Elected members are encouraging you to have your voice heard as they decide on the 2021 operating and capital budgets.
Three councillors Acadia Broadcasting spoke to say they have read and will continue to go through pre-budget public deputations.
Current River Ward Councillor Andrew Foulds also indicates he reads feedback on social media platforms.
“There are some people that I listen to that I don’t agree with. There are comments that I read that I don’t agree with. That doesn’t mean that I’m not listening,” Foulds says. “Listening to someone and agreeing with them are two separate things.”
In the case of Westfort Ward Councillor Kristen Oliver, she often finds that constituents just want some answers into issues, to which she has no problem providing.
“What I find actually is that a lot of my constituents, they’ll call to express a concern over something,” Oliver mentions. “However I find one once I provide them with a little more detail, especially using some of the information that I get access to in making my decision about an issue, I think people are a little bit more in tune with that type of communication.”
Sometimes municipal politics can take a back seat when it comes to budget deliberations.
Red River Ward Councillor Brian McKinnon says that’s understandable, however the local representatives are the ones that work the phones, respond to emails and try to find answers to questions that you may have.
“We’re the front line. The other (levels of government) are the generals and the colonels. You can use that military metaphor all you want but that’s the truth,” McKinnon stresses.
The budget process continues Tuesday night at 5:00.
Make Your Voice Heard
- Videoconference, by telephone, through the city hall lobby kiosk, or by sending a letter to the city clerk to be included in the February 4th agenda
- The next deputation meeting will start at 6:30 p.m.
- Your request to speak at that meeting must be received by no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday January 29th
Click here to complete an online form to speak or here to fill out an online survey.
