Taxpayer all revved up over Oshawa mayor's flashy chariot

Oshawa Mayor John Gray's fiery orange Camaro is making Bill Steele see red. For starters, Steele, a local resident and candidate for council in this fall's municipal election, doesn't like the fact that taxpayers' money bought the $38,000, 425-hp chariot for the mayor to toodle around in.

"Flaunting this gas-guzzling vehicle all around town" is the way Steele put it when Gray hit the streets last summer.

But his new beef is that Gray, who's seeking a third term as mayor, is using the flashy car like an election sign, with his name and title painted on the side. He's demanding the "endorsement" be removed from the city-owned vehicle to ensure "fair and impartial" treatment of all candidates.

But after repeated emails from Steele, the city's not budging. The mayor's vehicle doesn't fall within the definition of an election sign nor does it say "vote for," the city clerk says.

Steele maintains official policy allows only the city logo on a fleet car.

"There's something really unusual going on at City Hall," he says.

Comments

[wayne]

I think Bill Steele should stop his crying ,I WOULD NOT VOTE FOR HIM !!!!!!

[Mastereh]

Its a 38k Camaro.... not a 50k+ BMW, Mercedes, Infiniti etc., What is the budget the Mayor gets for a vehicle? As long as the $38k falls within the budget then what's the issue....

[JS14]

I can understand his not supporting the municipality purchasing a car for the Mayor, but Mr Steele might want to re-evaluate his tendency to insult (dismissing as "gas guzzlers") the vehicles built by the citizens, and the largest employer, of the town he's attempting to lead.

[Bill]

"it's about Fairness, and what is right. John Gray is again skirting the rules to his advantage." another insult to the taxpayers of Oshawa.