Let’s bELieve in our future, Elliot Lake
A future that includes
all of us
Goal: A city that improves the quality of life for all residents by investing and pursuing opportunities equitably.
Eight weeks after swearing-in, the new council declares the mayor’s seat vacant
For anyone who’s been in the bush this past week and wisely turned off their smartphone, the decision in Elliot Lake (IC) v. Patrie case finally arrived late Monday afternoon. The justice delivered a 43-page decision concluding, “The facts of this case, balancing all the above considerations, on the totality of the evidence, I find supports the need for removal and disqualification.” The justice determined the appropriate penalty to be “removal from office and disqualification from being a member for a period of two years”.
Thursday evening, the council voted unanimously to declare the mayor’s seat vacant. The justice’s decision is on the city website here. Scroll down to 2023 Reports.
So, we need a mayor to lead a city council, and we need a council that works for the benefit of all the residents - not just the traditionally powerful – but for the little guy citizens, the worker bees, and the sixty percenters too.
And if it can’t be done for altruistic reasons, the pragmatic one is this: this will block our path to the big grants we need until we get this cleaned up.
Who are the Little Guy Citizens, Worker Bees, and the Sixty-Percenters?
There’s overlap, but they are:
Little Guy Citizens are people like me who don’t have much money or connections. But, thanks to those who fought and died for democracy, we have our freedom of speech and the freedom to elect our leaders in a fair election. If we take part, we will have a healthy democratic society.
Worker Bees are the workers who grew up here or have arrived more recently to build homes, staff the medical and care facilities, and start small businesses with the services we need – both for the services themselves and the healthy competition that is the other side of the capitalist equation. That’s the side that keeps prices reasonable and cost-based, not “whatever the market will bear.”
As well, for Elliot Lake to work for the Worker Bees, we need recreation facilities for the workers and their families. Yes, something more appropriate to engage their youth than a swim team doing dry land practices. Sorry, but this is a ridiculous situation.
Last but not least, the Sixty-Percenters comprise most Elliot Lakers. The people who arrived during the past decade – the period since the tragic mall collapse. And we are wondering, “how is it that a little city with so much opportunity is so stagnant and the local infrastructure so neglected?” Newcomers have a lot of needs in common with long-timers. We need to find each other and stop letting the “haves” drive a wedge between us – for their gain and our loss.
There’s a lot of overlap, but together, these are the people democracy is here to serve. When you wear a poppy, this is what they bought. This freedom comes at a very great cost.
The council has some options for filling the mayor’s seat
The council could appoint someone or call a by-election. There is no great rush. Under the Municipal Act, the council has sixty days to determine a plan. Council is managing this on a day-by-day basis, and they are capable people overseeing an experienced city staff.
With the October 24th election still very fresh in our minds, many people still have “their mayoral candidate in mind” or see some other path to their preferred outcome, and I’m no exception. Whichever way it goes, though, one objection the honest brokers need to address together is this: the cost of a by-election.
The cost of a by-election is almost nothing compared to the $100,000,000 (yes, one hundred million dollars) budget that this council will manage on our behalf during the next four years. (25m x 4 years.) It doesn’t take many decisions that favour special interests over the common good for a by-election to be paid for. Probably less than one decision, actually. The dollar cost is not the issue. I’m still listening and thinking about the social cost, though, both ways. (Elect or appoint.)
Is a by-election the way to go?
I spoke in favour of a by-election during the Public Input Session at the Special Council Meeting last Thursday evening. Later in the evening, the council conducted business on two key items in closed-door sessions. When they emerged and informed the public of their decisions, I was encouraged on behalf of the LGCs WBs and 60%.
I encourage the citizens to watch, listen, discuss and share their opinions constructively about our best path forward. And there is another safeguard. Another encouraging sign ..
Another encouraging sign
The key to a good road trip (besides not starting with the check-engine light on, forgive me) is to have an achievable destination and a roadmap.
Monday evening, the council approved a staff proposal for updating our Vision Statement (our destination) and Strategic Plan (roadmap). This is the process through which we can come together, and whether we get “our guy/gal” in the driver’s seat or not, we can work together to get to our goal/destination.
A lot of substantial work and community engagement could happen with a determined council in 60 days. Please show your intentions to the LGCs, WBs, and 60%, council.
Elliot Lake 3.0 - Three steps in Four-years
(This past week has put us on the way with numbers one and two.)
1. Be clear that the citizens will not tolerate bad behaviour in our local politics.
2. Create a common vision and strategy to get there.
3. Stimulate citizen engagement and participation - bELieve in our future.
Will we roll up our sleeves and get active for a future that includes all of us?
By Stephen Calverley, January 15, 2023