The End of Council Close-up

I feel like Matt Drudge (Drudge Report ) with a scoop today!

Some people are breathing easier at City Hall. No more Council Close-up to kick them around, or to educate citizens of Windsor about what is happening at City Hall.

I was watching cable TV on Cogeco 11 at 5:30 PM Tuesday expecting to see the smiling faces of Joe McParland and Bill Marra after the summer holidays just before the Council meeting. Well, I was not really expecting to see Bill after what he said after the last show before the summer break.

LO AND BEHOLD, NO MARRA BUT NO COUNCIL CLOSE-UP EITHER!

Was Cogeco pressured to take off the program? Were the ratings that bad? What are the real facts? I have a call into the Show’s producer to try and find out.

Oh, I had heard the stories about some being upset at what Bill had to say about Council on some of the issues that were before them, especially if he differed. Frankly, I wrote to him several times telling him he was "too soft" on Council!

And there was all of that free publicity Bill got by being on TV. (although being on cable doesn’t guarantee an election win). After all, his name has been mentioned in rumours as running for almost every political office there is in Windsor. I have heard that he might run for MP against Joe Comartin, or MPP in Sandra’s seat. The biggest rumour is that he would run for Council in Ward 4 (watch out Ken Jr and David C. one of you might not be back if he does). But in his heart of hearts, I am sure that he really wants to challenge Eddie again for Mayor.

Contrary to the suggestions of invincibility being spread around, Eddie only received 53% of the votes when he won his "landslide." But for a few dumb campaign mistakes, Bill might be Mayor today. If an election were held today, I think that Bill would have a great shot at the job! Heck, Ernie Lamont would get a ton of votes as a "protest" as the way this City is NOT being run.

But the real losers are the citizens of Windsor. Where do we get an opportunity to understand the issues of the day from the perspective of someone who understands the working of City Hall. Just reading a news story in the Star or watching or listening on TV or radio is not enough. We need the background if we are to understand what is going on in our City. That is what Council Close-up is all about.

And as for Councillors, they should not be so smug either. Where else would they get 15 minutes of fame every few weeks, as Joe M interviewed them on camera? They should be upset that their role is being diminished even more by the lack of media attention.

With no opportunity for review and criticism, I guess there is a need for this Blog after all! By the way, I have had one note from a fellow who said that he found this Blog helpful since he has wanted to run for Council.