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Sprouting_along_our_byways

Sprouting Along Our Byways

Sprouting Along Our Byways

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Sprouting Along Our Byways

By Bill Rowsome

After a two day colour tour this fall into some of the surrounding counties Lesley and I observed that our area of North Frontenac had the most colourful foliage of all; one more reason that this is the place to live.

With the sprouting mushrooms along the route were the sprouting 'elect' and 're-elect' signs for municipal candidates. I hope we will soon see these sprouting along our byways. To date just a few tentative ones have appeared.

Unlike mushrooms that thrive in the dark and on a bed of manure I hope our signs will enlighten and be rooted in a sturdier platform than that of the mushrooms.

Who plants the signs? Why would anybody drive stakes into the ground and attach a pleading to be re-elected or elected? What are their motives? The 're-elects' we know if we have been following the political scene for the past three years or longer. We have seen them in action, experienced the fulfillment or non-fulfillment of earlier promises. We have watched them debate at the council table. We have heard them speak at public meetings where they go to gather and dispense knowledge. We have listened to comments made in local meeting places: comments biased by the commentator and embellished by the audience but never- the-less revealing. Or have we bothered to pay any attention. Taxes have not risen significantly or scandals been unearthed. All must be well in our little paradise nestled between neighbouring townships embroiled in political controversies.

The 're-elects' we may know. The 'elects' are known only by name or reputation is some other field outside politics.

Who are the 'elects'? Why do they want to be publicly scrutinized? Are they dissatisfied with the present political situation in North Frontenac? What ideas do they have that will better our township? How can we delve into their motives? Undoubtedly there will be self-serving advertisements in local papers and colourful brochures created on home computers distributed to our mailboxes. Store bulletin boards will impartially display their posters. The impartiality of the host will not help us to select from the unknown. Will any of them modernize and set up a web page? Advertising will advance their ego boosting opinion of themselves but I want more!

I want to hear them, also the 're-elects', in front of an audience (competition or not). Can they articulate their ideas in front of the ratepayers? Most of the interchange in council is oral and to be heard and attract attention they will have to be nimble of tongue. Not so nimble that they are unbelievable, or lapse into a common ailment of politicians, words but no substance. I want to hear them react to questions from the audience. Can they think on their feet, a precedent for thinking on their butts during meetings?

It would be a great service if the present council (service to us is the reason for its existence) would host one or more public meetings to give us the opportunity to evaluate all candidates before we place our trust in them for the next 3 years. There is a public hall in each ward. Council has refused to hold regular council meetings except in Plevna as it claims the need to have ready access to records in the office. There is no reason the candidates wanting to be our elected representatives can't bring their abilities, their skills, their hopes, their dreams and any shortcomings closer to their future employer.... us. It is fitting that the present council provides this service for its benefit as well as ours.

With the participation of the Government of Canada