“It was pathetically embarrassing,” I would simply state that it’s symptomatic of a dysfunctional office where you only have three people.” “No one from the mayor’s office came to talk to the councillors,” . “In fact, we haven’t seen the mayor on our side of City Hall for nine months.”
Those are strong words from Clr. Brad Clark, as quoted in this piece in The Spec, as the Clr. let loose on the Mayor for , according to the Clr, attempting to create a task force on healthy breakfasts that duplicates work already being done by city staff and the community. Further Clark went on to criticize Bratina for what he perceives as an absence from necessary conversations on such issues.
The matter has been referred to staff to report back on what the city's role should be. Clr. Merulla went as far as deeming the sub-committee idea redundant.
Bratina elected not to counter Clark's comments directly and rather, focused on support for the principle behind the idea. In an email cited in The Spectator, the Mayor wrote "I’m pleased that the general interest committee today supported the motion, which is part of the strategic plan approved by council earlier this year, “I look forward to staff coming back as directed with options to take the program forward. My thanks to members of council and staff who assisted in bringing it to this point.”
Clr. Merulla summed up his thoughts in the following way: “I think Mayor Bratina’s intent was good. It’s noble. But his strategy and implementation is questionable. I think it would have been communicated better,” At the end of the day, Bob’s Bob. And it’s just another day in Bob’s world.”
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So much that could be argued here. About functionality, about focus, about 'perceived diminished capability'.
ReplyDeleteBut to me, putting aside all of that, what's all the more relevant are the issues of scope and context. 'Leadership', if you will. As noted in the Spec article, there are already agencies and organizations putting efforts into addressing what the mayor is impassioned about. If there isn't already strong commiseration and collaboration between all of these entities and City Hall (which I'm sure there is), then an initiative to promote them could certainly be implemented.
And maybe this is where the mayor could have achieved a better reaction: by being inclusive, by making people aware of the efforts currently underway, and I don't know; maybe even hosting an 'open house' at City Hall, highlighting said endeavours. Make it a celebration of what's currently being done, while mustering ideas and support to do more.
I believe the mayor is a good man. I believe his intentions are good. But he is woefully off-track on this...and it begs the question 'What else is he off--track on...?'
Sadly, I think much of what Clark said is true.
ReplyDeleteWell, it's a little of both isn't it? Bratina appears to be off track, and the amount of respect afforded to him or his office by his peers, is near non existent. Here's a life tip: If you want respect, try giving it.
ReplyDeleteSorce
From the start, I did not understand how he could have an effective office with so few people. I understand that he wants to save money, but I think he has a strong case for more help. I don't know if it explains how he is off track on this issue though.
ReplyDeleteSevern
The two issues mentioned, communication with the councillors, and dysfunctional office have always been a concern.
ReplyDeleteI don't feel that the Mayor feels that he needs to make the changes in his office, that he so desperately needs.
People give up trying to connect with him because of the one person who controls the communication in the office.
The Mayor needs to focus on what is important to the city.
Clark's comment "It was pathetically embarassing" was very inappropriate and pathetically embarassing!
So Bob did a years worth of research to come up with an idea that is already widely implemented? Better to find out which schools do not have a breakfast program,with an eye to getting one started. Message to parents, feed your kids breakfast, instead of expecting the rest of society to do it for you. The lack of parent responsability is shocking.
ReplyDeleteAs an aside to the topic above but within the conversation, this issue reminded me when my children were growing up. Since my work schedule was flexible every morning I would make healthy breakfasts for my three children and then I would fight with them to eat prior to going to school versus sleeping in. I was not always on the winning side and sometimes my children probably did go to school hungry. In remembering these mornings I am not so ready to blame parents for not feeding their children since force feedings were not an option. It also reminded of my youth when a milk program was in place at school. Since my mother fed us, and milk was also in abundance at home, she saw no merit of giving us extra money to participate in the this milk program. I felt isolated in class since there was only a few of us who were not part of the program and probably stigmatized by my classmates. The point that I want to make is that to label every parent as irresponsible because of a breakfast program at school may not reflect the true reason why children go to school hungry.
ReplyDeleteThere is no spirit of collaboration within council. Maybe there is between certain councillors, but not as a whole and certainly, not with the mayor. So, we're doomed until the next election.
ReplyDeleteYes, some kids do not like to eat breakfast, first thing after thye get up to get ready for school. Other kids, well parent(s) may not anything for their kids to eat or what they have is not necessarily healthy.
ReplyDeleteShould not the focus be on ensuring that families have enough money to eat healthy food?
With austerity measurese being extended in fine fashion soon, they will be more people needing assistance. Look at the changes at the EI legislation, which will disallow more workers from getting assistance because they have lost their jobs. Welfare, the next step does not give enough, period.