Page 46 - SpectrumOctober2018

Members Speak Out

currently and in the future. Fourth, term limits and full time councillors. ton over a course of year or three.
Most corporations understand the need to
This is a function of Economic Development, continuously turn over senior staff either For part time people to read and
and must be worked into policies and future via moving people into different positions comprehend, ask questions of and make
planning of the community by council. or via early retirement to refresh the team a decision on such presentations as well
Third taxation and infrastructure. All in order to obtain new ideas and improve as long or short range plans in a few days
companies whether they are industrial, upon old ones. before it is to be voted on is ridiculous.
retail, professional or services must be able
to remain competitive otherwise be driven There is no reason why government should This present council, as well as the last one,
out of business. be any different. is only allowed to ask two questions of a
While taxation is a major factor and often As to full time councillors, the usual delegate of any item to be voted on. Even
found to be excessive, issues such as argument here is cost. Well what does even questions to staff are stifled; it is expected
utilities, infrastructure, unworkable policies one bad decision on a multimillion dollar that all questions be asked of staff before
and bureaucracy all factor into higher costs project cost? the public meeting. How does that serve
and less productivity. Councillors who, especially those who being an informed decision? Not well but
Two examples: have no knowledge of the topics at hand everyone gets to go home early.
or experience with the particular issue Les Kadar, Garden Gate Ltd.
• there is a complete lack of reasonable being dealt with, are elected as part time
public transit that should get people to representatives of the public and do not I think the highest priority for City Council
places of work and home in reasonable stand a chance at dealing with full time needs to be the same as for any “Business”…..
time frames staff and a full time mayor in the everyday delivering value to “Customers” in an
• road networks are not designed for big grind of public office. These two bodies efficient & cost effective way. Every year
trucks to be able to get in and out of meet all the time and discuss everything showing us preliminary budgets that are
an industrial area which cause bottle long before councillors ever get to do so. It double or triple the inflation rate needs to
necks between trucks and cars all of is council’s role to create policy and staff’s stop. Businesses don’t have the opportunity
which costs money in travel time plus role to follow those directions created by to vote but often bear the brunt of bad
the added cost for maintenance of new policies. policy.
roads that need to be repaired more There is no balance between the elected Sheldon Rier, Mitographics
frequently
members of council and the city staff whose
job it is to crank out data and reports by the

www.cambridgechamber.com 45
Fall 2018