THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

In the last term of Council , the concept of Department Business Plans was introduced The objective was to create a performance measurement. Department heads prepare the plan and at year-end have a look-see if the goals were achieved. Department budgets form the basis for the plan .

When the Business plans were put forward this year, the mayor and council determined they should have a say-so. Councillors frequently refer to their part-time status. How they expect to be responsible for a department's business plan is not clear at this time. There is no councillor I am aware of with experience in the management of any town department.Still if they are determined to set the goals, they will undoubtedly be prepared to be accountable for their success or failure.

The Code of Conduct is published on the Town's website. There's a clause about harassment of staff. The Code prohibits that. Readers in the habit of watching council meetings will be aware of the hypocrisy of that clause.

Several pages of The Code deal with the complaint process. There's also a whole bunch of gobbledygook completely irrelevant to the practice of politics. Virtuous verbiage abounds and contributes mightily to its unenforcibility

The Town must appoint an Integrity Commissioner with an annual retainer.Costs of dealing with an application will be charged on an hourly basis, probably at the level of legal fees.

That information is not on the web site. The commissioner is not yet appointed . The cost of the services can not even be estimated. Yet Councillors, hot to trot with complaints have directed the Director of Corporate Affairs to" prepare the file".

By the way, it seems Rogers Cable has decided our council meetings will appear at mid-day on Wednesdays. We will be able to watch Newmarket Council meetings live on Monday evening.Our
own will not be so convenient.