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The editor of the Chronicle seems to have a rather unusual notion of what belongs m the so-called "Business" section of the newspaper A few weeks ago, we were treated to Pam Mount account of the d6culties she had getnng her WM) computer to transmit faxes from a hotel room dunng a business tnp to western Canada Thus week we had to swallow Douglas McCreadyy halihaked discourse on the ward Issue which IS masquerading as Informed commentary The rules under which mumcipal court. ullors are chosen are not neutral. Putting a ward system m place to elect a mapnty of the members of City Counctl was a major step tn bnngtng pohucs mto line mth the realm of Waterloo m the 19905. For that reason. I was opposed to the question placed on the ballot last November since it reflected an 1ll.consuieted and electonlly- motwated exetme. means more power to the bureaucrats My present concem ts not the decision by Waterloo Council to delay action on that question, although tt deserves to be addressed In some future Issue of the Chromcle Rather, I belteve that the so- called ‘economtc Issues' McCready raw tn hrs November 1 column amount to a profound mtseepeesentanort of the open- tton of a municipal counctl His major cri- tique olward systems ts that they may lead to unnecessary expansion of the public sector The argument er. at best, unproven and unsound, McCready asserts that members of com-r ol m a ward system wish to see lavonte protects completed wuhin their term of Mike' and that councdlors willingly sup port one another m order to get toothes' whtch help them each get reelected I challenge him to substantiate tlus clam with specific examples: where are these legactes m Waterloo m 1995? What unnecessary propels can he Identify which have lrenadirect resuhontavingaward Volunteering - A Great Way To Grow. By volunteering, you can brighten the lives of many, helping yourself and your com- munity to grow The Volunteer Amen Centre of Kitch- eneoWaterloo can help match your inter- est and skulls wuh specific Jobs for volunteers m 200 community organiza- lH'lEIL "t0TEEC' Smaller council system? Or the direct result of 'back scratching'? Is there a Mony Taylor he truck? A Brute Alexander sidewalk? Scott Jone park batches? A Dave Roda swim- ming pool? A Craig Hoddle sports iiekit Tricia Siemens speed bumps? A Bruce Andctson branch library? The fact ofthe man istharmembets of Wuzrloo council do not hoe the luxury ohpprovingcnpiul pmiectsontheusis of personal whim or parochial pressures, especially in the current financial climate. ll anything, council is aggressively skepti- cal of any financial commitments which are not carefully justified and broadly Also, how does he explain the long-term them in municipal taxes m Waterloo before the ward system was actually imple mented in 1991? Or the steady nse Ut edu- cation taxes when school board trustees are elected at-large, not in wards? Secondly, he ts grasping at a ridiculously thin stmv to suggest that the hidden cost' of briefing aM providing a ‘llow of infor- mation' to seven ward councillors ts a seri- ous reason to support the reduction of wards For one thing, Waterloo councillors are provided with very little phone, secre- tarial and aiministrative semces - possibly much less than McCready himself IS able to call upon in Launet's School of Bust- nes. He at last has an office with a door! More seriously these presumably wate- ful expenditures are indispensahle if coun- ctllors are to conduct the public's business. Without them, the capacity of councillors to help citizens with problems or to under. stand many of the complex questions on council: agenda would be seriously com- I would not be surprised if such aspects of the councillor's role regularly went unfulfilled, that Prof. Mchdy would be ready to use his Itusiness' column to com- plain that the municipal corporation was not looking after Its clients properly or was making decisions without adequate infor- mation, Finally, 1 find it alarming that Prof. McCreaiy blithely was that wards ‘arc lions and programs. For information on these and other volunteer opportunities, contacl the Volunteer Action Centre at 742-8610, NEEDED: FOSTER CARE PROVIDERS WITH A DIFFERENCE Cal lovers are needed to provide foster care for cats until permanent homes are CHQBTMAFD OPEN HOU§E Sunday, November 12, 1995 12:00 - 5:00 pan. Christmas Decorating & Gift Ideas YORK NURSERY t66t ttigMnttd I.“ Nut. [Mum I26 ”17 m: tMot TIE-I'll not the best my to govern‘ because they 2iGJ/eii by beep]; who wish lo give representation to those who typically do not get representation-' . . I I I - r--A.. ...,. 5,. .-r._,..._t - This is precisely where the McCready commentary should set off alarm bells in the minds of Waterloo citizens: he asserts that in could get the some benetats for less cost if we were to reduce the number of wards.' Taken to Its logical conclusion, this seems to mean we should eliminate the council altogether m the name of lower costs and let the bureaucrats or the province make all the decisions, T"" Council is a unique vehicle for ensunng that the Interests of the City's residents are articulated when decisions are made, This rs a government we are talking about. not a car wash or a Widget manufacturer. ll is what councillors do, not how many there are or what it may cost, which should count in any evaluation of a ward system, Waterloo citizens ought not to be misled Into thmlung that hzvmg fewer politicians making the decisions is somehow a recipe for better, more 'effment' government A reduction In the sue of city council enhances the power of the bureaucracy and reduces the possibility that council's decision reflects the genuine interests of those of us who live here found, Position may involve socializing cats or cam; for injured cam Volunteers mll be matched with a suitable cat. This is a very rewardmg position for vol- unteers " they watch homeless cats become adoptable compamon animals, Times and length of comrmtment an flex. ible. $541407 The Waterloo Chronicle welcomes lett'ers to the editor. They should be signed with name, address and phone number and will be verified for accumy. Letters should not exceed 250 words and the Chronicle reserves the right to edit. Unsigned letters will not be published. "r-'-------" Robert]. Williams Waterloo Clalikk Voluntary Pay FAIWLOWS Rewarding our carriers for a In!) well done! -mu.-Cr"r"Gi'."1 - no; t t 92LssdgeSt., Waterloo 5/ l Tegtstohtotttsisur)886a894 Large Car Park - Self Contained "NO SMOKING AREA" T 7 p.m. and 10 pm. $3,000 prizeboard including $1,000 must go Jackpot Plus $1,500 Super Jackpot __ taneanttgotnUsSoon WOW