There’s an election coming up in Morinville. Six candidates are running for a seat on council. From my perspective most of them don’t have anything new to say.

It’s easy to talk about lack of transparency and accountability for example, but that’s old news. Years ago members of the government who spoke out were referred to as members of the “rat pack.” Do people really think things have changed? And it’s not just our government members or employees who are muzzled or often told what to say or think. It’s like that everywhere. We all learn or are encouraged to keep our mouths shut and turn the other way when we see, or sometimes even experience, wrongdoing. It takes a whole new way of thinking to change and, as I have stated, this is not too apparent in most of what I’ve heard from those vying for the council position so far.

Let me just comment on what one candidate referred to as “administrative bloat” or, by his definition, just more people than is needed to do the job properly. Of course! Shouldn’t we all strive for the most efficient use of our resources? But to continuously scrutinize staff for this purpose is not the way to go. The federal government recently bragged about saving piles of money by getting rid of 16,000 employees. Sure, tons of money was perhaps saved but at what cost? Does it help the 16,000 newly unemployed or perhaps unwitting retirees? And what of those left behind to handle the extra load they are now burdened with? These employees are overworked, overstressed and now prone to more errors and maybe even a more cynical attitude, especially since they know they will be carefully scrutinized on an ongoing basis. How much is really saved in the end? Better to buy a diet coke than a $16 glass of orange juice, if you get my drift.

I applaud these six brave souls for wading into the waters. Still, I thought only one of them presented any kind of different perspective and more than anything else I think this is not only what Morinville needs but something the whole country could use as well.

Lesley Roy, Morinville

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