THERE ARE NO CHECKS & BALANCES INVOLVED IN THE ELMIRA "CLEANUP"

 Politicians suggest that they are the checks and balances as they are the voice of the people. They think that they represent the people. Nothing could be further from the truth. While not 100% of wanna be politicians are inherently corrupt, I suggest that 85-90% is not an unreasonable figure. Then there are the ones who go into politics straddling the fence as to their motives and or basic beliefs. A few years later they have learned the hard way that absolutely nothing goes forward or gets done without compromise. If you want my support on your idea or bill then you have to vote my way on this issue and that legislation. After enough compromises whereby you support either poor legislation or even outright bad legislation in order to advance your pet project or by-law, bill etc., you realize that you have slowly become one of them.

Municipal politicians in general including Woolwich Township councillors are probably indoctrinated early and often as to their subsidiary role in the scheme of things political. Municipal power and authority are always trumped by provincial power and authority and those in turn by federal power and authority. Plus municipalities are always looking for grants and provincial or federal money for roads, bridges, airports, cultural edifices (Centre in the Square-Symphony etc.). Could upper tier governments be vindictive if they smell a lack of cooperation or even normal complaining about their government by a lower tier government? Ha! There have been studies over the decades suggesting that some grants only go to municipalities who have correctly elected the right party to power. whether provincially or federally. 

With this kind of political atmosphere abounding is it much wonder that experienced municipal politicians often end up very jealous and defensive around their very limited sphere of influence? They are expected to behave and cooperate from higher tiers of government and they then believe that's exactly how the unwashed masses below them should  behave towards their municipal government. 

ISN'T DEMOCRACY GRAND !