November 10, 2009
Oh Webbers, Webbers, Webbers, at my age I thought that maybe I’d seen it all, either total stupidity or mistimed application of a pre-arranged betrayal, yes betrayal, of every Guelph Taxpayer (except former Councillor Birt Whistle, per his letter to the Mercury, (timed to perfection). Come on now “Birdwhistle,” you’re not making a comeback bid, are you? Surely not, that would make you as dumb as Councillor “Dumb-Bell” (aka Councillor Bob Bell), himself, the opportune matter to put your “iron in the fire.” Councillor “Dumb-Bell” should cough up the “opps dollars” he cost the Guelph Taxpayers through what he would claim as a “lapse of common sense,” and let’s face it Webbers, we, all of us, are capable of a “stupid mistake!”
But Webbers, before you pour out your Christian charity, considering you never witnessed the matter – and I did, with many others, some of whom have already recorded comment – save your charity for valid cases of human error! It is my contention that that this was pre-planned, and Councillor “Dumb-Bell” delivered on time, almost immediately, at the behest of County Councillor, (that pinnacle of integrity and honour), Brad Whitcombe, who saw an opportunity to “shaft the Guelph City Council” with an additional, totally unnecessary real time financial burden! Dirty pool. (Lise, who’s your friend!)
Webbers, as we continue forward into Arbitration, slightly biased towards the City, (they are not totally innocent in this matter), we look forward to the inclusion of the Aged Homes, Wellington Terrace, in Fergus, “Humpty Dumpty’s” (aka Warden Ross-Zuj) domain. Terrace, Mark I and Mark II. Therein lies the “hidden truth domino” awaiting to be pushed over! It would please me greatly, if I had that honour bestowed upon me, to set-off the chain reaction opportunity I have planned for, for so many, many years!
Ah! Hope springs eternal Webbers, keep watching and thinking, the light may yet go on! God bless.

Oh Webbers, Webbers, Webbers, if we were the types to be dis-heartened, right now we would be lower that a snake’s belly!
This past week we have attended (3) County Council Meetings (new season), and (1) meeting between the Joint City/County Social Services Committee, which includes this sorry messed up Ambulance Committee. This Committee is chaired by Guelph City Councillor Leanne Piper, who has, we believe, performed her difficult duties with demonstrated decorum and professional adherence to the rules. Well-done Leanne!
Despite the best efforts of our Chairperson Piper, the Erin ambulance issue, as we believe, has become a predicted political football, which by design of the “less than honourable Wellington County” portion of the Committee, has manipulated the City Mayor and senior staff into committing a “human error” which they “assumed” they had “closed out” during a “professional meeting”, (Oh yeah, sure, as if that’s possible with the County!) This meeting was called in good professional faith by the City senior officials, including Mayor Karen Farbridge, who requested the attendance of the Mayor of Erin Rod Finnie and County Warden, the “honourable” “Ross-Screwie.” Warden “Ross-Screwie,” we believe, ignored the invitation and did not attend. We ask why? We are entitled to know why, and we will! “Ross-Screwie”, through her lack of courtesy, demonstrated contempt of any genuine attempt by the City to work through this issue.
Now Webbers, it is no secret that I hold Mayor Karen Farbridge in high esteem; I believe she is “the genuine article.” What you see is what you get etc. On the other hand, it is also no secret that I hold total contempt for the “dis-honourable” Ross-Screwie” (more on that contained in imminent postings planned on the website, remember, she is up for re-election in November, but by all indications, a predicted one term wonder, placed in office to facilitate the agenda of the internal factions which control the County. How does it feel to realize you have been used Joanne? Last year I warned you, you silly girl!
“Ross-Screwie” chose not to attend the well-intentioned Meeting which left Councillor Rod Finnie as the sole representative of the County. With Mayor Farbridge’s trust and recognition of Mayor Finnie’s tenure on the Social Services Committee, being served a record of a good performance track record, why wouldn’t the City contingent be comfortable, considering “Ross-Screwie’s” contemptuous behaviour, let alone her professional bad manners. I did warn you Mayor Farbridge!
At this meeting, although no minutes were issued to the best of our knowledge, the City clearly indicated their inability to financially support an ambulance in Erin! Now this is where the City screwed up! At the last meeting of Social Services, prior to the “boon dog day” hiatus summer break of arguably 12 weeks, Mayor Farbridge inserted an olive branch proposal of an “interim” placement of an ambulance in Rockwood, and run concurrently.(Click here for our report on that). An appraisal of the benefits (if any) to collate the statistics for consideration to review at the end of June, to clearly expose the true numbers of response time. This was an experiment to determine data upon which would be the decision made as to what location of the ambulance made most sense! We applauded, publicly, Mayor Farbridge’s adopted proposal, a good logical decision for resolution of a major problem.
We awaited the results from the study but were “somewhat surprised” when, without any formal discussions in Committee that we were aware of, Guelph alone, as the server of record, signs up for a (10) year, locked in deal with Guelph/Eramosa Council, to house the recognized “temporary located” ambulance in Rockwood, for a 10 year term, long before the expiry of the trail time, (as portrayed by Mayor Farbridge) as being required to address the resulting statistical findings. Wow, betrayal, dirty pool, stinky politics and a slap in the face to Erin, not to mention Mayor Karen Farbridge’s word, taken in honour. What the hell happened Karen? Why would you do this silly thing without announcement, without Committee approval, and without consideration to “How will I now be perceived when I request public understanding and support, for all things Guelph (et al)??
