Dear Mayor Eisenberger and members of Hamilton City Council:
Recently The Hamiltonian Ezine/blog conducted an online poll gauging the effectiveness of this council and the Mayor. The axioms of query were as follows: Approval rating/effectiveness of council as a whole, and of the Mayor, stewardship of public funds and resources, value for money for tax dollars and culture at city hall.
The polling was not scientific and cannot be claimed as being statistically reliable. At the same time, the results are from real Hamiltonians and these results, appear to be consistent with comments found on other blogs and media sources. I would suggest that the results thus carry some meaning and resonance and ought to be taken seriously.
The results are as follows:
Mayor's Approval Rating
49% of respondents believe that Mayor Eisenberger is doing poorly or failing.
28% of respondents believe that he is doing a fair job
17% believe he is going a good job
3% believe he is doing an excellent job
Conclusion: Performance is not stellar. Definite need for improvement
Council (as a whole's) Approval rating
77% of respondents believe that council is not very effective or failing.
5% of respondents believe that council is doing a "middle of the road" job
0% believe council is doing an effective job
3 % believe council is doing an excellent job
Conclusion: Performance is unacceptable
Stewardship
88% of respondents believe that council is a poor steward or failing in its role
8% of respondents believe that council is a fair job as stewards
0% believe council is a good steward
4 % believe council is doing an excellent job as stewards
Conclusion: Performance is unacceptable
Value for Money
75% of respondents believe that they are getting poor or no value for their tax dollars
12% of respondents believe that they are getting fair value for their tax dollars
8% of respondents believe that they are getting good value for their tax dollars
4% of respondents believe that they are getting excellent value for their tax dollars
Conclusion: Performance is unacceptable
Culture
84% gave council a poor or failing grade
4% gave council a fair grade
2% gave council a good grade
4% gave council an excellent grade
Conclusion: Performance is unacceptable
In the spirit of citizen engagement and responsible government, I invite each one of you to visit www.thehamiltonian.net and comment about the poll, the issues and thoughts you may have on how to improve our situation.
Your words and input will demonstrate your degree of engagement and commitment to Hamiltonians. Your silence or declining to engage, will speak just as loudly.
In the spirit of constructive discussion, please share you thoughts on this post. Hamiltonians are expecting you.
Sincerely,
Cal DiFalco
Publisher, The Hamiltonian
http://www.thehamiltonian.net/
Special Note: Sincere apologies who those who may have received multiple emails from the Hamiltonian. It was a computer glitch and I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
Finally...don't forget to blast www.thehamiltonian.net to your friends and network.
Oh my
ReplyDeleteSylvia, Mrs. Hockey!!!
We need a strong, CEO style Mayor, as opposed to a Good Shepherd statue-quo style Mayor, that's a fact. As to the rest, it's "Miller" time.
ReplyDeleteGutsy Cal. Lets see if anyone has the guts to comment.
ReplyDeleteElvis P.
Aint it like driving a car with your engine light on?
ReplyDeleteElvis P.
There is nothing surprising about these results. I also wouldn't be surprised if not one of those councilors take you up on your offer. That would take guts. Martin
ReplyDeleteUpdate:
ReplyDeleteI have received some feedback from a city councillor by way of private email. My policy is that I do not disclose the contents of private email, however, I am have invited that person to air their concerns publicly on this blog. I'd much rather have that discussion in a transparant way.
Cal DiFalco
Great job Cal....
ReplyDeleteA councillor has e-mailed you privately eh? hmmmmm, Let me guess...it's either Bratina or Whitehead. Bring em on!!! ding ding ding!!
Rick Cordeiro
www.rickcordeiro.actorsite.com
I believe that with more citizen engagement, will help move things forward.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it takes getting in front of them and telling them "like it is", the truth, the words of the people oppossed to the many reports brought forward by consultants, city staff, the agencies and so forth.
I think this was a great exercise Cal, I appreciate your effort.