Municipal Elections

[cakadu]

Some of the comments you've been sharing are very valid. Like with anything, there are those that "coast" through and those that work very hard.

There are some that have been there forever and they should step to the side. I know, I know, there will be arguments that if the person is doing a good job and is dedicated, then they should be allowed to continue to serve. I'm not convinced that being a councillor should be a career choice. Councillors who have 15 to 20 years in should step aside for new blood so to speak.

I think the other really disconcerting side of the councillors who get acclaimed is that there isn't much change. It is quite disconcerting to hear that some municipalities didn't get enough candidates to come forward. In some of the municipalities around here there were either no names or someone dropped out and then everyone got acclaimed.

When you think about the fact that politics at the local level affects us the most, we should be seeking change and being able to vote for people.

[coppertop]

The citizens of a municipality decide whether or not it's time for a councillor to step down. If no-one will run against a sitting councillor, of the public keeps returning incumbent councillors even if they are opposed, then the people have spoken and that is what democracy is all about

[coppertop]

Just wanted to add, that in many cases when sitting councillors decide to retire, they are encouraged to run again after a few years. I know of at least half a dozen this fall that have been away from municipal politics for anywhere from three to nine years and have been encouraged, and in one case DRAFTED by their citizens to run again.

Obviously the public felt these people served the municipalty well the first time around, or they would not want to see them back again.

FS commented on large business or farm owners being excellent candidates for council, this may very well be true, but I don't know of many that fit into that category that will consider running.

We had one large farmer run for council at the same time a fellow with some considerable business holdings ran, within a year and a half after the election they were the subject of a ministerial inquiry, and both were facing court action for conflict of interest had they been elected in the subsequent election.

Running a municipality like a business doesn't always require a council that has a lot of corporate business sense. Any farmer, large or small, has to learn the value of a dollar and stretching that dollar, and anyone who has served on a volunteer organization knows accountablity, those are the two main requirements for being an elected official.
Staff aren't the responsibility of council, in fact, no council member has any say in hiring of staff with the exception of the CAO, so experience in human resource issues is not a qualification of being a good councillor.

[cakadu]

Democracy does speak, coppertop and I don't dispute the fact that some councillors do a good job. The alarming thing is that so FEW people get out and vote in a municipal election. I think in our county last time around it was something like 28%. An astonishing figure if you consider the fact that this is what will affect us most.

I wouldn't necessarily say that if no one runs against a councillor it is a sign that everyone is happy about it. Apathy is rampant everywhere and/or it could be a case of it being recognized as a thankless job so who wants to do it.

[coppertop]

There was a 70% voter turn out in our municipality three years ago. The public had carried petition after petition to force the minister of Municipal Affairs to do a complete investigation into the conduct of the council of the day, so when the opportunity came to vote them out, people turned out in droves.

Usually when there is an issue, such as the proposed nuclear plant in Woodlands County, you see some members of council being opposed. It seems odd that nobody mentions the school board elections, and they control over 50% of our property tax dollars.

I have always made sure I got to know who the candidates were in the school board election and this time we have a choice on the ballot.

I hope we do get a good voter turn out in the one division where there is an election, and also for the school board,but if people choose to sit at home then they better not complain about who they end up getting as their representative.

Lots of excitement this year over the Progressive Conservative nomination, our MLA is being opposed this time around, and the powers that be within the local constituency association decided to hold the vote two days before the municipal elections.

[Burbert]

Most governments are now run by deputy ministers and high paid administrators. Elected officials, are in fact just rubber stampers, that have little say, or the brains for that matter, to put forth anything meaningful policy. Simply put, they can spend their time getting re elected and planning how to move their careers, or that of their real estate spouse into a position to make lots of money. Politicos are photo op people that play golf, do barby, flip pancakes, and smile for the local paper!

[coppertop]

municipal governments don't have Deputy Ministers, but they are required to have a CAO. If the CAO is allowed to run the show, then the council isn't doing their job. In my years in politics I have never flipped pancakes, any photo in the local paper was one that I provided them and I didn't have a spouse in the real estate business !!
I would suggest that urban politicians are much more likely to be doing the pancake circuit, vs rural ones, and quite often when urban councillors and aldermen do publicity stuff it is because some group or organization requested them to.
I agree that there are those who only think of getting re-elected, that is why they don't want to make tough decisions.

One of the most vocal individuals in our municipality, who used to attend council meetings on a regular basis to give us all hell during ratepayers concerns was invited to pick up nomination papers and run for council, his response was that he could NOT afford to take the cut in pay !!! ( of course, one of the things he complained loudest about was how much councillors got paid !).

[Burbert]

coppertop, I said most governments and politicos not all governments and politicos. Guess you are one of the exceptions to to the rule, straight talking, hardworking, honest politico, who gets elected on the basis of merit alone. You should give the others, some seminars on how to be a good guy. Wow, I thought your species was extinct, but now stand corrected, apparently, unless you are just some kind of forthright bully type politico, dictator, in hiding which by the way, is the worst!!!!!!!!

[coppertop]

I was the only female on a council of men, so my ability to be a bully was extremely limited !!

I do know many rural politicians who are honest, are there for the right reason and whose ratepayers appreciate the contribution they make. In the everchanging mosaic of politics, it is mandatory that municipal politicians keep themselves informed about any and all changes that take place in legislation, land use issues etc.

Not too many bullies remain in politics, they usually shoot themselves in the foot with their ego !

[Burbert]

coppertop, How about former PM J.C., he was a bully that hung around for a while, if my memory hasn't failed me! How about R.K., he tooo was a bit of a bully if, I am not mistaken. How about B.C. primer, G.C., bully. How about Newfie, D.W. bully. You might want to reconsider, your sincere, reasonable, caring, pro-active, dedicated style, otherwise you're days may be numbered