On the ten year anniversary, the American media are currently discussing the outcome of American intervention into the domestic affairs of Iraq.
It cost 10 billion dollars of borrowed money.
There is no peace order or security in the land.
Seldom are young American lives lost mentioned. Or the plight of those who came home suffering physical and emotional trauma from what they witnessed. Or the lives of families of men ,little more than boys ,who paid the ultimate price.
At the time the U.S. was mustering other nations, France refused to join them.
As did Canada. Jean Chretien owed his back to back majority to that decision.
Messrs Rumsfeld and Cheney had some scathing things to say about the French. Removing the term "french fries" from menus was contemplated.
The French have memories. As do the Belgians. And the British.
Algiers, French Indo-China, Belgian Congo, Kenya, Kikuyu. Mau-Mau, all names that conjure history of atrocity.
The British exited Palestine at midnight, leaving tanks and weapons in the streets for whoever might wish to make use of them.
Palestinian refugees are still refugees.
Israel has little more security now than she did then.
*****************
Sandra Day O'Connor, first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, was a guest on Charlie Rose again last night.
She referred once more to the appalling fact American children are not taught civics in school. How their government works is not considered of sufficient importance to teach.
The retired Chief Justice has taken it upon herself, using social media and a team of excellent teachers, to design computer games
to stimulate young people's interest in the nation's history.
Thousands of children are learning what schools are not teaching .
The numbers are growing.
The government can put them into uniform, teach them how to kill, send them to barren places to lay down their lives.
But the government chooses not to tell them why.
Thursday, 7 March 2013
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
We are not supposed to be landlords
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "A Growing
List":
The Rangers have a new home. It is time to decide, sensibly, what to do with the left-overs. As Morris put it so gracefully, " Give the kiddies a place to play ". That was an ignorant remark about the Rangers then and remains so today. All property in town should be inventoried and the excess sold off or rented. Aurora needs in-coming revenue badly.
******************
Municipalities have no right to be . We exist because some services and choices are best made at the municipal level.
We are not partners with the Province. We are " little brothers"
We can be kicked around.
Cost of many services are shared with the Province. For fair decisions ,there needs to be some sense of financial ability.
Not all municipalities are financially equal .
It's why the inventory of assets was determined to be an important factor .
Holding surplus property is neither wise nor desirable.
The landlord role is equally frowned upon.
There is no justification for holding property not required for the town's purpose.
We were using the hydro building for an eminently sensible purpose.
The parks department was turfed out to provide a place for the Queen's York Rangers.
Many of the former Mayor's friends were appointed to committees and became Chairmen.
Competent Councillors were bypassed.
Council was disrespected.
Top level staff positions were filled without following the recruitment process required by the Municipal Act.
Staff were transferred from the Region to town positions as "interim " and confirmed on a permanent basis.
Councillor, More Righteous Than Thou, Ballard became Chairman of the Economic Advisory Committee. He was then able to claim authority and aligns himself with the previous administration.
Towards the end of the term, the former Mayor directed staff to
prepare a report on "volunteers contributions" on various advisory committees.
And so it was done. . Such a volume was gathered, a request followed for a condensed version.
That too was done.
How many hours of staff time it took is not known.
It proved to be without purpose in the losing circumstance that followed.
The Rangers have a new home. It is time to decide, sensibly, what to do with the left-overs. As Morris put it so gracefully, " Give the kiddies a place to play ". That was an ignorant remark about the Rangers then and remains so today. All property in town should be inventoried and the excess sold off or rented. Aurora needs in-coming revenue badly.
******************
Municipalities have no right to be . We exist because some services and choices are best made at the municipal level.
We are not partners with the Province. We are " little brothers"
We can be kicked around.
Cost of many services are shared with the Province. For fair decisions ,there needs to be some sense of financial ability.
Not all municipalities are financially equal .
It's why the inventory of assets was determined to be an important factor .
Holding surplus property is neither wise nor desirable.
The landlord role is equally frowned upon.
There is no justification for holding property not required for the town's purpose.
