Local Level Democracy

FofEV - advocating for Eaglemont

Do you know the names of your local MHR, your local M.P. and your local Councillor?

Do you have them in your Contacts list?

Are these people your representatives, or your substitute?

If they are to represent you, how do they find out your views on topics, your concerns about developing issues, your needs at this point of your life?

Are your priorities the same as theirs?

Do they assume? Do they act just on their own? Do they follow their political parties dictates rather than your interests?

Do they claim a mandate for the term of their office?

Do they care?

More importantly, do you care?

Have you ever called on your elected representatives to assist you in dealings with the administration of your three levels of government? Satisfied with the availability, the efforts, the results?

What of the terms consultation and community engagement that are bandied about?

Is it really just window-dressing? Paying lip-service to notions of "community first" & "representing all ratepayers"?

If you allow yourself to be taken for granted it will keep on happening.

If you want things to change for the better you must make your views and expectations known - and hold others in elected office, or enjoying public sector jobs, accountable.