Warning: The following letter contains spelling, grammatical and punctuation errors and is very difficult to read. It is one of 18 letters received by this office from the letter writer in the last month. It appears unedited.
Reference:Report.Governance & Economic Development Committee,12JUL07,”Proposed Twinning Relationship with Province of Treviso”
Mayor and Councillors:Once again the Subject organization is/has been involved in City business(i.e.,twinning) and yet little,if anything,is publicly known about this shadowy lobby group/person(?), other than a Mr Hammill as shown in a City report(Ref.) as the “Director”.I suggest that the taxpayers of GUELPH have a right to know who is/are the member(s) and/or officers;where/how it can be contacted;what is its aim/purpose;is it incorporated;is it listed as a lobby group;what organization(s) does it represent.
Thank you.David Birtwistle
50 ROCHELLE DRIVE
GUELPH,ON,N1K1L2
Tele/Fax:519-822-3478~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Mr. Birtwistle,
Re: Friends of Guelph
Your frequent attacks on the integrity and character of Mr. Hammill are shameful and unacceptable.
Mr. Hammill is a well respected businessman in our community. He served on City Council for over 30 years and continues to selflessly serve our city. Most recently and notably, he was instrumental in establishing the Guelph Community Foundation which has raised more than $5 million in assets to benefit our community in perpetuity.
We should all aspire to leave such a tangible legacy for our community.
Mr. Hammill was chosen to represent Guelph on a recent Twinning delegation because of his extensive manufacturing experience, business networks and understanding of municipal economic development. He was an exemplary representative and I am extremely thankful that he willingly gave of his time and skills to benefit the City.
I would respectfully ask that you not include me in any future correspondence that denigrates the character of citizens who contribute to our community. This will certainly be the last time I respond to such disagreeable correspondence.
I have shared my response with all the recipients of your original email. I have also shared my response and your email with Mr. Hammill. I would encourage all recipients to share this email widely as I would like my views on this matter to be well known in the community.
Karen Farbridge
Mayor
City of Guelph