22 Feb 2007

Clarington's "vehement" opposition to electing Chair

What a ridiculous motion! Has anyone ever seen one use such wording as "vehemently opposes" especially in denouncing a straightforward democratic process? See Jennifer Stone's Metroland article, "Clarington 'vehemently' opposes direct election of Regional Chairman: motion".

Councillor Foster made this odd motion, and wants it sent to the Minister of Municipal Affairs. What is even more disturbing than one councillor making such a preposterous motion, is that the majority of our councillors and our mayor voted in favour of it. With the exception of "rookie" councillors Ron Hooper (Ward 2) and Willie Woo (Ward 3). This makes me believe we should have maybe elected more rookie councillors.

"We've used a very powerful word here -- vehemently -- but we didn't put it on the ballot for the people and didn't ask their opinion," said Coun. Woo.

Exactly! The previous council never put it on the ballot to ask the people. In the only 3 municipalities in Durham Region that did put it on the ballot, the public overwhelmingly supported direct election of the regional chair position. Overwhelmingly being approx. 85 - 90% of the public. That is pretty overwhelming. In spite of this, the council of the day pushed forward their own agenda in saying that they opposed it. Now our newly elected council, which is minus the majority of that previous council members, once again reiterates, reintroduces and officially reestablishes previous council's unpopular, undemocratic and undesirable preference, without debate or public input. How arrogant is that?

There are many previous council decisions that should not or need not be revisited. This is not one of those. This was an ill-conceived decision made by a previous council and was one of the reasons the public was dissatisfied with them. This new motion, being even more strongly worded (vehemently???), goes even farther.

Another difference between the original motion of previous council and the reaffirmation of that position by today's council, is that when the original position was taken, it was prior to the referendum results by 3 municipalities, and prior to the decision of regional council itself, to support direct election of the chair. Those facts may possibly have changed the position of the previous council. However those facts seem to have eluded this council and they have just gone along with previous council's motion, even strengthening it, without consideration of these new facts.

It appears that this council doesn't want to make any real decisions on its own. Bravo to Councillors Hooper and Woo for their conviction in standing against the mayor and majority of council and voting against the ill-conceived motion.

Councillor Foster's assertion that the current system allows people to run "by virtue of qualification only" is absurd. What were Roger Anderson's "qualifications" when he was first chosen as regional chair, after being booted out of Ajax's council by it's residents? Shortly after losing the mayoral race to Parish, his friends appointed him, without election, to the most powerful position in the region. Does Foster really think there is no pressuring, no special interests, no "politics" in the appointment of Regional Chair? Has he ever watched the "vote" by councillors to choose regional chair? Does he think there will be no "qualified" people who might run for regional chair if the position were to be elected by the public?

"I'm not convinced it's more democratic" to hold an at-large election across Durham, said Coun. Foster. "The chair could be elected ... and be told they have a mandate from the people, not a mandate from council, but a mandate from the people" which would dramatically alter the dynamic of the position."

Please explain, Mr. Foster, how it would dramatically alter the dynamic of the position, other than making him accountable to the people he governs, instead of just to 28 individuals? How would it be less democratic? Why is a "mandate from council" BETTER than a mandate from the people? Please explain this supposition, Mr. Foster. During the last campaign, this topic came up frequently. Mr. Anderson repeatedly tried to make the case that if he were directly elected by the people, he could just ignore direction by regional council, regional committees, etc. and do what he liked. Huh? It was his way of keeping his position without having to campaign or bring any type of accountability to the people of Durham. He only had to campaign among the 28 mayors and councillors of regional council. And of course he has a long history with them.

Municipal Council still must ratify their decision to send their "vehement opposition" to the public having the opportunity to elect the regional chair to the Province next Monday night (February 26) at the regular council meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall in Bowmanville. Let's hope they make the right decision and rescind that motion. If they don't want to support the public preference and also don't want to support the decision of regional council, then the very least they could do would be to rescind this motion or at least table it and have a public meeting on the issue, and/or a public debate. There was no debate and no public consultation on this issue that affects all residents of Clarington. How short-sighted of this council. How arrogant this motion is. Let's hope they will reconsider before Monday night.

3 comments:

  1. Good to see our two rookie councillors standing up for the people and for democracy. Thank you Councillor Woo and Councillor Hooper. Shame on Councillors Foster, Novak, Trim, Robinson and Mayor Abernethy for not caring what the people think and not bringing this up for debate.

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  2. Enjoy your four years Mr. Foster. You will not be elected again. the people have a long memory. You are a failure and we the people should start a recall campaign.

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  3. What is Mr. Foster thinking? Someone has perverted his view of democracy if he thinks that 28 people choosing the most powerful, highest paid position in Durham Region is more democratic than the residents of Durham choosing him. Give the people a chance to decide, instead of figuring you know what is best for all of us. What makes you so infallible?

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