Dear Editor,

I’d like to thank Robert Wills for his letter in last week’s edition of the paper (Transparency in Government, Nov. 27, 2024, THE EQUITY). It serves to open the door to what goes on at the closed plenary meetings of MRC Pontiac where decisions are made and taxpayers’ money is spent. The MRC does not share the inner workings of the conclave in any meaningful or timely way, and Mr Wills, as pro-mayor of Thorne, has been there. Thankfully, it sounds like he hasn’t been drinking as much of the Kool-Aid as the majority of mayors seem willingly to indulge in. So, thank you, Robert Wills. Stay thirsty, my friend.

I disagree, however, with Mr. Wills’ opinion that the public wouldn’t be interested in the plenary, and would be bamboozled by the amount of dollars being spent, the number of items being discussed, and wouldn’t be able to form an intelligent opinion on anything if allowed to attend. Never underestimate the electorate, Mr. Wills. The recent rejection of the warden’s incinerator scheme, and the ongoing protest from the people over property assessments should serve as a reminder that, when governments don’t listen, the people of the Pontiac will rise up. The plenary meetings might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but taxpayers should have the option of knowing what’s going on if we choose to do so. Like it or not, MRC, the people still have the power to call the shots.

With the lack of information coming from the MRC on just about everything under the current regime, and with meeting agendas and draft bylaws being released far too late for the public to have time for meaningful input, open plenary would give the public a fighting chance to see and hear their elected representatives debate issues and arrive at decisions. As things stand now, bylaws and draft bylaws, having been discussed at the closed plenary, are passed or tabled with little or no discussion at the regular meetings, while the taxpayers who are footing the bill look on, not knowing the background or rationale behind the decisions being made, and with no explanation being offered in many cases. Residents who wish to view bylaws are required to go to the MRC or their local municipal office to see them after the fact, instead of having the information readily available online.

Further, due to the floating placement of the public question period during the MRC meetings, residents often can’t ask questions about agenda items that are yet to be discussed. The public question period is usually tension-filled, with the warden limiting speakers to strict time limits, and often interrupting questioners she feels are not adhering to her loosey-goosey rules of order. It’s an intimidating way to gain information, and the slightest infraction can get you reprimanded.

As a result of the closed plenary meetings, and lack of timely information from the MRC, the public is largely kept in the dark. And the warden and mayors seem to be ok with that.

Mr. Wills does, however, hint at what I’ve always suspected. Under the Toller regime, plenary meetings are ‘mind-numbing one-way talkathons’. From what I’ve seen, that trend continues at the regular MRC meetings as well, with the warden doing the talking and the Council of Mayors sitting quietly by. Wills also remarks that ideas for manageable and practical solutions to problems are rejected at plenary in favour of large ticket items. “Don’t waste your time expecting MRC to adopt a small plan that might work”, states Mr. Wills. And it appears that he is correct in that observation.

The Pontiac MRC is our local government, and in my opinion it is off the rails. It seems the warden is dictating the show, and the Council of Mayors either can’t or won’t act. The plenary meeting is where the decisions are being made, mayors seem to be silent, and we, the public, are locked out.
How long must we put up with this, and why can’t it be rectified?

It’s time for some serious changes on municipal councils and at the MRC. We need to elect public officials who will work to put people first, with affordable, common-sense solutions. And we need open plenary meetings. We know now that the Toller ‘swing-for-the-fences’ agenda has failed, and that incinerators and solar farms aren’t the key to Pontiac’s future. The promised lineup of investors eager to put money into our forest industry hasn’t materialized, and reviving the industry hasn’t been as simple as we were lead to believe. We also need reliable hydro. We have been on a downhill slide, and we have a long road ahead of us. Big promises are no longer enough. We are over that. We need a team approach that offers practical ideas and shared vision. It isn’t going to happen overnight. The warden should not be the star of the show. Mayors need to bring their leadership skills, step up to the plate and speak up, or stay at home.

In 2025, we will have a chance again to elect representatives that will be open and transparent. When politicians come knocking on your door in the new year, be ready with questions for them, and choose carefully. The many failed promises of prosperity in recent years have made Pontiac people pretty good judges of character. Any would-be politician who comes along claiming to be a messiah should be rejected. Let’s not enable history to repeat itself.

And thanks again, Robert Wills, for the glimpse beyond the Iron Curtain of the MRC. It’s been extremely helpful.

Gerry Bimm, Otter Lake