With the challenges, new and future, that Whistler is facing, Council needs to be as effective as possible. After serving on Council for 4 years, I have seen some gaps in our systems that have meant that citizens have been surprised by plans or decisions, have felt decisions were made without their input, ignoring their input or behind closed doors. I have also felt that on council that it was hard to have input, that it was not always clear how direction was determined and that we did not always have the right input for making decisions.
These suggestions encompass the key changes needed to have Council better connected to community, transparent, accountable and successful. These suggestions are non-partisan; they are made regardless of who will be elected in the future or their stand on issues. They may sound a bit dry but if these aspects are not sound, even the best council in the world will struggle to make a difference. It’s about having better mechanisms that I believe that will result in improved public trust of and satisfaction with Council.
The recommended changes are:
- Improve Transparency
- Engage the Community
- Engage Council
- Set and Follow Council Priorities
- Ensure a Better Budget Process
- Follow the Governance Manual
- Improve Council Systems
Details can be seen by clicking to each of the pages.
Candidates are asked to consider these changes.
Citizens can do their part too.
Better Democracy Whistler 