By Mike Archer. What on earth for? That’s all I could come up with when I read the announcement in the minutes for Monday’s council meeting.
Mayor Bruce Banman, who has barely been in the job more than a year, is being recognized by Ed Fast for significant contributions to Canada …
How little do you actually have to do to receive one of these things?
There are an enormous number of Canadians whose contributions to their country, their community and the world around them have been appropriately recognized by the awarding of a Governor General’s Queen’s Jubilee Medal. This is what the medals were supposed to achieve – the recognition of outstanding Canadians regardless of their position in society.
They were not designed to be handed out by politicians to other politicians, all of whom already make a living at the public trough.
Without any disrespect for those community members who have been recognized for their contributions, appointments like the one being made to Mayor Banman prove the point, being argued by many across the country, that, in handing these things out like Smarties from a bowl and a children’s party, our politicians are demeaning the medals and all those who have received them.
The handing out of such honours (some 60,000 now) has been ruined by the political class who have seen fit, in an orgy of self gratification, to tarnish the medals by handing them out to one another.
Most prominent on the national stage has been the case of the City of London, Ontario where councillors honoured themselves.
According to MacLeans Magazine, “After the city’s scandal-plagued Mayor Joe Fontana nominated all 14 council members for the award, the councillors voted in an in-camera session late last year to give the medals to themselves.”
Then came news from the Huffington Post that “Two Ottawa Valley mayors have sent back their Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medals, disagreeing with the way they were awarded.”
Said Huff Po, “Raye-Anne Briscoe of Admaston/Bromley and Peter Emon of Greater Madawaska Township said they felt they were given medals simply for being a mayor, diminishing the accomplishments of other winners in their communities.
“The Diamond Jubilee Medal was awarded to about 60,000 Canadians over the past year as a celebration of the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne. The award was meant to recognize the achievements of Canadians and their dedication to service.”
Then of course came the announcement that Radio India Manager Maninder Gill received the medal from MP Jinny Sims while facing weapons charges.
Here are the eligibility criteria for the medal.
Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria:
- have made significant contributions to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community within Canada, or for an outstanding achievement abroad that has brought great credit to Canada;
- be citizens or permanent residents of Canada;
- be alive on February 6, 2012. The award can be made posthumously, as long as the candidate was alive on that date.
Other than being alive and a resident, what on earth has Mayor Bruce Banman done to deserve such as honour?
hahahahahahahahahah
hahahahahahahahahahah
hahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahaah
his consistently perfectly coiffed hair?
“How little do you have to do to receive one of these
things.”
Mayor Banman has clearly been nominated by, a “select
self-interest group of developers/big business,
and Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce Exec. Board members,
the same people, who voted in Ed Fast and contributed to
his last campaign.
He is living up to this group’s expectations, considering
George Peary, their main man was ousted by, the voters,last
election.
He is the Master beating to the tune of “Abbotsford Chamber, Exec./
select developer/big business” drum , that is, he is advocating and
moving forward their “priority projects,” as planned.
First, Plan A, Interchange upgrades, airport expansion project,
Clearbrook Rd./Abbotsford Airport Industrial projects, U-District,
Civic Prescint,YMCA, Tradex expansion at taxpayer’s expense.
That deserves a Queen’s Jubilee medal!
Walter Neufeld Says:
No disrespect to Mayor Banman but it makes reasonable people wonder: What did this trinket medallion cost Abbotsford’s taxpayers, really ? Reminds me of the garishly medal-bedecked Soviet leaders tilted dangerously forward during their May Day parade celebrations. I hope Mayor Bruce Banman gives it back to save his integrity.
From Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Today-Media/447088788677534?ref=hl
I totally agree, especially since mayor and COuncil
was sent a letter telling them to nominate those,
who had given significant service to their community.
Tonight Ed Fast will bestow on Bruce Banman a medal for which it is now clear, no merit is required. The Federal government has cheapened this to nothing more than a tinny bit of jewelry.
It is said of Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States, ..”the best monument to his kind of presidency was no monument at all.” (National Post)
Coolidge said, “It is a great advantage to a president, and a major source of safety to the country, for him to know he is not a great man.”
I told Bruce Banman at the start of his term that he should not allow himself, a mere man, to be addressed as “Your Worship”. This is a grievous sin and incredibly foolish.
Jesus said, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'”
When we address mere, fallen, human beings in this fawning manner, two things happen. The recipient of this idolatrous nonsense begins to believe his is indeed worthy of our adulation, and we, the dumb oxen, take our eyes off Him who alone is worthy of our worship.
No wonder Abbotsford Council lurches like drunks, from one terrible decision to the next. They have stopped their ears to true wisdom and guidance, and become puffed up with nothing higher than themselves to follow.
It’s like awarding President Obama the Nobel Peace Prize in advance… I would like to know “in advance of what required or expected achievement” this medal is being “given”. I hope Mr. Banman treads lightly with regard to reciprocal promises.
Surely there are other Canadians more deserving of that award. It’s now become obviously political.
and with any sense of decency he would not accept. I agree with Meghan!!!
Our municipal government sure makes a good argument for anarchism.