Mindsets must change

Under the circumstances, Chatham-Kent council did about as well as could be expected in its recent budget deliberations.

It’s the circumstances that need to change.

Council approved a 1.61% budget increase, raising taxes on a home assessed at $157,000 by $42.

The increase is roughly $4.5 million in new spending on top of last year’s $275,000,000 tab. That’s just under $90,000 per week, for those who budget week to week.

The task was accomplished in four days (down from the three-week marathon sessions of the not-too-distant past) and without much of the political posturing expected in an election year.

United FloorsCabinets from Chatham Voice on Vimeo.

Credit has to go to budget chair Coun. Art Stirling for his adroit handling of the sessions. Even when it was clear all councilors weren’t on board (the budget only passed 12-6), the meetings were orderly.

The first circumstance that needs to change in order for any meaningful movement toward affordable government doesn’t rest with council; it rests with you.

When six in 10 voters don’t cast a ballot, don’t expect council to believe there’s much appetite for change.

If mayor and council are returned en masse, we can expect more of the same.

Those who ask, “Why vote? Nothing changes,” are like dogs chasing their tails. Nothing changes because they don’t vote.

Secondly, the municipality must forcefully address the near unbearable burden of salaries, from the sunshine club and near-sunshine club members through emergency services.

Lastly, there needs to be a recognition that there is a fundamental disconnect between what is a lot of money in government terms and what is a lot of money to the average citizen.

The $150,000 dropped on increasing speed limits on some roads and  “electronic vehicle locators” isn’t much in a quarter-of-a-billion-dollar budget, but it is real money to those paying the bills.

We need to move toward a “would I spend that if it was my own money?” mindset in government.

If councilors wouldn’t open their wallets personally for such projects, why should we?