Councillor kept hush-hush

A microphone isn’t usually something that gets turned off during a performance, but at council recently that is exactly what happened.
To some, it’s a way to control councillors from getting out of hand.
To others it’s a way of putting a filter on who gets to say what.
But at the end of the day, it’s all just another example of the politicking that continues to ensue on Oshawa council.
During the most recent council meeting Councillor John Neal says he was silenced after Deputy Mayor Nester Pidwerbecki, who was chairing the meeting, turned off his microphone.
While Councillor Neal says he has a right to speak and shouldn’t be put on mute, Councillor Pidwerbecki says he was off-topic and was warned several times to get back on track.
But that reasoning wasn’t good enough for the boisterous Councillor Neal, who now says he may bring a blow horn to the final council meeting on June 28.
Let’s hope its not a vuvuzela.

What does the future hold for downtown?

With news that UOIT is planning some major investments downtown Oshawa, as the city recently chipped in $7.5 million, it’s no wonder the Development Services Committee decided to put the decision for a hotel and convention centre on hold.
While this doesn’t mean the proposed hotel and centre is out completely, it does leave room for options.
And options are what the new council could have come November, after the October 25th election.
With faces fresh off the election, a newly elected council will be ready to make decisions.
It was a good move on the part of committee to move ahead with the hotel study to see what the market demands at this point and what could be good for the city.
But it was an even better move to wait and see just what could happen in the near future.
Who knows, the university may want that piece of land at Simcoe Street North and Richmond, also known as the Queen’s Market Square.
The future is unknown and the school is clearly interested in downtown Oshawa for further endeavors.
Let’s hope council agrees with committee and leaves the door open. You never know who could come knocking.