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Letter: Councillors should focus less on their fiefdoms more on the whole city

‘We have a mayor and 12 distinct wards each with councillors who represent them. Regrettably, each councillor usually only fights for what is best for the real estate they were elected in or the committees they sit on’
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The fall of 2022 will prove interesting for many Greater Sudburians as the political fate of our city will be determined for the next four years. 

Leading up to Oct. 24, we all will be inundated with signs, mottos, promises and visions of what Greater Sudbury needs, coupled with spiteful rhetoric between candidates as they all attempt to position themselves to be this city’s next saviours.
Sudbury itself is a remarkable place. If you thrive on diverse cultures, sports, arts and entertainment, the great outdoors, multi-level education, world-class health facilities, retail and tourism, Greater Sudbury has it and more. 

These are all things occurring right here in our city before mentioning we are still a leader in the mining supply and services sector that sends goods and expertise around the world.
Our city has so much to boast about that we should be attracting families and businesses to Northern Ontario, becoming a perfect place for anyone to call home. 

But then we have our city council. Yes, that’s right, a council that can’t seem to agree on much other than increased rates and can't seem capable of making a decision, and seems to often be engaged in constant bickering that quite frankly has become an embarrassment to the citizens they represent. Are all of them guilty for bringing this on us? No. But sitting idly by doing nothing isn’t helpful either.

The above issues will, unfortunately, be repeated and continually repeated until the “me and I” brashness changes to “us and we.” Please let me elaborate. 

We have a mayor and 12 distinct wards each with councillors who represent them. Regrettably, each councillor usually only fights for what is best for the real estate they were elected in or the committees they sit on; hence the “me and I” attitude. My roads, my buildings, my firefighters, my needs to make my ward better. Inevitably, what’s in it for me. 

Instead, it should be our roads, our buildings, our firefighters, our needs to make Greater Sudbury better. This leads to what’s in it for us. Council’s mindset needs to change to “us and we” and that can only happen when overall structure changes.
In its current state, most if not all outlying areas are left to fend for themselves. No one really admits to caring about what is happening around our city until it has a direct impact on their livelihood. 

For example, do the city’s residents in the South End spend time worrying about what is going on in Capreol? Does Levack factor in to what decisions are happening regarding Minnow Lake’s roads? What about Azilda or Coniston? Is New Sudbury concerned about Gatchell’s Delki Dozzi Park or sidewalk lighting along Lorne Street? 

Fighting for improvements, assistance or change in any of these wards currently falls on one councillor regardless of how warranted that change is. The “not in my backyard” syndrome has derailed an incredible amount of progress in Sudbury and far too often that single councillor is fighting a battle amongst his peers or constituents for progress and change. 

If no one listens to that one voice, where does the councillor or constituents turn? What if your one representative thinks it’s a battle not worth fighting? In this new structure, at least seven individuals constantly represent the entire city. A city that will always need someone to listen and fight for the uniqueness of places like Capreol and its ski hill, Levack, Minnow Lake and Gatchell’s Delki Dozzi Park.
Here is what I propose moving forward and its not a new concept. In no way am I saying it’s perfect, the complete answer or the solution that will fix everything, but it’s a start that warrants discussion. 

It is a process that will require motivation and time to initiate and minds that can look past today and see a vision of what the future City of Greater Sudbury should look like four years from now. It brings about a city working together unlike the 13 squabbling siblings we have now. 

In theory, its actually quite simple but the work to implement this in 2026 needs to start this fall with a new open-minded council.

Pick a point in Greater Sudbury. I chose the intersection of Durham and Cedar Streets. Draw two axes; north-south and east-west, dividing the entire city into four. I selected this specific juncture so the four wards must always represent some section of our downtown core. 

A downtown, I believe, is the heart of this city and should never be ignored. Candidates can choose to run for mayor, a ward that they reside in or one of six available seats representing the city at large. The six that run at-large with the highest ballot totals win a seat in council chambers. 

Residents vote for one mayor, their ward candidate and two candidates who represent the entire city. Every elected official has equal voting rights and you will notice that theoretically, there has become a shift in the decision-making. We’ve gone from those 12 individuals with 12 specific boundaries to 10 councillors with six who have no limitations and are free to represent any place inside our city limits at any time. 

Places like Falconbridge, Azilda, Lively and the Donavan could potentially have seven people to reach out to, not one. Council will have the availability to work together as a team instead of one individual in a ward. This is how you welcome progress and change and remove bickering and stalling. This is the start of how Greater Sudbury moves towards becoming “us and we,” to actually becoming ‘great’.
So, this fall before you cast your vote, before worrying about what “I” want for my ward. Try thinking about individuals who “we” need that can look at the next four years and beyond to make positive change for the future of Greater Sudbury. We simply can’t afford to continue down our current path.

Jeff Huska
Greater Sudbury