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Six months of politics
28 May 2011
I haven't blogged much about local politics over these first six months of this term. That's because:
In general, it's been uneventful;
In general, everyone's been respectful;
In general, we resolve our differences without rancor or animosity;
In general, meetings are short and speeches shorter;
In general, we recover from our mistakes and move on.
I say "in general" because, as with every organization or group, it's not perfectly smooth sailing through the tumultuous waters of politics, but it's certainly not like last term when it seemed that every meeting was a lengthy squabble interlaced with grandstanding and high-n-mighty posturing. This group acts more like a group of adults determined to see its way through the business of the municipality without the egos getting in the way.
Sandra Cooper has proven a fair and calm mayor, with a light touch and an understated approach to controlling the rest of council. I haven't heard of any back-room fits and tantrums. She's taken an even-handed approach to her role and been very open to ideas and suggestions from council. She also calls councillors and talks with us directly, when she has concerns or issues, doesn't simply go her own way regardless of our opinions. That's a refreshing change.
Rick Lloyd, however, has been a complete.... just kidding. Rick has grown into the role of deputy mayor and proven himself a steadying force when council sways in its deliberations. He's been a pillar of support for the new mayor, although personally I think he tends to effuse overly much at times. But overall, he's taken well to the role of DM.
The rest of council has been evolving and maturing - it's taken some time for the newcomers to find a comfort level, but collectively it's a good group that reads the agendas, asks intelligent questions and doesn't waste a lot of time with spurious chatter. Generally. There are moments, of course... but we're all just humans and prone to ramble sometimes, myself included. (Speaking of myself... I wish I could cure the others of the grammatical mistake of saying a motion is "moved by myself"... but it seems endemic to councils, if not to grammarians).
For bloggers, however, having a good council provides thin fare for commentary. hence my attention here on science, history and other topics that interest me (but may bore some readers, as Scoop suggested...). The newspapers have little to rail on about, and even those gaffes we make (such as the trail naming faux pas) are really minor issues that result from inexperience rather than any bad intention. (Gawds, would that I could at least write about some in-camera comments... )
So far, anyway, it's proven - in general - a solid, intelligent and well-meaning group. Sure, the honeymoon is still in bloom, and we could end up at loggerheads any time soon, but I suspect we will deal with our differences maturely. That's in great part thanks to having someone in the mayor's seat who isn't confrontational. Time will tell, but I suspect that this council may prove in its term to be effective, reasonable and calm, at least in comparison to the previous council.
In general, it's been uneventful;
In general, everyone's been respectful;
In general, we resolve our differences without rancor or animosity;
In general, meetings are short and speeches shorter;
In general, we recover from our mistakes and move on.
I say "in general" because, as with every organization or group, it's not perfectly smooth sailing through the tumultuous waters of politics, but it's certainly not like last term when it seemed that every meeting was a lengthy squabble interlaced with grandstanding and high-n-mighty posturing. This group acts more like a group of adults determined to see its way through the business of the municipality without the egos getting in the way.
Sandra Cooper has proven a fair and calm mayor, with a light touch and an understated approach to controlling the rest of council. I haven't heard of any back-room fits and tantrums. She's taken an even-handed approach to her role and been very open to ideas and suggestions from council. She also calls councillors and talks with us directly, when she has concerns or issues, doesn't simply go her own way regardless of our opinions. That's a refreshing change.
Rick Lloyd, however, has been a complete.... just kidding. Rick has grown into the role of deputy mayor and proven himself a steadying force when council sways in its deliberations. He's been a pillar of support for the new mayor, although personally I think he tends to effuse overly much at times. But overall, he's taken well to the role of DM.
The rest of council has been evolving and maturing - it's taken some time for the newcomers to find a comfort level, but collectively it's a good group that reads the agendas, asks intelligent questions and doesn't waste a lot of time with spurious chatter. Generally. There are moments, of course... but we're all just humans and prone to ramble sometimes, myself included. (Speaking of myself... I wish I could cure the others of the grammatical mistake of saying a motion is "moved by myself"... but it seems endemic to councils, if not to grammarians).
For bloggers, however, having a good council provides thin fare for commentary. hence my attention here on science, history and other topics that interest me (but may bore some readers, as Scoop suggested...). The newspapers have little to rail on about, and even those gaffes we make (such as the trail naming faux pas) are really minor issues that result from inexperience rather than any bad intention. (Gawds, would that I could at least write about some in-camera comments... )
So far, anyway, it's proven - in general - a solid, intelligent and well-meaning group. Sure, the honeymoon is still in bloom, and we could end up at loggerheads any time soon, but I suspect we will deal with our differences maturely. That's in great part thanks to having someone in the mayor's seat who isn't confrontational. Time will tell, but I suspect that this council may prove in its term to be effective, reasonable and calm, at least in comparison to the previous council.
