The Hall Monitor

Water Rates

2007-01-05T08:53:00.000-08:00

Here is a shocker that we didn't see coming; sewage and water rates are proposed to rise.....

Politicians are pros at playing words games and we have no doubt that Mayor Zero will proclaim that his zero means zero tax increase doesn't apply to services such as water delivery.

No wonder Frank magazine gave him a Wanker position near the top of the pile.

Note to local Conservatives distance yourself as far away as possible from Mayor Zero and his gang of political rookies......they are a liability not an asset.

Alex's Debt

2007-01-04T12:41:00.000-08:00

Why is Walter ROBINSON using city time, and city dollars to help pay off the debt of Alex MUNTER?

Nice scheme Walter but don't you have bigger challenges to tackle....like that budget thingy?

Larry and company are an odd bunch.

And a word of advice to "communications director" Mike PATTON.....lose the earring dude-you're "representing" the citizens of Ottawa not heading out to a Twisted Sister concert.

We're Getting Ripped Off

2006-12-29T11:06:00.000-08:00

Walter ROBINSON is not worth $135K/yr.

Mayor O. claims to have hired him (and his niece) for their municipal insight and experience.

Now we don't have our current update to date CV of ROBINSON, but the last time we checked aside from writing editorials or losing federal elections, his experience is close to zero.

The credibility of anything Mayor O. says is zero and we mean zero.

Joke (defined)

2006-12-20T10:01:00.000-08:00

Mayor O.

Is he our own Mel LASTMAN?

Nibble This

2006-12-18T17:28:00.000-08:00

A seagull peeing in the Ocean and holding the line on taxes?

Not that any of us our particularly surprised, but Mayor O. admitted that zero meant zero before he got elected and now zero means a little more than zero. Do you follow us?

Probably not, just like we don't follow this new Mayor of ours.

Breaking three campaign promises in your first three weeks in office....taxpayers deserve better and should be able to do something about it (say it loud "Rec-all-a")

Every wink and bad joke that comes out of Mayor O. showcases his true lack of political experience and more importantly lack of knowledge.

Our bet-6% tax increase for 2007-but don't worry we're sure Mayor O. will throw in a few bad jokes for free.

Recall Anyone?

2006-12-14T17:41:00.000-08:00

Mayor O. since being sworn in as the head CEO of Corporation Ottawa has taken a pay raise then given it back. Supported light rail, then decided against it. (ps; on that topic those 13 that voted against the project will be responsible FOR A MAMMOTH TAX INCREASE in the coming years--double digit tax increases-no bullshit)

City Hall is suffering from an enormous lack of leadership.

While we knew that the first weeks if not years of Mayor O's term would be rocky-this is turning into a disaster.

The guy has NO CLUE what he's doing, and unfortunately we are all going to pay for it.

The response of a smile and wink is starting to annoy us and is demonstrating what an ineffective leader we elected.

Our first choice was Mayor Bob, and while we are still suspicious of Team MUNTER, we're beginning to think that he may have been the best alternative (did we really just write that?)

Larry O needs some guidance-and he needs it fast-his first weeks in office have been pathetic.

Cryin' Terry

2006-12-14T07:21:00.000-08:00

Is it just us or does anyone else not really give a shit what Terry KILREA has to say about politics anymore?

Running for the Ontario Liberal Party?

Campaigning for David McGUINTY in Ottawa-South?

Did someone slip him a roofie during the last municipal election that has yet to run it's course?

We like Terry, he's a nice guy and we can't grasp where this rage against the "machine" is coming from.

You Had Your Chance

2006-12-12T13:26:00.000-08:00

Rainer BLOESS should remain silent on the O-Train debate.

This councillor had his chance to voice his opinion, but instead was on vacation.

Playing catch up on this major issue only further damages his reputation.

Coun. BLOESS, if you wanted to stop light rail, you had your chance and you blew it.

Move on.

Railroaded

2006-12-06T21:11:00.000-08:00

12-11

The O-Train is set to hit the tracks.

Wait 12 and 11 only make 23, shouldn't there be a total of 24 total votes on one of the most important pieces of municipal legislation?

Who was missing?

Oh right it was him.

We can only imagine he would've voted against it; which in turn would have stopped the project.

But we will never know since his vote was never casted.

Someone has some explaining to do.

