Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "A perfect example":
Since there is a meeting tonight, perhaps you will be ' allowed ' to ask the solicitor a few key questions. If there is the slightest doubt about possible conflicts of interest, no councillors - including the Mayor - have any business at Centre meetings.
Looks like a bright very cold morning. Have a great day.
********************
To-night's agenda is budget .
I forwarded the question on receipt of the decision. No doubt the answer will be available tomorrow when the report is tabled and direction sought.
You know, sheer genius is not the only explanation for my approach to the decision-making process.
( Evalina should be choking and spluttering her morning coffee about now)
The Region was created in 1971. Work and study had been going on for years before that. It started with the Smith Committee Report of taxation.
There had been few changes in the structure since the British North American Act, a hundred years since.
Change was long overdue.
A number of appointed Boards and Commissions were making decisions that rankled with local government.
There was a Planning Board, A Recreation Commission, Arena Boards of Management, Local Boards of Education . Library Board members were appointed by the Boards of Education.
Their financial decision-making caused friction with Councils.
They requisitioned funds from the municipality which in turn took all the flack for taxes collected.
Regions were created and the Province wiped out some boards , changed others slightly and allowed municipalities to retain Arena Boards of Management, or not.
Arena Boards couldn't requisition funds. They were charged with financial self-sufficiency.
The Province acknowledged the accountability for spending should rest with the elected body.
County Boards of Education were formed in 1969. There was no equality in education. Places like Markham could have everything the heart desired while communities without wealth did not have
means to provide essentials.
Changes were drastic.
"What if " I asked, "the solution is worse than the problem.?"
The Honorable Minister Darcy McKeogh answered:
" You make the decision Then you make sure it's the right one"
He didn't stick around to make sure .
Somewhere along the way ,the message got lost.
Aside from everything that has happened at the Region, in 2010, the Culture Centre Board created in Aurora with an agreement shaped by the municipality, so bad, it was thousands of times worse than anything ever seen prior to 1971.
No other member of Council has had my experience. They have not learned to depend on their own judgement.
From mine and the taxpayers' perspective, that is a definite disadvantage.
For the Councillors, the outlook is not particularly rosy either.
To-night we start deliberation of the fourth budget of the term.
Last chance to take control and show progress.
Whether or not it's too late, is no longer their option to decide.
Monday 4 November 2013
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21 comments:
Their taking charge is going to require some heavy lifting. Not sure if that is possible so late in the term. I once figured that Councillor Humfryes would be the swing vote. She neglected to swing. Looks like it is going to be all yours.
How Americanized we have become where councillors look at their ' sides ' instead of the issues. It must be very frustrating for you.
Don't you think Cllr Buck has a 'side,' 11:33?
Experience is not all that it is cracked up to be.
You can have all sorts of experience but if you fail to understand that things change, you will be in a constant state of trying to make current issues fit into old norms.
For example - and only an example, don't begin ranting about this! Back in the day, Aurora had a volunteer fire brigade. It worked. If someone was to say Aurora should have a volunteer fire department now, they will be laughed at. But, experience shows it was the way to go.
History is full of examples of so-called "experienced" people who fail when trying to use the experience without understanding and considering that thiings change.
There are also plenty of examples of very successful people who failed in their first crack at something. Sometimes you have to fail to see the right way of doing things.
Yes, @13:54, Cllr. Buck does have a side - on every issue. Who/what do YOU thinks she sides with?
"Who/what do YOU thinks she sides with," KA-NON?
No one - she expects/hopes others to side WITH her.
To 14:01,
As in your example, it worked because it had to work. I too grew up in a small town that had a volunteer fire department and I wouldn't doubt that there are still many communities in Ontario that still do have one. If you say to people look there's no more money, you'll have to find another way, then they will be forced to come up with a new solution if they want to move ahead. But if you constantly say yes and give it over they never have to be creative and find an alternative or better solution. "Necessity is the mother of invention".
On the failure side of things - I agree but we need to be disciplined in our approach since we should not to be repeating our mistakes otherwise we are not learning.
A good politician has to be able to say ' No '.
Our bunch haven't been able to learn that whether it be the Centre, irate neighbours, or studies upon studies that cost a lot & placate the few.
The bulk of the Council members were new, a few were not. They are new no longer. No more excuses.
16:20
It's the path of least resistance.
If only all councillors would remember:
"Cowardice asks the question...is it safe? Expediency asks the question...is it politic? Vanity asks the question...is it popular? But conscience asks the question...is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because it is right." ~Dr. Martin Luther King
idly wondering why the town doesn't stream budget debates. a mixed blessing as it would create grand-standing in an election year. there is this whine that people are not involved. which is nonsense when it is taxpayers' $. few want to become part of a performance. we have learned the hard way. if the result were lower taxes, maybe streaming would be a good thing ?
18:03
Because it's SECRET!
8:58
Nope. the posting of the agenda said that the public were welcome. Wrongo again.
One thing that is working really well in town & has nothing to do with politics is getting your flu shot. I can't remember it ever being this easy & fast. Took me about 10 minutes at the little clinic next top Sparkle.
Hello Evelyn:
A short while ago you said that you were going sit down and read TEAM OF RIVALS by Doris Kearns Goodwin.
She has published another book almost 20 years ago that is equally fascinating called NO ORDINARY TIME. It focuses on the relationship between Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, with a good measure of Winston Churchill thrown into the mix.
If you haven't read it, you must.
Tim's is hiring full time staff if you know someone looking.
Don't worry...
Happy Bonfire Day!
London Free Press
Jessica Murphy
" Mounties request documents from Se.Mike Duffy "
Why are you bringing a private member of the public into your blog? I am sure Ms McEachren is not willing to participate in your online debate.
14:47
Evalina is, I believe, still a beneficiary of town funds.
@ 15:30
How? Why?
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