2010 Municipal Elections

Thanks to John for getting some thoughts going around some very important, big picture ideas here.

In the more immediate term, I've had some discussions with local residents regarding the upcoming municipal elections in the fall. I think we would be remiss if we failed to "encourage" the right people and the right ideas to come forward in the lead-up to November.

It is critically important that our municipal leaders understand the re-localization movement so that we do not find ourselves working at odds with those who hold much of the power to steer things in the right direction. I think we should be asking our municipal candidates a few pointed questions to find out:

1. If they understand the economic realities of the time such as peak oil, global financial instability, etc., and how these things demand a new approach to community building.

2. If they are able and willing to cooperate across municipal boundaries in an unprecedented way, in order to find and implement solutions to regional challenges.

3. If they are willing to be honest with their constituents about the fact that the future will mean less in terms of the economics we are used to, but that it can mean much more in terms of real quality of life and community.

To this end I would suggest an organized effort to get these questions into every municipal election debate in Bruce and Grey, and possible even publish ratings of the candidates based on their response to the re-localization challenge.

Thoughts?

Tags: municipal election

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Permalink Reply by Michael Day on March 2, 2010 at 2:25pm: Great ideas!

One observation I'd make is that there is a real lack of leadership at a County level -- the County and County Council tend to behave as if they are somehow independent from the Municipalities. This despite the County Council being comprised of municipal Mayors and Deputy Mayors. Interestingly, in Georgian Bluffs Council there is virtually no visibility or accountability for the decisions/policis being considered and adopted by the County Council. The County essentially has a ward system by appointment. Depending on how you view ward structures and electoral accountability that could be considered a bad thing.; ▶ Reply to This