EDITORIAL: Councillor Lisa Robinson clouds a Pickering celebration.

There was one cloud at the Mayor Ashe’s Corn Roast Event.

Though anything a politician does cannot be completely devoid of political aspects , the Ashe Corn Roast was as near a politically free*** event as Ashe could make it. He welcomed people to enjoy sharing a festivity together on a pleasant late summer evening. Music, booth displays, BBQ’d corn and iced refreshments. It was a celebration, an evening of socialization and fun for people to enjoy.

However, the cloud putting a damper on the politically untainted event was the political message blaring from the Rebel News mobile truck.

Like T**** in the USA, the message about the political conflict between the Pickering municipal council and Councillor Robinson is becoming tiring and tedious. People prefer hearing positive messages, constructive ones that build rather than diminish, erode and destroy. But more importantly, people prefer these kinds of political contests be battled elsewhere rather than a this kind of community event.

Robinson today?
Rebel News brought a political message to the event that looked like criticism, complaining and griping about the “Robinson vs City council” affair to what many saw to be a non-political community festivity. The Rebel News truck did not contribute a single positive thing to the atmosphere of fun and socializing. Instead, it blared out a derogatory message aimed at Mayor Ashe and the City of Pickering Councillors and which was out of place at this event. Councillor Robinson has stated unequivocally that she was not responsible for the presence of this messaging vehicle at the event. 

The Robinson saga is becoming a test of patience. Robinson may have have valid reasons for criticizing Ashe and his Councillors, but she does not air her political conflicts community events such as this one. Robinson’s issues with the City councillors as discouraging and dismaying they be should not be presented at venues like this one. Robinson’s cause is hers and she voices her political views where appropriate and not at public events such as this.

There is a sadness to the Robinson saga
Robinson attended the corn roast, showing her support for events celebrating community. The ongoing political battle between herself and the City of Pickering Mayor and councillors may be a sad aspect of our municipal politics but it is not Robinson who voiced anything about it at this event.

There is a time and place for everything but this event was neither the time nor the place for a political message of this sort. There is a time and place for political grandstanding and podium protests. This was not it.
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*** Following a discussion with Councillor Robinson, the post above needs some clarification.

First, the implication that Councillor Robinson was responsible for the Rebel News mobile truck at the event is an erroneous assumption for which I sincerely apologize to Councillor Robinson. Robinson declares she had nothing to do with the Rebel News truck being at the event.

Second, the question as to whether this was a politically connected evcnt or not needs clarification also. Any event that is funded or financially supported by tax payers money, should be labelled as having political associations. Therefore, unless Mayor Ashe paid for this event personally, it should be labelled a political event. It definitely had political aspects to it as politicians were present, as well as City of Pickering staff. The intention of this report was to conclude that this was not an event with clear political campaigning or delivery of a political message. Every City sponsored event in Pickering has political connections if it is funded by tax payer dollars.

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