John A. Reader
Dear Mr. Editor:
I would like to let Mark McCaig, Town of Fort Frances CAO, know that I agree with him 100 percent as he was quoted in the Nov. 26 article in the Fort Frances Times entitled “Town pessimistic about pre-budget consultation with province.”
Town staff do need time to prepare such a presentation in order to properly and accurately participate in the process.
He said that he’d like to have gotten more notice of the consultation from the Ministry of Finance—the town only had got it the previous Thursday.
He is quoted as saying, “That’s a pretty short timeframe to put together a presentation given all the issues we’ve seen lately that have a substantial impact on the town. I wonder if they want people to actually come.”
He then is quoted to say, “The point I’m trying to make is I am getting a little frustrated with the provincial government and how some of these things sneak up on you. They’re not very shy in pushing a lot of things down and down and down and down and down.”
Coun. Rick Wiedenhoeft was quoted: “That tell you anything? I know we’ve got to make a submission, but don’t hold your breath about anything during these ‘challenging economic times.’”
“I have to agree with you there,” Mayor Roy Avis was quoted in the article. “I don’t think the consultation will receive anything. It will be there to tell us we’re not getting anything.”
This all sounds pretty frustrating, discouraging, and much like the public perception of our town council’s way of dealing with local issues.
I have spoken with more than one mayor and council and town employee in regards to short notices of town council meeting agenda items. I’m told that the agenda is posted on the Internet on the Friday before, but that is not always the case and not everyone has access to the Internet or checks it on a regular basis.
I have proposed that they prepare an announcement for the Fort Frances Times, which could be published in the Wednesday edition or at least the Friday prior to the council meeting. This would give people some time to prepare and possibly attend and participate in local government.
It is frustrating to get home Monday evening and sit down and read the paper—only to discover that council is discussing an important issue and the meeting already has begun.
Coun. Ken Perry agreed with me on this issue a couple of months ago when I last attended a meeting.
I have to agree with Mr. McCaig, who also was quoted as saying: “Maybe I am a little jaded, but I don’t appreciate the short notice” and “I wonder if they want people to actually come.”
Thanks for listening.
Signed,
John A. Reader
Fort Frances, Ont.
