To Ward or not To Ward!

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THAT IS THE QUESTION!!

Thank you Anon 3:40 for your thoughtful comment and reply at 11:42 PM.  Here's my reasoning and its based in part on my present observation of the last quarter century.... I may be wrong in my assessment .... but I doubt it.... (;-)

A quick review of our present array of Councillors and Mayor and where they live will show that the majority .... are concentrated in one-third of the geographic area covered by the town.  None live in the less affluent areas of our community. In fact, that is a pattern of political representation that has dominated local politics for more than a quarter of a century in our community.

A ward system would force a change in this pattern and would provide an opportunity for folks from all geographic areas of Shelburne to elect representatives to sit at the Council table and represent their priorities and needs. When was the last time someone from the south end of Shelburne got elected? And, if an issue had a deleterious impact on a less affluent section of our community, who could be counted on today to make the case to representatives from other parts of town?

We presently have six councillors and I would propose six districts or wards for our community - one for the south-east side of King Street, one for the north-east side of King Street, two for the centre of town, one for the north and north-west end of town and one for the historic district and proximate areas.

As for running for Mayor, I believe there are many young, capable and intelligent folks in our community who would be much better suited to fill that post than me. Actually, I would like to see a better age distribution in council with more twenty, thirty and forty year-olds and I would like to see more debate during elections about priorities in each of the districts I've already mentioned. I am happy to help and be an active citizen as I think we should all do and make my political contribution by voting for the best candidates that are presented.

Thank you Anon 3:42 .... I think this is an important issue and understand your concerns in this matter....as I hope you understand my views on the issue..... even if you don't agree... (;-)

Question For Anonymous 3:40 PM Today

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Dear Anonymous 3:40 PM:

Interesting comments. Am puzzled by your rejection of wards to elect councillors. That is because I think electing councillors to represent a specific constituency would make them more accountable to their electors. I'd be interested in your reasons for rejecting election by wards or districts and any ideas you might have to make elected municipal politicians more accountable to the electors.

I'd also welcome any suggestions or comments from others on this question.

Keep the Picture!

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THAT'S ALL THAT'S LEFT!

For those of you who went to Council on Wednesday or watched it on Eastlink on Thursday, you will have heard our local politicians skating around the issues related to the Moby Dick church. It was interesting to watch and those I've spoken with have all had their own take on the public airing of the views of local politicians on the issue.

I honestly had mixed views on whether we should keep the church or not or how we should dispose of it if we chose not to keep it. I could have lived comfortably with either decision. What I was looking for was a more public process for dealing with public issues.... and I did get a bit more.... not much... but a bit!

I agree that once elected politicians are mandated to deal with public issues as they arise. In normal political systems, politicians are rewarded or punished for the manner in which they deal with public issues by their constituents at election time. Unfortunately, our municipal system in the Town of Shelburne does not facilitate that method of accountability because of the system we have for electing our councillors at large. This way, no one gets credit and no one gets blamed.... great for politicians... lousy for democracy.

Want to have local politicians more accountable? Change our present system for electing councillors and you'll see a dramatic change in local politics. Councllors elected by geographic areas (wards or districts) know who they are accountable to, while those elected at large do as they please most of the time (until election time nears) and have no real obligation to consult the electorate.

That's my view anyway.....

BTW.... I also believe that crushing the church and hauling it off to a landfill was a waste of resources that might have been used by others.... and the worst solution from an environmental perspective.... what a waste of lumber!

GIVE VOTERS A CHANCE!!

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SHOULD SHELBURNE TOWN COUNCIL SEEK PUBLIC INPUT?

Since its construction, the little church built on the waterfront for the Moby Dick movie appears to have caught the public fancy with many expressing the view that it would be nice to leave it exactly where it is after the movie.  Some have suggested that the Town should not be in such an all-fired hurry to impose the wishes of a few council members on the population at large without first consulting extensively with taxpayers.

Unfortunately, the die appears to have been cast at last week's Council meeting and if the present decision of Council is left to stand, the little church will soon be gone.

QUESTIONS:

1. Do you think Council should consult with the public and re-consider their decision?

2. Is this one of those occassions when the public should be invited to vote on the issue?

3. How would the public be consulted if one wanted to?

4. Would a public referendum work to provide guidance to elected officials?

5. Would the movie company be prepared to delay removal of the little church until the public has been consulted?

6. Do you think Council should consider a motion to discuss delaying the removal of the little church with the movie producers until the town has had a chance to consult with voters?

If you think they should, call the Town Office (875-2991  or fax at 875-3932 on Monday and leave a message asking Council to consult with the public before proceeding with the removal of the little church. Alternatively, call Councillors and the Mayor or send an email  to shelburnetown@ns.aliantzinc.ca

Timing is critical so do it now and write or call friends to have them contribute their two cents!