Sometimes when I'm listening to Maggie Laidlaw it takes me a second to start writing down what she said because it's so out there I have trouble believing she said it.
Tonight was one of those times.
During the presentation of the proposed 2013 police budget, Chief Bryan Larkin noted there was only so much paring back that could be done without causing service cuts related to staffing cuts, since staffing costs account for more than 90 per cent of the service's budget.
"Too bad there aren't such things as robot cops because they don't expect a raise," Laidlaw said.
After glancing around to ensure I hadn't dreamt it, I posted Laidlaw's comment on Twitter.
It didn't take long for fellow Tweeters to begin commenting, with one observing, "Too bad there aren't such things as robot councillors because they don't constantly say stupid things."
Even former Merc reporter Greg Layson chimed in, urging Guelph residents to remember that Laidlaw had no trouble accepting her own raise.
Indeed, in March 2011 Laidlaw was among eight councillors who voted down a motion from Coun. Cam Guthrie rejecting a $900 pay raise for councillors.
"I'm not prepared to forego a small increase for the sake of it looking good," Laidlaw said at the time, except then I had no trouble believing it.
"Too bad there aren't such things as robot councillors because they don't constantly say stupid things."
Proof..money can't buy you two brain cells to rub together either!!
ROTFLMAO!!
Posted by: Kat | November 28, 2012 at 01:49 AM
(Actual quote from movie)
Reporter: Robo, excuse me, Robo, any special message for all the kids watching at home?
RoboCop: Stay out of trouble.
Posted by: Cam Guthrie | November 28, 2012 at 07:43 AM
Wow Cam that was quick! Wish you'd reply to my emails that fast...
Posted by: Linda | November 28, 2012 at 08:00 AM
Everything that Laidlaw says makes no sense. Its hard to understand who in their right mind would vote for this idiot. I agree that a Robo-counciller would be a big improvement on this woman.
Posted by: Gord | November 28, 2012 at 08:20 AM
Her comments are not unexpected. This coming from the laziest, most biased, pig headed and controversial councilor in many, many years. Time for her to step aside, like her free range eggs, her best before date is way overdue.
Posted by: K Morant | November 28, 2012 at 08:41 AM
I guess no one's allowed to make a joke anymore. What about Todd Dennis and his joke about the small cop in a fur coat not asking for a raise? I think Guthrie and Findlay also made light hearted comments during some of the presentations. But they aren't Maggie, are they?
Posted by: Anonymous | November 28, 2012 at 11:29 AM
That's a crazy comment. It's right up there with her suggestion to stop paying for sidewalk ploughing! What sense does that make in a city with an aging population? For a measly savings of $100,000 per year is it really worth endangering the safety of the community? How are people who are elderly or infirm supposed to keep their walks clear -- not every senior can afford the extra cash to have a teenager clear their walk several times each month. Some cuts make sense, that one, I believe, does not.
Posted by: Guelpher | November 28, 2012 at 01:20 PM
@ Anonymous: As the person who made the "robot councillors" crack, people can absolutely still make jokes. The problem here is that Maggie's was unprofessional and disrespectful. IMO, our police force does a damn fine job. I'd certainly say they're more deserving of a raise than she is. Her comment was hardly "light-hearted"; and given her position, her punches carry more weight when thrown.
On top of that, Maggie has a history of these types of "jokes". They're usually mean-spirited and rarely funny. Perhaps she'd like to come on here and defend herself? We know she's at least computer-literate enough to use Google Maps...
Posted by: Paul Robertson | November 28, 2012 at 01:58 PM
i wonder if a robocop would rush over to googlicious maggie's house when she calls in to tattle on her neighbours.
she really is a despicable person.
Posted by: D C | November 28, 2012 at 03:09 PM
Lets not forget her comment on sidewalk plowing likely not being as necessary in the future due to Global Warming.
There are many valid pros and cons to the sidewalk clearing but global warming, come on...
Posted by: anon | November 28, 2012 at 03:26 PM
Wow. OK then. Ah, ya, that's out there.
Otherwise...
No comment.
Posted by: Craig Chamberlain | November 28, 2012 at 04:31 PM
Well, with the new bin system we now have robot garbage trucks. Just a matter of time...
Posted by: Steve | November 28, 2012 at 05:03 PM
Steve:
Unfortunately the "robo-garbage-truck" have not been properly programmed to take out the "Garbage" :-)
Posted by: Serious Cynic | November 28, 2012 at 10:34 PM
Steve /Serious Cynic
Very true.....But i thought with the robotic
garbage trucks it was supposed to make things
more efficient.
I was walking down Country Club drive and saw
two robotic garbage trucks on the same side of
the street picking up the garbage.
