Discussions

RONFAY: "As an example, the consultant (architect/engineer) that designed the strawboard plant at Elie made some mistakes in the design, which meant the plant was unviable. The consultant went bankrupt."  
 
So, then you admit there is no accountability anyways. Even on a $5 million dollar contract. If the consultant in your example went bankrupt, then they are not going to be there to be held accountable to fix the problem anyways. No?  
 
I have no idea how your example may have worked out, but if I can assume it works as usual, one probably ends up paying out very high wages to owners hired as "employees", then the business proceed to liquidate as much of the company profits as possible, and then finally dissolving the company so that the problems disappear and somebody can start afresh, leaving the client with an extremely expensive facility that was improperly designed and simply does not work. Probably thrusts the client into bankruptcy, and everybody goes home happy. Sounds about right to how these types of things work out.  
 
Edited by Kirmit, 2017-12-06 14:58:59

The members of the Police may be the best it sounds like we hired ones' too busy to do the job maybe? I am not sure if it is a volunteer position or not. IF their other commitments(day job etc) interfere with their board jobs something has to give.  
 
Tax wise under our current Mayor increases have been reasonable. The growth in staffing is a tad too high though. His spending in some areas needs to be rethought though. Infrastructure up grades ok. That 29 million on a festival park instead of a new Vehicle is questionable.

Doug said "The members of the Police may be the best it sounds like we hired ones' too busy to do the job maybe? I am not sure if it is a volunteer position or not. IF their other commitments(day job etc) interfere with their board jobs something has to give.     Tax wise under our current Mayor increases have been reasonable. The growth in staffing is a tad too high though. His spending in some areas needs to be rethought though. Infrastructure up grades ok. That 29 million on a festival park instead of a new Vehicle is questionable. "

The Police Board members are not paid. It is a volunteer position. It is uncommon for members of any oversight board to get involved in the day to day operations of the organization they oversee. They are typically tasked with providing strategic direction and leadership. While they are charged with selecting the Police Chief, I don't believe that means they are expected to organize and run a national candidate search and selection process. If that was the case, you'd need to make sure you had some qualified headhunters on the board. But then you're recruiting board members with a different skill set then what is set out in the mandate of the board. That's why I believe it is acceptable to go outside to hire the expertise required to find the best candidate possible.  
 
As for your comment on taxes and spending, that is an entirely different debate. Most people will have differing opinions on where the city should be spending its budget, and niche projects that do a great deal to enhance the community, but are not investments that will provide benefits to those who don't use them will always be a hot topic (i.e. Riverbank investments, skate park, etc.). Those types of spending decisions will always have vocal champions and detractors depending on their perspective.