Slogan

2006-12-06T11:59:00.000-08:00

Winking and stating "fix don't nix" isn't a solution to light rail for the City of Ottawa. Mayor O can only get by so long on cute media clips.

Mayor O's about-face on light rail is another broken promise from that election thingy he ran in oh one month ago......with every blunder he's looking more and more like another politician who likes to break promises.

Better hire a better PR Team Larry O, your first weeks in office are a dismal failure.

A Time-Out For Federal Fun

2006-12-03T09:40:00.000-08:00

8 candidates...and the final ballot goes to Steph DION....wow what renewal in the Federal Liberal Party of Canada....

Enjoy your time as leader of the opposition Mr. DION, you'll be there for quite awhile.

Give yourselves a nice high five Liberal delegates, your party is about to be obliterated in the next election.

Advice

2006-11-30T11:08:00.000-08:00

We guess he didn't give his boss, Mayor O. this advice:

MPP PAY RAISE? OKAY: 25% HIKE, NO FLIPPIN’ WAY!
http://www.taxpayer.com/main/news.php?news_id=1240

- CTF Reacts to Speaker’s Commission on Member’s Compensation -OTTAWA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today responded to the release of the Report of the Speaker’s Commission on Members’ Compensation. "The principles governing compensation for elected officials must always be transparency, simplicity, accountability and fairness," stated CTF federal director Walter Robinson. "And to be fair, MPPs in Ontario made great strides in 1996 by eliminating their old-style pension plan and the practice of tax free allowances. But a proposed 25% increase in base pay just won’t wash with taxpayers. It is offensive and it is wrong."

Robinson added, "this report raises various questions of process and transparency: Why wasn’t there an opportunity for public input? Why was this study fast tracked in just over a month? How independent is this commission?" The CTF also questions the commission’s calculations on "grossed-up" pension costs, especially with respect to federal MPs.

"These numbers seem a little high and distorted based on the comprehensive analysis we just completed last week with respect to the pension shenanigans which transpired in Ottawa," noted Robinson."MPPs were right to wait until the budget was balanced before once again looking at the issue of their compensation," stressed Robinson. "But to look now for a one-shot deal and immediate double-digit pay increase sends the wrong message to taxpayers and provincial public servants alike who are, if they’re lucky, negotiating multi-year, single digit packages.

Carlsberg Years?

2006-11-30T09:02:00.000-08:00

Nope, not quite.

Welcome to Mayor O. 's 4 year term.

We guess "zero means zero" but not zero when it comes to Mayor O's large salary.

The Mayor spoke alot about accountability in the recent campaign.

Perhaps forgoing your raise until you actually achieve some results for Ottawa residents would set a good example.

Let the fun begin, the ceremonial "key" to the city is officially given to Mayor O. tomorrow.

Here Is The Real Mayor of Ottawa

2006-11-27T16:37:00.000-08:00

Clever little ploy that Mayor O's team has pulled.

Essentially, Mayor O's new Chief of Staff, failed Conservative candidate Walter Robinson will be running this city(we appreciate the fact that Robinson dismantled his personal site).

While Mayor O. will give the media clips, Robinson is running the show and formulating the true path that Ottawa will take over the next four years.

Post-Election Ethics

2006-11-27T08:53:00.000-08:00

Mayor O is having expensive cocktail parties to wipe out campaign debt.

We hear Alex MUNTER's post-election donation letters are mysteriously finding their way into the mailboxes of local developers.

Where is the integrity, where?

A Little Short

2006-11-24T09:34:00.000-08:00

Munter Supporters Ask for Financial Support Josh Pringle Friday, November 24, 2006 -cfra.com

Alex Munter supporters are now campaigning to help the Mayoral candidate cover the cost of his election campaign.

Former Ottawa Mayor Marion Dewar and former Deputy Prime Minister John Manley have sent a letter to supporters soliciting donations.

The letter states Munter must raise another 100-thousand dollars to cover the cost of his failed bid for Municipal Office.

Munter finished in second place behind Larry O'Brien in the November 13th municipal election.

It's clear that his communications team was ineffective, but who was doing the accounting?

Kind of reveals the type of city we risked having if he had gotten elected.....

To our left wing buddies, we know that the current Mayor-elect could have funded all three campaigns out of his own pocket (just thought we'd clarify that before you send us the nasty e-mails).

Meet Me At The Club, We'll Do Lunch

2006-11-21T10:56:00.000-08:00

First it was the Mercedes, now it's lunch at the club.

