Petty, petty, petty

Northumberland Hills Foundation chairman Bob McCoubrey went before Cobourg council Monday night seeking $300,000 toward a new CT scanner, only one week after Port Hope council committed the same amount to the $1 million machine.
Councillor Lloyd Williams was quick to argue it is a "no brainer", since the new technology will be able to provide early diagnosis for heart attacks. With an aging population and a mass migration of retirees to the region, it could be easily argued the equipment is absolutely necessary. Otherwise, patients will be sent to Peterborough, Oshawa or Kingston for the scans.
But, with the usual acrimony, council delayed, seeking a report from staff as to where the cash will come from. But first, councillors got their licks in by stating the town has already contributed more than Port Hope. When the hospital was built, the town spent $4.2 million in free infrastructure like sewers, water and roads.
With an election this fall, it is highly unlikely any politicians wants to appear to be a Scrooge. It will depend on who is looking to run again in the fall. The mayor, deputy mayor and councillors Williams and Brocanier are all seeking re-election. But if Jackson, McCaughey and MacDonald want to, they can put the screws to this proposal. The mayor can be petty. So, all eyes will be on council for this vote.
What is even more shameful is the continued bickering that goes on between the two municipalities. Despite any effort to bring the two communities together to co-operate on any level is impossible. The historic rivalry and bitterness will never go away. For the Toronto refugees who come here to retire, it is impossible to fathom why. But, for those longtime residents, it is the equivalent of the Hatfield-McCoy feud. Annie, get your gun.
And poor McCoubrey better buy a flack jacket.