We were using the hydro building for an eminently sensible purpose.
The parks department was turfed out to provide a place for the Queen's York Rangers.
Many of the former Mayor's friends were appointed to committees and became Chairmen.
Competent Councillors were bypassed.
Council was disrespected.
Top level staff positions were filled without following the recruitment process required by the Municipal Act.
Staff were transferred from the Region to town positions as "interim " and confirmed on a permanent basis.
Councillor, More Righteous Than Thou, Ballard became Chairman of the Economic Advisory Committee. He was then able to claim authority and aligns himself with the previous administration.
Towards the end of the term, the former Mayor directed staff to
prepare a report on "volunteers contributions" on various advisory committees.
And so it was done. . Such a volume was gathered, a request followed for a condensed version.
That too was done.
How many hours of staff time it took is not known.
It proved to be without purpose in the losing circumstance that followed.
A Growing List
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "The
eternal conundrum":
Speaking of The Auroran... I read the piece about the former Hyrdo building being declared surplus.
Luckily this was defeated. Evelyn, I don't understand your flip-flop stance. You were all up in arms about the lease to DND because you felt that this building was being used well and it caused us to build another. No you are saying it is surplus? You can't have it both ways and clearly the council saw your motion for what it was.... political grand-standing.
******************
I can so have it both ways. Since you profess not to be able to understand , let me explain it to you.
The hydro building was being used for town purposes.
Archives were being stored in the building.
Dismantled barns of historical significance were stored in the yard.
The parks building was building parks furniture within. The parks department is made up mostly by seasonal workers. The full time skeleton staff have a variety of skills. Many construction projects are carried out to completion by parks employees.
In the winter, they are occupied cinstructing parks furniture; picnic tables, garbage containers and such.
The first winter they were in the building they built a gazebo inside and erected it in a park in Spring.
New furniture is always needed because new parks are always being built .
I did not support turfing the parks department from the building to make room for Queen's York Rangers week-end activities.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent on the building to bring it up to their needs.
We did not make it known the building was available for rent.
.We did not declare the building surplus to our needs. It is the required legal process before a municipality divests itself of a facility. Yet we did not observe the law.
We gave Queen's York Rangers preference.
Ahead of the interest of the people we are elected to serve.
We signed a lease agreement that cannot be made public for national security reasons.
Apparently alterations have been made in our building that never received town approval.
The lease is for ten years with a possible extension of five years.
If need is not foreseen for a peruod of fifteen years, no need exists for the building.
The lease confirms the building is surplus to town needs. It is no longer, nor will it in the foreseeable future be needed by the town
It is surplus to the needs.
We are building a twenty million dollar joint facility for works and parks to meet our needs.
During the debate on Tueday, Councillor ,the Righteous With Teeth, Ballard, objected to a reference to his involvement with the deal the town made.
Liar liar pants on fire. Bite your own ass.
The Auroran quotes the high standard Councillor stating in the same debate ;
"One of the key reasons I remember we offered the building was to keep York Region's most historic regiment in its historic home"
The Pure and Righteous One was not a member of the last Council. How did he happen to be making an offer of a town building .
The Hydro building is anything but historic.
Some , including me. would argue Fort York Armouries in Toronto is legitimate home to Queen's York Rangers. The museum is there.
The Rangers were not homeless.
The drill shed on the corner of Mosely Park is a drill shed.
If the Federal government had plans, why are hard-pressed property owners in Aurora responsible for the survival of Queen's York Rangers.
So, here we have yet another example of the town's interest not served then and not served now.
Once again ,this Council is accountable for the decisions of the past Council.
It's a growing list.
Speaking of The Auroran... I read the piece about the former Hyrdo building being declared surplus.
Luckily this was defeated. Evelyn, I don't understand your flip-flop stance. You were all up in arms about the lease to DND because you felt that this building was being used well and it caused us to build another. No you are saying it is surplus? You can't have it both ways and clearly the council saw your motion for what it was.... political grand-standing.
******************
I can so have it both ways. Since you profess not to be able to understand , let me explain it to you.
