A Boat Without a Rudder. A Ship Without A Sail.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Batman ...Where Are You?":

You have consistently been sensitive with respect to negative comments directed to staff.

In the case now under discussion it is the town's CAO who is involved, as it was his very positive statement that made it appear the town had scored a slam-dunk. If it turns out following investigation that this was in fact the case, well done him and well done town.

I fully understand that councillors are directly responsible for what goes on in our town and are therefore accountable to the public.

But councillors get the vast majority of their information from town staff, from department Directors, and at the highest level, from the CAO.

Unless a member of the public can sit down with a senior member of staff in the company of a councillor, ask questions of the councillor who then relays them to the staff member and awaits the answers, without the presence of a consultant, we are being deprived of our right to obtain specific answers to specific questions, in many if not all cases involving the expenditure of taxpayer money.

This is neither transparent nor accountable. It is unsatisfactory.

Posted by Anonymous to Our Town and Its Business at 1 February 2015 at 15:22

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You do have absolute  right of response from your elected representative.

Because public business is public you are able to watch Council meetings,read reports submitted to Council and hear staff responses to questions.

You must make the judgement whether an issue has been fully explored and a satisfactory decisions  made.

The process calls for  agendas to be published, initial discussion at  Council -in -Committee and
recommendations  ratified the following week in a Council Meeting.

In the intervening week several opportunities exist to influence  the decision; by phone, by e-mail or by delegating to Council. Public forum is also an informal opportunity to inform Council of your position on any issue

The purpose of an election is to choose a Mayor and eight Councillors toast for you.
To retain professionally staff competent in various fields necessary. To direct.Staff .To consider staff
recommendations and make sound decisions.

Staff do not decide. They recommend.

Councillors debate issues in public, putting forward individual positions and attempting to persuade. Then the vote is called and the majority rules.

All  instruments required for the system to function are on hand.

Council members are chosen. By those who choose to exercise their franchise and those who do not.

If it doesn't work there is opportunity for change. Only once in four years and limited by
choice of candidates. Seldom is there a lack of choice for Council seats.

Acclamation  for Office of Mayor means a drop to as low as 20% in the vote.

The  Mayor's office is pivotal.Municipal Act defines the role as providing leadership and guidance.
Confidence and trust are essential to the relationship. They have to be earned.

A Mayor can be elected by default.

No presence in the chair. No authority in the Council. The system fails.

A ship does not steer itself.