Arrogance And Public Indifference Played Out In Caledonia

Mar 5, 2008
Resident of Caledonia
Donna Reid

Commissioner Fantino who has repeatedly refused to meet with the citizens of our town, to explain police policies, showed up here at the same hour as a group of Caledonia residence arrived at his home to protest his inaction.  Mr. Fantino and his contingent of OPP officers, (entourage?) made a grandstand entrance at Tim Horton’s in Caledonia, with the Toronto Sun there to capture his timely presence. The reason for his appearance in Caledonia was his need for a coffee after looking over the on-going, very expensive, renovation to the police station in Cayuga.  Oh, by the way, did I mention that there is a Tim Horton’s in Cayuga.  Of course it is understood that the Sun would follow Mr. Fantino everywhere he goes.  The arrogance of this individual is beyond belief. The OPP officers who accompanied this man should be ashamed of themselves for being party to this attempt to stick it to citizens of Caledonia.  Mr. Fantino has brought the OPP to a new low.

Should we be surprised at this arrogance?  NO!  Mr. McGuinty had no problem giving himself and all MPP a 25% raise; while manufacturing jobs were being lost and plants were closing at an unprecedented rate, after which he closed the Ontario Legislative Assembly three weeks early.  Native land claims have put Caledonia, Haldimand County, the surrounding area and the whole Grand River Water Shed in a head-lock.  Two years of occupation in Caledonia has created race base policing; two-tier law enforcement, illegal smoke shacks, and a native group intent on extortion, not to mention tension in the town and lose of business.  Then we have numbers of OPP officers tripping over themselves in an attempt to do nothing about the illegal activities.  With all the trouble that Ontario is in, would you not recall parliament and get down to business.  No!  Mr. McGuinty has extended the leave and blames all the problems of Ontario on the Federal Government. 

Mr. Bryant came to town and had a meeting with a few individuals, by invitation only, at which time he took the names and phone number of people who wish to talk to him; with the promise that they would be contacted and he would meet with them.  I do not know of one person who has been contacted.  He has, however, done a You Tube video outside of Tim Horton’s, smiling and waving, in order to communicate with Caledonians.  What exactly was that?  To me it was the same as sticking his middle finger the air.  It is interesting to note that this arrogance seems to encompass many provincial ministerial offices as the Health Minister suggests that he would wear an adult diaper to see if the complaints by advocates for elder care are true.

When our elected official have so little concern for the public they represent; when Ministers can thumb there noses at the distress of  Ontarians; when the Police Commissioner, rather to addressing community concerns related to law enforcement, can mock the people who are being harassed and threatened, one has to ask, what kind of a government does Ontario have.

Discussed Caledonia Resident