Why can't we vote for Regional Chair?

Oshawa, Ajax and Pickering have made a decision to place a referendum question on their ballot in November 2006 asking if residents feel that the Regional Chair should be elected at large by all residents of Durham Region. However, even though there has been much discussion by residents on this subject and many want the chance to vote, our Clarington Council decided that once again, they know better than the voters, and won't give us the chance to vote in a referendum on this issue. Do they think we're all stupid and can't make a logical decision on such matters?

At its Feb. 15 meeting, regional council revisited the issue of holding a referendum to ask if the regional chairman should be elected. A motion was defeated narrowly 14-13, with an Oshawa Councillor (Neal) flip-flopping and voting against after voting for at Oshawa Council. Regional Council debated the merits of having a direct election but that's not really the issue, is it? The issue is whether or not the public should have a choice.

"We are simply being asked to consult the people," said Ajax Mayor Steve Parish.

Well yes, why NOT consult the people? This became an issue nearly 10 years ago when (present Chair) Roger Anderson ran for Mayor and was defeated, but was then appointed by his cronies as Durham Regional Chair (with that fat salary that is nearly the same as the Premier of Ontario, and influential position). All this after an election defeat. Not only were people in Ajax upset about this, but residents all over Durham Region were outraged, and many still are. Mr. Anderson has held on to the Chair position ever since that election when he was defeated and has not had to face the public since.

Now that council has voted on the matter, it cannot be readdressed for one year unless it is brought back by a two-thirds vote in favour, which it won't be since there are so many who can't seem to see that the public is entitled to vote on the head of the region when that position is a political one. And of course our elections are in less than a year so it will be another 3 (or 4) years before we'll possibly have another chance at a vote. And of course Mr. Anderson will be put right back into the Chair position by his cronies after the November election.

Is the position of Regional Chair an important one? The Regional Chair is the head of Regional Council and is the Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Corporation. He presides over all meetings of Regional Council and is a member of all Council Standing Committees. The Regional Chair meets regularly with community groups and residents to ensure they are aware of issues and actions within the Durham Region and to understand their concerns. An important part of theRegional Chair’s role is to promote and advance the Regional position with other levels of government and external groups. He also represents the Region on various boards, committees and municipal organizations.

If Regional Council and our Clarington Council are so confident that the public supports a non-elected position, why not let us vote? Or at the very least, why not allow a referendum on the issue on our November ballot so we can put a democratic end to the debate, and let the people decide? Are we not entitled to express our opinion on this without having to resort to petitions or public protests or storming the council chambers with an angry mob?

Such a referendum would not even be binding, but WOULD be a gauge of the public's feelings on the matter. Doesn't our Clarington council care what we think? Or is it once again a matter of "We know better than the public so we'll decide it for them"? Maybe it is time for us to send them a message that we want to be heard. And the only time they really listen to us is at election time...