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By Doug Collins

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Making people accountable doesn’t mean bullying

Oct 23, 2022 | 7:00 AM

THE MAYOR-ELECT HAS INDICATED his desire to talk with anyone about improving the City. That’s a positive change from his previous comments about cleaning up the City and making staff accountable. That’s a noble goal, but he cannot do it by himself.

Because the Mayor, has little power on his own. He can’t make motions, so he has to have support to get things on the table.

He faces the very real danger of creating a toxic workplace at City Hall, which will lead to staff leaving. We have seen no real evidence of anything that resembles a lack of accountability.

I expect there will be groups of Councillors who will quietly tell people not to worry. The Mayor cannot barge in and clean house. If that’s the goal, a rude awakening is imminent.

If there are no concrete reasons for a termination, the City as a whole faces legal action. And any termination that the Mayor might make on his own has to be confirmed by council in any event.

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To effect progress, a Mayor must form a team. No team, no action and four years of sitting in the big chair doing nothing.

To find enough allies will necessitate compromise, and that’s where things have to start. The Mayor is the leader, and has duties under the Community Charter to deal with employees of the City, but with a number of restrictions.

I hope the Mayor-elect continues to soften his tone and be inclusive in his plans for the City. I think his heart is in the right place, he wants the city to be better. So do we all.

But it all starts with forming a cohesive Council that, while they may not always see eye to eye, are at least heading in the same general direction.

If you want more information, go to www.bclaws.ca or look up the B.C. Community Charter.

I’m Doug Collins and that’s One Man’s Opinion.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.