Let’s give them a chance

Dear sir:
I would like to comment on your editorial in the Times of Wednesday, Feb. 11.
The “gentle wrist slap” seemed to me more like a poke in the eye of our new mayor. While it is true he has only one vote, as do the councillors, it is not true that he is just one, among all the others.
The mayor is elected separately from the councillors. He is expected to chair the meetings of town council, and to look after most of the affairs of the town.
When a gathering of municipalities is held, we send the mayor. When other governments contact the town, it is the mayor they write to. Most of the time, he speaks for the town in matters affecting the public.
How does he act as though he is the “boss”? Does he not listen to the councillors? Does he prevent them from speaking? Does he ignore their views and input? Does he give them direct orders?
What is it that he does, or doesn’t do?
As for your “phone-in” councillor, I would suggest to him that he go and talk to the mayor (after all, the councillor also is elected by the people). Tell him what troubles you. Tell him why you think he is acting like a “boss” instead of a colleague.
Be straightforward, instead of complaining to others. I’m pretty sure he would listen.
The mayor repeatedly has asked for advice from the public. He has moved meetings and meeting hours around, and seems to have made the council meetings much more open than in the past. He has asked for input from all of the town employees.
The town is in some trouble, and some very serious decisions have to be made. These have got to be made in a spirit of co-operation—not antagonism. The mayor will have to be a leader and a guide if our problems are going to be solved.
In this town council, there are four brand new members. All seven of them are faced with some big, big problems. These seven people are going to be together for the next three years. They will have to get along.
No doubt they will do some things that a lot of folks will not like. All councils do. If the council goofs up, just guess who will get the phone calls, the irate letters, letters to the editor, and, yes, even the nasty editorials.
You can bet the farm that it will be the mayor.
This council only has been in office for a couple of months—less than one-20th of its mandate. Let’s give them a real chance before we start throwing verbal dead cats at them.
Yours respectfully,
A.W. Lowe
Fort Frances, Ont.