City has chance for new direction, SACPA told
His timing was unfortunate. But political scientist Bonnie Farries says the pending resignation of Lethbridge’s chief operating officer now becomes an opportunity for our new city council to create a new vision for the future.
Farries, formerly the chief executive in Coaldale, told an audience at the Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs that city manager Garth Sherwin’s timing was unusual.
“To resign five days before an election is unheard of,” she said. “If baffles me that the CAO would choose that time.”
A new council term is beginning, Farries pointed out, so there’s no need for a snap decision on Sherwin’s replacement. First, she suggested, council should take time to settle on a vision for the city’s future. Considering issues raised during the election campaign, what direction should council take?
Its members should ask, “Who are we looking for to complement our vision?”
Three times, Farries said, previous councils simply promoted an insider — someone who’s already part of the power structure — when the manager retired.
“This council has an opportunity to take its time,” possibly bringing new blood and new leadership to city adminstration.
During Sherwin’s time, she pointed out, the City’s payroll has grown to more than 1,500 employees.
“The public wants greater accountability,” as almost all of the candidates promised.
And almost all the incumbents who ran for re-election were returned to office, she pointed out.
With apparently no big issues and a mayor who looked unbeatable, Farries admitted she wasn’t surprised to see voter turnout fall to 27 per cent. And with just one incumbent not running again, she said name recognition seemed to be a key factor.
While she couldn’t explain why multiterm councillor Liz Iwaskiw was not returned, Farries suggested Belinda Crowson’s work with a myriad of civic groups and projects put her in good stead. She won a seat in her first bid for election.
But Mark Campbell topped recent councils’ top vote-getter, Joe Mauro — even though Farries said Campbell admitted knowing little about civic administration or the Municipal Government Act.
“I’d prefer informed decision-making,” she allowed.
But unlike previous council newcomers like Bob Babki and Wade Galloway, she added, Campbell “was not an angry candidate.”
Just one council candidate took an anti-administration stance, Farries said. And he was “not even close to being elected.”
Potential issues like curbside recycling failed to ignite, she observed.
“The public was tired of hearing about it,” and just wants to see Lethbridge catch up with other cities.
Farries criticized council’s policy calling for a four-year operating budget, with only the city manager allowed to change it. Moving to a two-year cycle with a fouryear forecast — more like senior levels of government — would give council more flexibility.
Soon, city electors will see how well the new council works together.
“The election was boring,” Farries said. “But there’s no reason that the next four years have to be.”