The optics of Mayor O. hosting "his" new council for a luncheon at The Nepean Sailing Club was his first of what we predict will be many gaffes.

While the total bill might not amount to much, for a guy who ran on a platform of accountability and fiscal responsibility the whole spectacle isn't the smartest PR move.

Maybe Mayor O. needs to revisit his "inner-circle" hires; and fast.

Is Mayor O. A True Conservative?

2006-11-20T08:10:00.000-08:00

Alot has been written about Ottawa's new 'Conservative' Mayor, but is there truth to this statement?

Sure Mayor O. has some attributes that would lead folks to believe that he is a Conservative creature, but so did Mayor BOB.

Little is publicly known about the true political history of Mayor O. and his past political support.

Mayor O. as a person isn't stupid, he realized this past municipal election had a leftist, a centrist and a 'right' wing candidate. Of the three, two were solid candidates, the latter we learnt couldn't even un-seat one of the most unpopular council members.

Mayor O. knew that if he was going to win (we're still not convinced he thought he would until 8pm on e-day), he needed to appear to be right of center.

If Mayor O. can't deliver on his primary election promise of zero tax increases for the next four years, we strongly predict that Ottawa will have a new Mayor in 2010.

Is My Dog Allowed Here?

2006-11-15T16:24:00.000-08:00

Hopefully, it was all fun and games if Mayor-Elect O'BRIEN did utter these words to the city clerk.

The time is quickly approaching when a quick smile and a laugh won't deflect from the task at hand. Our new Mayor needs to take a break from photo-ops and get down to business.

"Zero means zero, but will it mean zero" is the true phrase-we shall see soon enough.

Congrats to all the new council members soon to be joining the table. Although we mocked him throughout the campaign; Ward 22 picked the second best candidate available to them and with a little more substance and a little less style, Smilin' Steve could turn out to be a player in this new game of municipal politicking.

Thank You

2006-11-13T20:08:00.000-08:00

Mayor BOB- Thank you for your dedication to this city. We won't soon forget your contributions to making this city better.

Alex MUNTER- You ran a stellar campaign, but even the most highly paid communications firm could not hide your record. People weren't ready to open up the vaults (and wallets) for the social agenda that you truly had planned.

Larry O.- You have your work cut out for you. Better not drink too much at your victory celebration because Tuesday is coming fast, and you need a crash course on how to run a city. Good luck, we hope you don't screw up because your "landslide" victory can certainly fade away in four years time.

Vote

2006-11-12T11:52:00.000-08:00

The time has come for you to do your civic duty and vote for who is going to represent you at Ottawa City Hall.

You know our position, now go out and cast a ballot.

Waking up Tuesday morning, and realizing that you didn't get what you wanted could quite possibly leave you with a hang-over lasting four years.

Take the five minutes out of your day and cast a ballot.

Who Will Win-The Mayor's Chair?

2006-11-10T12:56:00.000-08:00

We've got all sorts of poll numbers floating around.

Some say Alex, some say Larry, none say Bob.

Mayor BOB is going to have his number retired in the rafters of city hall this Tuesday. He will not prevail this election. We thank him for his many years of public service, and wish him well in retirement.

Alex MUNTER; over the weekend, when most people start to take an interest in this race will think the following to themselves: "Nice guy, but can the city afford him?" And within a few short seconds, will come to the conclusion that they will not place an 'X' beside his name.

Despite his well paid consultants attempts to change his economic image, people remember Alex as a spender. NDP members like to spend, we like most others are still not convinced that Alex has totally abandoned his NDP ideals.

Which leaves Larry O. of whom which we believe will win this election. Not because he's the most qualified or refined candidate, but because people want change and he's the only viable option.

Larry O's first months in office will be bumpy, without a doubt, but after this initial kick in the ass is over, we believe Larry O. will be a Mayor that achieves real goals for average Ottawa residents.

He is not a refined politician, but this is a strength not a detriment.

For Larry to win, Mayor BOB supporters need to make the realization that his tenure in office is over and their only alternative is Larry O. Surely they aren't prepared to support candidate MUNTER who's entry into this race effectively ruined Mayor BOB's hopes for re-election.

Had Alex remained on the side lines for another four years, and taken a run in 2010, Mayor BOB would have faced Terry KILREA and he would've been sipping victory champagne this weekend as opposed to writing his conciliation speech.

