One of Jimmy Fallon's most popular bits as host of The Tonight Show is his weekly installment of "Thank You Notes." Set to a riveting piano accompaniment, the segment features Fallon deadpanning the camera while fake-scribbling out humorous thank you notes.
After Monday's meeting of Council, according to the actions of a majority of elected officials, there could be a local champion of funny thank you notes emerging in Coun. Mac Bain.
The political intrigue started two weeks ago when Bain tabled a motion recommending that City Council draft a letter of thanks to Premier Kathleen Wynne, in recognition of her government's support of the ONTC and the "tremendous value the organization provides to North Bay and surrounding areas."
The original motion passed unanimously, but in conversation with several Councillors since Sept. 19, there was a measure of regret that they had so overwhelmingly endorsed the motion.
Fast forward to Monday evening. Bain again tabled a thank you note motion, this time thanking Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier Wynne for their governments' support as far as funding for infrastructure. Read the entire motion here.
What happened next flies in the face of recent media speculation that all matters of Council are a fait accompli long before they reach the chambers.
A voting block opposing the motion consisting of Councillors Vaillancourt, King, Anthony, Shogren and Serran successfully quashed the proposal.
A stunned Bain sat slumped in his chair, in seeming disbelief. Coun. Maroosis and Deputy Mayor Forgette spoke to the merits of the motion, and voted in favour, as did Mayor Al McDonald. Councillors Vrebosch and Mayne were absent.
In presenting the motion for discussion, Bain told his colleagues, "I only believe it's fair that we thank both the federal and provincial governments for giving this community money (for infrastructure).
"It's time that this Council, after asking (for money) for many years to write a simple letter...thanking both the Prime Minister and the Premier for giving assistance to communities.
"My mother always made me write thank you notes to my aunts for Christmas gifts. Nobody writes letters anymore. It's a simple token," said Bain.
The opposition rhetoric began with Vaillancourt. He announced, "I had a very difficult time supporting your motion when we thanked her (Wynne) the last time. I can't support a government that has their head so far buried in the sand that they can't hear anyone."
King also indicated that he had been lukewarm as to the ONTC motion. He said that the second motion coming so closely on the heels of the first led him to do some research. King then questioned why the allocation of funds varied so significantly among northern communities, citing Sudbury's much larger piece of the pie.
Shogren said he would not support a formal letter, explaining that in his mind, Mayor McDonald thanking Minister of Energy Glenn Thibeault at an OCIF (Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund) presentation would suffice.
Anthony said that he had heard from many constituents who were not pleased with the previous motion to thank Premier Wynne, and would not support Monday's motion. "I'm not afraid to challenge the higher levels of government, and hearing from the community, I can't support this one this time," said Anthony.
The long-tenured Maroosis then observed that he "didn't think sending a courtesy note for receiving funding was going to be such a huge debate... people wonder why we don't get things in North Bay, maybe this is a perfect example of small-mindedness and where it gets you."
"The province gave us money to invest in our infrastructure and I was raised to say 'thank you' when something is given to you. And sure, you might want more, and that doesn't mean you can't work for more, or build those relationships to try to get more...I think it's all kind of childish," added Forgette.
Serran, bristling at those opposed being called "childish" or "small-minded" threw his support behind the nays.
Before the motion was defeated, an exasperated Bain had this to say: "I can't believe that us sending a thank you note to any government would be something that a politician wouldn't do. It's going to make my job harder when I represent the City of North Bay at Queen's Park, and the efforts we make aren't going to be appreciated when there are countless communities across the province that thank the government for the assistance they get, and they keep getting money."
