It's a given that Doug martin is mad. It's just a matter of what definition of "mad" you wish to use to describe Hizzoner. I prefer the one that indicates mentally unbalanced, although truly angry people can become mentally unbalanced as well. Very confusing, isn't it?
We also know, by his own words, that Martin orchestrated the latest assault on the reputations of four Fort Erie councillors. We know that he persuaded Tim Whitfield to sign and submit the paperwork to get a lawsuit started against the Four Councillors, who have been a constant target of the mayor. Martin who won his seat by a mere five votes and saw his power disappear with a new majority on council.
The mayor has deliberately perverted the basic tenet of democracy = majority rules. At this time, the majority in council have voted against certain items on the mayor's agenda. In his anger, Hizzoner has lashed out at the four councillors and has convinced some low information Fort Erians to carry the banner in his vendetta.
Because, when all the rhetoric, threats and temper tantrums are stripped away, it is merely a vendetta, brought on by a pissed-off mayor who is not getting his way. What takes this to the highest level of community lunacy is the mayor deciding that the problems in Fort Erie are all being caused by The Four. Yet, time and time again, it was the mayor who was disruptive of the process.
He is the one who had a hissy-fit when the majority of elected councillors decided to look outside Fort Erie for the new CAO, thus by-passing the mayor's chosen candidate. Rather than accept that, the mayor refused to attend any more closed sessions until the Integrity Commissioner was brought in. He later found out that he was out of line for his demands. He was also warned about breaching confidentiality of closed sessions, but he ignored that as well. When he found out he could not bring suit against the four councillors, he found someone else, a former councillor who was booted out of office by a landslide. In the court documents, it is clear that Martin and/or Passer and Shular also breached confidentiality as their involvement and affidavits reveal. (Passero already breached confidentiality several council meetings ago.) Yet they are alleging that the Four Councillors are in conflict of interest for a vote that awarded former town solicitor Heather Salter $50,000. because she threatened to file a harassment complaint against the Four Councillors. The big reveal over who voted "yes" or "no" on the award will come forth in the court hearing in May - if the case gets that far.
All this does nothing to improve Fort Erie's already bad reputation. It has already cost taxpayers thousands in staff salaries in order to provide the necessary documents for this case. Several lawyers have now become involved and the taxpayers will pay for most of the legal expenses of The Four. Others would like people to think that this case is a slam-dunk against The Four and that The Four will have to pay court costs, but they don't take into account the ancillary lawsuits that will surely follow for defamation, etc. which can - and will be filed by the Four Councillors.
The local newspapers will be called to task for the obvious slanted reporting. They have provided much proof of editorial irresponsibility in the coverage of this event. The Four Councillors cannot give any reaction to the lawsuit for fear that their words will be distorted in the local press. They will have to take their case to the people directly, another costly venture, to clear their reputations and impart the truth of the situation.
Many of us are disappointed, not in The Four, but in what is perceived to be a corruption of democratic principles over the outcome of the 2010 election. The Four were elected by the majority of the voters. Since that time, the mayor and his followers have done everything possible to undermine The Four. A billboard put up by a secret group; stalking activity; a blog that impugns the reputations of these councillors; ridiculous antics at town council meetings; false police reports; are but a few of the many ways the mayor's followers have obstructed the normal activity of the council and the town.
It must be stopped before there is further erosion of Fort Erie's already bad reputation. This is the work of a small group of obstructionists who have decided to destroy the town rather than allow duly elected councillors to do their job. These obstructionists are doing the bidding of the mayor who is terrified that his dirty little secrets will be revealed