Thankless job

Dear Mr. Behan:
As we approach the next municipal election, I would appeal to the citizens of not only Fort Frances, but also of Rainy River District and beyond, to take a moment and reflect upon the sacrifices made for us so that we have the opportunity to cast our vote in a free and democratic society.
The phrase “Lest We Forget” must not be mere words. Many have given themselves to the point of dying on our behalf and still today, many are paying the supreme sacrifice so that not only we, but others also, can have the privilege of a democracy.
If you care, please vote.
While much is being said about our present municipal council, I feel each and every one of them deserve our debt of gratitude for the efforts they have made to try to make Fort Frances a better place for our families to live.
They each have devoted countless hours in an effort to make a difference and based on the mud being slung at them, it truly is a thankless job. I know I appreciate what they have tried to accomplish—even though I have not always liked their decisions—but at least they are trying and for that they deserve our thanks.
It seems that the buzz words in this election are integrity, openness, and accountability. I, for one, do not question the integrity of any or our council members. Many of them I know personally and they are, indeed, ones that I trust, admire, and respect.
They have been faced with having to make countless decisions—many of which have been forced on them, not by their own choosing but as a result of decisions made by others, be it other levels of government or changes in the economic environment of our community and region.
At other times, one of us comes calling with hat in hand asking for some sort of consideration based on an individual or collective need. In turn, they must decide and when they do, some are not happy. Do we then turn around and say well, that council doesn’t have much integrity.
Communication is key to keeping people informed and informed people tend to be contented ones. If we are informed, then we feel that, in some way, we are part of the bigger picture and that we are valued members of the community.
That’s why community consultations are so important. It enables us to have input into decisions that will have an impact on us and, again, it allows us to be part of the process and helps us to feel that we are part of the community.
But what happens after all the consultations, all the input (including both the positive and the negative), and in the end we don’t like the decision that is made. Do we cry foul, grumble, and complain? That seems to be how things are done of late.
I agree that councils—both past and present—could have done a better job at involving the community in major decisions through proper communications. But when does the onus fall on us to take the time to communicate with council. We can write letters, we know the council members’ names so we can pick up the phone and call them, or we have the opportunity to address council during a council meeting.
How many of us have taken the opportunity to do so before we start griping at the Tim Hortons table. Communications is a two-way street, and we have to start taking responsibility for our own inaction before we spend too much time criticizing those who we have elected to make decision for us.
As for accountability, it is correct that councils must be held responsible for decisions they make. I think it would be foolish to not believe that each council member knows this each and every time that they make a decision.
Someone or some group of people are going to be affected and some of them are not going to be happy.
So I remind each candidate waving a flag of accountability that if you are elected that you, too, will be accountable for your decisions. If you think you won’t, then you have no business sitting at the council table.
Some are not going to be happy with the decisions that you will have to make and you will, in time, be facing the criticisms that you feel so entitled to make towards our current council members.
Lastly, I would like to make some comments concerning the position of mayor. The mayor is chosen to lead. It is a role in which he/she must work to unite his team and not drive them apart. A leader is not divisive. They are a consensus-maker, not a consensus-breaker.
There is no letter “I” in the word we and there is no letter “I” in the title mayor.
Sure, the leader is only as strong as those that he leads, but before you expect others to follow, you must gain their trust and respect.
Watching the behaviour of our current mayor, it is clear he lacks the ability to inspire and motivate despite his efforts to do so. As a result, we have a council that is divided, an administration that is left to do the best they can, and a community that is clearly seeking something better.
Will the next council possess more integrity, be more open in their communication, and succeed in being accountable. I’m sure they will try but in the end, some of us will not be satisfied even if the council makes every effort to do the best job possible.
But hey, at least the coffee’s always fresh at Tim Hortons.
To our present council, thank you for all that you have done on our behalf. I truly am sorry that it is such a thankless job and each of you deserve more than to have your personal integrity questioned the way it has been over the last three years.
To those candidates vying for a position on council, I wish each of you the best and thanks for letting your name stand. Let’s just hope that your own self worth is still intact in four years’ time.
See you then.
Sincerely,
Frank Bruyere
264 Fifth St. E
Fort Frances, Ont.
(P.S. Will someone please do something about Fifth Street East as my car is dying a long, miserable death).