A Vernon councillor insists electors should be able to toss local politicians from office part way through a term. Coun. Bob Spiers has asked his colleagues to discuss the provincial government’s decision to extend municipal terms from three to four terms, and he says the concept of recall should also be considered. “They (voters) should have the right to recall their mayor, councillor or school board trustee,” he said. In early July, Victoria approved 31 recommendations from the Local Government Elections Task Force, including adding another year to terms. “We expect the legislation to be introduced next spring, in time for the local elections in November 2011,” said Community Development Minister Ben Stewart in a press release at the time. While some have suggested longer terms will allow politicians, and particularly new ones, to become familiar with their duties and tackle major issues, Spiers says some residents are questioning why there’s no way to get rid of a politician that raises concerns. “It’s a simple control mechanism,” he said of recall. Spiers also wonders why the process leading up to changes to the Local Government Act wasn’t more broad-based.“Very little input has come from individual people,” he said.
Vernon council will discuss the issue at a future date, but already Mayor Wayne Lippert has expressed opposition to a recall mechanism. “For a council, there’s six councillors and a mayor. They all make a decision,” he said, adding that it’s hard to hold just one official responsible for unpopular actions. “If it’s an electoral area director, an MLA or an MP, there is only one of them, but the idea of a council is for differing opinions.”
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Proposed Resolution: 'If 4 year terms as recommended by the Election Task Force are legislated by the Provincial Government, it is the recommendation of this Council that a Right of Recall provision for locally elected officials be included in the new legislation'
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Don Quixote Note: The Vote on this matter should occur as the last item on the Council's agenda on Monday Aug 9 th. (If there is a seconder). You are welcome to e-mail Council Members if you wish to express your support or opposition to this resolution. Use RECALL in the subject line.
| Wayne Lippert, Mayor | mayor@vernon.ca |
| Buffy Baumbrough: | bbaumbrough@vernon.ca |
| Jack Gilroy: | jgilroy@vernon.ca |
| Shawn Lee : | slee@vernon.ca |
| Patrick Nicol: | pnicol@vernon.ca |
| Mary-Jo O'Keefe : | mokeefe@vernon.ca |
| Bob Spiers : | bspiers@vernon.ca |
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