Starting 01Jan2016 the Ontario Ombudsman will start protecting Wingham and the rest of North Huron by accepting complaints regarding municipal services and conduct of councilors. The Public’s concerns can no longer be trivialized and ignored. The Ombudsman is the Ultimate Defense Weapon, and will be deployed unless North Huron council addresses all of the Public’s concerns at the 21Dec2015 council meeting, including the list below.
Years of councilors abusing the Public are now on video. Name calling, temper tantrums, Councilors being denied access to information, a councilor calling the boss of a critic, “cancer on the Community” remarks, rubber stamped budget “meetings”, Vodden’s comments on FaceBook, how “mail in voting” was forced on the People, refusal to consider clearing our sidewalks, rural garbage pickup, state of our streets, M-T going to build their own fire hall, police denying body camera footage to victim of police abuse, trying to get M-T to hand over a portion of property taxes, leaky roofs, media blackout on policing costs for Wingham, demolition of the house in Belgrave, sidewalk guy clearing the lane of a town staffer while ignoring a section of sidewalk council demanded cleared….the list is almost endless.
Several years ago WFP started openly recording North Huron council meetings. It took years, but WFP Bloggers creatively coerced council into broadcasting council meetings live via YouTube. This was done by volunteers embarking on an overly ambitious attempt to bring transparency and accountability to North Huron. If you don’t realize what a monumental accomplishment this was, you should remember it took an 8 month battle to get council to release their “northhuron.ca” email addresses so the Public could contact them. WFP has since then gotten the Public access to budgets, agenda packages, saved the trailer park, stopped the “Arch” & the $50,000+ “Wingham” rope light projects, etc.
Our 6+ year battle is nearly over. The Power will return to the People on 01Jan2016 regardless of the will of council. We have won, and have enough archived evidence to ensure all of Wingham’s issues will be addressed.
Below is a list of things that need to be addressed 21Dec2015. If this list is not addressed by council 21Dec2015, a series of complaints will be filed with the Ombudsman and they will have no choice but to confront the issues. WFP Bloggers will also embark on a no-holds-barred campaign to get those councilors that continue to resist steps to fix Wingham to resign.
Record all closed meetings.
Garbage cans up year round.
Post Wingham’s tax rate on North Huron’s website.
“Allow” Public and Press questions at the start and end of council meetings.
Pressure-wash the Wingham Rust/Splash pad.
Proper and clear signage on Wingham Community Trail.
Stop closing the pool during summer weekends.
Fix cables on road safety railing by legion.
Adjust sign on electric charger to face traffic.
Cleanup of dog excrement on sidewalks.
Cleanup of horse excrement on Roads.
Paint all fire hydrants.
Commit to doing whatever is necessary to have the Blyth Witches Walk return.
Clear all sidewalks in the winter that can be safely cleaned by existing equipment.
Switch to the free service of the Ontario Ombudsman for our closed meeting investigator.
Disclose all locations in Wingham that have lead pipe in the water system.
Remove shoes dangling at the intersection of Frances and Patrick in Wingham.
Install fire suppression system at Town Hall.
Disclose OPP cost to police Wingham and honestly compare OPP & Wingham police.
Have a bin at the Reid Road landfill for household garbage and allow free drop-off of tagged bags.
Allow renters/residents to park overnight in Municipal parking lots.
Clear and/or groom our Community Trail in winter instead of blocking them off.
Clear pathways in Cruikshank park so the Public can enjoy the lights and displays.
Clean off park benches on Josephine street during the winter.
Control weeds and trees in our sidewalks to prevent further damage.
Fix all potholes and cracks to prolong the life of our asphalt surfaces.
Clean up garbage around town buildings, specifically near the Community Trail.
Straighten all sign posts in Wingham.
Replace all faded and hard to read street signs.
Commit to keeping stop signs clear and visible in Wingham.
Remove all roadkill from Wingham Streets.
Better signage to the Wingham police station.
Moratorium on all advertising spending.
Fix damn and open bridge near the beer store.
Drop-off location in Wingham for yard waste, recyclables and tagged bags.
Police blotter and press releases from the Wingham Police.
Time sheets for all town staff.
Car seat clinics.
Senior Citizen fraud education.
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