There is something happening at city hall that is totally unexpected and welcome.
Meetings — where things actually get done, bylaws are passed and people get on with their business. There are fewer people in the gallery stepping up to complain about decisions made by council. Sure, there was a honeymoon period and the blush of it is kind of over but it appears that the marriage is solid and the promises made at the inaugural altar are being kept.
Business is getting done and a lot of credit has to go to the committees which were formed early on in this administration. The committees, comprised of public and elected, can hash out the details, present them to council, and get the ball rolling. Previous councils were very resistant to forming committees, but now we see they actually work far better than just six members of council and one mayor pouring over the details trying to put their heads around the issues. The competent staff at the district office are doing their jobs and council is approving their recommendations. This is all good.
Council’s marriage is only seven months old and a lot of adjustments have had to be made, but the marriage is on solid ground. Some things will not be sustainable, like a zero per cent tax increase, but by looking closely at everything this council has the opportunity for thorough knowledge of what is going on. No one works in isolation and it is being proven that a good team can win over the critics. Kudos for the first seven months, so far so good.