Ladies and gentlemen - candidate Cameron!
GIMLI DECISION 2006
Put Citizens At the Top of Governance Model
By Jim Mosher
Friday October 13, 2006
Interlake Spectator
Judith Cameron says Gimli council needs to invert its governance model – and put people back at the top. "You've got to invert the pyramid, and have the community up here." She said Tuesday. "Council is the point at the bottom." Cameron, 47, says council’s work must be informed and balanced by input from across the municipality. It’s left to council to find the balance. Development – a good thing, says Cameron – is one area that needs more direction. "It’s all a balancing act," she said, taking the example of high-priced condominium development and the issue of affordable housing. "You have to balance a variety of community needs. The need for high-end condos is clear, but you’ve got to balance that with housing generally."
Many on the latest edition of council have, says Cameron, paid lip service to affordable housing. (Kevin Chudd, the incumbent mayor, she emphasizes, has been on-board from Day 1) Cameron is Vice Chairman of the Gimli Non-Profit Housing Corporation. "We have been championing that initiative. I would love to have had these people now paying lip service to have lent their support before" It’s the indecisiveness of the past council that bothers Cameron.
"There’s been no strategic planning," she side of wider issues that include such things as affordable housing, investment in sewer and roads infrastructure. "You can’t keep shuffling these things off." The strategic plan, as Cameron sees it, would take both a short and long term view. "It must include seniors, youth, infrastructure, recreation, she said.
Cameron describes how she believes a strategic plan should be constructed. First, there must be a series of public meetings. Then a community needs assessment is required to nail down just what is generally agreed as required. These two pieces are then melded into a draft strategic plan, which is then presented to the public. "It’s a long process but an inclusive one, notes Cameron. "The past council did not want to do a needs assessment or invite community input because they knew then that they’d have to act on what the community wants." Cameron said.
It may be, Cameron suggests, that Gimli citizens want a swimming pool, a community hall, a truly multi-use facility. If so, why not? "Why can’t we think outside the box?" she said. "You’ve got to talk to people. Our people are intelligent…they know what they want. And you’ve got to talk to youth." But it’s not all about "progress", if progress means dressing up Gimli to take it down the wrong path. "We need to make progress but not at the expense of changing the dynamic of the community, not making it such that you lose the charm that is inherent in Gimli."
The duty of a councilor, says Cameron, is to honor one’s duty to citizens. That can be achieved with frank, public discussion. "The atmosphere at the council table has to be conducive to the exchange of ideas." Cameron
and husband Scott have three children – Michael, 13, 11 year old Daniel and Katie, six.
Put Citizens At the Top of Governance Model
By Jim Mosher
Friday October 13, 2006
Interlake Spectator
Judith Cameron says Gimli council needs to invert its governance model – and put people back at the top. "You've got to invert the pyramid, and have the community up here." She said Tuesday. "Council is the point at the bottom." Cameron, 47, says council’s work must be informed and balanced by input from across the municipality. It’s left to council to find the balance. Development – a good thing, says Cameron – is one area that needs more direction. "It’s all a balancing act," she said, taking the example of high-priced condominium development and the issue of affordable housing. "You have to balance a variety of community needs. The need for high-end condos is clear, but you’ve got to balance that with housing generally."
Many on the latest edition of council have, says Cameron, paid lip service to affordable housing. (Kevin Chudd, the incumbent mayor, she emphasizes, has been on-board from Day 1) Cameron is Vice Chairman of the Gimli Non-Profit Housing Corporation. "We have been championing that initiative. I would love to have had these people now paying lip service to have lent their support before" It’s the indecisiveness of the past council that bothers Cameron.
"There’s been no strategic planning," she side of wider issues that include such things as affordable housing, investment in sewer and roads infrastructure. "You can’t keep shuffling these things off." The strategic plan, as Cameron sees it, would take both a short and long term view. "It must include seniors, youth, infrastructure, recreation, she said.
Cameron describes how she believes a strategic plan should be constructed. First, there must be a series of public meetings. Then a community needs assessment is required to nail down just what is generally agreed as required. These two pieces are then melded into a draft strategic plan, which is then presented to the public. "It’s a long process but an inclusive one, notes Cameron. "The past council did not want to do a needs assessment or invite community input because they knew then that they’d have to act on what the community wants." Cameron said.
It may be, Cameron suggests, that Gimli citizens want a swimming pool, a community hall, a truly multi-use facility. If so, why not? "Why can’t we think outside the box?" she said. "You’ve got to talk to people. Our people are intelligent…they know what they want. And you’ve got to talk to youth." But it’s not all about "progress", if progress means dressing up Gimli to take it down the wrong path. "We need to make progress but not at the expense of changing the dynamic of the community, not making it such that you lose the charm that is inherent in Gimli."
The duty of a councilor, says Cameron, is to honor one’s duty to citizens. That can be achieved with frank, public discussion. "The atmosphere at the council table has to be conducive to the exchange of ideas." Cameron
and husband Scott have three children – Michael, 13, 11 year old Daniel and Katie, six.
posted by Clare L. Pieuk at 11:03 AM
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