You Were Where Now?

2006-11-09T12:29:00.000-08:00

Alex MUNTER's "City We Want" Blog for November 9, 2006 is filled with all the bullshit he hopes to accomplish if elected next Monday.

MUNTER has continued issuing daily press releases portraying himself as the ONLY candidate of transparency and honesty.

How honest can this little man actually be when he's posting to his site about locations in the city he's allegedly stopped by with time stamps an hour ahead of reality?

Example:

Stop 14 - Rideau - Vanier, 100 Landry
2006-11-09 16:09
(Note the time stamp on our post, it's actually legit)

Alex MUNTER can't even be trusted to make an honest post to his website, can voters really believe him on his economic and social policy proposals? We say NO.

Who Will Win

2006-11-08T13:53:00.000-08:00

Ward:

1- Bob MONETTE
2- Rainer BLOESS
3- Jan HARDER
4- Matt MUIRHEAD
5- Eli EL-CHANTIRY
6- Shad QADRI
7- Terry KILREA
8- Rick CHIARELLI
9- Gord HUNTER
10- Diane DEANS
11- Frank REID
12- Bruce McCONVILLE
13- Jacques LEGENDRE
14- Diane HOLMES
15- Christine LEADMAN
16- Blake BATSON
17- Clive DOUCET
18- Peter HUME
19- Rob JELLETT
20- Doug THOMPSON
21- Glen BROOKS
22- Andrew HAYDON
23- Allan HUBLEY

Again this is what is going to happen, not what we want to happen in all cases.

Who Should Win (Who Will Win Is For Wed.)

2006-11-07T16:12:00.000-08:00

Ward:

1- Dennis VOWLES (Orleans residents are getting punished for useless representation with their current councillor)

2- Rainer BLOESS (Not a truly contested race, the challenger doesn't really have a grasp on the issues-But thanks for contributing to democracy-)

3- Jan HARDER (Effective representation, residents of Barrhaven don't really have a reason to not re-elect her)

4- Matt MUIRHEAD (Anu BOSE is a very close second, but we think MUIRHEAD has proven himself in this campaign)

5- Eli EL-CHANTIRY (A Liberal in Conservative land-but he knew this and played his cards right these past three years, his challenger would not perform better than Eli.)

6- Gilles CHASLES (Voting for his opponent only continues the STAVINGA reign on this ward, residents need to move away from this era)

7- Alex CULLEN (We don't like him, most people despise him, but as a city councillor he takes care of his people)

8- Rick CHIARELLI (We have to have one CHIARELLI around the council table on November 14th)

9- Gord HUNTER (No contest here)

10- Diane DEANS (No contest here either)

11- Frank REID (The Ottawa Citizen stole our thunder, Michel is ineffective and is holding this ward back, it's time for change and REID is the candidate to do just that)

12- Bruce McCONVILLE (McCONVILLE will get results for this ward, and not only in the last six months of his term, BEDARD does not deserve another kick at the can)

13- Jacques LEGENDRE (Arrogance: yes, but LEGENDRE is another one of those around the table that takes care of his own)

14- Diane HOLMES (Withholding comments)

15- Christine LEADMAN (This ward has needed leadership for years, LEADMAN will make Kitchissippi a major player around the council table)

16- Maria McRAE (She's worked hard and needs four more years to get even more accomplished)

17- Jay NORDENSTROM (Council needs a youthful edge and this is the guy to do it)

18- Peter HUME (No contest)

19- We would sway to Rob JELLETT but in all honesty no one running in this ward is going to be effective for their constituents. JELLETT has under performed by his countless flip-flops over the previous three years, and we're not sure he deserves another four years.

20- Doug THOMPSON (No contest)

21- Jim STEWART (Brooks needs to be sent to political retirement)

22- Andrew HAYDON (If residents in this ward want real and effective representation, HAYDON soars above the rest of the challengers)

23- Allan HUBLEY (Peggy's crying and whining around the table has made Kanata a laughing stock around the city; Peggy FELTMATE is not political material and should be sent packing)

Mayor- Bob CHIARELLI (despite his short-comings, Mayor BOB has accomplished projects that his competitors without a doubt would not have been able to in the face of a fresh amalgamated city. This city owes thanks to Mayor BOB, and we just hope that if he does lose, he isn't humiliated.

Who will win posted Wed.....we guarantee our predictions or you get your money back.