Municipal election red flags

Campaigning is kicking into high gear for the upcoming municipal elections. When a school board or council hopeful knocks on your door, here are a few suggestions to help you evaluate their pitches.

Government cannot — must not — be run like a business. 

Effective procedures and prudent spending are important in municipal and education administration. But our communities need to function well for the good of all, which is not a business imperative. Victoria Manor should never chase profit. Parks should never charge admission. Roads are expensive to fix. Libraries cost money to run. Vulnerable people need public housing. Candidates with commercial and financial expertise have much to offer, but there’s a whole lot more involved in public administration than the bottom line. Be wary of anyone who promises to operate the city “like a business”; watch instead for someone who promises to balance compassion and fiscal common sense. 

Listening to people is the start, not the end.

They’re slogans we hear all the time: “I will be your voice,” or “I will fight for what the people of Ward X want.” Yes, it’s critical that our representatives listen. It’s equally critical that they also seek out solid facts and evaluate it all using their own intellect and moral judgement. Plainly put, “the people” can be selfish and uninformed; they’re not always right. Be wary of candidates who promise to translate your opinion into action; reward those who promise to take it into consideration.

A lot is out of the city’s hands.

Angry about changes to recycling? Unhappy with the curriculum in your kid’s class? Grumpy about your property’s assessed value? Frustrated with wait times at the Ross? These are all important issues of public policy . . . and not one is determined by Kawartha Lakes municipal government or school boards. Be wary if a candidate promises to “fix” any of these things — that person can be your advocate and little more. 

Nothing gets decided by a single representative.

To the critics who get so worked up when their representative “refuses” to implement their wishes: That person can’t do anything on their own. They need the support of other councillors or trustees, and often other levels of government, plus reliable research from staff and possibly outside specialists. The same goes for anyone who promises to single-handedly bring a specific employer to our area, say, or to have a stoplight erected. They can’t, so don’t buy in.

Learn more about the candidates vying to be our next mayor on Sept. 16 from 6:30 to 8:00 at Celebrations in Lindsay. The forum, moderated by Jason Ward, is hosted by Kawartha Lakes Weekly and The Lindsay Advocate.