This week's Echo Essentials podcast is half banter between co-hosts Scott Clark and Dave Dale before bringing seemingly-ostracized Coun. Jamie Lowery to discuss the progress and lack there of half-way into the four-year term.

Scott asks Dave about him stepping into a bit of Facebook "goo" while offering criticism about how a media release was republished by The Nugget as "submitted" without further attribution, unlike the credible job by BayToday staff, while also suggesting a news issue deserved more treatment by both. As for Coun. Lowery, Scott wants to know why so many people don't like dealing with him and Dave notes that his work as the chief executive officer of Casselholme Home for the Aged burned some bridges at the city. Meanwhile, Lowery said he considers himself an independent serving constituents and he's not inclined to play the game of voting for a councillor's motion to leverage a vote back in return.

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Gateway Home Hardware podcast discussion
2:26 Dave eats with strangers at Terry’s Place
3:35 East End Variety, Demarcos, Billy Booth Store
5:41 Himalayan Cafe experience
6:23 Dave gets humbled on Facebook, but … 
15:58 What is with Coun. Jamie Lowery?
23:26 Sponsor ad: Twiggs Coffee Roasters
24:26 Coun. Jamie Lowery is in the studio …
24:46 Communities in Bloom tour
28:28 Stuck in Peanut Gallery – 9 to 2 vote T-shirts
30:34 Twin pad arena example
32:46 Long-term Finance 
34:12 Attendance record
39:24 Don’t you know how to get things done?
41:05 How did George Maroosis manage conflict?
45:09 Appeared “arm in arm” at beginning
48:12 Chasing shiny objects
51:35 KPMG: “Opportunity for ‘business planning’...”
55:32 “When I was commissioner …”
59:14 Sponsor: Lafromboise Team
1:00:11 “Thinner pigeons…”
1:08:16 “No place to live…”
1:14:27 “What is the net benefit of Battalion?”
1:20:06 Report North Bay reader council surveys