To paraphrase something I once read: municipal politics is the worst breeding ground for corruption and the worst incubators for politicians. If you don`t realize that by now you just haven’t been paying attention.
I have to wish the new members of council well as they are new to the game and come to it with the best of intentions. And a game it is no matter how much newly elected councillors gloss it up by saying it’s an honour to serve the public.
Naivety will be the first to go as the system itself is unrelentingly corrosive. It rewards those who look the other way when times get tough and past wrong doings are exposed. As soon as things go south for this new council – and they will – the tendency has always been to circle the wagons.
It isn’t good enough for any regime at city hall to absolve themselves of what other councils have done - not by a long shot. Our municipality is like a corporation changing directors every four years. These new directors are responsible for the past mistakes or the corruption of previous directors. That is the way it should also be with councillors and district officials alike, to ensure accountability.
Never be afraid to step on toes at city hall and the district as these people are our employees and have to be taken to task if need be to keep the system as honest and transparent as possible.
Robert T. Rock, Mission