'Tis the time for lists
The end of the year and partly to fill newspace and also to demonstrate breadth the news biz produces its long lists of "Best, worst, monthly happenings, etc." How many of the readers remember the year-ends from that enigmatic and captivatating character - Jim Guy, of CHUC - most comprehensive and the very length of it ensured that the station staff could stay home that day; the programming was done for them!
The BurdReport doesn't have a list just a few things that stick in the mind: the resolution to the Frink, the never-ending policing debate, the ongoing Community Centre discussion - this one will not die as the Seniors will never be satisfied until they get a dedicated building. Hey why don't they buy the Lions' Club and of course the congested beach issues. The hidden debate that stems from the fear that Cobourg will never be able to control its taxes. An annual increase of the slightest amount is not good enough for some people, especially with a declining commercial base.
So I am going to look forward in my list. I want to be able to see new faces on a Council dedicated to a new direction. That direction would be one of sustainability not survival. Only projects that cut costs should be undertaken. A Council dedicated to looking at ways to trim programs not expand them - just how much will the CCC cost us to operate? A Council prepared to live within its Official Plan that takes into account the restrictions of the County document, "Places to Grow", which allocates only 80 hectares of greenfield expansion not the complete area to the East of Town. Trimming those expansionary wishes will save money, why build new roads and services on Brook Rd. when you can put 11,000 people into the under-utilised spaces within the existing boundaries? And of course a Council determined to manage its local PUC properly and keep costs down, even if it means putting all of the profits back into the customers' pockets.
The BurdReport doesn't have a list just a few things that stick in the mind: the resolution to the Frink, the never-ending policing debate, the ongoing Community Centre discussion - this one will not die as the Seniors will never be satisfied until they get a dedicated building. Hey why don't they buy the Lions' Club and of course the congested beach issues. The hidden debate that stems from the fear that Cobourg will never be able to control its taxes. An annual increase of the slightest amount is not good enough for some people, especially with a declining commercial base.
So I am going to look forward in my list. I want to be able to see new faces on a Council dedicated to a new direction. That direction would be one of sustainability not survival. Only projects that cut costs should be undertaken. A Council dedicated to looking at ways to trim programs not expand them - just how much will the CCC cost us to operate? A Council prepared to live within its Official Plan that takes into account the restrictions of the County document, "Places to Grow", which allocates only 80 hectares of greenfield expansion not the complete area to the East of Town. Trimming those expansionary wishes will save money, why build new roads and services on Brook Rd. when you can put 11,000 people into the under-utilised spaces within the existing boundaries? And of course a Council determined to manage its local PUC properly and keep costs down, even if it means putting all of the profits back into the customers' pockets.
6 comments:
Refreshing....absolutely refreshing! Finally, a comment about what would be a good series of objectives, rather than simply what is wrong or unsatisfactory so far. Perhaps your post will awaken some of the local pols to a better, more potentially successful approach to decision-making. It even suggests that you might want to consider an attempt at making such things happen in an official capacity, despite the convincing, in some quarters, that might entail.
I used to have a list. A terrible list. But after a re-fit at the denturist it went away. Loose uppers or something....
I would like to see the Mayor and Council actively working on cost and service sharing between Cobourg and Port Hope, starting with policing and including the construction of a joint police station midway between us.
Also, a rule prohibiting dinosaurs from running for public office would be nice. How's that for a qualification?
While you're in a selective mode, disqualifying 'turnips' would be a great addition to your idea of 'rules'.
I'm afraid, though, that you've missed the whole point of my public ruminations, so it seems pointless to me to continue on the subject.
Lesson learned - don't stir the sediment of 'that's our system', it clouds the waters of 'clearer thinking'.
What would be the point of building a new police station in Hamilton Township????
If we amalgamate the two police services, a new headquarters should be midway between us, to make it easier for the officers to travel back and forth and easier for citizens who need to go there.
Who knows, maybe someday we can convince the tightwads in Hamilton Twp. to dump the OPP and go with our brand new option.
Post a Comment