MV residents deserve better

Opinion

A recent correspondent to the Valley Gazette challenged candidates to release specific platforms so voters can “hold their feet to the fire.”

For ten months The Madawaska Current has been doing just that – holding the feet of the Mayor and Council to the fire by reporting and commenting on issues like councillors’ micromanagement, the Railway Station, the abrupt departure of CAO Robertson, Integrity Commissioner Rosien’s breach of contract suit, councillor outbursts, the Mayor’s handling of conduct issues, and Integrity Commissioner Giorno’s report on a complaint against a councillor.

Elected officials promise accountability and transparency in campaigns but forget that public scrutiny, criticism, and tough questions from electors – and the news media – are the means by which these are measured.

Before casting their ballots voters should take into account how incumbent candidates have respected their promises of accountability and transparency not just during their terms but also during the campaign itself. To do this electors must ask if incumbent candidates allowed their records to be put under a microscope. If incumbents want second chances, they must prove they made the best use of their first ones.

As a public service media outlets help candidates communicate their messages. The Madawaska Valley Current has had a comprehensive election strategy including:

  • publishing candidate interviews,
  • providing an innovative online forum for candidates to respond to voters’ questions, and
  • co-sponsoring a meet-and-greet for the candidates and voters.

Although all candidates were invited, only one of the three mayoral candidates, Elser Lee Faith Archer and three of five council candidates – Carl Bromwich, David Shulist and Mark Wilmer — agreed to be interviewed by The Current. These four and mayoral candidate Andrey Kaminski participated in the online forum although all candidates had the opportunity.

Candidates Love, Maika and Peplinksi’s disdain for The Current is no secret, but it is important for politicians to avoid giving the impression that they will only allow their messages to be disseminated through friendly media (the Fox/Trump syndrome). The Current has fastidiously strived to ensure that MV residents read things that other media outlets won’t print and that take the Council to task for its actions, especially lack of transparency and accountability.

Candidates Love, Maika and Peplinski have reacted to The Current with what is best described as extreme petulance. Letters sent inviting their comments on Council’s actions about various matters have all been ignored. Press releases distributed to other media sources have omitted The Current, suggesting an embargo against it.

Most egregious, however, is their refusal to respond to readers’ questions on the online forum about matters of public concern relevant to their records and platforms. In a letter to The Current former councillor Linda Neuman highlighted this disregard of voters when she asked “WHY THE BOYCOTT?” and offered the following advice:

Step up to the plate, put aside your differences, be responsible and use every
opportunity to express your views and opinions so that we, the electorate, can make an informed decision in the coming election. Show us that you will represent the WHOLE of the municipality.

Sadly, days before election day, citizens who posed questions to all the candidates, have not received responses from Love, Maika and Peplinski. Their concerns have not been addressed and they have been ignored by their elected representatives.  This kind of disrespect for the electors is a far cry from the “respectful, inclusive, open and trustworthy” council that Mayor Love spoke about in her inaugural address on December 1, 2014.

Madawaska Valley residents deserve better.

6 Comments

  1. Jackie Lang

    As a seasonal visitor to the Barry’s Bay Area since the 1970’s, I note with great interest the turning of the political tides since the surge of The Current. How refreshing! Metaphorically cleansing all the sludge, slime and dirt from the Valley and depositing it right smack in the middle of awareness. Bravo!

  2. Pat Scott

    I certainly think we deserve a council who is willing to jump into the fire, withstand their critics, do what is best for all of us no matter what is involved in getting there, represent us in the best way possible in a respectful and truly transparent way, own your own behaviour and own your mistakes. There is more to the job than working hard – it is what you do and how our ratepayers concerns and needs are handled. Honesty, integrity, respect. Core values

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to Top
Comment Rules

  • Please show respect to the opinions of others no matter how seemingly far-fetched.
  • Abusive, foul language, and/or divisive comments may be deleted without notice.
  • In order to avoid confusion in the community, commenters must provide their full name (first and last) and a valid email address.
  • Comments must be limited to the number of words displayed above the comment box.

Verified by MonsterInsights