Ward system would bring better government
Times Colonist Letters
November 4, 2014
Election time brings us a bewildering array of names of those who want us to vote for them.
In Victoria, for example, there are eight candidates for mayor. There are 24 for the eight city council positions, of whom 17 are also running to become CRD directors.
How is the typical, well-intentioned head-scratcher with limited time to figure out what each really has to offer? Their pamphlets and manifestos inevitably don’t mention what might not help them — for example, party affiliations. Few provide really critical information. All- candidates meetings can give only superficial impressions.
In my experience in a large city with more than 40 councillors, it was relatively easy to decide who to vote for, because candidates ran for the position of ward councillor.
With only two or three serious candidates to consider, one can have some reasonable expectation of getting to know what their views, strengths and weaknesses are. The issue of name recognition favouring incumbents becomes a lesser factor.
It is easy to reach a ward councillor on any civic matter, so that city hall becomes less impersonal and remote.
Councillors really know their wards and become much more accountable for their actions.
The current Victoria system of nominal responsibility of councillors for areas does not go far enough.
Only political afficionados know who their area representative is.
It’s time that we moved to a ward system in the larger municipalities. It should encourage more citizens to vote and to get involved, and it would result in better governance.
Rob Garrard
Victoria
Times Colonist Letters
November 4, 2014
Election time brings us a bewildering array of names of those who want us to vote for them.
In Victoria, for example, there are eight candidates for mayor. There are 24 for the eight city council positions, of whom 17 are also running to become CRD directors.
How is the typical, well-intentioned head-scratcher with limited time to figure out what each really has to offer? Their pamphlets and manifestos inevitably don’t mention what might not help them — for example, party affiliations. Few provide really critical information. All- candidates meetings can give only superficial impressions.
In my experience in a large city with more than 40 councillors, it was relatively easy to decide who to vote for, because candidates ran for the position of ward councillor.
With only two or three serious candidates to consider, one can have some reasonable expectation of getting to know what their views, strengths and weaknesses are. The issue of name recognition favouring incumbents becomes a lesser factor.
It is easy to reach a ward councillor on any civic matter, so that city hall becomes less impersonal and remote.
Councillors really know their wards and become much more accountable for their actions.
The current Victoria system of nominal responsibility of councillors for areas does not go far enough.
Only political afficionados know who their area representative is.
It’s time that we moved to a ward system in the larger municipalities. It should encourage more citizens to vote and to get involved, and it would result in better governance.
Rob Garrard
Victoria