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by Fred Kirby                              October 3,  2007

October 10 is Election Day. It is also the day we vote on a new method of voting. The continuing degeneration of our democracy by the current method of government will only be stopped by a change to Mixed Member Proportional representation (MMP) putting an end to the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system.

We do need smaller constituencies which would not only increase the number of local representatives but, equally important, make them more visible to their constituents. It was under the current voting system, FPTP, that the decrease in the number of local representatives was brought about. Once there is government elected by MMP there will be a better chance that constituencies can become smaller and better represented. The current two major parties have demonstrated that they prefer ruling the entire province from the premier’s office with a cadre of unelected faceless advisors whose only loyalty is to the premier and power. They do not need more members of the Legislature to vote as ordered. MMP, on the other hand, has the potential for more involvement in developing policy and better represent citizens because MMP works to break down the centralizing of power in the premier’s office.

As for parties being able to appoint active members of their parties to parliament without the electorate having a say, that has always happened under the FPTP system. How many in Huron-Bruce actually chose our current candidates? How many in Huron-Bruce know whom they are voting for? Active members now run in elections and, as often is the case, the Legislature loses when another candidate who would make an excellent legislator is defeated or not chosen by the local party of a dozen or so members. MMP creates the opportunity to have that person in the legislature where we will all benefit from his or her contribution. Experience informs us again and again that we do not always pick the best representative and certainly not the best legislator. MMP offers us a reasonable alternative to a system that has led to the erosion of democracy.

Most people in Ontario cast votes that elect no one, distorting the will of the people. Is it any wonder there is voter apathy and cynicism when FPTP serves so few?

How far does our present system have to descend before we overcome our fear of change? Do we wish to continue government by one man and his faceless advisor or by a wide range of legislators with varying views who will actually debate policy?

The choice is yours on October 10. MMP gives you a chance for better government.

October 10, 2007

I fear the repairs to the Medical Clinic will be another wasteful disaster if Council continues thinking as it does. On moving day, it did not get a basic, necessary step right; a step so logical and so logistically easy that it would have seemed impossible to overlook.

There are many studies that tell us for a business to be successful the morale of its employees is of paramount importance. This has been self-evident for years. In his most recent book, Profit with Honor, Daniel Yankelovich speaks of the three most important ingredients for a healthy, profitable operation: product, employees, and community. To produce a quality product, it is necessary for employees to have a high morale.

Yet Council has given no thought to the proper accommodation for the medical and support staff. I realize that moves such as those at the Medical Centre will cause inconvenience, that is a given, but it is not a given that concerns readily remedied should be ignored.

Council approved one trailer from which three to six people will be working any given time. Council assumed a small corner in that trailer would serve staff for breaks or whatever. The first breakdown in this arrangement is confidentiality, the second is efficiency, the third is morale, which reflects back to the first two. Lockers were removed from the basement and placed into storage. Where does one change? Do clothes simply lie on the floor? What happens in inclement weather? Where do staff put their wet boots, rain or winter wear when there are no lockers? Are they supposed to run quickly to get to the hospital cafeteria in inclement weather? What happens when absenteeism increases from sickness and poor morale which are so often related? This is neither good employee practice nor is it cost-effective.

When Council cannot wait to give itself a raise, it should tell no one at the Centre that there is no money. A raise should not be based on what other councillors earn but how our councillors have performed. When money is wasted while taxes are high; when the airport was allowed to deteriorate and its need for expansion ignored, when a taxi way is installed suitable for a 707 Boeing though a simple car driveway would do, then, in the real world, this would be a matter of dismissal not a pay increase. Pay should be based on performance not comparison.

If Council cannot manage to accommodate the Medical Clinic staff, it will never get the more complex problems right.

October 17, 2007

I have often said in this column that volunteers are the heart and soul of our community. Cathy Hartley was one of those dedicated volunteers and on Thanksgiving Day (what better day to give thanks) the Hartley family, members of Community Living, Amnesty International, and the Canadian Federation of University Women gathered to dedicate a memorial to Catherine Hartley. It is fitting that the memorial is at the Community Living residence, 299 Saratoga Road, for as chair of the Board of Community Living, Cathy led the drive to purchase and renovate what is the sole residence for those developmentally challenged who need caring housing. Cathy, as ever, saw a need and went on to meet it.

As a member for many years of the South Bruce Group of Amnesty International, Cathy wrote countless letters on behalf of prisoners of conscience, human rights leaders assaulted, tortured and too often murdered, and to stop world-wide violence against women. Cathy was the group’s treasurer for 15 years and never a complaint was there from Amnesty International’s National Office or Revenue Canada. At Community Living, Cathy was not only a constantly active volunteer and then Board Chair; she was a friend to all who came through its doors greeting them with an unreserved love. Catherine Hartley would look out into this tired, war-torn world mankind has built, witness the horror and do whatever she could to reduce it. At the same time she would look into the eyes of one developmentally handicapped and give that person a hug full of warmth and understanding.

We are richer and wiser for having known her.

October24, 2007

I try to forgive Council for it knows not what it does, but again, after giving itself a raise it flounders, into another wasteful venture. To again pay a consultant to give workshops on communication is a misuse of taxpayers’ money.

In 2006 a similar workshop was held. One of several results was the mess concerning airport contract with the former manager. It became obvious no one knew what was going on. There are only four on the current Council who did not take the workshop last year and one of them, the deputy mayor, because of her previous experience, should have come with those skills. The managers all took the workshop last year, therefore it is redundant; besides, hiring managers who not have solid communication and the ability to relate openly is a mistake and once the lack is discovered such managers should be long gone. The Clerk is new and has well demonstrated her solid skills in this area.

We waste too much money on consultants. Council could not even get a simple driveway paved at the airport without incurring greater costs than was necessary. In many cases, I believe the average municipal employee working on the front line could give better advice, but he or she is probably not listened to.

There are more important reasons for not wasting money on communication workshops. Members of Council and managers must have the capacity to accept changes in attitude. If members and managers cannot take a hard look at themselves and understand what needs changing, then all the bits and pieces they may learn at another workshop will be again wasted.

For example, we have a mayor (he is not the only one) who does not listen; if you do not listen, you cannot communicate. A dozen quickie workshops will not change that. The last squabble was the mayor’s failure to openly communicate about his planned trip to Switzerland at Council. Had he placed it on the agenda, it could have been discussed, Council could have given directions as to the municipality’s position and the matter would have ended until on his return a full report was issued to Council and the press. You do not need a workshop to teach you that; not following procedures is an attitude that requires changing. Marsha Leggett is correct: if Larry refuses or is unable to bring the other members into his confidence, which leads to rumors and suspicion. It has been my experience that if you leave your closet door open then no one can suspect skeletons lurk inside.