ACCOUNTABILITY IN MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT
The issue of accountability in government is not a new topic; in fact it has
been around since governments were established. The modern "Republic"
has been fashioned on the Roman model, and running for political office was a
moral obligation and duty of Greek and Roman citizens.
While the call for higher office in recent times has been tamed by scandals and overly aggressive U.S. style of politics, participation at the lower levels of governments such as municipalities, does not seem to have been affected. This is evident by the large number of candidates running in recent municipal elections.
As the form of government closest to the people, municipal councils are taken to task and held accountable for their actions more than any other level of government. As long as accessibility to elected representatives, openness in reporting issues, and transparency of action are evident, the democratic process will be maintained and we should all be sleeping better at night in the knowledge that everything is okay and getting better every day. Or is it?
That is the impression that the 50,000 plus copies of the glossy "Report to the Community 1999-2000" recently distributed to every household in the city, would want to leave you with. Under the disguise of more open communication and accountability, the Mayor, as the Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Corporation of the City of Thunder Bay, has signed off a cheque for close to $100,000 to repeat what is basically already reported in the telephone book, in your tax bill, in inserts in the telephone bill, and on line at the city’s web site. I understand this is an election year, but this blatant stint of self-promotion and disregard for the public purse and accountability, in light of the city’s projected deficit and lack of financial support for the Shelter House, requires a response.
While we have much to be grateful for in our city and region (as shown in the report), we also face many challenges. As I stated in my previous article, three different levels of government have recently presented reports on the state of the northern economy, where they identify significant structural problems (please call me if you would like a copy of such reports). Nowhere in the glossy report could I see any such issues identified.
With thousands of young people leaving the city every year because of lack of opportunities, our own future as a community is in peril. These are the people who rent apartments (present vacancy rate between 7 and 9 percent) who get married and have children (retail, hospitality industry, education, etc. affected), buy houses (there were close to 2600 homes on sale in 1999, less than half were sold) and keep our economy growing. Recent Statistics (Stats Canada) on out-migration clearly indicate these numbers are increasing every year and now encompass every age group (the parents are now following their children).
In every corporation, the Chairman of the Board is ultimately responsible and accountable to its shareholders (in our case the citizens and taxpayers of the City of Thunder Bay). The exodus of our young people is a testimony of what is missing in the report.
Frank Pullia is Principal of Pullia Accounting & Consulting. He can be reached at 767-6579 or via e-mail at frank@frankpullia.com. Previous articles can be viewed at www.frankpullia.com