As a proclaimed supporter and admirer of your leadership skills, I know there must be a reason for this “perceived political decision.” You can’t see this as an ethical one, all things considered!
If this is “a consensus decision” made by “your team” I can accept that, but it is so “out of character” with your demonstrated leadership, I can only assume it is a human failing, in retaliation to the expected County behaviour at your “secret” arbitration meetings with the County “ethical” arbitration team. Madam Mayor, you were strongly cautioned by Smelly-Welly.com in open written, published forum, not to trust the County one bit. Oh I know I have an axe to grind, but surely my strong caution, at least should have been considered as true, when one reviews my status in Court Proceedings which are in full public view on our website, Smelly-Welly.com, for all to see, even member of Guelph City Council! I am cognizant, yes, probably more than most, to your “secret” arbitration meeting results, Karen, if I may be so familiar. Please remember, you can never make deals with the devil. We all know where the financial discrepancies originated, and I believe, the attempted fraud by the ethical County group had to be “aided and abetted” by a person or persons in the Guelph City organization. They (the County) could not have done this alone! Remember Madam Mayor, it takes two to tango. Don’t be sucked in by sewer tactics, the only way to beat them is to take them on in the sewers, and outplay them at their own game. I know the game, I recognize it because I’m from the sewers of Dundee, and I was taught by the “best in the business.” Not to be read as arrogance, please Madam Mayor. They are bullies, and characteristically cowards, who “fold like a cheap suit” if challenged! They are bullies, with no stomach for challenge! You know this, so come on Madam Mayor, fight fire with fire on the issues, don’t lose focus and be distracted! You have earned the support of the people – use it!
Marques of Queensbury rules will not apply in this sewer fight. Get down and dirty, then the true colours of the County cowards will be revealed! I promise you this result, it has never failed me! And I am 74 years old, I know!
And Webbers, we are disturbed by the lack of reported extenuating factors being missed, we believe, in Mr. Scott Tracey’s blunt report in Thursday’s Mercury. I know this young man, and have respect for his sense of civic responsibility in accurate reporting. Recently, for whatever reason, there are no challenging type reports indicating issues which should be reported, if only to incite awareness debate in the Community! Why is this, has the press suddenly become super sensitive to the threat of libel? We shall elaborate on Mr. Tracey’s accurate report, but restricted, we believe, thereby diluting the facts of the meeting, at least in our opinion!
Webbers, in fairness to Madam Mayor, I believe she made a human error in assuming that if she called a meeting of the minds, including the principal group from the political arm of the County, i.e. the Warden “Ross-Screwie” and the Mayor of Erin, Rod Finnie, she could accomplish her team’s conclusion of non-affordability of the Erin ambulance this year, be conveyed to the holiday making Wellington County Council, to be shared with County Council via their representatives. I can understand Mayor Farbridge’s sense of insult when “Ross-Screwie” decides to be a no show, without a word, or even sending a Councillor in her place. With the Guelph group in attendance, including the “only show” from the County, I think the Mayor made a responsible decision to proceed without “Ross-Screwie.” Her assumption would be that Mayor Finnie would pass on the decision and details of the meeting which was, try as we may, we cannot find the money in the budget this year, please, Mr. Finnie, share that with your Warden and colleagues. This he did not, for whatever reason which he will have to explain.
To compound the confusion, the Mayor, before the expiry of the agreed fact finding statistical exercise and during the lull period, enters into a lock-in agreement with Guelph/ Eramosa to keep the Rockwood ambulance (temporarily located), to be a permanently located service for (10) years, without any consultation with the Joint Committee! This can only be perceived as intentional, as the statistics to ensure Guelph consumed the high percentage of the available time, afforded by the ambulance in Rockwood. The record is there, today, that it is just that what happened. No improvement for Erin, but a net-add of 80% of the additional ambulance in Rockwood to support Guelph East! Cone on guys!! This is not right by any stretch of the imagination – it smells of politics! Don’t play politics with people’s lives! This frankly stinks!! We’re playing Russian Roulette with five chambers loaded! It will happen! God forbid, though statistics tell me so!
In Mayor Farbridge’s, perceived by many, put down aimed at Councillor Maieron, around his constituents “being aware of the facts,” three times you asked, now we know the answer as “No-until we read it in the Erin Advocate!”  I read your address to Councillor Maieron as being “Councillor, I will only address this issue with your Warden” not as interpreted, “Councillor, I am the Mayor of Guelph, and I will only talk to Mayors or Wardens, of which you are neither!!” Please Mayor Farbridge, clear up this possibility of a distortion of your statement. I, for one, do not believe this interpretation!
Well Webbers, I am no “Pollyanna.” I believe strongly in Mayor Farbridge’s professional ethics, integrity and her adherence to professional behaviour. We should not pre-judge this situation. Maybe the proposed Communication Meeting in Erin will clear the air of any misinterpretation of what was said and how this relates to the facts of the situation. Exert patience, and permit Madam Mayor and her County counterpart to do their responsible thing. Tell the Taxpayers the facts, controlled by open and transparent government – and solve this “bloody problem,” it has festered too long! God bless.

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