The hydro building was being used for town purposes.
Archives were being stored in the building.
Dismantled barns of historical significance were stored in the yard.
The parks building was building parks furniture within. The parks department is made up mostly by seasonal workers. The full time skeleton staff have a variety of skills. Many construction projects are carried out to completion by parks employees.
In the winter, they are occupied cinstructing parks furniture; picnic tables, garbage containers and such.
The first winter they were in the building they built a gazebo inside and erected it in a park in Spring.
New furniture is always needed because new parks are always being built .
I did not support turfing the parks department from the building to make room for Queen's York Rangers week-end activities.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent on the building to bring it up to their needs.
We did not make it known the building was available for rent.
.We did not declare the building surplus to our needs. It is the required legal process before a municipality divests itself of a facility. Yet we did not observe the law.
We gave Queen's York Rangers preference.
Ahead of the interest of the people we are elected to serve.
We signed a lease agreement that cannot be made public for national security reasons.
Apparently alterations have been made in our building that never received town approval.
The lease is for ten years with a possible extension of five years.
If need is not foreseen for a peruod of fifteen years, no need exists for the building.
The lease confirms the building is surplus to town needs. It is no longer, nor will it in the foreseeable future be needed by the town
It is surplus to the needs.
We are building a twenty million dollar joint facility for works and parks to meet our needs.
During the debate on Tueday, Councillor ,the Righteous With Teeth, Ballard, objected to a reference to his involvement with the deal the town made.
Liar liar pants on fire. Bite your own ass.
The Auroran quotes the high standard Councillor stating in the same debate ;
"One of the key reasons I remember we offered the building was to keep York Region's most historic regiment in its historic home"
The Pure and Righteous One was not a member of the last Council. How did he happen to be making an offer of a town building .
The Hydro building is anything but historic.
Some , including me. would argue Fort York Armouries in Toronto is legitimate home to Queen's York Rangers. The museum is there.
The Rangers were not homeless.
The drill shed on the corner of Mosely Park is a drill shed.
If the Federal government had plans, why are hard-pressed property owners in Aurora responsible for the survival of Queen's York Rangers.
So, here we have yet another example of the town's interest not served then and not served now.
Once again ,this Council is accountable for the decisions of the past Council.
It's a growing list.
Monday, 4 March 2013
The eternal conundrum
Resident has left a new comment on your post "A day in
the life of":
Would it be possible to obtain a copy of this complaint and withdrawal through the Freedom of Information act?
**************
It's an interesting question. One might expect the answer to be not
But little is certain.
I've been trying to access the legislation this morning.
Over the years, I have received many interpretations and impressions.
Municipalities are entitled to write their own Codeof Conduct.
Ontario has 440 municipalities. Numbers are not verified but it's understood twenty-five municipalities have Codes of Conduct Bylaws.
It's understood , in some quarters the complaint process requires confidentiality. But not in others.
It would make sense for the protection of a complainant.
Filing a complaint, in writing, certifying it to be true by making it public, a complainant might otherwise find themselves in contravention of different legislation.
A complaint is filed with the Clerk of the Municipality. Whose sole role is conduit between complainant and Integrity Commissioner.
No-one else has a role in the issue.
This morning I learned Newmarket Council has appointed an Integrity Commissioner because investigating Councillors being complained about.was taking too much staff time.
Also, Newmarket has suspended that part of the Code Bylaw that allows a Councillor to complain about another Councillor. .
Also, Council can file a complaint against a Councillor in the Town of Newmarket.
I attended a meeting where Aurora Council was advised there is no provision in the legislation to permit a Council to file a complaint against a Councillor.
Code of Conduct legislation comes under the heading of transparency and accountability.
The legislation is permissive not mandatory.
Under the legislation, municipalities can apparently chooose to be transparent and accountable...or not.
Further, municipalities can write their own Code. . In one a Council can file a complaint against a Councillor. A Councillor can not.
In another, a mile down the road , borders abutting, a Council can not file a conduct complaint against a Councillor.. A Councillor can.
