Town council’s decision to maintain term limits on municipal boards and committees, except in cases when there are not enough applicants to fill all the vacancies, was the right one.
Given problems in the past of not enough people applying to sit on a particular board or committee, council initially looked at abolishing term limits altogether to solve the conundrum.
Opting not to do so, while allowing for an exception under a specific circumstance, represents a fair balance between the need to guard against any one individual or group dominating a board or committee for years on end and ensuring it can continue to function if other residents don’t step forward to serve.
To be sure, term limits are not an iron-clad “check.” After all, a person who has sat on a board or committee for eight-straight years is not banned from ever applying to be on it again.
As well, council ultimately approves who sits on the boards and committees, which can act as a safeguard against any one person or group serving “for life.”
Still, abolishing term limits may open the door to unforeseen consequences down the road and, as such, they need to be kept in place.
In the end, the best “check” rests with the people themselves. Having a deep field of applicants to choose from, representing a wide cross-section of the community, is the way to ensure boards and committees reflect that diversity.
If you have ideas to share, or want your voice to be heard, volunteer to serve on a board or committee.
The broader the input council has to base its decisions on, the better.
Featured
- #findajobWhether you are unemployed, underemployed, a student, an employer or an employee! NCDS‘ is here to help YOU! (807) 274-2282 | www.ncds4jobs.ca | 300 Scott St. Fort Frances This Employment Ontario Service is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario
- #Get-The-Times!
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