(And not one picking up blue and the other green.more like they would hop scotch down the
street picking it up)
Maybe that is why the kids cannot have water for the pools and the splash pad this summer.
Time they pay two drivers,fuel for the trucks and wear and tear no wonder there is no extra money.
(i don't remember seeing two of the older trucks doing this,there was just one)surprise,surprise.
Posted by: Sam | November 29, 2012 at 01:45 PM
Only one truck in my neghbourhood, but they can't manage to put the bins back down without them tipping over.
Posted by: Steve | November 29, 2012 at 02:48 PM
The bins will be broken within 6 months then the city can start to slowly recoup $ by selling new ones:)
Posted by: Good times | November 29, 2012 at 10:58 PM
That's IT!
I've had it.
I can't take any more.
Tell Maggie and all the rest of them to sit down and shut up.
I'm going to do what I want, when and where I want, as long as it will not affect others negatively.
I'm not going to clear a sidewalk that I don't own and if they don't empty the garbage, I'll put it in the mail.
What the post office can't loose they'll destroy.
Posted by: Doug | November 30, 2012 at 12:19 PM
Imagine me as Mayor (and a collective shudder goes through the city), every thread would begin with "Did he really say that?" and "Did he really do that?"
Posted by: Dis-a-Ray Antiques | November 30, 2012 at 03:22 PM
Maggie is awesome. Her wit is absolutely charming. What a positive force she is for this council. Watch out Mayor Farbridge, I think she just might have what it takes to fill your shoes. Her constituents must be very proud.
Posted by: wideride | December 01, 2012 at 08:32 PM
Ray, I have a vision of you sitting in the Mayor's chair using a wooden duck for a gavel and wearing an admiral's tunic beneath your mayoral chain... perhaps with a dud artillery shell perched precariously on your desk... occasionally inviting media reps to step outside to "discuss" certain matters under "in camera" rules.
Does that ring a bell or is it actually just my imagination??
Posted by: Edward Pickersgill | December 01, 2012 at 10:49 PM
(Hahahaha! Dead-on.)
Posted by: Craig Chamberlain | December 02, 2012 at 09:38 AM
Chains are so gay. And it would have to be a no-bell peace prize.
Posted by: Dis-a-Ray Antiques | December 02, 2012 at 05:47 PM
Wideride is in la la land. Wow, talk about off the wall comments.
Posted by: Jim | December 02, 2012 at 09:33 PM
I have a feeling that wall is drippy with sarcasm, Jim.
Posted by: D C | December 03, 2012 at 09:06 AM
Oh my goodness Maggie Laidlaw!! How do you have the nerve and also how dare you verbally say in front of the public input meeting last Thursday that "Private sector workers should organize to fight for more attractive wages and benefits, rather than the city joining 'a race to the bottom' ".
I thought you had more class than that, but obviously you are very out of touch with the regular folk of Guelph who put you where you are. Don't get too comfortable in your council chair Maggie!
Posted by: sifad | December 05, 2012 at 10:26 AM
She's right. It's a fact that public employees are better compensated in wages and benefits, on average, than private sector workers. But to try to correct that imbalance by taking benefits away from public workers is a step in the wrong direction. "Race to the bottom" describes it perfectly.
Posted by: Steve | December 05, 2012 at 11:50 AM
I'm tired of this "race to the bottom" crap constantly being used to defend the over-paid. And $90,000+ a year to policemen, firemen, and teachers is being overpaid. These people RETIRE on $65,000 a year, $65,000 to never ever have to work again. And I the taxpayer don't remember signing up for that. There's a reckoning coming.
Posted by: Dis-a-Ray Antiques | December 05, 2012 at 01:16 PM
Perhaps the City should legislate higher wages for the private sector.
Run that one past Frank Hasenfratz and let me know how it goes.
Posted by: geo | December 05, 2012 at 05:41 PM
He's rich and can certainly afford to pay better! What I'd like to see is WAY higher taxes for business owners if they continue to get rich off the backs of cheap labour year after year.
Editor's note - This comment has been edited
Posted by: Linda | December 06, 2012 at 06:41 AM
Can you elaborate on the editing done above? Edited for content or language?
And you're right Ray, there is a reckoning coming. But not to policemen, firemen and teachers. It'll be to the business owners who continue to staff their shops with part-time minimum-wage employees while they rake in larger and larger profits and bonuses. The reason you're paying more tax is because they're paying less.
Posted by: Steve | December 06, 2012 at 03:46 PM
Way higher taxes for business owners and they will leave. Wake Up.
Earning less doesn't hurt as much if your costs go down too.
It has to be to scale.
Posted by: geo | December 06, 2012 at 07:23 PM