I watched Doug Ford, after the vote to make an appointment to fill the vacancy on City Council. He made the point about millions of dollars of city spending being decided by a single vote.
I wondered how manyToronto property owners would understand the significance of what he was saying.
Doug and Rob Ford are second generation Toronto politicians. They may have absorbed an understanding of municipal politics without realising , a new generaation exists who do not understand.
When a major decision is made, it's important for Council to be in accord,
A division in Council causes discord in the community.
Council is the leader.
If Council sends a mixed message, how can the community understand the message?
Forty-six years ago, when Aurora had the opportunity to create a museum of railway history, one Council member was opposed.
The project was abandoned. The reason was not articulated , But it was understood.
Such a project requires the support and enthusiasm of the entire community.
It cannot be controversial.
Aurora Council is falling into a pattern of split decisions decided by one vote.
A decision to spend millions of taxpayer dollars by a single vote majority cannot be considered a community decision .
Only half plus one support it.
When the electorate chooses a Council,, they expect something better than a tug of war. Better than a score of one vote advantage.
They expect Council to work together in the best interest of the municipality.
That's not what they're getting.
Monday 26 August 2013
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2 comments:
Unfortunately, we got exactly what we voted for at the polls. Some of it we recognized, even expected, Like councillor Gaertner's stubborn refusal to address the new Mayor correctly for weeks. In other instances we were dead wrong. The entire slate talked a much better council than the one they have created.
Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't the Hydro Reserve Fund that was require an almost complete council approval ?
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