Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Blind
Adherence Is Sheer Folly":
I cannot believe some of the stuff that
you write...
"Our current Mayor is completely content to work hand in
glove with the administration."
Is that a bad thing? Why do we have
administration? So that they bend to every whim of a Councillor?
Let's
call a spade a spade here. The real work within a Town or City is done by the
staff that work there day-in and day-out. They have a wonderful pension plan
(OMERS) and they provide a continuity to the function of the municipality.
Councillors exist as the tangible link between the public and the Town. They
exist in a finite world. Some only one term. Others overstay their welcome and
are there for many terms. The staff and administration are the ones that get
things done. They don't have time for photo-ops, broadcasted council meetings,
or letters to the editors or blogs.
Councils are as relevant to the
day-to-day operations of a Town as the Queen is to the day-to-day operations of
the empire.
********************
I can believe the stuff written anonymously ,
In the best of circumstances, some of it should be true.
Occasionally I stop to ponder who would most likely harbour a view that compares elected representatives with municipal staff . And finds staff supreme.
It would not be the resident who takes the trouble to vote in elections.
Who listens carefully to each candidate's platform,votes accordingly;.then watches to see how closely the candidate adheres to the commitment.
If a Mayoralty candidate stated Council has no role and it's the Mayor's job to direct staff recommendations to capture that which will ensure his re-election, how well would such a platform be received?
If candidates declared Council has no role other than approve everything placed before them without regard for cost or justification, and regularly promote and applaud staff for their excellence, would the average taxpayer nod his/her head wisely and take comfort ?
The Mayor's role is clearly number one. Goodwill goes a long way. But skills eventually become conspicuous in their absence. Flibberty-gibbet comments go down like a lead balloon . Contradictions from what was promised in a platform do not pass unnoticed. Four years is too long to hide..
On the other hand, municipal staff in the past have generally been part of the community. They lived in our neighbourhoods. Attended hockey practices and parent-teacher interviews. They paid taxes along with the rest of us and engaged with the community in many other ways.
Intelligence, judgement and knowledge of the many facets of a community became readily obvious and provided assurance or otherwise.
It's not like that any more. We have no continuity either. And we have had letters to the editor and demands made to blogs to remove material. by a certain time limit.
Things that should be true are not.
Things that should not be true are.
Councillor Ballard is boasting about the sudden traffic to his Blog. That would likely be us. I do hope he does not interpret the interest as supportive of his rudeness to Lucid. There are, in fact, very few comments of support. Everyone will have a look at a snake shedding it's skin. Doesn't mean you want it as a house pet.
ReplyDeleteI suspect the individual saying that Council has no role is a failed candidate from the last election who has yet to re-establish it's own Blog which just faded after the electorate played out their role. Also believes in Codes of Conduct and the Centre's innate greatness. Pet peeves are food banks and subsidized day care.
ReplyDeleteThat character might have been early-raised in King but he sure lacks manners. Maybe he has never read " Yertle the Turtle ". Big Guy in Small Pond.
ReplyDelete