What London council members said

Thu, November 24, 2005

By FREE PRESS STAFF



"It will change the minds of some people who were thinking of running and some who weren't. Because the wards are smaller and there's only one councillor, you're going to need more votes.


"And I also think it will be harder to build alliances on issues. With two ward councillors, each can attract support. I think it will be harder to get consensus on ward issues."

Controller Gord Hume

"I'm astonished. With 14 wards and 14 councillors there's no backup and I don't think it's being fair to the constituents. They're saying the constituents will be better served by smaller wards, well, who's looking after their interests when their councillors are away? I like it the way it is. And I'm able to get to every corner of my ward and they've always got personalized service from me or my partner."

Ward 3 Coun. Bernie MacDonald

"That's incredible. That's like democracy at work. That's great news -- what the people wanted, they got."

Ward 4 Coun. Bill Armstrong

"We need to take a serious look at what we should be doing, especially what the cost implications will be. We're going to end up with a situation where each councillor is going to want their own assistant, a bigger budget. I like the system the way it is now because it brings diverse points of view and gives you options on issues."

Controller Bud Polhill

"It will flatten the corridors of power. It'll bring more equity in that more people will have more meaningful access to serve the community. And it will give more people an opportunity to get elected because it will cost less to run an election."

Ward 3 Coun. Fred Tranquilli

"I'm OK with smaller wards and I don't have a problem with 14 wards. But I still think there are people who believe change is going to change the behaviour on council and what people need to understand is that the behaviour depends on the people we elect."

Ward 5 Coun. Sandy White

"This is good for our constituents. They'll be closer to their ward councillors. . . . It gives more opportunities for people to run."

Ward 1 Coun. Judy Bryant

"I think it will be hard to measure the difference. This may push us (to full-time councillors.) Is that a good thing or bad thing? How you determine that is very difficult. Historically, part-time councillors allow someone with a job or business to run. Full-time councillors won't have jobs or businesses."

Controller Russ Monteith

"The more you go to smaller wards, the more you get into micro thinking and away from thinking about the broader issues. . . . You'll get 14 people thinking very locally and it may be difficult to get them thinking broadly on city decisions. It may end up for better representation in the wards, but poorer governance for the city as a whole."

Ward 2 Coun. Rob Alder

"I said during the election I'd support what the voters told us on the ballot, so I won't support an appeal. The decision doesn't reduce the size of council, but I think this is the first step. Now we just have to make sure the ward boundaries are done fairly so the interests of all Londoners are protected, especially those who live in the rural areas and those (such as the poor) without a lot of voice."

Ward 7 Coun. Susan Eagle

Fourteen wards will lead to better representation, greater accountability and better connections with citizens. . . . It's clear from the decision that London wants a change. We'd be wise to heed that."

Ward 2 Coun. Joni Baechler

"It's a good thing. I always believed there should be one winner (in ward races). . . . Democracy should be fluid. It's a good opportunity to open it up to more people to run."

Ward 5 Coun. Cheryl Miller

"I'm concerned. What are the costs going to be to the city? . . . The one big fallacy is that people will be able to advocate better. You always have to have nine other councillors support you."

Ward 4 Coun. Roger Caranci

"I think we need to have a mixture (of socio-economic groups) in each ward so we can embrace each other. I am delighted to have a smaller area to campaign."

Ward 6 Coun. Harold Usher