County mayor?

[cowman]

Well coppertop...I try to provide good entertainment! Actually I'm not the best around...there is one old boy who has me beat hands down!
I think I ask valid questions and I never resort to any kind of "down and dirty" mud slinging!
And I think , actually, most county councillors and staff look forward to any meeting I'm at!!! They know though the questions may be tough, I'm not there to embarass them, but have a true desire to know just what the deal is?
Hey, the fact is these political things can be pretty boring, and many people are are too shy to ask the tough questions...that everybody is thinking?
Sort of like agri-ville? Nobody wants to play the old redneck, but might really have those kinds of ideas? I have never had a problem getting up and saying it how I see it...and damned the consequences! Here, or at a public meeting? Might be why me and my councillor have such a good relationship? ...birds of a feather...

[cakadu]

In reading the local paper about the county's budget deliberations, one councillor didn't want to approve the budget because he felt that more attention should be paid to his division. One councilor told him that he works for the good of the county, not his division and he shouldn't "beak off" and another accused him of grandstanding.

It always amuses me when people point fingers - there are always a few pointing back at yourself. Neither of these two have done any of that I suppose.

[cowman]

Linda: Actually Mr. Wood probably has a good point? Div. 1 usually gets the shaft...check it out? Your division(5) would probably cry if you had to put up with what they get?
The boy owns land in division 1...and it really is sad how little attention they get! It really is "dogpatch"?
And yet I will tell, from my experience, there are no better people than the people who live in Division 1!
They are downhome farmers, uncorrupted by all the acreage/fake farmers in the whole county! Salt of the earth, ready to help you, friendly as a German Shephard pup! I go in a restaurant out there...and they don't knoiw me fro Adam...but invite we to come sit with them...Just really good people.
When I retire...I intend to do it in Division 1! They are my kind of people. Farmers who know where the center of the world is.

[coppertop]

during budget deliberations most municipalities have several meetings ' in camera' to iron out the issues between divisions. If one council member feels his division isn't a fair share of the pie, the time to raise the issue is both ' in camera' and when the budget is passed in a council meeting. I would venture a guess that the councillor in Division 1 is likely not a follower but an individual thinker, so there might be a possibility that his or her division is getting the shaft so the electorate will consider making a change. There is no ' dirty politics' like election year politics. I can remember having an entire road project cancelled by three members of council because I wouldn't support one of their little self serving escapades. The public works director attended the final budget meeting and explained in a kindergarten tone that cancelling the project was going to cost approximately $25,000 more the following year because it couldn't be tendered out with other projects etc. Members of the public were up in arms at the three AMIGOS and they backed down, changed their minds and the project went ahead without my having to utter one word during the public meeting. ( damn good thing the comments I did make weren't in public...!!).

[cowman]

coppertop: From what I heard from a former councillor...those in camera meetings can get pretty salty...any comment?

[cakadu]

Cowman, I can believe what the councillor in division 1 is saying as we experience it to some degree out here. I have no idea about what happens out in that division, but if it is anything like here, then I have no reason to doubt his statements and my post wasn't implying that I did.

It is interesting to watch what unfolds in an election year and I am sure that when it comes to the new mayor's position, it will be most interesting as this is the first time.

The other thing that is interesting is to see the "small town" dynamics that happen in different areas. Out here, you pretty much are the "new people" until you've had at least 3 or 4 generations living here. The dynamics between the various hamlets out here are also interesting in that instead of working together for the good of the area, they compete and wonder why it doesn't turn out well for everyone. There are some things that are s-l-o-w-l-y changing, but it is a tedious process. Good heavens, there are still some that the school got relocated in 1959. Time to move on don't you think?

[coppertop]

cowman, it depends on the dynamics around the council table. Councils that work well together and respect each others opinions usually don't engage in bickering either in camera or in public. However, in camera like in caucus where there are various individuals vying for budget funding for their area, and others that will do anything to see that they get the big bucks, it can get pretty hot and heavy.

If the Reeve or Mayor has any intestinal fortitude and respect around the table, he or she will provide leadership that will get folks working together through any differences.

Some councillors will use in camera sessions to slander others, hiding behind the fact that no action can be taken against them for comments or actions in camera.

[cakadu]

Hmm, wonder which ours are?

[coppertop]

firstly, counicllors like everyone else lose effectiveness the minute they stoop to name calling or childlike behavior, and secondly, the in camera sessions are only to be used when dealing with legal, monetary or staffing matters, so there should be no need to engage in warlike conduct.
Many municipalities use in camera for budget discussions to discuss the pros and cons of various budget items before discussing them in public, which I feel is sensible. No point in getting the public's hopes or hackles up over proposed projects until council can be sure they are feasible and make sense.

[cowman]

Linda: I think his biggest complaint was he never got two road projects done in 2006 that were supposed to be done? Therefore he wouldn't vote for the "expanded" budget for 2007? His exact words were his constituents were tired of being treated like second class citizens!I think he is pretty scared he is going to be gone with redistribution?
Incidently have you seen the projected numbers for the 2007 budget? $19.7 million in operating costs and a total budget of $45 million! Now the operating budget last year was $15.7 million...so a $4 million increase? 25% increase in one year...well maybe the city isn't the only ones out of control!
I notice they are also borrowing $7 million? The stated reasons were "to complete the transfer station" and "finish Levitra Ave(gasoline alley)"!
Hmmmm...I thought the transfer site was already budgetted for last year...and Levitra Ave.! The latest rumor is the transfer site is approaching $6 million...quite impressive since the original budget was $2 million last spring! Sounds like another county office fiasco?