In the first municipality where a Councillor could have filed a complaint against a Councillor , the clause has been suspended because investigating complaints against Councillors took too much staff time.
In our town, we had an Integrity Commissioner , dealing with his first complaint, stripped of his authority but not fast enough to beat him to the punch.
We had a second ,who had a private meeting with the Mayor prior to being appointed. Perhaps not surprisingly, he lost little time
making decisions on two complaints made by the same person against the same person without bothering to investigate.
In answer to the question; Would it be possible to get copies of a complaint filed and withdrawn without an FYI?
It might depend on which day of the week and which municipality you ask.
Would it be possible to obtain a copy of this complaint and withdrawal through the Freedom of Information act?
**************
It's an interesting question. One might expect the answer to be not
But little is certain.
I've been trying to access the legislation this morning.
Over the years, I have received many interpretations and impressions.
Municipalities are entitled to write their own Codeof Conduct.
Ontario has 440 municipalities. Numbers are not verified but it's understood twenty-five municipalities have Codes of Conduct Bylaws.
It's understood , in some quarters the complaint process requires confidentiality. But not in others.
It would make sense for the protection of a complainant.
Filing a complaint, in writing, certifying it to be true by making it public, a complainant might otherwise find themselves in contravention of different legislation.
A complaint is filed with the Clerk of the Municipality. Whose sole role is conduit between complainant and Integrity Commissioner.
No-one else has a role in the issue.
This morning I learned Newmarket Council has appointed an Integrity Commissioner because investigating Councillors being complained about.was taking too much staff time.
Also, Newmarket has suspended that part of the Code Bylaw that allows a Councillor to complain about another Councillor. .
Also, Council can file a complaint against a Councillor in the Town of Newmarket.
I attended a meeting where Aurora Council was advised there is no provision in the legislation to permit a Council to file a complaint against a Councillor.
Code of Conduct legislation comes under the heading of transparency and accountability.
The legislation is permissive not mandatory.
Under the legislation, municipalities can apparently chooose to be transparent and accountable...or not.
Further, municipalities can write their own Code. . In one a Council can file a complaint against a Councillor. A Councillor can not.
In another, a mile down the road , borders abutting, a Council can not file a conduct complaint against a Councillor.. A Councillor can.
In the first municipality where a Councillor could have filed a complaint against a Councillor , the clause has been suspended because investigating complaints against Councillors took too much staff time.
In our town, we had an Integrity Commissioner , dealing with his first complaint, stripped of his authority but not fast enough to beat him to the punch.
We had a second ,who had a private meeting with the Mayor prior to being appointed. Perhaps not surprisingly, he lost little time
making decisions on two complaints made by the same person against the same person without bothering to investigate.
In answer to the question; Would it be possible to get copies of a complaint filed and withdrawn without an FYI?
It might depend on which day of the week and which municipality you ask.
The Sequel
Because of Council's deliberation on the doubly righteous codes last Tuesday and his strong support of retaining the Code, I wrote a post about various apparent contraventions in Councillor Ballard's conduct.
I stooped to make a particular point.
We will not stay at that level.
I will not follow his tweeting .
I will however post whatever whopper, he is circulating at any particular point in time.
There were and have been many occasions when a complaint might have been filed under the Code of Conduct but wasn't.
I did not vote for the Code. I never had illusions about whose ox was to be gored.
.
It never had but one purpose.which had absolutely nothing to do with good conduct.
It's how it was used , each time it was used.
Even to its last moments of existence.
I stooped to make a particular point.
We will not stay at that level.
I will not follow his tweeting .
I will however post whatever whopper, he is circulating at any particular point in time.
There were and have been many occasions when a complaint might have been filed under the Code of Conduct but wasn't.
I did not vote for the Code. I never had illusions about whose ox was to be gored.
.
It never had but one purpose.which had absolutely nothing to do with good conduct.
It's how it was used , each time it was used.
Even to its last moments of existence.
Wrong on both counts
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "It's
about Accountability":
I think that you have just proved that the Town needs the new software.
