If I was to be a politician …
Have you ever asked yourself that question? If not, sometime you should and maybe, just maybe, you should think that one through before you go to vote this October 25th. I have asked that question to friends and colleagues over the last while and what emerged was very interesting.
Most people I asked based their response on their own experiences. Since politicians at the Federal and Provincial levels are somewhat removed and distant, people seem to relate more (if at all) to their City Councillor. In Toronto’s Ward 16, we have a large number of residents who tend to live here for a long time. If they move, they do their best to move within the Ward.
So, for the past 7 years we have had just 1 Councillor. Before that we had 1 that was around for 15 years. That's a small sample - 2 councillors in 22 years. However, some who are actively engaged in City issues have seen how other councillor act, behave and interact with their constituents.
The sceptics' view is that all politicians are, shall we say, less than trustworthy and follow the interests of big business, developers and other large organizations. This has given rise to the notion that the local folk living in the Ward have a diminished influence on important issues. Others have the feeling that politicians adopt a certain type of “attitude”. Some call it “arrogance”, some call it “holier than thou” and others refer to it as “self-serving”. Whatever it is called, it too nurtures a feeling of disconnect on important issues.
This last sense of impotence is the one that folks seem to resent most. They feel a councillor is elected to serve the electorate. It is they who put the person in office. In turn residents feel the councillor should support the Ward and in the larger view, the City.
So, asking oneself … “If I was to be a politician …?”
Most people therefore would say they wanted to be a councillor to serve those who voted.
To serve their constituents.
To stand up for all residents.
To inform and promote programs and developments (changes in traffic patterns), that would enhance the quality of life for the people in the Ward, and the City.
To be honest and up-front with people.
To be clear about their position on any given issue.
To uphold City policies and guidelines.
To arrive at a position based on open, informed and fair dialogue.
To have the courage and conviction to change their own position if, through open, informed and fair dialogue, other points of view make sense.
To not be intransigent.
To be an active listener and to consider the best advice of residents.
