Comment 46362

By DanielRodrigues (registered) - website | Posted August 26, 2010 at 22:36:13

Hi Andrea, And, there lies the crux of the issue with Municipal politics: which is more important to the voter - the issues of the City as a whole? Or, issues that effect the ward in which the voter lives?

We complain that our City operates with 15-Mayors of their own fiefdom, which contributes to the divisive Council chambers we see in operation today. But, they do so because we ask them to look after what matters first in their Ward. I've sat in a Councillor's office and listened as they told me that they take care of their Ward first; that they won't work with the City because getting re-elected was what was the important thing.

Unfortunately, it doesn't matter how well a particular Ward manages, if the rest of the City is in dire straits. A City which has it's house in order, has sound policies and practices throughout, and manages in a cohesive environment will go further in minimizing Ward concerns.

As an example: A Ward should not be entrenched in a battle to maintain graffiti-free properties, if the City as a whole had a policy and practice which was executed across the board. Instead, we have one Ward on one side of the City working independantly of the rest of the City to battle vandalism, while another Ward on the opposite side is attempting to do the same thing. Two Wards working towards a common goal, while failing to communicate with each other. Had the City utilized a collaborative approach and execution, not only would one or two Wards resolve a concern...the City as a whole would benefit.

At the end of the day, my property taxes don't go to just my Ward...they go to the entire City, and I want to make sure that money is spent wisely.

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