You stated in previous posts that the Town staff uses Excel spreadsheets for the same purpose that the new system will do. If you do not have an asset inventory with the old system, perhaps it is ready to be changed.
Just to add my 2 cents 4:17. This is not a "new" council. It is the "current" council. However, we are far enough into this term that the excuse of being newbies is way past.
*******************************
The last point in this comment will be decided by the electorate in the judgement they exercise in the next election.
People who pay attention to town affairs identify with new Councillors. They don't expect expertise. They allow time to learn.
Signs of growth are noted and appreciated.
There has been growth in this Council. There is most certainly good intention and civility towards one another.
My job has been the uphill climb.
If I'm the only one putting forward a particular perspective and the administration another, I understand why it might be difficult for Councillors to make a choice between the politician with background and experience and an administration with no institutional history whatsoever.
It shouldn't have to be like that. But that's what we inherited.
Having to challenge a staff report with carefully chosen language
is not easy. It takes the difference between $33,000 and $300,000 to replace a lighting system, to drive a point home.
It would be different if I occupied the Mayor's chair ..
It' s the function of the Mayor to provide leadership and guidance to Council. It's even spelled out in the Municipal Act.
If the Mayor chooses to lean on the administration for expertise, not rely on personal judgement or put weight on background and experience, that makes my job tougher.
The point you make about the software is an example.
Provincial edict required municipalities to create and maintain an inventory of assets. Accountants apparently noticed a conspicuous absence of assets in municipal book-keeping
It took five years for staff to complete the inventory on excel spread sheets. Software for the inventory to be transferred to computer would have cost $56,000.
That's not what we bought.
We approved $440,000 for a software program the Region had approved several years ago and are still struggling to make efficient. .
ITS were not consulted for compatability.
We are still spending money an the system is not up and running.
Much like experience at the region.
The original inventory, ready to be transferred was not. Staff are still working from Excel spread sheets.
.
I think that you have just proved that the Town needs the new software.
You stated in previous posts that the Town staff uses Excel spreadsheets for the same purpose that the new system will do. If you do not have an asset inventory with the old system, perhaps it is ready to be changed.
Just to add my 2 cents 4:17. This is not a "new" council. It is the "current" council. However, we are far enough into this term that the excuse of being newbies is way past.
*******************************
The last point in this comment will be decided by the electorate in the judgement they exercise in the next election.
People who pay attention to town affairs identify with new Councillors. They don't expect expertise. They allow time to learn.
Signs of growth are noted and appreciated.
There has been growth in this Council. There is most certainly good intention and civility towards one another.
My job has been the uphill climb.
If I'm the only one putting forward a particular perspective and the administration another, I understand why it might be difficult for Councillors to make a choice between the politician with background and experience and an administration with no institutional history whatsoever.
It shouldn't have to be like that. But that's what we inherited.
Having to challenge a staff report with carefully chosen language
is not easy. It takes the difference between $33,000 and $300,000 to replace a lighting system, to drive a point home.
It would be different if I occupied the Mayor's chair ..
It' s the function of the Mayor to provide leadership and guidance to Council. It's even spelled out in the Municipal Act.
If the Mayor chooses to lean on the administration for expertise, not rely on personal judgement or put weight on background and experience, that makes my job tougher.
The point you make about the software is an example.
Provincial edict required municipalities to create and maintain an inventory of assets. Accountants apparently noticed a conspicuous absence of assets in municipal book-keeping
It took five years for staff to complete the inventory on excel spread sheets. Software for the inventory to be transferred to computer would have cost $56,000.
That's not what we bought.
We approved $440,000 for a software program the Region had approved several years ago and are still struggling to make efficient. .
ITS were not consulted for compatability.
We are still spending money an the system is not up and running.
Much like experience at the region.
The original inventory, ready to be transferred was not. Staff are still working from Excel spread sheets.
.
Sunday, 3 March 2013
A day in the life of
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Pirates
afloat on a windy sea.":
Evelyn you may want to contact Clr.Sponga in Newmarket to confirm or deny because word on the street is the Jazz festival is off there.Too many demands perhaps?
