REVOLUTION & COUNTER-REVOLUTION

The revolution against old style Woolwich politics and politicians occurred during the 2010 municipal election. Mayor Bill Strauss and long time Woolwich Councillor Pat McLean lost to upstart Todd Cowan. The rest of Woolwich Council including long timer Murray Martin also got the boot with the exception of Ward Two councillor Mark Bauman. Ruby Weber also lost in this election and Sandy Shantz had chosen not to run after being the one to give Pat McLean the boot four years earlier (2006). So Todd Cowan, Julie-Anne Herteis, Al Poffenroth, Bonnie Bryant and Mark Bauman rounded out the 2010-2014 Woolwich council. Bauman of course was the counter-revolutionary in the group.

The strength in this group was Bonnie Bryant and Mark Bauman. Todd was all show although he certainly didn't lack in the time and effort he put in. His real lack became apparent a few years later with his expense scandal for which he was convicted of breach of trust while being acquitted of fraud. Very lucky. The counter-revolution in 2014 was all about Sandy Shantz challenging Todd Cowan and Bonnie Bryant for mayor. It turned out to be a slam dunk due to Todd's self-destruction although Sandy may have won anyway with her Mennonite background, church presence and former council and school board experience. Bonnie would have made a very good mayor, far better than Sandy based upon both brains and integrity.That Murray Martin won against Lisa McDonald is another testament to ill informed voters going for Mennonite name recognition.

So we have just struggled through the 2018 election sort of. Larry Shantz. Murray Martin and Sandy Shantz were all acclaimed. That is very unfortunate. That Julie-Anne Herteis, Scott Hahn and Mark Bauman are gone is very good. Congratulations to election winners Patrick Merlihan, Fred Redekop and Scott McMillan. You three can make a difference and an improvement in all things Woolwich although you have three problematic councillors to worry about. Sandy can not lean on Mark Bauman any longer which is a good thing.

This revolution and counter-revolution dramatically affected the Chemtura Public Advisory Committee (CPAC). There was a house cleaning after the counter-revolution in 2010 and yet again in 2015 after the counter-revolution. If nothing else it shows that committees of council are subject to the vagaries, biases and ignorance of the elected councils. This time with only a third of the council changing it is unlikely that we will see a wholesale change especially with Sandy Shantz defending her RAC & TAG creations from 2015.