By Pepper Parr
August 29th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Just what engagement means has landed somewhere in the Mayor’s office.
There are going to be six separate public meetings in the city –one in each ward, where the fundamentals of the 2025 budget will be trotted out.
We have never see this many public meetings – there was usually just the one held somewhere in the downtown core.
Does this represent a change in approach and a decision to actually get out in front of people and listen or is this the new strategy coming out of the Mayor’s office, the finance department and the fertile mind of the city’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)?
We recall an occasion, during Rick Goldring’s term as Mayor when three people showed up for the budget meeting held in the Mainway Community centre where there was a hockey game taking place right next door.
Here is the schedule:
A city budget meeting with more than 50 people participating. This year there will be ward level meetings.
Wednesday, Sept. 11, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Port Nelson United Church, 3132 South Dr.
Monday, Sept. 23, 7 to 8:30 p.m., La Salle Park Pavilion, 50 North Shore Blvd. E.
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Haber Recreation Centre, 3040 Tim Dobbie Dr., Room 1
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Central Arena, 519 Drury Ln., Auditorium
Thursday, Oct. 3, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Appleby Ice Centre, 1201 Appleby Line, Community Room 1
Tuesday, Oct. 8, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Brant Hills Community Centre, 2255 Brant St., Community Room 1
No bun tossing or tomato throwing permitted.
Stephen you are right on with your comments.
One of the reasons I don’t get involved with public meetings concerning the budget is because I am intelligent enough to know that I simply cannot wrap my head around what costs are necessary to operate the City.
For many residents this is “way above our pay grade”.
Lastly, there are basically 2 budgets presently – The Mayor’s Budget ( Strong Mayor Powers) and the budget that comes before Council. Then of course come the “legacy” projects that the public knows little about ( Robert Bateman for one).
Why would anyone in the know waste their time until they know which budget will be adopted?
So to re-cap: six budget meetings, each starting at 7:00 p.m., and lasting an hour and half. Assuming the meeting starts late, as they usually do, that means fifteen minutes will be taken up with Land Acknowledgement Claims, followed by fifteen minutes to introduce City Hall staff, followed by fifteen minutes to explain the agenda, followed by an hour long, 50 page City budget presentation with high level charts and graphs, followed by a 5 minutes Q&A session. Hmm….
And what about all those Burlington residents who commute into Toronto, don’t get home much before 6 or 6:30 p.m.? I guess someone forgot to tell City officials that not everyone lives and works locally, let alone work from home. Wouldn’t the reasonable thing be to consider holding meetings not only in different parts of the City, but also, at different times, to accommodate the range of residents living here? What about morning meetings? What about afternoon meetings? What about (heaven forbid)….weekend meetings? Maybe even (wait for it..)…virtual meetings?
Little wonder some previous meetings attracted only 3 people. There again, maybe the objective isn’t really citizen engagement or getting feedback on the budget so much as “tick the pretty box on the engagement form”.
One of these days the folks at City Hall might actually manage to think outside the box. Sadly, it probably won’t be in my lifetime.
Could have made one meeting in daytime.Due eyesight issues I avoid night driving.
free transit for the pensioners…