**************
It was around January 1st 2013 The Banner printed the story about Newmarket being the new home of erstwhile Aurora Jazz Festival
Eh! Heh! Look what Aurora's Council has done now.
I thought the timing was odd. Newmarket Town Hall is closed from Christmas Eve. How would anything have been agreed to result in a proclamation on January 1st?
Location was also unlikely. How would a five foot chain link fence and security services for the purpose of charging admission, fit around the Newmarket Farmers' Market?
Why would The Banner publish such an unlikely story?
What could be their purpose?
Councillor Ballard appears to be putting a lot of effort into personally discrediting an individual connected with the Lucid Productions proposal to the Town of Aurora.
The Town is committing no resources.
No matter the success or otherwise of the project, the town stands to lose nothing.
Why would Councillor Ballard put so much into his effort?
How does that reflect higher expectations from behaviour
of a Councillor. expounded by the Councillor in his argument in favour of a Code of Conduct complete with penaltie and punishment?
What could be his purpose?
At Thursday's public meeting in the old library to discuss potential for the building , Councillor Ballard informed a participant that " a woman" on Council has recommended sale of the property for private development.
No record exists of such a proposal.
Why would Councillor Ballard say such a thing?
Wherefore art the higher standard of conduct?
What could be his purpose ?
Last Tuesday Council were informed of a Code of Conduct complaint filed immediately prior to Council's deliberation on the Code that evening
On Wednesday, I learned from someone, who heard from someone else who was informed by the complainant , the complaint was against myself.
The complainant claimed the complaint would go away if I would acknowledge I was wrong about whatever it was she was complaining about. . .
On Saturday, I heard through the same route, the complaint has been withdrawn; through e-mail with formal withdrawal to follow on Monday morning.
The Toronto Star had somehow learned of the complaint.
The complainant had been contacted, following which the complaint was withdrawn.
In the meantime, I still have no idea of the complaint, the complainant was complaining about that would have disappeared had I only admitted to being wrong. .
Sole communication between myself and the complainant in recent years was when the complainant appeared twice recently at Council-in-Committee , and at Council , made presentations in formats designed by herself, which were received by Council on both occasions without comment from any member of Council.
Under the circumstances,what complaint could be filed by a complainant?
What could be the purpose?
No doubt, in the fullness of time and further activities along the same lines, a clearer picture will emerge.
Being fervently in support of a Code of Righteous Conduct ,no doubt Councillor Saintly Ballard will eventually reveal the purpose in all of this......or not .
Evelyn you may want to contact Clr.Sponga in Newmarket to confirm or deny because word on the street is the Jazz festival is off there.Too many demands perhaps?
**************
It was around January 1st 2013 The Banner printed the story about Newmarket being the new home of erstwhile Aurora Jazz Festival
Eh! Heh! Look what Aurora's Council has done now.
I thought the timing was odd. Newmarket Town Hall is closed from Christmas Eve. How would anything have been agreed to result in a proclamation on January 1st?
Location was also unlikely. How would a five foot chain link fence and security services for the purpose of charging admission, fit around the Newmarket Farmers' Market?
Why would The Banner publish such an unlikely story?
What could be their purpose?
Councillor Ballard appears to be putting a lot of effort into personally discrediting an individual connected with the Lucid Productions proposal to the Town of Aurora.
The Town is committing no resources.
No matter the success or otherwise of the project, the town stands to lose nothing.
Why would Councillor Ballard put so much into his effort?
How does that reflect higher expectations from behaviour
of a Councillor. expounded by the Councillor in his argument in favour of a Code of Conduct complete with penaltie and punishment?
What could be his purpose?
At Thursday's public meeting in the old library to discuss potential for the building , Councillor Ballard informed a participant that " a woman" on Council has recommended sale of the property for private development.
No record exists of such a proposal.
Why would Councillor Ballard say such a thing?
Wherefore art the higher standard of conduct?
What could be his purpose ?
Last Tuesday Council were informed of a Code of Conduct complaint filed immediately prior to Council's deliberation on the Code that evening
On Wednesday, I learned from someone, who heard from someone else who was informed by the complainant , the complaint was against myself.
