We've heard many frustrated Owen Sound residents say over the last year or so that our members of council have lost touch with the community. Nothing more exemplifies this than the Mayor's arrogant behavior at the council table. His anger and frustration with residents comes to the surface anytime a resident attempts to ask a question during public question period. He routinely violates the Procedural Bylaw with impunity by interrupting residents at the microphone well before their five (5) minutes that they are allowed under the Procedural Bylaw. Yet not one of his colleagues has ever had the courage to challenge him. In spite of the Code of Conduct stating that all members of council shall adhere to all bylaws his colleagues just sit back and watch his rude and disrespectful behaviour toward residents. Just in the past few months we've watched council approve new positions in the workforce in spite of the fact that the workforce has grown dramatically over the past 30 years in spite of the fact that Owen Sound's population is actually smaller today. Our city workforce is now 30% greater than the average of the eight (8) most similar municipalities. Yet this council continues to approve new positions in spite of our population shrinking.
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The primary purpose of
this forum is to determine if there is interest in the community to work
together toward changing the current composition of city Council. The
plan would involve identifying people in the community who believe that
our city council should both reflect the residents and address their
needs. Once identified they will be encouraged to participate in council
meetings between now and the next election and ultimately run in the
next election.