Editor: I prefer to believe that outright buffoonery is still a couple of letters away, although the sense of tilting at windmills certainly grows weekly. Some introductory social studies are in order this time. At the direction of council, administration is requested to return with reports and recommendations with respect to policies. Council then reviews the reports and decides which, if any, recommendations to pursue. I don't believe that meets the definition of rubber-stamping.
Editor:
I prefer to believe that outright buffoonery is still a couple of letters away, although the sense of tilting at windmills certainly grows weekly.
Some introductory social studies are in order this time. At the direction of council, administration is requested to return with reports and recommendations with respect to policies. Council then reviews the reports and decides which, if any, recommendations to pursue. I don't believe that meets the definition of rubber-stamping.
Government, like a business and its owners and management, requires a level of trust between council and administration to operate effectively. If that trust doesn't exist, things will quickly fall apart. The fact that the majority of council has worked with current administration for many terms, and vice versa, suggests that this trust has been developed. As a result, recommendations coming from a trusted source won't, and shouldn't, be dismissed simply as a matter of policy.
As for the change in the number of councillors, you have two options. You can have Mr. Prentice amend the Municipal Government Act (which is being reviewed now) or circulate a petition to change Banff's status to a village.
Mr. Prentice seems busy these days and if you thought getting town councillors to listen, good luck at the provincial level. I suspect the petition won't work. In addition, you would also lose the only councillor that you have indicated supports your views on a number of issues.
When I voted in 2013, it was on the basis that the candidates I voted for demonstrated thoughtfulness and consideration about the issues raised during the election. The fact the majority were elected suggests I am not alone on this.
Personally, I would prefer to vote for someone I disagree with that can at least string together a cogent, fact-based, well thought out argument rather than someone pandering to the angry people.
There is no way of knowing what issues a council will face over it's four-year term and no doubt many unforeseen issues will arise. Therefore, it is actually a relief to know that even if the final decision may not be one I would have necessarily chosen myself, the issue was analyzed, discussed, and debated by people that took the time to consider the facts before a final decision was reached.
Public input is part of that process, but cannot and should not be the final word. Otherwise, we may as well just open every issue up to an Internet vote for Banff residents and allow mob rule.
As for Mr. Bowes, I would kindly request that you refrain from rejecting reality and substituting your own. There has never been a proposal to close Bear Street; there are no bike lanes on Muskrat and the proposal hasn't even reached council for a decision; and the award-winning pedestrian bridge was effectively free. Oh yes, and please avoid both ballots and bayonets – they can be dangerous and hurt both you and other people.
Ben Berci,
Banff
