Once again the Greater Sudbury Chamber of
Commerce, in its response to the city's call for change, has
shown why this city seems to be adrift: a lack of vision.
The point of governance is democracy; not
necessarily "doing business." The so-called "board of
directors" model only works in a for-profit "corporate"
structure. By recognizing this, the council is only doing what
it must.
I applaud council's attempt to bring the
issue of better democratic representation to the public. We are
not put off by change, but it must be toward more direct
accessibility and clearer accountability. The chamber seems to
believe that government must do whatever is necessary to secure
business and let the democratic process fend for itself.
History shows, however, while business can always get things
done, it's the democratic process that requires constant care
and attention.
Democracy can be many things, but it is not
efficient, and vision seldom rises from the pages of a
ledger.
S.A. Asher
Sudbury