A research firm will poll about 500 Greater
Sudbury residents and ask 15 questions. These questions range
from whether they believe there are too many councillors to
whether they would vote to change the existing ward structure
if a referendum was held.
The City of Greater Sudbury Municipal Watch
is paying for this poll. Sometimes poll questions can be
tailored to obtain the results the group paying for the survey
wants to obtain.
What I can't understand is why 15 questions?
Only one question should be asked during this telephone poll.
It's the question that would be on the voting ballot during the
November 2006 election if a referendum was held: Do you want to
change the existing ward structure? Yes or no.
This group says city councillors did not
sufficiently consult with residents before making their
decision. In June, ward boundary review meetings were
held in each ward in addition to a special
meeting of council.
Councillor Terry Kett said at the time, "The
turnout shows the ward structure is not a burning issue with
voters. The majority don't really care one way or
another."
Kett is absolutely right. If changing the
number of wards was a burning issue, residents would have
attended these meetings or phoned their councillors to voice
their concerns.
I have spoken to one of my ward councillors
on the ward split. Councillor Doug Craig knows I agree one ward
and one elected representative is the most efficient and best
way for councillors to serve their constituents and the most
appropriate way of delivering service.
Craig says, "Councillors have experimented
with the governance model inherited from the transition board
and, after five years, deemed that in the best interest of
their delivering service to the people who have elected them,
that one elected representative for one defined ward is the
most appropriate way of delivering service."
Under the new ward structure, my councillor
will be accountable to 12,564 residents. I will know exactly
who to phone when I have an issue. If I'm not satisfied with my
councillor's overall performance, I won't vote for that
councillor again.
I hope after this telephone survey is done,
this issue is finally laid to rest. There are more important
municipal issues.
Fran Nault
Greater Sudbury