Date:
October 22, 2014
To:
Media
From:
Robert Kirwan
Candidate for Councillor of Ward 5
Re:
Kirwan Speaks About a Councillor’s Most Important Role
____________________________________________________________________________________________I
Too many candidates for Council focus on their role as part of a group of
13 people who are charged with sitting on committees and making
major decisions on policies, by-laws and budget matters that
will affect the entire City of Greater Sudbury. While that is
undoubtedly an important part of their job, by far the most
important responsibility that an elected Councillor accepts is
that of representing the individual and collective interests of
the residents living in his Ward.
This is what distinguished the Mayor from the City Councillor. The Mayor
is elected by the residents from across the city so he
represents all of the Wards. The City Councillors are elected by
individual Wards, so they represent their Ward. The City Council
comes together to decide on policies that deal with the common
interests of all Wards and will ensure that the best interests
of their individual Wards are not forgotten in the discussion.
In order to be able to fulfil this responsibility, it is critical that
the person you elect as your Ward Councillor has the knowledge
of the Ward; the experience of working with the wide range of
groups and organizations in the Ward; the ability to navigate
the maze that exists at City Hall; the qualifications to be the
Voice of the majority of the residents of the Ward; and the
ability to advocate on behalf of individual constituents from
the Ward who have problems and issues that they are trying to
resolve with city staff. You need someone who is going be in
your corner, watch your back, and actually accompany you to City
Hall to argue on your behalf when you need help. You need
someone who is going to answer his phone; check his email; and
be available when you need him – not whenever he can get around
to it or whenever he gets time off from his other full-time job
Being a Councillor is not a part-time job. There are full-time
obligations that a Councillor must accept when he is elected.
This individual and collective representation is the primary
responsibility that I am accepting as a Ward Councillor. I am
representing each and every individual in Ward 5 and I will be
there when they have a problem with City Hall and they need
support in making their presentation. Every man, woman and child
living in Ward 5 is my “client” and I will represent them with
passion and vigour at City Hall.
I will also have no problem fulfilling my other role which includes
sitting on City Council and discussing and deliberating on the
important issues that will affect the entire City of Greater
Sudbury. Just because I am a strong Voice for the residents of
Ward 5 does not mean that I am going to be detrimental or
disruptive to the functioning of City Council. On the contrary!
Knowing my role and maintaining my responsibility to the
individuals in my Ward will make me a better and stronger member
of City Council as we seek what is in the best interests of the
entire City.
My only hope is that we end up with a Mayor who has the courage to
explore new and innovative approaches to bringing this City back
to life and we have 12 Councillors who have such a passion for
representing their constituents that we will be able to come
together to accomplish great things by the end of
the next four years.
For more information go to
www.robertkirwan.ca