November 8th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Mayor held her budget town hall last evening and it went quite well.
Some people felt it was a road show that took place to focus on the Mayor. The Budget being put together is her budget – what she did was create an event that allowed people to call in and ask questions.
Most of the time Mayor Meed Ward handed off the questions to different staff members who were on hand.
It wasn’t intended as a debate over the issues – it was an opportunity for people to call in and ask questions.
There are those who would like to see more depth in the answers given – but this is Burlington – a deep understanding just isn’t what the public wants. When less than a third of the public bother to vote – this is what you get – a community that is happy with the way things are.
Were some of the calls from people who were asked to call in and say nice things? Maybe.
If that’s the way this Mayor wants to conduct her event – so be it.
What I heard last night was much better than a call in show that former Mayor Rick Goldring held with Mark Carr taking part. That was back in 2011.
Carr and Goldring had set themselves up in the Council Chamber and waited for the phones to ring.
There wasn’t a single call.
What I heard last night was useful. Do it again Your Worship – many of the people had questions and they got answers.
Related news story:
Town Halls were not always successful events.

Perhaps there were no calls because taxpayers were ok with the size of the increases under Goldring?