How Low can Ramara Council Go?

Can't be any lower then what occurred on November 19th. Again I witnessed a lack of decorum and focus, resulting in the need to go beyond 11pm. In order to do so, it takes the unanimous consent of council. This was not given and the meeting ended before allowing a small gallery of concerned ratepayers to comment, on the nights proceedings. This was a shameful act. As one of this small group that sat for 4 hours and play our role, in this participative democracy, that decision was a shameful display of this councils ongoing contempt for ratepayers.

In these four hours I witnessed:

• Personal attacks by councillors against one another, and against township staff.
• Councillors acting surprised when a road project to upgrade 2.9km of Conc. 9 cease 1km short, when allocated funds were exhausted. In typical Ramara fashion, requests fwere made for additional funds to complete the final 1km, since it would be foolish not to complete what was started. Unchecked and unaccountable leadership. In the real world heads would role, for such unacceptable performance. In Ramara, this performance is rewarded.
• Statements from the Deputy Mayor declaring their is no need for public input on proposals for a the design and location of a new town hall. Shame on you Basil. Your attitude towards your electors is comtemptuous. You no longer have the respect of this voter!
• Councillors attempting to get have another local matter (cost of street lights) put on the general ratepayers, and take the cowardly position of not having the vote recorded.

The members of this council is far removed from the group of individuals who presented themselves to voters, in the fall of 2006. As individuals they promised a new approach of openess, transparency and harmony. This has not occurred. This council has been a huge letdown, but I don't put the blame on their shoulders. It belongs to my neighbours, whose in action and apathic attitude toward local governance has allowed this council to evolve into the body it has become.