By Pepper Parr
September 22, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
There were four people at the city council meeting last night who are running for municipal office. Three, Peter Rusin, Jeff Brooks and Angelo Bentivegna are very new to the political process in Burlington. The fourth, Vanessa Warren, has attended many council meetings and delegated frequently.
We asked these people to comment on what they experienced as they watched council during the 90 minutes meeting.
Peter Rusin said: “The room is too small; the air is dry and dirty and the lighting went off partially during the meeting. There were no young people; attendance was low. Goldring spent more time on arguing procedure re: a third comment with Sharman than letting him speak. There was way too much deferral and reliance on the clerk in keeping the meeting moving along. The city manager Scott Stewart did not get the respect he deserved regarding the fill issues.
Overall, the most coherent of the council members were Craven, Meed-Ward and Dennison. Goldring seemed a bit edgy with an undertone of arrogance.
“I would have spent time and energy more effectively on addressing and resolving the agenda items and issues than trying to impress my colleagues on procedural technicalities; this is not some sort of trial.
And, I would have led the meeting in a more pleasant and engaging manner and left with more tangible results.”
Jeff Brooks said: “I was surprised how much some councillors seemed to walk in stride on a lot of issues.
All in general seemed very cosy except for Meed Ward.
I tweeted last night wondering why city just putting out letter now to MP Wallace asking to see what Federal $ might be available for homeowners effected by the flood. Aug 4th was the flood, I know our flood wasn’t a national crisis but the optics of just sending letter now, seems slow. I think Wallace’s own home was effected, sympathetic ear?
At end of meeting Taylor didn’t announce any Ward 3 weekend events, instead suggested to drive to Kilbride to look at a restored heritage home (it is a beautiful restoration). Very nice if you have a car, last time I checked no public transit to Kilbride.
Angelo Bentivegna was not able to respond in time for this article.
Vanessa Warren said: “Last night had a great outcome, and I’m pleased that Councillor Lancaster voted in favour of what I believe to be a strong Site Alteration Bylaw; as you’ll recall, I delegated in May of 2013 requesting a review of this bylaw and have watched its development right up until I delegated in favour of it at the September 8th D&I committee.
As I said then, the bylaw has gone through a public and industry consultation process that I think we should be very proud of, and I believe it’s a model bylaw in the Province.
I was frustrated, however, with once again not knowing what my Ward Councillor’s position was until it was time to stand up and be counted. Frankly, I’m not even certain how she would have voted had Marianne Meed Ward not asked for a recorded vote.
It would be impossible and unfair to ask for a Councillor with whom I always agreed, but I think it IS fair to want to be represented by someone who takes researched, reasoned, and principled stances on issues that I can both understand and foresee. “
Vanessa Ward is a candidate for the ward six seat that Blair Lancaster now holds.
Not much in the way of insight from any of them was there?
I was struck by the Jeff Brooks comment regarding federal flood relief;
“I tweeted last night wondering why city just putting out letter now to MP Wallace asking to see what Federal $ might be available for homeowners effected by the flood. Aug 4th was the flood, I know our flood wasn’t a national crisis but the optics of just sending letter now, seems slow. I think Wallace’s own home was effected, sympathetic ear?”
MP Mike Wallace spoke in the House of Commons about “how proud” he was of flood victims and citizen response;
September 16th, 2014 / 2:05 p.m.
“Mike Wallace Burlington, ON
Mr. Speaker, on August 4, parts of the city of Burlington received 191 millimetres of rain in just a few hours. This is almost double the amount of rain Hurricane Hazel dumped on the city many decades ago. Over 3,000 homes were flooded with either rainwater or sewage, including my own basement. Many of the victims of the flood had little or no insurance to cover this type of disaster.
The outreach by neighbours to those affected by the flood has been overwhelming. Their generous support has come in all forms, from food and clothing to toys for children; from financial donations at public events to opening homes for the use of laundry facilities.
We do live in a caring community, but there is more to do. The Burlington Community Foundation has set a goal of raising $2 million dollars to help flood victims in the most need. This fund may be matched by the Ontario disaster relief fund. I ask the residents of Burlington to continue to come together to support the BCF flood relief program.
I thank the residents of Burlington for the caring and compassion they have shown for their neighbours.”
Makes you wonder whether he has a position BEYOND pride;
Alberta flood relief to get $2.8B from federal government…
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-flood-relief-to-get-2-8b-from-federal-government-1.2424273
I would have enjoyed hearing what Angelo Bentivegna had to say.
Pepper, perhaps you’re spending too much time at City Hall and not enough time in the community. The citizens couldn’t care less about procedural minutiae but care very much about original thoughts on community issues. Peter, Jeff, and Vanessa did just fine…..
Mr. Parr;
What this city and many levels of gov’t needs are individuals who are NOT politicians or bureaucrats. They will learn Robert’s Rule of Order quickly and after that will be judged on who they are and what they have to offer. Too many politicians are in this business for the wrong reasons. No political background is an asset not a detriment.
You asked us what we saw Pepper, not provide new ideas on how the council works and could work.
The answer as to how council works and how it could work better is for another day.
Mr. Parr:
I agree that there isn’t much insight here but, perhaps, it is in the nature of the question that you asked. It seems to me that they all commented satisfactorily on “what they experienced as they watched council during the 90 minutes meeting”. Their responses may have been different if you had asked “given your experience this evening, what changes would you bring to the Council chamber”? Just a thought.