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Town’s police costs out of control

June 1, 2017   ·   0 Comments

It’s time we up our game. Enough of opinion when it tries to parade as truth or implicit fact.

Another low threshold is being set by the past-chair of the Orangeville Police Services Board, with Anne Richardson making a public statement about the Orangeville Police Service in a local newspaper: “If it isn’t broken, why try to fix it?”

How do we even begin to take this comment seriously? As responsible? Which of the facts is she not aware of? And, to lean upon a cliché as the height of opinion … it’s incredulous.

We are only left to consider — and expect no more — that this flippant approach may reflect the grand sum of so many leadership tenures in this town.

Of all people, a past-chair should have the most insight into the OPP vs. OPS argument. Yet our senses indicate she is only waxing nostalgic — politely said.

Failing to elevate the discussion, her comments are only fodder to further disrupt the reputation of our town. Contrary to her intent, and in so many subtle yet enlightening ways, it’s being suggested that simple discourse cannot be properly managed amongst town decision-makers.

Ms. Richardson further states: “Do people not realize that once you secure the services of the OPP that cost is out of the Town’s control?”

Dear Anne: The very reason OPP costing is being entertained, is because costs — both past and projected; financial and social — ARE absolutely out of control for this town. The PSB failed to ensure otherwise. It’s that simple.

I dare anyone to otherwise justify this failure. There are no free passes. If you sign up to lead in this town, any town for that matter, best you know your history. And your competencies. Else, be seen as trying to lead for all the wrong reasons.

The reasons why — and those responsible for this predicament — are beyond this conversation, but suffice to say, over a decade’s worth of town leadership and self-serving influences are to blame.

The Police Services Act empowers any skilled town official with the opportunity to manage the policing portfolio as a town sees fit  — whether with the OPP, or as an independent municipal service. It’s of no surprise then that we should equate the litany of pro-OPS excuses with poor management.

Just know that every past-chair and mayor has their name subscribed to the development of where Orangeville stands today. That’s how it works. Recognize it or not, that’s the deal. In many ways, wanting to lead should be seen as a lifetime commitment, willing to put reputation, risk and reward on the table. To deny this is to be running scared, and reason enough to not hold office.

That said, when will certain pro-OPS town officials finally state: “I would love for OPS to remain…but we just can’t find the rationale to afford it. We simply can’t find the value statement necessary to support this manner of tax-dollar spending.”

The ongoing grandstanding and cheerleading is getting old. And grows more irresponsible by the day.

Where is the full dutiful action that elected officials and town leaders are encumbered to execute? Certainly, pick a side, but not before bringing forth all the facts, being assembled and presented. That should be the least of their requirements. (And all that is needed … leaving each individual to draw their own line in the sand.)

Yet, so many of the pro-OPS faction have failed in providing simple truths. Let alone all the truths. It’s sending an embarrassing message about our town’s braintrust and abilities across organizations and business within the province of Ontario. We should feel lucky that the Toronto Star hasn’t made fools of the town in exposing the behind-the-scenes nonsense that so many are unaware of.

For such an important moment in this town’s history, the only certain notion around the OPP vs. OPS argument is that an independent committee should have been struck to provide recommendations. But yet, another fail. And probably the biggest one through this whole exercise.

Let’s recognize comments like Ms. Richard-son’s for what they are. Desperate. Of which serve no benefit.

Bottom line: The current Police Service Board, like the Mayor, has no response to the challenge of the OPP costing. None. And the harking back of nostalgic-thinking only makes this point more evident.

We should applaud Ms. Richardson for her efforts. Really. But while she’s attempting to persuade an argument, the only thing being made clear is that no one — not even the past-chair of the PSB — has an answer to save the OPS.

Darrin Davidson

Orangeville

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