There will be a lot of new blood in the City Council this fall. But what we need most are independent thinkers.
Ottawa's next municipal government was markedly different when inaugurated In November, almost half of the council was made up of newcomers. It presents both challenges and opportunities.
In one of the biggest shifts in city politics, so far nine MPs have announced retirementsthe recently established Barrhaven East ward and another is Somerset (where Katherine McKennie is running for mayor), and 44% of the next council will be made up of new members. Such a big turnover in the election cycle of the United States can be a blessing or a burden...a blessing because it offers opportunities for new blood. A bunch of politicians who hopefully bring new perspectives and fresh ideas to the job. But it is also a difficult task. Because cities lose a wealth of experience and know-how in very difficult times and need smarter brains.
In the meantime, let us honor those who depart after years of service to the City. Public service, especially politics, is no easy task. Consider that in a city of over a million people, he can only field three serious candidates for mayor. Many talented people don't want to get into politics. Many are unable to make the sacrifices their jobs demand or stand up to scrutiny in this age of social media and wanton abuse.
Let's thank Diane Deans, Mathieu Fleury, Carole Ann Meehan, Jan Harder, Eli El Chantilly, and others (Jim Watson will be discussed later). People who braved the storm and gave part of their lives to the city.
We often do not appreciate the actions of politicians. We often look for the worst and are quick to criticize. Good government needs constructive criticism, but sometimes we criticize just for that. We also often lose sight of politicians' passion for service because we disagree with their politics and their actions. Say "thank you" to everyone retiring, whether they're doing well or not, for doing something that many others don't.
But when considering their successors, let's not get too attached to the new blood, as if it were itself a panacea for government evil. . Fresh blood and ideas are important in charting a new course for a better future, but history shows that new blood doesn't always lead to new ideas or new directions. We may have new faces on the Council, but not much progress. This was seen in the current Council. There we got a new class of followers instead of leaders. Perhaps what the city really needs is not just new blood, but a group of independent thinkers, old and new. Seek out people who can think for themselves, stand on their own feet, and make decisions based on what they believe to be right or wrong, not because someone else says so. }
A new city government, headed by a mayor with strong powers to overrule council decisions, would be dramatically different from the current one. As a result, it is up to us, the voters, to determine whether the new council is appropriate. Given the personalities of his three leading candidates for the lead, it's unlikely he'll be a rowdy mayor on the city council. But you can never tell the future.
When considering who to vote for this fall, be sure to look for someone new. But beyond that, think of a candidate with a record of independent thinking and performance. We need them more than ever.
Mohammed Adam is an Ottawa journalist and commentator. nylamiles48@gmail.com
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