Seventh Day
SYSRC Governance series: Thoughts to live by:
Dear Residents of SYSRC:
How people work together, especially when there are a lot of different opinions, is incredibly important when a body has been entrusted with hard earned contributions from the public in the form of property taxes. Governing a small municipality can be complex.
Council members, the mayor and staff should never underestimate the value of building relationships with each other, with staff, and with the greater community. The investment of time and energy on the front end will save everyone emotional angst on the back end.
It has been said that politics is the art of the possible. In essence, it means that it does not really matter if one has a great idea if they can’t get it implemented because there is an inability to convince and compromise. Good relationships and sound policy serve your community, spite or pandering seldom do.
Citizens also have a responsibility to keep up to date with what’s happening at municipal council and provide feedback to council members about issues that are being debated.
Government decision-making isn’t easy. It usually involves balancing several different opinions on what should be done while having one on eye on the budget and the other eye on what can reasonably be done. It is rare that everyone is completely happy with a government decision.
Every single member of council is trying to do their best for their community. Sometimes mistakes are made and as long as those mistakes are acknowledged and fixed, forgiveness should rule the day.
It is also important for individual councillors and mayors to respect the decisions of council and try to avoid public or social media statements that disparage fellow council members or council decisions, as such statements may result in reducing the credibility of council.
This community is in an enviable position as you head into 2026 and the new council.
SYSRC has the potential to thrive. It is a beautiful rural community with all the advantages that come from rurality while being situated very near an affluent town and city with access to urban services and recreation. You have money in the bank, a low property tax rate and most if not all the irritants of the past four years have been fixed. Solid policies are being put in place. People interested in making a difference in the community would be walking into an ideal situation.
Who would not want to lead the community in such a positive outlook? The fundamental questions for you as voters and prospective candidates could include:
- How should your next council function?
- What should be its values that guide it?
- What should it consider important?
- What attributes of council best reflect your attributes?
- How do you want to be led?
Those are questions that you should ask yourself and the candidates for council.
I encourage you to take charge of your future. The community needs to turn towards an optimistic and exciting future where everyone has a place. Transparency should rule. Your property tax dollars should be respected. Decisions should be communicated and explained. Council should be open-minded and caring, working well together for your collective and individual benefits.
Council is a reflection on you. Let’s make SYSRC the best run community in the province.
I hope that the past week or so has been informative and thought provoking for you. I also hope that some of you are encouraged to run for election. I also hope that everyone pays attention to the candidates’ platforms and come out and vote on May 11th.
I will come back to you in April to address your questions and comments.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO GET ENGAGED AND PLEASE VOTE ON MAY 11TH!!!
Don Ferguson
Supervisor SYSRC