What has been happening in municipal business, politics and community relations since the last election? Could it all have been avoided?
It seems every week there is something else in the newspapers that has come to light. By now, members of the public are wondering what their elected officials, DG’s, building inspectors, and labourers are doing or not doing.
What has been happening in municipal business, politics and community relations since the last election? Could it all have been avoided?
It seems every week there is something else in the newspapers that has come to light. By now, members of the public are wondering what their elected officials, DG’s, building inspectors, and labourers are doing or not doing.
We have seen building permits issued, only to find out after work has started and money has been spent that the permit should not have been given. Now lawyers are involved and tax dollars are being needlessly wasted.
We’ve read about the confusion over an elected official’s eligibility to hold office. It’s in the courts now and more tax dollars are being spent.
We have seen mayors resign because of, depending on which side you believe, a lack of respect by councillors or a lack of leadership by the mayor. Either way, another election will be held; more tax dollars wasted.
We also read about the ongoing battle between a municipality and a
non-profit recreational organization. After two years, the only ones coming out ahead are the lawyers. One lawyer is being paid with tax dollars and the other by money that could and should be spent on community activities. This whole mess is really making me question our elected officials. Why can’t this be settled by a vote, in a democratic way? How can you occupy space in a
building, and use power and heat without paying rent?
Is it not cheaper for a municipality with a small population to rent space in a large building they do not have to maintain? What would it cost the taxpayers to build a new municipal office, garage and fire hall?
We also read about the mass layoff of municipal workers due to the quality and efficiency of the work being done. Jobs had to be redone, at more cost to the taxpayers. Why are qualified people not being hired in the first place? Training means more tax dollars.
We have “Codes of Conduct” being ignored at council meetings and when complaints are filed with Municipal Affairs, nothing is ever done. I suppose it would require a lot of work to fix the problem if they did get involved, but is this not their job? Is it not our tax dollars paying their salaries? Is the system failing on more than one level?
When the next election comes, the public should take an interest and a
long, hard look at the people they are voting for.
If our officials do in fact want to see our areas move forward and prosper, then these kinds of things most stop!
The Garloughs
THORNE
