As first reported on this website Nov. 24 (Tony Guergis wants to be warden again) Essa Mayor David Guergis’s brother phoned fellow Simcoe County Councillors making false allegations about Wasaga Beach Mayor Cal Patterson, who’s running for Warden against Guergis’s brother Tony. In this letter to the Collingwood Connection, Mayor Chris Carrier reflects that the Guergis tactics mark a new low in Simcoe County politics.
To the Editor:
All is fair in love and politics… well brotherly love anyway, as Essa Mayor David Guergis got caught campaigning “American style-take-no-prisoners” in a round of telephone calls last week.
Supporting his brother’s re-election for a fourth year as Simcoe County Warden, Guergis admitted he didn’t verify any of his claims about Wasaga Beach Mayor Cal Patterson. Instead he chose to let his fingers do the walking calling some of his county council colleagues spreading rumours impeaching the integrity and credibility of Wasaga Beach Mayor Cal Patterson who is challenging his brother Tony Guergis for Warden.
“I was one of the people making (such) phone calls because I see the divisive issue coming out as this growth plan,” he said. Mayor Geurgis never did clarify who else was making these “Anti-Cal” phone calls or where his baseless statements came from!
David had propagandised that Patterson favoured a weaker county and a stronger Barrie, because he was part of a controversial committee that has some county mayors talking with Barrie.
Wasaga Beach Mayor Cal Patterson asked him why he didn’t call him directly before misinforming other councillors about his position.
“I’m sorry,” he told Patterson and then of continuing along the high road He went into attack mode and further accused the Mayor Patterson of flip-flopping.
“I’ve dealt with you in other capacities, and to be honest, you’ve never kept the same position very long,” he added.
Honestly David – are you kidding me!”
Is this the same person who had just admitted to not checking the facts when his rumour mongering would better serve his brother’s chances of re-election?
Ramara Township Mayor Bill Duffy asked the question those who were left in Chambers were thinking: “are you part of meetings to divide the county” as alleged in these phone calls?
No! Replied Mayor Patterson. In fact, he went on to make several statements supportive of making the process more inclusive and transparent.
Both politicians were, of course, referring to the growth nodes committee, which some county councillors (one of whom is Mayor David Guergis) view as a meeting of the “haves”, those the Province is acknowledging as Urban Growth Nodes. In theprovince’s vision for the region, it calls for a larger more sustainable Barrie, supported by a network of smaller urban centres.
The committee’s discussions around cross border servicing with the County of Simcoe acting in an advisory capacity has caused anger and disdain at the county, with one county official calling it “reprehensible”.
I grew up in a home where politics and politicians were viewed as serving the greater good and this particular day I was witness to self serving statements by one brother for another. It was a bad day for Simcoe County politics and a worse day for our constituents!
It is time to restore trust and integrity in the political leadership of Simcoe County Council and all of us will be better served by the election of Cal Patterson as Warden of the County of Simcoe Tuesday December 8th 2009.
Chris Carrier
Mayor of Collingwood
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This is the only politics that any Guergis and their Goons know. Once more our only chance to change our own future in Simcoe County is to turf these people next year.
jim tolnai
Too bad we can’t turf these people today! how arrogant for Tony Guergis to think he can get elected for a fourth term as warden after the mess he has made of the job. ‘Goons’ is the right term for those who followed his lead. Hopefully the councillors will be intelligent enough to elect someone else when it is time for a new Warden. Jim Downer (no relative) or Cal Patterson would be a much wiser choice.
Great letter from Chris Carrier.
I hope all the county councillors read it before they cast their vote for Warden next Tuesday!
The 21st century has seen the County of Simcoe go from a highly respected level of government to one where democracy appears to have lost its way. A very special thanks to Mayor Chris Carrier for standing up for the County that served us well in past times. I look forward to Mayor Cal Patterson’s successful bid to represent all Simcoe County residents as Warden for the year 2010.
“Warden Guergis said his work on the county’s growth plan and Site 41 showed he was an effective leader.
“I have received tremendous attacks. I’m proud to say I was attacked because I did my job well. I stood out there and got hit in the nose. I stood up for your message,” Tony said.”
Quote from the Connection. It’s a wonder
Tony hasn’t broken both his arms trying to pat himself on the back. Lets hope and pray for a big change Dec. 8th
EMAIL OR CALL YOUR COUNCILLORS CHRISTMAS TIME OR NOT – THIS IS A BIG ISSUE!
I think it’s time to wipe the Guergis name right out of politics by booting out both the Guergis’. I for one am tired of my tax dollars lining the pockets of TONY GUERGIS or anyone in council that supports this neanderthal.
It’s time to shake up Simcoe County for the better.
I also like to put out there that George Lawrence for Tiny Township Mayor. He has been a backbone to the Site41 causes all the way through. He has put his voice out there on the news and on paper. Mayor Breckinridge has barely stepped up to the plate with this matter and other matters concerning Tiny Township.
If Tony Guergis is re-elected it will be a very sad day, because it will mean that truth, honour and credibility will NOT be restored to Simcoe County Council.
BRAVO to Chris Carrier for his words !
Most important: Cal Patterson, we are counting on you to Request the Revocation of the Site 41 Certificate of Approval.
Good for you Georgy. You have a candidate in mind so now start organizing your community to follow your lead and find other honest candidates for each seat of office who will pledge and promise to follow the people’s wishs. Anyone else want to help Georgy? You can count on me once your man has been vetted and passes muster I will help on the net, on the phone and with my boots on the ground and with a donation helping him and the others get elected. I will also help candidates from every Municipality in Simcoe County who are Honest Candidates. I may not be able to do it all on my own but there are over 9000 of me who have taken the time to fight against Site 41. This coming election is just a mopping up operation to ensure future peace and prosperity in our County and we must finish the job. So let’s get going folks the election is ours to lose.
jim tolnai