Danny Galea

thumbs-up

2016

770

thumbs-down

Did mayor blow the lid off CAO firing controversy with 'hypothetical' scenario?

OrilliaMatters

44

I still don't understand McIsaac's reasoning. If you're going to pose a "hypothetical" that basically spells it all out, why doesn't he just come out and say it? Is he afraid of being sued when the person he calls racist comes after him? And its been a long time since I knew Robert's Rules Of Order, but how can he deny a point of order about himself? I think the majority of Orillians wouldn't have cared who the CAO was or their race as long as they were qualified to do the job & that all the processes were followed properly. Why did the mayor feel inclined to step in for Mr. Singh?These statements only serve to cloud the issue while the mayor tries to paint council as the problem.

5

No flyers in your mailbox? No problem — we have you covered

24

I just thought of this this morning. It's nice to save some trees.

10

COUNCIL SERIES: A city councillor is entering the mayoral race

OrilliaMatters

26

JL Durnford would be a good choice for mayor. During her time on council, she may not have always been on the same side philosophically as me, but she was committed and I am also confident she would not use the strong mayor powers to ram things through when she doesn't get her way. As for Ralph, another "hey I'm going to retire" to "I haven't decided yet." Luke Leatherdale also talks a big game for being a ghost on council. Hopefully, we in Ward 2 can find some better candidates to represent us in this forced ward system.

8

Mayor urges patience as winter wallops Orillia (9 photos)

OrilliaMatters

22

We have a lot of snow. We always have a considerable amount of snow. And now we have another "snow clearing is hard" declaration from our lame duck mayor.If we have enough equipment and we're not going over budget, why does it take so long and why is done so shoddily? Perhaps, we need to budget for more than enough equipment or a bank to pay snow removal services on the road for more hours when they are needed.

9

'Very upset': Residents fume after 40 trees cut down at Orillia park

OrilliaMatters

28

Trees were dead, dying, infested. If they had fallen on the playground structure or a child, the city would be liable and the PR nightmare that follows. It's unfortunate, but it is what it is.

2

COLUMN: McIsaac shows what can go wrong with strong mayor powers

OrilliaMatters

27

Another "keyboard warrior" here to add to the insanity! (Really OM, that was a tone deaf letter if there ever was one).I also voted for Mayor McIsaac, but to think that he shouldn't have to explain why he requested strong mayor powers before they were just made permanent, only to use them to undo a hiring in the 11th hour after the candidate quit his previous job and was ready to move here, is asinine.We "look stupid" because Mayor McIsaac now appears as if he didn't like the candidate hired through the process & decided to use unilateral power to undo it. The mayor has also refused to simply answer the question of why. If he didn't ask for the super powers, this would have been a minimal footnote in meeting minutes. Going about it the way he did erodes any trust anyone could have in him.As for how the powers can benefit Orillia, has the current council had any issue reaching consensus on an issue? We've asked Carmen, he hasn't replied

2

New Shoppers Drug Mart opening at Orillia Square Thursday morning

OrilliaMatters

15

Shoppers Drug Mart lost my family's business a long time ago. They'll text you and say your prescription is ready, only to arrive and they need "ten more minutes." Of course, this is so that you will wander the store and possibly buy more stuff.We moved our business to Laclie Pharmacy years ago and have not regretted it once.

8

New 8-court pickleball complex could be on horizon at Foundry Park

OrilliaMatters

19

Yeah, let's leave the property the way it is, where there have been homeless encampments etc and just let it overgrow. Let's continue to complain that there isn't enough activities available in this town. Yes, let's sit on our hands and spend no money on anything ever.Not everything has to do with money. This is a positive change in the community.

3

'It's a hardship': Roof collapse puts Orillia Corner Market in peril

OrilliaMatters

22

With the amount of empty storefronts downtown, why doesn't one of these landlords curry some good public relations and offer to put them up in the meantime?

'A sad situation': Island Princess set to sail away from Orillia

OrilliaMatters

19

Vandalism is at epidemic levels in Orillia. You can stand almost anywhere in town and look around and see something vandalized. The work on the waterfront/downtown and also the work on Laclie Street has moved at a glacial pace. I've never seen projects take so long.

2

Orillia Recreation Centre pools closed by health unit inspectors

OrilliaMatters

18

How many times is something that shuts down some part of the rec centre going to happen before the town makes so kind of change? Is the building cursed or does staff need to be replaced to do a better job?

3

Did mayor blow the lid off CAO firing controversy with 'hypothetical' scenario?

OrilliaMatters

17

@Grouchy - Most families do not have time to attend council meetings, which is already niche viewing.

4

Encrypted police communications force Orillia to be less 'nosey'

OrilliaMatters

11

Another person looking for a conspiracy around every corner.The system is being updated and more secure.Police should not be required to leave everything open for display. If you want to know something, pay for the Freedom of Information request.

9

'I'm speechless': Orillia post office closed today due to lack of staff

OrilliaMatters

18

Shoppers knows what customer service looks like? I moved my medications out of there as soon as possible.

2

Family shaken after theft linked to encampment near Orillia Square

OrilliaMatters

7

WFO: Another conservative sheep post. Of course its the Liberals fault! Doug Ford was elected premier of Ontario June 29th 2018. This riding has been represented by a Conservative at the provincial level since at least 1999 (two Dunlops, Patrick Brown). It's easier to blame one party, but both have to carry their part of the load.

13

City to explore extending King and Colborne streets to waterfront

OrilliaMatters

17

Yes because getting to the LCBO is the only reason this would be helpful.Punching through on these two roads will allow some traffic relief, however minimal, and not be shoehorned onto Mississaga to get to the waterfront. Isn't the waterfront supposed to be one of our big tourist draws? Why not make it easier to get down there?I would suggest the council also look at punching Andrew St to link up with Royce Av. Another small change that would alleviate some of the traffic at the Barrie Rd/West St lights.

3

'Disappointing': Council defers action on poverty reduction strategy

OrilliaMatters

18

"Coun. Ralph Cipolla said he noticed the plan takes in a number of municipalities and "some of the recommendations here are not our responsibility."But he's trying to start a city run daycare?

2

Polyethics should be shut down until smell is quelled: councillor

OrilliaMatters

17

Unpopular counter opinion: if you shut down the plant, do the employees just end up on EI and scrape by until the smell is fixed?

2

'The town of no Halloween': City halts pirate ship construction

OrilliaMatters

13

If it's too big, fine, have a discussion with by-law and find common ground. It's not as big of a deal as the city and complainants seem to have made it.OrilliaResident sounds like they hate the entire thing just because they don't like it in their neighborhood, a traditional Orillia NIMBY. "Nobody in the neighborhood wants the thing." "Not to mention the neighbors absolutely do not want it." It sounds like the house in question has been doing this for years and its only become a problem now?

6

Most Orillia schools get failing grade from Fraser Institute

OrilliaMatters

10

Groan. Another article to bait to teacher haters. I'm actually surprised that Wondering Why didn't bring out his old chestnuts.This report does not take any type of social demographics into account, considering many of Orillia's students live in poverty, broken homes etc. It does not take into account special needs students outside of a number. All of the commenters saying "the teachers need to take accountability" have clearly never stepped foot in a school. There isn't a one size fits all way to teach kids. Pushing teachers and administrators with some kind of financial goal will only lead to poorly educated students.What we need is the Education Minister to actually be a teacher with some experience in a school, instead of a political appointment, and surround themselves with other actual teachers to actually develop a plan.

9