Summer approaches. And this year, we will be visited not only by mosquitoes, but by agitated fellow citizens and anxious incumbent politicians seeking our vote to sit on city council.
Municipal elections are a funny business. We get to vote for more than one person — a groupie event. The trick for the voter is who to select. Many years ago I sat on a school board. At that time we could levy taxes, and that was the sole interest of one of my fellow trustees. He didn’t care very much about education quality, teachers or class sizes. His mission was to cut costs. On election day, one school administrator’s mother was urged to vote for anyone except that trustee. There were 36 names on the ballot with eight to be elected. She emerged dazed from the polling station. When asked what happened, she said that there were so many names on the ballot that she had voted for only one. She recognized his name. She had voted for that trustee.
So the lesson seems clear. To be successful in a municipal election, one is helped immensely in having a name at the top of the ballot. Secondly, somehow get your name recognized.
But that was long ago. Today, by most accounts, St. Albertans seem content with our current council. And indeed we have a council that has taken a team approach with some sound decision-making. Still, there are nasty persistent rumblings under the calm waters. So I am taking the liberty of setting out a couple of priority issues for the purpose of fostering interest and discussion — with an eye on stimulating you to vote.
First are municipal taxes. There is a call for gutting the very things that make this city worth living in — our recreation and cultural programs. There is, unfortunately, a sour taste of rationality about this stance. We need a better and broader tax base.
An improved tax base requires an expanded commercial sector. For more than 20 years, council candidates have claimed that, if elected, it would happen in their time. It hasn’t. We need a council brave enough to challenge the way our city corporation is structured and operates in this area of responsibility. We need a better marketing and business sector management system. We are being outhustled by our neighbours. If we don’t soon succeed, regional government will be our only out except the others won’t want us. We cost too much.
Secondly, we need to look at different models for delivering some municipal services. The quality of municipally owned and operated programs and services is generally excellent. Still, if the local commercial or non-profit sector can do it as well and with cost savings, we should look at contracting out. The city can set the terms and cost limits, but being the owner and sole supplier is not the only way to be a responsible steward of our city’s tax dollars.
Thirdly, council needs to set its agenda to consider and consult fully on the larger issues such as those above. Immersing itself in an agenda packed with administrative studies and operational briefings runs the risk of council becoming a citizens’ advisory committee to city management.
Alan Murdock is a local pediatrician.
