Comments of Toronto 's. Mayor and Councillors on thebudget have been interesting. Particularly reference to the impact on taxpayers.
Staff are conspicuous in their absence.
Unlike Aurora. Opening statement on Thev budget was delivered by CAO. Neil Garabe
A hundred people responding to an on- line invitation had it dubbed "Citizens Budget"
The main u request was to spend less on culture.
Manager of Communications MIchael Kemp noted difficulty interpreting because programming is provided by the Town and the Culture Centre. Programs provided by the town are not money grabbers. Revenues are derived.
Mr. Kemp's difficulty clearly derived from lack of knowing whereoff he spoke.
Mr Elliott, Chief Financial Officer , was quoted the "input" proved "we are on the right track"
Nary a word was heard from the Mayor or any Aurora Councllor of impact on taxpayers .
Never a dicky bird quoted on these or any aspect of the town budget.
Like silence on the failure to apply within deadline for funding available from the feds for severe winter storm damage from last year .
Mum's the word on the barn we bought for half a million dollars from the feds that turns out to have been a pig in a poke.
Structure and site are contaminated. Cost of remediation unknown.
A comment has informed us the Mayor and two councillors went to Markham to see clear bags collected at the roadside to satisfy themselves the program was viable.
It explains how things were done in the last term. The close knit relationship with staff.
Exclusionary practice towards Council.
It's one way to ensure things get done with least public discussion.
It's just not what we are in the habit of thinking of as participatory democracy.
Saturday, 21 February 2015
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6 comments:
Most people don't participate because they no longer give a damn. They end up getting screwed every-which-way and no one seems prepared to take responsibility.
A budget is the document that spells out how taxpayer money is to be spent. Surely it should be up to the Mayor to deliver the opening statement. The CAO is simply a high-priced bureaucrat.
Participatory democracy only exists when the majority participate and express their opinions by voting.
No vote - unlikely to participate.
Maybe Mr Garbe should give the Key-Note speech at the Chamber. He is certainly being the point man with the press.
If it were not for the Hydro Funds, I do not think the Mayor would have anything to say. He seem to believe that it is his destiny to spend that nest-egg.
That was not on the ballot......
17:50 - well said
It's always fun spending other people's money.
"Is that whole in your pocket" is Christopher best post.
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