Ramara (and its’ Non-existent) Roads Policy

At last nights Ramara Council meeting there was yet another heated roads debate. Councillors voted to reverse the wrongs of the previous meeting (ie the politically motivated selection of roads to pave in ’08), and allow for further debate in committee.

Clr. White noted, at the Meeting of Nov.19th, that it felt like a gun had been placed to his head, as Deputy Mayor Clarke coerced his fellow councillors to decide right now, where to spend approx. $1,000,000 that’s going to be added to our tax bill in ‘08? Being witness to this meeting, Clr. White was bang-on in his comments! No other member of council challenged the Deputy Mayor, as to his tactics and its’ inappropriateness at a meeting of council.

Deputy Mayor Clarke placed his foot in his mouth, (yet again), last night as he reaffirmed his support for the township’s undocumented roads strategy of “As it needs Fixing”. During question period I asked council why, during this year they were unable to ratify a common Roads Policy that could serve as an objective policy framework to guide their roads strategy.
I viewed the Deputy Mayor’s response to me, as that there is no need for one, as current practices are working just fine!

So what is this current practice that township apparently doesn’t want ratepayers to know about? The Roads Manager recommends to council which roads need fixing and council votes on his recommendations. That’s it people. Ramara’s Roads policy, one guy determines our roads priorities! But what processes does this one guy use to decide. The Deputy Mayor did not elaborate, and no other member of council took the opportunity to probe further.

Prior to all meetings, elected officials are required to "disclose any pecuniary (conflict of) interest with any item on the agenda. This requirement does not apply to municipal staffers, like the Roads Manager.

December 10, the township meets again to debate the Roads Manager's recommendations for '08. Will these recommendations pass the smell test? Will council take active steps to ensure the objectivity of his recommendations?

This can only be guaranteed by filling the Joyland Beach Community Centre with concerned ratepayers.