Just mean spirited or Are these actions of actual or Wannabe dictators

[oneoff]

And every reader (and the world) now has access though those public records of the adopted minutes. Get busy and prove these quotes to yourselves. It's the only way to learn; when you won't believe others.

Anyone not yet surprised?

[farmaholic]

I did check our RM's website and our minutes are not posted to their website, although they are obviously ooen to public scrutiny at the office. RECORDED minutes are a bit of a joke, the bare minimum and massaged versions of discussions are probably the only thing written.

You want to see nervous accountability, install an audio and visual recording device in council chambers.

I still say the most effective council would be an adversarial not harmonious relationship between members, not a table of "yesmen". Not agreeing 100% off the time on 100% of the issues but not the opposite either.

[RD414]

Thanks for the explanation one-off, in my opinion that is out of line on the councils part and outing them on social media will have best response. Make sure your facts are right. Our council was offered the health and dental plan, same as our employees receive and it was only discussed as a plan that would have been paid out of the councillors pocket, not ratepayers. In the end it was turned down. I could be wrong but think it costs close to 2000$ per employee. Our council is definitely not " harmonious " Farma, makes for some long meetings. 3 councillors are semiretired acreage owners. They love raising taxes.

[oneoff]

Thanks for the explanation one-off, in my opinion that is out of line on the councils part and outing them on social media will have best response. Make sure your facts are right.

Nothing truer than "Make sure your facts are right. That's why it seems to me that repeating the adopted council minutes should be the most solid ground you can be on. Public business discussed at meetings open to public seems to me to be prima facia evidence that any expectation of privacy is lost (We'll see when the Tim Probe matter verdict comes down in June. As I understand it; anyone can "record" any conversation with another person as long as one of the parties consents to the "taping". It seem illogical that means in practice that you give yourself permission to tape your utterances and its automatically OK to include the other person(s) involved.

So what does that do to open public sessions of a council meeting. Our municipality passed a resolution some years ago that all electronic devices are forbidden, but their phones go off on occassion and whilst gallery members may respect that rule....what happens in practice...and what would a judge decide.

Other public meetings have been taped (Hell even transcribed ) by council. And no one was aware that was being done. Seems the precedence has been set long ago. Now it an issue because the effective coverups and lack of accountability are important to some of those involved

Thus the status quo of who cares, better to just have as little to do with the policies imposed with zero consultation beforehand or after. Still gives a person a slight chill to think that some (both public and decision makers) feel they have a expectation of privacy; right to secrecy and to be able to threaten messengers into silence on matter brought before open council.

That so few have the gonads to speak up for what is in the public interest does disturb me. It sure sure like the potential number of known bullies and cowards far exceeds those who are brave enough to express opinions

ALL IT TAKES FOR EVIL TO PREVAIL IS TO DO NOTHING....so the saying goes

Another snippet. If you noticed the highway to Saskatoon more congested during the last SARM convention at Saskatoon....part of that traffic originated from our RM where almost everyone took their own vehicle. Perhaps part of the reason is that we reimburse at the rate of 75 cents per kilometer travelled. Now the CRA has determined the maximum rate allowed (without it being considered a taxable benefit is 55 cents/km) So there's now to be a slip (for tax purposes ) to report that generous excess amount as income. I say an example of cheapness and entitlement and picking ratepayer's pocket

[oneoff]

C'mon

I've stuck my neck out a fair bit more than certainly most people would.

If you agree or disagree at least have the courage to weigh in. Is is revulsion to what has been stated, disagreement, lack of courage, apathy; hiding what should be corrected, spinelessness or just cowardice that's holding back the responses.

I'm waiting

Opinions do matter...in fact they are taken as the licence to move forward; entrench or maintain the status quo.

[farmaholic]

Fret not one-off, there's been over 1400 views to 28 posts in this thread so far, some people are paying attention. That should be a bit of validation.

[RD414]

So one-off, where are the financials for 16 and 17? Your rm received a ton of money from disaster assistance over last few years. Did you guys get your money's worth for the millions spent.

