Terry (
January 27, 2008)
This issue has caused some tension and hard feelings within this town. I do not believe however that the mayor and council are the villains here nor do I believe the union to be. The problem lies within our local economy. Our tax base has declined substantially with the exodus of the mill and families leaving to seek greener pastures. We have less money in which to run this city and we have citizens reluctant to pay higher taxes. Having said that, council finds themselves in a very tough position. Arguably they have on their plate issues and challenges that previous councils since the time of this city's inception have never had to deal with. I mean when council has to look at cutting libraries, handi transit and police forces you know times are tough. In these times the mayor and council will make decisions that will not be popular in their efforts to maintain fiscal responsibility. I mean if the monies there, spend until your heart's content. If it's not, council has to pinch it's pennies. We as citizens can help this situation by picking up the phone and telling your mayor and council that you would be more than happy to pay more in municipal taxes. If we are not prepared to do that, we should stop complaining and realize that we are living in much different times than we were as little as three years ago. |
Randy (
January 27, 2008)
The union would have suffered the most no question. Although the public would have been inconvenienced the union members would have been hit financially. I wouldn't believe there to be many that could go without a pay check for even a short period of time. |
JB (
January 26, 2008)
Shame on Council! This should have been a non- issue...maybe you could have hired ANOTHER consultant to study the problem and then send it back to re-look at it again!!! How many more bad decisions can we expect...Oh wait, the roundabout issue is yet to come!!! How many years, till the election! |
Paula (
January 25, 2008)
You can't win when you make tough decisions. Its even tougher in a small isolated community. Objectivity, all the information, pressure from relations, small town. No wonder is difficult to attract good people. Plus Canadians are cronic complainers, and some are cronic victims. |
(
January 25, 2008)
I voted for the citizens because we are all citizen's of Kenora whether we are on council or part of the union or just the people in the community. Strikes are never a good thing and I think we would all be affected! |
Barry (
January 25, 2008)
The mayor did not hold the children or any other member of this city hostage. Our mayor was elected to the position based on his platform of fiscal responsibility. When he demonstrates his willingness to make good on campaign promises, people jump all over him. The silent majority support his and councils style of bargaining wholeheartedly. It's fine to pay the raises when the money is there, but it's not. Next, people will jump all over the mayor and council for imposing tax increases this year to help pay for these raises. |
Sheila Toderian (
January 25, 2008)
Isn't it great that a contract was agreed upon before a strike. Thank you to the many people in our community that expressed their concerns and opinions before a strike, instead of waiting to complain after. Everyone in our community has benefitted from the settlement that was reached last evening. Thank you to those involved on both sides of the negotating process for taking the time to hear the voices of the community. |
annie (
January 25, 2008)
The Mayor only had 30% of the actual votes, certainly not the majority!! It seems these officials have little regard to the concerns of their public on any matter. I completely support the employees and the union!!! In the end, it is council who will suffer most. They certainly aren't winning any fans. People have long memories. When all is said and done, the children will resume their activities and hopefully the employees will be a little better off. Council however, will take a lifetime to live down the anguish and division they have carelessly created in this community. |
GF (
January 24, 2008)
The majority of the citizens elected our council. How about supporting them in their tough decisions for a change. They deserve it. |
upset parent (
January 24, 2008)
It is a terrible shame that the mayor is holding the children of this community hostage due to his unwillingness to negotiate. With thousands of children enrolled in various activities that will be affected,I hope he remembers that these children have parents who vote, and we won't forget his unwillingness to negotiate. |
