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Greetings Ward 1!
The Other Side of the Podium, 2007
Personal reflection by Bonnie Littley
People keep asking me "How's it going with the new job as Regional Councillor?" Well aside from the usual agendas, committees and council meetings which I am used to from my community advocate role with Rouge Duffins Greenspace Coalition - now the difference is, I'm a politician.
I'm sometimes taken aback by the occasional person that doesn't know me and while talking to them on whatever issue they're expressing, I get the sense they're thinking "you're just another lying politician". I've even been told that in so many words. Wow, that's hard to get used to. Advice that I was given before I ran rings true - you need thick skin for this job.
What I think is more disturbing however is the general public opinion about politics and politicians. I have no doubt that those perceptions also translate into our low voter turnouts as well.
Many times over the years as a delegate on the other side of the podium addressing local or regional council, I've heard the comments from citizens that have formed such opinions. Accusations that politicians are more interested in political self-preservation than any other kind of preservation or public good. Most common is development industry influence from election campaign financing.
I was one of those residents. Do I still think it's true? Yes. Not all politicians, but some.
If that kind of funding doesn't influence politicians - why take it? Wouldn't being "developer-free" do wonders for public perception and public trust? Could it improve public participation in the political process? Create a more financially level playing field for new comers? And municipal contributions are not tax deductible so why is there so much development industry dollars in municipal politics? A cost of business that pays off? All very relevant questions.
York University Political Science Professor Robert MacDermid is studying municipal campaign financing and states "I think it's an important way of understanding municipal politics, is to understand where the funding comes from. And to understand how that influences how municipal decisions are made."
I believe if we ever want to control the design of our towns, cities and control urban sprawl, those rules need to change. And, we need the provincial government to change the Municipal Elections Act to do it.
"Prof. Robert MacDermid said he hopes his study will spur citizens to ask their communities to investigate candidates who appear to have bent fundraising rules and push for sweeping reforms, including a ban on corporate political donations."
Sounds like a great provincial election issue to me! Where do the provincial parties and our municipal representatives stand on this issue? When you see them, ask!
The Provincial Election is October 10th.
Bonnie Littley
Regional Councillor, Ward 1
Direct Tel: 905.420.4608
Res: 905.420-0667
blittley@cityofpickering.com
(excerpts from the June 28th, 2007, Globe & Mail,
Developers top list of 905 donors
York professor's work aimed at getting voters
to push for investigations, reforms
JEFF GRAY)
Want to learn more?
Sustainable Neighbourhood Design Guidelines
www.cityofpickering.com, 905-420-4617
York/Durham Energy from Waste Facility
www.durhamyorkwaste.ca,
also see Clarington Watchdog,
claringtonwatchdog.blogspot.com
Central Pickering Development Plan
www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page329.aspx
Environmental Defence
http://www.environmentaldefence.ca/
North Pickering Land Exchange
www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page326.aspx
The Greenbelt
www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page187.aspx
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