[TSIPP]

I just shake my head at all wast that's done off the ratepayers back and when any one complains you'll be labeled a trouble maker, i have a long list of WTF is going on around here I was on counsel for five years and a hell of a lot has changed since, we are pretty much a have not RM but the boys spend like the best of them I guess it all changes when the taxes stop coming in.

[oneoff]

But would a single one of those persons do anything other than vote for that same "friend", coffee row partner; neighbor or relative.

The only evidence I've seen says "Not likely"

Just as not one of those friends, coffee row partners, neighbors or relatives has come up with the weakest excuse for continuing to do what is being done. And its a rare person who doesn't remain silent on these matters.

Count them up on one hand. And those rare persons are showing true leadership...not the fence sitter/community builder crowd who will one day wonder how this dark age escalated so quickly.

[oneoff]

So one-off, where are the financials for 16 and 17? Your rm received a ton of money from disaster assistance over last few years. Did you guys get your money's worth for the millions spent.

Let me put it this way. PDAP money is meant to replace actual losses to their condition before the disaster. No improvements envisioned and not even any thought to prevent a recurrence; especially if there is no mindset to looking into the future in a thoughtful and serious way. We aren't a have not RM by any means...and whilst we may have the most practice is sucking up to grants etc. please don't confuse that with good management. We do have taxes very substantially higher than the RM just across the road and adjoining quarters in that RM
So long story short; "we" budget for breakeven or deficits. Just like the provincial gov't; the budget was for losses; even though as stated farmland taxes went up 68% last year. I'm sure we didn't do better than expected; and could do better with a different attitudes

I'll give you a real example. Tenders were for 2 brand new road graders. Cat was chosen (I think) because Volvo was purchased by a Chinese company and the council members became convinced by the salesmen's pitch that resale value would be dismal; particularly in the future. Quotes were submitted on 3 different manufacturers; and separate quotes made on the basis of trade in of one old Volvo grader OR RM keep the trade in grader and pay $68,000 more in the case of the Cat grader. Decision was buy Cat and I have always fully agreed with the Cat salesmen who have always said "Cat equipment is more expensive than the others....and its worth every cent especially when resale value is considered".
What council did not/does not and doesn't want to hear are the things that escapes their imagination. That Volvo G970 grader had no issues. It had 5000 hours on it; it was still on warranty and it was worth a lot more money to anyone. It went straight to its new owner (a few miles away); when purchased days later from the same Cat salesman for $76,000; and don't worry I reminded him what they had in it for trade in (You guessed it; that knowledge can from witnessing the tender openings.; and one of the new owners was .... you guessed it.


Which brings up another point.....something that road builders don't do. When their tenders are opened; they might be present; but then the reeve thanks them for their attendance and "kicks" them out with a statement along line of "We'll get back to them the next day". Which leaves a sole ratepayer sitting in the gallery with no intention of being turfed... and council would very much preferred I leave. Had to tell them they didn't have that right to on simple money matters and I didn't have to move an inch.

Now back to the grader trade in for a low balled $68,000 (I believe). I think the potential new Chinese Volvo quote was for $120,000 trade in value; but don't have proof this minute; other than what I remember. Shortly after I talked with a Regina Auction company who auctions anything and everything. Told him the tendering story and he says to me


"Bring that machines up here and we'll' both make some money on it."

Want to buy a JD 7530 for $74,900 . Same story RM machine ...few years old etc Probably just sold on Kijiji

Gawd!!!

[oneoff]

You might as well know one of the latest rules

"Planting new trees, erecting new fences and putting up new bins must be set back a minimum of 46 meters from the center of the road"


Well I only have old fence posts to work with and used bins will be involved so I'm going to do as I'm told.

But watch for cross fencing even pastures that are enclosed with a fence inside your property line. Those pesky no man's land areas (I guess more appropriately called RM property whacking off 3 acres on each side of a road (per half mile)) are going to be problematic in joining them up to any old fence on land you mistakenly previously thought belonged to you along with what hasn't yet been requisitioned.

[burnt]

What is expropriation?