Sea change and the Turning Point

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The term ‘sea change‘ was first coined by William Shakespeare. It has come to mean “a deep and often surprising shift that usually impacts a large group of people, signalled by a major political realignment and transformation of public policy.”

The ‘turning point’ is taken from a passage in the I Ching: “After a time of decay comes the turning point. The powerful light that has been banished returns. There is movement but it is not brought about by force….The movement is natural, arising spontaneously. For this reason the transformation of the old becomes easy. The old is discarded and the new is introduced. Both measures accord with the time; therefore no harm results.”

We have witnessed this sea change locally in Caledon in the last municipal election. We have witnessed this sea change internationally in the mid-term elections in the USA. Let us ensure to the best of our ability that this same sea change comes globally and peacefully. The only thing necessary for the triumph of greed and evil is for good people to do nothing. The way I see it.

Skid Crease, Caledon

 

 

 

The Difference Between Cooperation and Collusion

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Ah, the devil is always in the details. It’s the subtle differences that can accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative.

Consider a diverse group of community members getting together to save a gold star, MNR certified rehabilitated former gravel pit that is now a migratory refuge for once endangered waterfowl in Ontario. Their work in public and for the common good is considered to be a prime example of cooperation.

Now, consider a group of politicians cooperating with a developer to change a Town By-law to permit the de-watering of a large groundwater lake and permit its infill with waste soil from nearby large city construction projects. That is a prime example of collusion. Collusion is defined as “a secret agreement or cooperation between two or more parties to deceive, mislead or defraud others, often for an illegal, dishonest, or unfair advantage.”

Cooperation is good, Collusion is bad.  And needs to be ridden out of Town on a rail. The way I see it.

Skid Crease, Caledon

We Grow Your Food!

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If the recent municipal election in Caledon results sent shivers through developer influenced governments, remember this Peel Region: we grow your food.

Not Brampton, not Mississauga. Caledon  grows your food.

Whoever becomes the Ford Regressive Conservative government’s undemocratically  appointed Strong Peel Regional Chair would be wise to remember this. The people’s voice in this last election was clear. No more strong anything powers. No more developer influenced agendas. Respect for farmers, respect for greenspaces, respect for rehabilitated gravel pits,  respect for slow, controlled growth.

The wording of the Ontario government’s Strong Mayor/Strong Regional Chair powers would not even pass USA Republican standards. Doug Ford overstepped with the one third vote to pass a motion.  Not even rabid MAGA Republicans were willing to accept that affront to democracy. But Ontario took it sitting down.

It’s time for the Caledon spirit to wake up the rest of our province. Ontario needs a new  centrist government. The Green and Liberal and NDP parties need to get their houses in order. Caledon needs a new MPP. Remember Walkerton. Remember Ipperwash. Change the path we are walking. The way I see it.

Skid Crease, Caledon

The Bonfire of the Vanities

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After every election – municipal, provincial, federal – I gather all of the print materials that were provided by the campaigning candidates. The candidates for whom I voted have their materials put into the recycling bin. The candidates who I opposed are shredded and placed in my outdoor fire pit. Utilizing my backyard Caledon fire permit, I ceremoniously light them in a funeral pyre of cleansing flame – what I call my Bonfire of the Vanities.

However, I saved two Third Party Advertising brochures for further investigation. One is the 2022 “Council Report Card” produced by Kathleen Wilson. While Kathleen denies having anything to do with their distribution in the 2026 campaign, she does admit to knowing who was distributing them. So who?

As well, and more mysterious is the eight page, five colour, high gloss paper brochure distributed by a Brigitte Loquercerio. Ms. Loquercerio was apparently a last minute third party advertiser registrant at the Town of Caledon. But she had no contact information listed on any Town sites. So who registered her, and why was she permitted to be registered without identification? We would love to clarify with Ms. Loquercerio, but to this date, the Town has not provided any contact information.

So, the election may be over, but the investigations continue. Who wanted to discredit the candidates opposed to the so-called Groves 2.0 agenda so desperately that they would invest this much money into third party advertising? I won’t be burning the evidence until I have the answers. As the song goes, “Well, it may be the Devil, or it may be the Lord, but you’re going to have to serve somebody.” Yes, it may serve the people or it may be the gold, but you’re gonna be serving somebody, The way I see it.

Skid Crease, Caledon

The People Have Spoken

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First, a bow to anyone who throws their towel into the political arena. You are no longer private property; instead you become a public figure open to the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. Your decisions are second guessed, your truthfulness questioned, your integrity challenged, your personal past and your present record are the subject of public scrutiny and speculation. And, yes,  it is all in the public interest.

In times past, issues like Swan Lake would be discussed around the campfire, or the knitting circle, or the Town Hall and on the Village Commons. In 2026, the electronic drug of social media can spread a truth or truthiness or outright lie at online speed to millions of people. The discussion and digestion of those issues is muddied at best, but it produced a clear outcome for the Town of Caledon in the 2026 Municipal Elections.

The populace overwhelmingly rejected the campaigns of candidates appearing to advocate for continuing the previous four years of developer influenced Strong Mayor rule – what some have labelled “Groves’ 2.0” policies.

The opposing perspectives of greenspace protectors on the new Council will be met with resistance from monied development powers who have influenced the past council. There will be difficult and expensive decisions if good governance is to be restored to the Town of Caledon staff, many of whom were sole selected under Strong Mayor Powers. Difficult decisions, but necessary for this new Council.

This transition story is far from over. The battle has been won, but the war continues. As my wise old Dad used to say, “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance!” Stay vigilant Caledon. Watch every decision like you would watch for an invasion to make us the 21st Sate. There is no cease and desist. The way I see it.

Skid Crease, Caledon