Jim Watson came out with a policy that would look at reducing the number of wards to somewhere between 14-17 from the current 23. He would also move certain decisions such as stop sign placements and similar issues to the community level through a borough system.
Do you favour these changes?
I do not like these two ideas.
Do you have any other comments?
I imagine that these problems could be solved if council just worked how it was supposed to. I believe that councillors need to take time or re-direct their ward office staff to properly researching problems, for example, knowing why moving a stop sign is good or not. The further fragmentation of the system will, in my opinion, lead to more political division. The result of said divisions will have a greater impact on larger decisions, like for example LRT or deciding the property tax level.
As with a lot of ‘good’ ideas, the devil is in the details. I concur with Blake’s premise that the 4 rural wards stay as is. What that means boys and girls, is that any cuts will come from the suburban and urban wards. Lets have Mr. Watson as well as all those who said YES to Blake’s question state what wards should be merged and why to achieve a reduction of 6 to 9 wards. How many of those of you who said yes are demonstrating exactly the same behavior we complain about when talking about satisfaction. The problem always resides outside of the Ward. Put it to a vote – guess what Wards will be selected to be boroughed.
The people I have talked to are spitting nails in that they see the rural wards being disenfranchised. Is cost the issue or better government for the residents of Ottawa?
One again we are subjected to sound bite journalism. If, as Mr. Watson says he can have this in place in 6 months, he should be able to have it defined in sufficient detail to campaign on by mid October. Tell us which wards and why.
