Moonlighting
A quick look at the date of my last blog entry shows that it has been almost a whole month since the last time I have added commentary to this site.
It’s not that I haven’t had a number of really great topics to write about; because there have been many interesting and provocative issues that have come up over the last few weeks…so why have I not posted more.
I believe is that one of the reasons I have not had time to be more active on this site is that I am a PART TIME City Councillor. As a part time councillor you would think that I would have more time to reach out to my constituents… not less?
However, as one of the primary bread winners of my family of two children, being a part time councillor means that I need to be part time/full time at something else in order to make ends meet.
Wikipedia defines this condition as moonlighting.
Moonlighting, the practice of performing an additional job which is separate from a person’s day job.
And in my humble opinion, moonlighting city councillors are a serious problem.
Its not that you can’t perform the basic duties of a city councillor in a part time capacity… because you can. The problem as I see it is that you can’t fully dedicate yourself, go above and beyond, and give 110% to the task of being the very best public servant possible, when you need to stop what your doing and “go to work”
I have come to realise that being a City Councillor is arguably one of the most challenging and important roles I have ever played in my life. As a City Councillor you are responsible for making multi million dollar decisions that affect tens of thousands of people. This is far too important to be a side job!
Over the next couple of years I would really like to get YOUR opinion on this issue. Please feel free to add a comment to this post – and/or – take 30 seconds to complete a questionnaire on this issue.
July 30th, 2007 at 11:53 pm
Mike,
I was going to look up in Wikipedia the definition of the word “couple” but I’m petty sure I know what it means. I think the word “couple” means 2.
So I’m finding it odd that this blog was posted exactly one month ago, urging the citizens of Ward 4 to come back and complete a questionnaire about your “moonlighting” issue within a “couple (2) of days”?
I guess your full time job is taking up too much of your time eh?
July 31st, 2007 at 12:04 am
Thanks for the email. I had a problem activating the link – I appreciate you bringing this to my attention. I would love to hear what you think about the issue… maybe you could blog about it after you fill out my questionnaire.
After I read your email I visited your website…wow… talk about Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
During the election you were full of optimism, ideas, and had a real positive attitude that was downright refreshing. However following your election defeat your blog entries sound as if you drink battery acid for breakfast. Man… you sure sound bitter.
You should check out Steven Petric’s website, Inside Guelph. Not unlike yourself, Steve ran for city council in Ward 4 (twice in fact) However instead of playing the role of spurned political critic, he has gone on to create a fantastic community blog, become an effective political activist, and gone on to help make important changes in our City.
Hey look… I don’t really care if you want to spend the next four years throwing mud on me, knock yourself out, if that’s what floats your boat, however, trying to pull yourself up by putting other people down is ultimately self defeating and a real crappy way to live your life.
As for me, I will continue to fulfill my primary election promise – to do the very best I can for the City of Guelph – if that turns out to be insufficient then you don’t have to worry about me, I’m outspoken enough to dig my own grave thank you very much.
August 1st, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Well Said !
I was really upset with the last council which seemed to spend more time shooting insults at each other rather than debating the ISSUES and getting RESULTS !
Mike – so far so good, you seem to be doing your best and are keeping those of us who elected you engaged and informed. I like the way you speak your mind regardless of the issue.
October 2nd, 2007 at 6:09 am
Mike,
Aside from the fact that you upset me when you opposed a transit fair increase for single fare in spite of increasing costs, leaving the property owners holding the bag, and the fact that I don’t live in ward 4, I would like to commend you for providing this online forum for your Ward 4 residents. I hope that you can persuade other members on council to provide this means of feedback for their constituents as well. You have done well for you first year as councillor. Quite frankly, I don’t know how you have time to give your family the attention it deserves. Let’s hope that we go to full time councillors to help with this situation.
October 30th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
I agree with Sue. I was torn between you and Cam for my second vote last election. Then I read Cam’s website. Aside from information about his wife singing the anthem at a ball game, there was very little substance and a lot of immature drivel. I like your water-off-a-duck approach. Let the mudslingers sling – you will only reap mud from mud. I’ll have no problem deciding between you and him next time around. Might be nice to see some folks run from the poor parts of town. These areas always seem to have so much life, but yet not a lot of hope in this elitist town. And a part time council salary for an underemployed individual would certainly be a dream come true. I’m not so sure the issue is part-time vs full-time. It seems to me to be more of a calling for the greater good vs a calling for the greater fame. You will follow your passion regardless and you either have the heart, or you don’t.
November 1st, 2007 at 9:01 pm
I can accept politicians making decisions I don’t agree with because we will never agree with each other all the time, that’s life.
What I have absolutly no patience for are our elected officials acting like spoiled babies, wasting our tax dollars hurling insults at each other and wasting my time as the previous administration did. Mr. Guthery appears to disagree with my perspective on this issue, and while I accept that, I don’t have to vote for it.
What is important to me is honesty, open mindedness and a willingness to consider all the sides of an issue before making a judgment call.
Over the last year I have regularly watched council meetings and I have been really impressed with the quality of debate on the issues before council. I have watched you guys work together to solve serious issues, fight like hell for what you believe in and even laugh with each other along the way. You can actually see the difference in faces of the City staff because they no longer appear afraid to open their mouths for fear of being publicly ridiculed.
July 30th, 2007 at 11:55 pm
November 23rd, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Hi Mike
I recently visited Cam Guthrie’s website and you should read the kind of stuff he is writing about you.
Apparently because you quoted his blog in addition to the comment he left on your site you are somehow misleading the public.
This is a copy of the comment I wrote Cam.
November 23rd, 2007 at 10:56 pm
Hi Jake
Thanks for the note, and thanks for your reply to Cam. I would agree with you.
It seems to me like a pretty trivial issue being spun into some kind of major breach of public trust. Nevertheless, I separated the comments into two separate entries, it reads exactly the same but the later part has now been credited to his blog.
Thanks for your efforts but this kind thing just diverts us from the real issues.