makes me furious, especially when much of the expenditures now are for material substitution and (geez) more upgrades…..and a lot of incidentals which are always of the expensive kind. You know, just once, I'd like to read a report in the local press, when a councillor(s) hits the ceiling of that grand council chamber, when hearing about another rising cost at the centre. I'd like to know that even one councillor, would think enough of the stressed local economy, to rise up from that council table, whack the old coffee cup down, and demand a stop to the reckless spending. Is it going to stop? Is this a building that is going to cost us a fortune to maintain annually? Here's where the public needs to demand transparency……not request it!

While I might be accused of nit-picking here, finding out that we haven't been as responsible with spending, as we should have been, is disheartening when you look at all the charitable work going on right now, to help some of our citizenry down on their luck. It's just awful reading about cost over-runs and "oops, we goofed" reports, that admit in all that media ink, "we had to replace this - or that - oh well!" It's council's complacency, portrayed in the media, that emphasizes that "oh well," and frankly, it will also be their undoing, because this really is a time in this project, to be honest about any of the anticipated shortfalls that might occur, which are going to cost us more annually than the experts have told us thus far. It's not good enough to stack piles of money away, in expectation of adjustment and unexpected and rising operation costs. What everyone in this community needs doesn't come in the form of generalizations, over-views, broad-stroke-assessments, and blatant propaganda. And when I read a story about the rec. centre costs, and I find that now trademark "smoothing over" of jagged realities, I wonder if there are councillors reading the same propaganda from town hall, who are enraged……even in that quiet way, just before the lid blows of the proverbial kettle. The silence generally, even though we can surmise disloyalty in the ranks, still doesn't tell us, the citizens, just how frustrating the situation is to those voting on expenditure approvals……because we would never know this, except to read between the lines……and put all the jig-saw pieces together, gathered up from the beginning of this project to give us a new pool. Surely these folks have some things to say!

If councillors get perturbed at a blogger like me, fed up with the lack of transparency, and the reluctance of our elected officials to call a nightmare scenario, well "a nightmare,"

at least to this point, then the relevance is to break party politics, and speak candidly with the press, about the annoyances and differences of opinion going on at the multi-million dollar town hall. The reluctance to break rank is a problem, because I know there are folks at town hall, ready to blow because of the all the delays and extra costs, but are either nervous or respectfully committed to what they perceive as confidentiality…..when in fact, it is our right to know what's going on…….and what we can expect, now that the opening has been delayed…..how many times…….yet it always looks so innocent and "oh well….stuff happens."

As if this isn't the cat's arse of annoyances, add to this a recent plan to build an amphitheater at Gull Lake Park……not with our own money…..with someone else's……taxpayers in Ontario….Canada…..who would want us to have a neat concrete bunker for audiences of The Barge.

Council needs to find some benevolence soon. The compassion for the community they represent. To understand fully, what it is taking in this community, for charities and service clubs, and the operators of the food bank, to help those folks who are looking at a pretty meagre Christmas season…..winter, spring, summer, and fall……second verse, same as the first. The fact it is taking so many volunteers to help bridge this gap of economics, should mean an alertness at town hall, that the distress of main street businesses, is pale in comparison to the needs of our citizens…..our families…..young and old, who don't get enough nutrition each day to lead healthy lives. For the wonderfully kind folks and businesses who support breakfast programs at our schools, God bless you…..because it is being actively used, and is of vital importance to the students' capability to function in the classroom. A hungry child? We have them in our own community, right now. Not because they're too lazy to make themselves something to eat…….because the reality is, they come from residences with bare cupboards……and even the food bank finds it difficult to keep up with monthly demands. Are there seniors hungry in our town? Get over to the food bank and ask them…….there is no need to surmise, when there are folks who can relay the truth as a matter of daily fact.

In the future, with an economic calamity unfolding like flood water, around the globe, our town council will be facing a new normal…….one that demands their full and undivided attention to the needs of the citizens they represent……..and appreciating fully, that accountability will be demanded in many ways they might not have anticipated previously. As for being frugal at the recreation centre, the joy ride is coming to an end. For those bright lights who believe they are the leaders of our community, then show it……by vigorously holding the castle-builders to account, that the ongoing spending on upgrades and improvements must be curtailed……and frivolous spending be cut off the budget before we find ourselves a bankrupt town in beautiful Muskoka. It's up to individual members of council, to speak up, and to assist us……..with the transparency we were promised during the election. The fact there is almost a code of silence at town hall, with only a few speaking up, should make us all wary of their idea of business as usual. If rec. centre spending is any example of what we can expect and the cavalier way more money can be allocated, here and there, without much fuss at all……it means the citizens have reason to perk up to their responsibilities.

In terms of benevolence, this town is a jewel of kindness.

As for local governance, we need to fix this now.

Councillors should make a New Year's Resolution…….break rank, and let us know if you're angry or sad…….happy or content…….wish to remain a councillor, or step aside for someone else. Point is, as our economic situation becomes more dire……and I see no evidence to the contrary, we must have a revamped accountability at town hall…..because we can't afford any more excesses……

I know there are charitable, kind, and community-dedicated councillors at town hall. And staff who care greatly. But it's a perception situation here that has to change…..and as a writer / critic, I'm eager to help facilitate this understanding……..to folks eager to know. Maybe we can chat in the New Year. I'm always willing to know the other side.