By Staff
November 10th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
When things get worse and worse in the minds of people they begin looking for new and different ways to solve the problem.
This is what the world of politics is all about.
The public gives the power they have (expressed most vividly at the ballot box) to people they elect and expect them to act in the best interest of the people who voted for them.
The really brilliant politicians have the capacity to discern what their public wants. They truly love the people they represent and in return get elected again and again.
For some reason that doesn’t happen in Burlington.
The low voter turnout and the lack of active local groups in different communities has resulted in a city council that doesn’t feel it has to be accountable. The current lot was returned to office and feel they must be doing something right.
Burlingtonians often get described is as complacent, but in 2018 they were anything but. Then Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward was running for Mayor and four newbies were running for office, along with Paul Sharman who held the ward 5 seat and Angelo Bentivegna who beat Blair Lancaster by a slim 48 votes in the 2014 election.
ECoB packed the Baptist Church on New Street
The public turnout at the ward level debates put on by ECoB was an outstanding success. Unfortunately ECoB was unable to build on the success, partly due to the leadership and the failure of residents in the different wards to help make ECoB a city wide citizen organization.
There is now a population that is looking for new leadership.
If what Blair and White are thinking of is ever going to happen citzens are going to have to be involved.
Steven White and Blair Smith have both been active in the politics of the city but have never run for office. They also bring different political philosophies to their thinking.
They share a view that something has to be done to get a better grade of politician; people that will listen to the public and ensure that the city hall administration delivers on the will of Council
In a comment in the Gazette earlier this week Blair Smith responded to another resident saying:
“Your voices are strong and true and focused on exactly the right issues. Unfortunately, you fight from a position of great disadvantage. Literally, the Mayor, Council and COB senior management control both the media and the message. And the results are totally predictable.
Blair Smith flanked by Lynn Crosby and Mayor Meed Ward on a cable TV program.
“Perhaps, it is time to consider how citizens can regain a degree of control by offering a clearer choice – an open alternative that allows issues to be simply stated and positions to be compared; that provides a selection of Ward and Mayoral candidates who represent a common philosophy of fiscal and social stewardship; and who are all truly responsive to local issues first and foremost.
“This is certainly not my brainchild. Several of us have started to ‘ponder’ what a “slate” of candidates might look like for the 2026 election. How they would be selected? What the selection and vetting criteria might be? How to position ‘a list of candidates’ within the boundaries of the Municipal Election Act?
Obviously, there are many dimensions to be investigated and many logistical issues to be addressed. Perhaps 2026 is too soon for an operative approach.
But, I believe that the basic idea needs consideration. It might address the weak candidate, ‘best of a bad lot’ and ‘the devil we know’ conditions that have plagued (arguably) every election (2018 excepted) since 2002.
It would introduce the benefits of a common, well-articulated platform to our current municipal environment – not a party per se but a “slate of common interest”.
Stephen White
Stephen White added in a Gazette comment he made:
“You can call it a slate, a party, a coalition, a “slate of common interest’ or whatever. Whatever name you apply, the reality is we need to do something very different in this City because the present arrangement of municipal engagement by concerned residents clearly doesn’t work, and no one at City Hall appears to be listening.
Stephen White: “We need to get off this “hamster wheel”
“The recent budget discussions highlight two distinct realities: 1) the present arrangement of electing independent Councillors who are responsive to voters’ perspectives isn’t effective; 2) there are no effective checks on the actions of Council and the public service, and no mechanism to hold them accountable.
“More than anything else I think we need a clear statement or platform on what citizens want regarding transportation, development, affordable housing, finances, public transit, etc. This City has a lot of bright, talented, educated people, and I’m confident we could forge an effective coalition that would present a common front on what is needed.
“We need to get off this “hamster wheel” of continually responding to municipal issues and bouncing from crisis to crisis. Not only is it ridiculously time consuming but it’s frustrating and unproductive.
It’s time residents took control of the agenda and stated clearly and unequivocally our expectations of this Council and its public service. A good place to start is with the budget, and anything in excess of 2-3% certainly doesn’t cut it.
I think the process of potential political candidates needs to set education and experience qualifications to run for every level of government. The heads of our municipal, provincial and federal governments have enormous responsibility in managing our milions/billions/trillions of our tax dollars, yet they do not have to know anything about politics, leadership, sound decision making, the law, ethics, economics or finance to run for office. This govt leaders staff however have education/experience requirements as do most businesses across our country. It is time we changed this process and set education and experience standards and requirements to run for all political positions. We need to be able to choose from electoral candidates that are actually qualified for the position.
So exclude the poor and the weak from government?
Leave it to the Tyranny of Experts?
Professional politicians are the problem not the solution.
From Mary Ellen Carter by Stan Rogers
With lying bastards smiling at you every where you go
A couple of thoughts:
1. ECOB There is no doubt that Covid played a huge role in the suspension of ECOB activities. Without Covid, it is very likely that ECOB would have continued to make an impact. I don’t think lack of leadership had much to do with it.
2. Is the suggestion here that a “committee” of wise folk oversee and channel the selection of future candidates for council?
3. “Common interest” and “common front” are lofty ideals, but difficult to achieve unless people shelve their personal interests. It’s like equity and inclusivity – of course everyone thinks they’re a great idea, until they are faced with the prospect of making personal accommodation, adjustments, even sacrifices to make it a reality.
The suggestion is that these wisemen can make a difference.
Why did it take Wendy Fletcher to get the petition going?
Why haven’t they been filing Integrity and Ombudsman complaint?
Wendy had valid questions.
Please outline your thoughts on the criteria for selection as a Burlington wise person, in an advisory capacity.
There is no need for wise people at all. If they want to participate then run for office.
Anybody should be able to run. Those that get elected hire the city manager to manage the city with a professional staff. They don’t administer the city the audit and give policy direction.
I support MMW….have since she was on council …..
So her flip flop on the marina didn’t bother you.
Good to know.
Going back many years the most admired candidate we came across was Mike Kuegle who ran for MP against Paddy Torsney. His comments on municipal government made good sense. He would encourage us in our delegations around budgets and offer his help. . He would have made a great mayor but we are not sure where he is or, if he is still around. There must also be some retired, very respected business men/women who are not out to pave a political career with Burlington as the steping stone.