The complainant claimed the complaint would go away if I would acknowledge I was wrong about whatever it was she was complaining about. . .
On Saturday, I heard through the same route, the complaint has been withdrawn; through e-mail with formal withdrawal to follow on Monday morning.
The Toronto Star had somehow learned of the complaint.
The complainant had been contacted, following which the complaint was withdrawn.
In the meantime, I still have no idea of the complaint, the complainant was complaining about that would have disappeared had I only admitted to being wrong. .
Sole communication between myself and the complainant in recent years was when the complainant appeared twice recently at Council-in-Committee , and at Council , made presentations in formats designed by herself, which were received by Council on both occasions without comment from any member of Council.
Under the circumstances,what complaint could be filed by a complainant?
What could be the purpose?
No doubt, in the fullness of time and further activities along the same lines, a clearer picture will emerge.
Being fervently in support of a Code of Righteous Conduct ,no doubt Councillor Saintly Ballard will eventually reveal the purpose in all of this......or not .
It's about Accountability
Council turned down the recommendation to install a lighting plan costing over $300,000 and opted for the one at $33,000.
$9,000 were added for L.E.D. lights.
60% less energy is required and fixtures last considerably longer. .It's said so often no-one doubts it. My problem is how to prove it. The energy bill for street lights is not likely to be separate, street by street.
The Mayor assures me the town inly has one standard for lighting. I think since lighting is for pedestrians, there should be a different standard for a different level of pedestrian traffic.
I am also concerned that engineering staff assume "most" streets in town are the same. They are not. An inventory of assets should identify differences.
If its purpose is efficient maintenance for assets , I don't see how that can be accomplished without understanding level and nature of traffic. .
An estate lot might have one house on an average of three acres.
An urban neighbourhood would have twenty-seven houses on three acres. . There would certainly be a different level of wear and tear on the roads.
If inventory of assets doesn't provide that information, I really don't know it's purpose.
Remember $440,000 software program was spent fifteen months ago. It isn't running and continues to soak up additional resources .
I voted against it. Council approved the spending because it was obviously "the way to go".
.At the rate we're going and software goes, the program may be obsolete before it has even been utilised.
It may have been the wrong way to go ..
I tell you this for a reason.
A new Council, without experience, puts faith in staff advice. It ought to be O.K.
But that's not a Councillor's job.
The job is to ruthlessly scrutinise recommendations.
When the vote is cast, it becomes a Council decision .
Accountability does not rest with staff.
Staff do not account to the electorate. Councillors do
Each and every one.
$9,000 were added for L.E.D. lights.
60% less energy is required and fixtures last considerably longer. .It's said so often no-one doubts it. My problem is how to prove it. The energy bill for street lights is not likely to be separate, street by street.
The Mayor assures me the town inly has one standard for lighting. I think since lighting is for pedestrians, there should be a different standard for a different level of pedestrian traffic.
I am also concerned that engineering staff assume "most" streets in town are the same. They are not. An inventory of assets should identify differences.
If its purpose is efficient maintenance for assets , I don't see how that can be accomplished without understanding level and nature of traffic. .
An estate lot might have one house on an average of three acres.
An urban neighbourhood would have twenty-seven houses on three acres. . There would certainly be a different level of wear and tear on the roads.
If inventory of assets doesn't provide that information, I really don't know it's purpose.
Remember $440,000 software program was spent fifteen months ago. It isn't running and continues to soak up additional resources .
I voted against it. Council approved the spending because it was obviously "the way to go".
.At the rate we're going and software goes, the program may be obsolete before it has even been utilised.
It may have been the wrong way to go ..
I tell you this for a reason.
A new Council, without experience, puts faith in staff advice. It ought to be O.K.
But that's not a Councillor's job.
The job is to ruthlessly scrutinise recommendations.
When the vote is cast, it becomes a Council decision .
Accountability does not rest with staff.
Staff do not account to the electorate. Councillors do
Each and every one.
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