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The Lindsay Post is running a weekly series of questions, with answers by both the "Yes" and "No" sides of the issues.
Question #4: Regardless of how the referendum vote comes out, do you think this will be the end of the controversy?
On November 12, 2002 VOCO attained its goal: a referendum on the structure of our local government. The people will have a chance to have their say. Does this mean an end to the controversy?
To cure a disease, we must first look for the cause, and the cause of this one is obvious: unfair government.
A huge cross-section of the community feels disenfranchised. They have lost their local governments. They were given no part in the decision.The amalgamation which was forced upon them has not saved them money; their taxes have risen steadily. Their 140-year-old two-tier County structure has been replaced by a one-tier "City" which, given the size and make-up of the region, cannot possibly be fair to all residents.
A one-tier structure is not appropriate for such a huge area. The City of Kawartha Lakes spans 407,000 hectares. The northern boundaries parallel Algonquin Park. From the southern boundaries you can see Lake Ontario. It includes lakes and uncleared forest, rough pasture and productive farmland, summer cottages, trailer parks, villages and towns. How can one common bylaw, or one common tax rate be fair across this vast area?
A single tier government cannot adapt to both urban and rural populations. Assuming that one-size-fits-all, Council has passed all-encompassing bylaws, and "standardized" services across the City. Do they seriously expect farmers to do the (noisy) haying only during "office hours", or to restrict the number of stray cats wintering in their barns? "Standardization" means rural residents must pay for services, whether they want them or not. If they are charged "big city" taxes, then they will demand "big city" services. Those who can't afford the taxes will be forced to leave.
Single tier government was supposed to save us money. Obviously the "savings" didn't materialize. Our 2002 deficit was $4.4 million. Worse: that news came as a shock to our councillors. Smaller municipalities had smaller budgets, and kept track of them! Since we became a big City, spending has gone out of control, literally. Councillors are told that's not their business: they are to be policy makers. Those few who insist on knowing the details are accused of "micro-managing".
A current myth is that the de-amalgamation debate is impeding "progress". Council should "all work together for the City". In fact, Councillors take an oath to represent their constituents to the City, not the other way around. Those who stand up for their voters are not being divisive, they are doing their job. And they will be re-elected.
Another myth is that returning to the previous system will cause more disputes, because former councils were unable to agree on restructuring. In fact, by the time of the Kitchen Commission, 40% of the municipalities in Victoria County had agreed to or had already amalgamated (eg. Bobcaygeon-Verulam (1999), Carden-Dalton and LDL-Bexley-Somerville), and service agreements were in place between municipalities (shared bylaw enforcement officers, fire service, etc.)
A "No" vote won't cure the disease. The Province will consider the matter closed, and the City of Kawartha Lakes will continue. So will the burgeoning bureaucracy, intrusive bylaws, rising taxes and user fees and out-of-control spending. Of course the "controversy" will continue. People have a right, even an obligation, to protest bad government.
A "Yes" vote will be our only chance to remedy the situation.
Regardless of the outcome, the electorate have become more informed, and more watchful. If necessary, VOCO will continue holding Town Hall meetings. The Taxpayers' Coalition will continue to monitor how our money is being spent. One would hope that there will still be some "controversy". It's a sign of healthy democracy.