DISTRICT UP IN SMOKE

Cheech And Chong

Last week we indicated our deep concern about the unelected office of
District Chair. Severn Bridge's Gord Adams has been in that position
for over 10 years and, like his predecessors, has no public mandate.
He has, however, received over $500,000 in pay from taxpayers.

This is an appalling situation for Muskoka people, because the office
allows serious spending issues to be greatly influenced by someone who
has never been elected by the people.

Adams has used the office to seek more money for the hapless money pit
known as Muskoka Tourism, despite promises for years that these
$250,000 annual handouts would stop. He condones grants for special
projects, despite the fact the District is not supposed to be a grant
agency.

At Monday night's meeting he demonstrated his razor-sharp wit in the
chair. Susan Pryke was trying to make a serious point of order. She
wanted to refer an item back to committee. When Adams introduced a
motion, Pryke asked "refer or defer?"

"Refer, reefer," Adams quipped. "In my day reefer was something
different."

Very clever Gord! Yes most of us remember stoners Cheech and Chong, so
we know a reefer is a joint, a doobie, etc.

To be sure, some of Adams' bureaucratic entourage found this
hilarious. Huntsville councillor and perky cheerleader Scott Aitchison
was particularly thrilled with the Chair's drug-culture humour.

The problem is that as District Chair, Adams is supposed to set a good
example. At a time when responsible groups in our community are
raising serious warnings about spiralling drug use, we have a District
Chair who thinks it is funny and makes drug jokes from the chair at a
District council meeting.

You know, people say that you get the government you deserve. We don't
believe we deserve Gord Adams. Indeed we never elected him. This kind
of conduct undermines and diminishes the hard work not only of sincere
councillors, but also of concerned citizens throughout the community.

We predict more examples of this kind of humour from Adams and his
high school buddies on council.