Piling On

The headline from The Telegram pretty well sums up what transpired in St. John’s council chambers on Monday night – “Council hammers Hanlon”. Did they ever. But in the process the councillors – Tom Hann in particular - made themselves look bad, which is ironic since all were complaining about how bad Hanlon made them look last week. (All complainging except Gerry Colbert who was MIA - again.) If you recall, Hanlon mused about the idea of full-time councillors and questioned the remuneration - this on the heels of her disclosure of personal bankruptcy. From the Tely: Several councillors agreed the public outcry over Hanlon’s idea throughout the last week has left them humiliated and generated a pile of nasty comments, phones calls and emails.

While she did take a lot of flack from many people (from this blog too), the display of the city councillors was nothing short of egregious. I felt embarrassed for some of them. I guess many hadn’t thought through the public reaction to what they said. Judging by the comments at the Telegram and CBC websites, it wasn’t well received – and that’s an understatement. They are the ones now getting hammed. Hanlon included. Most of the “speeches” were self-serving tripe claiming how hard they worked, how difficult it is to be a councillor and how they take calls at all hours. Hello! That’s part of your job. They claimed they loved their job, loved the city and felt it was an honour to serve, but stated that the amount of work can be overwhelming. They talked about the 13 or 14 committees they were on, chairing some and how hectic the schedule is. Undoubtedly it is. But in the same breathe; they lambasted Hanlon for calling for a review of how things are run.

Listen guys and gals, if you can’t handle the heat (and apparently most can’t) get out of the kitchen. As some stated, they knew what they were in for when they signed on. I think BruceTilley even had the gall to say he didn’t know what the pay was for serving as a councillor until after he was elected. How noble. Puuuuulease. Take about self-serving.

Bottom line – if you want to serve there are other things you can do. Volunteering is one way. Something you can quietly do, out of the public eye, without sounding like a self-serving marytar.

Miscellany

I hate to jinx it, but after this weekend, I think we may have turned the corner on Old Man Winter. It was a nice weekend here on the east coast with lots of sun on Saturday and warmer temperatures predicted for the upcoming week. (I sound like Ryan Snodden sans the flailing arms of course). The days are noticeably longer now too. Sweet. Clocks go ahead next week, which is always a good sign. Pretty soon Cec Haire won’t need to turn on his headlights when he drives to work. Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but it does get light fairly early in late May and June.

Elsewhere…

I heard two names being bandied about for a run for the Paradise town council. One name I’m familiar with and I think he would make a good councillor, but I don’t know the other person. But some new blood would be welcome. Enough of the same old, same old. Not sure who the new mayor will be as Wiseman said he wasn’t going to run again. (He wouldn’t stand a chance of winning if he did run.) It’s Allan English’s if he wants it. Why he would is beyond me.

Speaking of councillors, I see Debbie Hanlon has declared bankruptcy. It’s too bad really as I thought that she was doing quite well with her real estate business. I guess she learned a hard lesson when she co-signed that loan. I don’t, however, buy her claim that calling for councillors to be paid more is not tied to her financial situation. Seems like a huge coincidence. But, as I stated before, she knew what she was in for when she decided to run. Hopefully, things will turn around for her on the financial front - although I don’t think she can expect a pay increase as most councillors have come out against it. Such a move would be extremely unpopular. There would be rioting in the streets. Okay, that too, is an exaggeration, but a lot of people in St. John’s would be po’ed. Actually, with the snow clearing and sidewalk issues, a lot of people in St. John’s are already po’ed.

I posted about what seems to be an increasing number of violent crimes here on the North East Avalon and what happens? The next day there is another armed stand off.

The Brier, excuse me, the Tim Horton's Brier, is in full swing and I have to admit, I do watch. I have never played but it’s on my bucket list. Brad and the boys are off to a good start (2-0 as I post this). They are in tough though with the likes of Kevin Martin and Glenn Howard. I wonder if Martin knows he’s despised as much as Jennifer Jones. That's not my opinion, but it seems to be the vibe I'm picking up from watching. Who knew curling could be a blood sport?

What Was Debbie Hanlon Thinking?

Obviously, she wasn’t. If you complain about being underpaid for a job that you should know what you’re signed up for, shows poor judgement – and a lack of common sense. This, in the face of a litany of complaints against City Hall, a $400,000 snow clearing deficit (and climbing) and a city in the red. Yep, all in all, not a bright move.

And having the Telegram follow you around to show how busy you are is the lamest thing she could have done. We’re all busy. Suck it up buttercup. The only difference is that she chose to run. No one forced her. Perhaps if she ran for the right seasons, she’d accept the work, stop complaining and just do her job.

After seeing the backlash against her, I don’t think she has to worry being busy when the new council is sworn in. Much like some councillors here in Paradise.