Strange_vocation

Strange Vocation

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Strange Vocation

By Bill Rowsome

What is a council?" asked my little granddaughter.

She had overheard some discussion of the upcoming municipal elections and with the intriguing mind of a youngster tried to relate it to her limited experiences. " A group of seven who governs thousands". I replied, off-handedly adding, "Yet we, the thousands, are its boss."

I tried to explain the concept of 'thousands' to a little lady who has just mastered rote counting to 20 and how all these people could be a boss when in her experience only her little brother filled that role. She wandered off satisfied with the state of her world but the inquiry upset mine. The thought of so many bosses! The evolution of governing has had a rocky history, eventually evolving into today's democratic process. Have we achieved the ultimate yet?

Is having 'thousands' elect seven and giving them a 3 year fatal performance review before re-accepting or turfing them the best process? In this procedure there is not much room for learning or mistakes. Give us what is best for us, despite our varied needs, or you are toast! A heartless procedure, even in the world of commerce there usually is not such a severe bottom line.

I think this is a reasonable process, if councilors are informed and monitored by the boss...us.

I have just learned .....There is going to be a contest in North Frontenac. Perhaps our present council deserves to be re-elected, but unless there is a contest there is no debate. We, the boss, deserve a debate.

There are policies that have to be expounded publicly. All candidates should have the opportunity to describe their dreams, express their hopes, expose their strengths and counter their critics to their boss.

There are questions that should be asked and answered publicly. Several come to mind; hopefully you have others for an All Candidate Meeting.

1. Are council committee meetings open to the public? Only matters that are financial in nature or dealing with personnel should be held in camera. Time of council meetings and agenda should be distributed township wide. Dump hours are. Are they more important than council hours? The boss should know what is happening and when.

2. What procedures are in place for public input for council deliberations? The boss deserves an opinion.

3. Why can't some regular council meetings be held in Wards 1 and 3 to encourage public participation? An area as wide as North Frontenac Township discourages attendance because of distance. At one time there was more incentive to travel to Plevna when one was able to enjoy a pre council meeting dinner. I am not saying that a council meeting is not worth the trip but a well-fed ratepayer is less obnoxious. On the other hand he or she will fall asleep easier. The boss deserves consideration.

4. Historic wars have been fought over the principle of "Representation by Population". Ward 1 boss are you ready to battle when you have approximately half the population of North Frontenac but only the same number of representatives as each of the other two less populated wards?

5. What procedures can be implemented to get Council's problems, deliberations and decisions made public? If all of us have to attend council meetings to be informed council will have to move out of its chambers. If past public attendance rates continue there is not much danger of that.

Mischief thrives in the dark and a boss has dilemmas.