daily townsman
Bennett on core review
Local NEWS
Thursday, SEPTEMBER 26, 2013
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Continued from page 1 “We will start to get a sense of whether they are living up to the expectations and goals in their mandate. We will also in some cases get a sense of whether they think the mandate is still relevant and is the most important thing for that ministry or Crown agency to be doing.” Bennett has been tasked with finding $50 million in savings within government through the Core Review, but he says the process is more about creating more efficient ministries and Crown agencies. “As important as finding the $50 million is – because I’m obligated to do that – it is of lesser importance than finding ways to do things smarter,” said Bennett. “It seems like everyone, not just the media but even the public, thinks this is all a dollars and cents process, and it isn’t. That’s not what Premier Clark intended this to be. Yes, I’m looking for ways for ministries and Crowns to spend less money,” he said. “(But) it’s not just a cost-cutting exercise. That’s actually of lesser importance than finding ways to do things smarter. “What we are doing here is we are saying, okay, stop. Everybody just stop for a moment and take a look at what you’re doing. “I think when we just take a pause and take a look at things, we are going to find lots of things to improve.” Still, he needs to find that $50 million in savings before the end of 2013. “So we are looking for some low-hanging fruit right now. I’m not going to go into any detail but we have our eye on a few things that will enable us to find those savings,” said Bennett. The Core Review will include targeted industry and stakeholder consultations. The committee’s recommendations will be made before the end of the 2013-2014 fiscal year, and the process will wrap up before the end of 2014.
Stewart Wilson photo
Mixed teams from Grades 4, 5 and 6 from TM Roberts, Highlands and Gordon Terrace Elementaries participated in the Paarlauf run at TM Roberts under cold, wet conditions. The race involved nine runners from each team sprinting a short distance in a progressive relay race. Despite the miserable weather all participants are to be congratulated for their fine efforts and sportsmanship.
City councillors ponder four-year terms Continued from page 1
“All other levels of government have fouryear terms, and it gives municipal officials more time to implement their election platforms and deliver on their promises.” Coun. Sharon Cross said that the union has been debating the question for years, defeating the four-year option each time. “The arguments for three-year terms versus four-year terms are equally compelling,” Cross said. “I support the four-year election term as it would save taxpayer money, and provide for a timeframe that reflects provincial and federal elections, as well as most other provinces.” But not everyone was as optimistic about the four-year option. Coun. Gerry Warner said he was surprised to see the motion pass so handily. “Terms of two years or less are too little and four years is too much,” Warner said. “I think three years is ideal because it gives a councillor enough time to learn the job and accomplish something while giving the voter a reasonably quick chance to vote
the councillor out of office, if it’s felt the councillor is not doing a good job.”
crease in family members, etc. Three years is a little bit more palatable for people considering lending their time on behalf of the city.”
“I support the four“Three years is ideal year election term because it gives a as it would save councillor enough taxpayer money, and time to learn the job provide for a and accomplish timeframe that something while reflects provincial giving the voter a and federal reasonably quick elections, as well chance to vote the as most other councillor out of provinces.” office, if it’s felt the Sharon Cross councillor is not doing a good job.” Coun. Diana J. Scott said that though the change is only a year, that year makes a big difference when you’re committing yourself. “On the face of it, four years would be better to accomplish your goals as a council,” Scott said. “However, I feel it may be a deterrent to people considering running. Four years is a huge commitment to make. A lot can happen in people’s personal lives in that time: circumstances can change, jobs, moves, in-
Gerry Warner Scott felt that the three-year system has worked thus far. “There are usually some veterans around the table, along with new folks, so that lends a consistency from council to council,” she said. Coun. Angus Davis noted that up until the late ‘80s, municipal elections were required every two years. “That I thought was
too short,” Davis said. “Then they went to three-year terms. I think that three years is just great. It gives the public a good amount of time to get a feeling for what their councillors are like. If they’re good then they can re-elect them. If
they’re not what they wanted them to be then they have three years to prove their worth or someone else will be elected.” Davis said that he felt, as a councillor, if he was thinking four years, he’d be thinking more about
himself than the community. “Three years is a good sensible term of office,” he said. Councillors Denise Pallesen and Bob Whetham were not available for comment as of press time.
You Are Invited! AREA C Monday, September 30, 2013 – 7:00pm Steeplesview Community Hall, Wardner
7:00pm - 8:45pm - Town Hall Meeting This meeting will feature a Director’s Report from Area C Director Rob Gay, information on the East Kootenay Energy Diet and an introductory presentation on a proposed land use planning project for the Mayook and Wardner areas. Additional Area C Town Hall meetings will be held in Moyie & Cranbrook in early October.
We hope to see you there! For more information, contact Loree Duczek at the RDEK